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Art For Life Seventh Heaven

Aoki, Ming Lee, Kimora Lee and Russell Simmons (Photo: Johnny Nunez)

Kimora Uses Loud Mouth For Charity

Kimora Lee Simmons & Oscar de la Renta / 2004 / Patrick McMullan / Digital C-Print, 24" x 16" / Estimated Retail Value: $2,500 / Starting Bid: $625 / Lot number: 25

Kimora Lee Simmons, former model and Baby Phat founder, is hosting Rush Art Gallery's Art for Life silent auction in the East Hamptons — and bids for a 2004 Patrick McMullan society photo of her kissing face with Oscar de la Renta starting at $625. That's not too shabby for a photo worth $2,500 retail — but the price might be cheaper when re-appraised now that Kimora is out of sorts with the Simmons name.

AsianWeek.com, July 28, 2006

Who should step into Star Jones' seat at 'The View?

When Star Jones unexpectedly announced her departure from "The View" a few days earlier than planned, it sent shockwaves through Barbara Walters and the producers who had carefully scripted her exit.

A blindsided ABC didn't even have a replacement waiting in the wings. As a result, "The View" is suddenly facing a pivotal transition. With head honcho Meredith Vieira leaving to replace Katie Couric on "Today" and Rosie O' Donnell coming in to replace Meredith, the remaining veteran co-hosts, conservative "Survivor" veteran Elisabeth Hasselbeck and middle aged comedian Joy Behar, will need a strong fourth.

Though Behar is a pistol, it was Jones and Vieira who provided consistent oomph to the show. And with O' Donnell's strong personality, the empty seat will be a particularly tricky one to fill. The proper fit will be someone who is charismatic, quick on her feet and, most importantly, brand consistent for the show.

While "The View" has welcomed a number of guest hosts since Star's departure, reports indicate that the real tryouts won't begin until Rosie arrives.

So let's we play casting director and recommend three replacements for Star and rate their potential: (The meter ranges from $ to $$$$; more dollar signs signify a better fit.)

The Diva, Kimora Lee

Who better to fill Star's shoes than Kimora Lee Simmons, the queen diva herself? In addition to being a diva, Simmons is also a mother, clothing designer and entrepreneur. She earned her TV stripes as a member of the hosting quartet of the now defunct "Life and Style," and her on- and off-set behavior made Star Jones look like humble pie.

How much fun would it be to watch Simmons and Rosie face off each morning? If Rosie can't put Kimora in her place, nobody can.

Two Strikes:

_ At 30, Kimora is close in age to Hasselbeck, 29, and both have been married to famous husbands; Hasselbeck is happily married to NFL quarterback Tim, and Simmons is separated from hip-hop mogul Russell Simmons.

_ Kimora's behavior made for a tough fit in "Life & Style's" ensemble cast _ she often kept them waiting for hours while she sat pouting in her dressing room.

Kimora Lee Simmons' Celebrity A$$ets

The Substantive Model, Tyra Banks

After helming her own show, Banks has proved that though she's no natural like Oprah, she possesses substance in addition to her signature style. Banks would benefit from being part of the morning coffee klatch; bantering with co-hosts would play to her strengths. Opinionated in the best kind of way, Banks would provide the same kind of bravado that Star did, but without the drama. And it helps that Banks would contribute to the diversity of the cast; while similar in age to the youngest member of the show, she is certainly a big enough departure from the conservative, plain vanilla Hasselbeck.

One Strike:

_ She could fold in a face off with the more assertive Rosie.

Tyra Banks' Celebrity A$$$ets

A Newbie Could It Be You?

Holding an open casting call for talent would be the best possible promotional tool for The View. Its ratings are declining and it needs an energy injection. Though we wouldn't recommend they cheapen themselves by initiating a tempting reality spin off ("The Search for the Next View Host"), the hunt would be the talk of other morning talk shows everywhere.

One Strike:

_ Walters likely harbors a fear of repeating the Debbie Matenopoulos mistake, when she plucked a no-name from obscurity and the results were disastrous. Yet Star was discovered in a similar fashion and she was certainly a ratings boon _ for a while.

Newbie Celebrity A$$$$ets

Other rumored replacements and their strikes:

_ Brandi: People want to hear her sing, not talk.

_ Gayle King: Has not yet developed a public identity outside of Oprah.

_ Connie Chung: Too stiff.

_ Shannen Doherty: The best of the most talked about options, yet another Caucasian too close in age to Hasselbeck.

_ Katherine McPhee: Hasselbeck already has filled the reality-turned-talk-show-host role.

Remember: the most dependable road to the top is to treat your brand as your greatest asset.

ScrippsNews

Confessions from the Velvet Ropes

"Confessions from the Velvet Ropes," a new nonfiction book that chronicles the adventures of a high-profile New York City nightclub doorman, will be released in paperback by St. Martin’s Press on July 11th.

Journalist Glenn Belverio collaborated with Thomas Onorato to turn the doorman's career highlights (and low points) into a series of highly-readable, hilarious and outrageous tales from both sides of the velvet ropes. Eight pages of color photos illustrate scenes from exclusive parties and fashion shows. From the time Paris Hilton's sister, Nicky, was crowd-surfed at a chaotic Kimora Lee Simmons fashion show to the night Adrien Brody's birthday party was bombarded with eggs by irate neighbors to Courtney Love's surprise concert that ended in her arrest -- "Confessions from the Velvet Ropes: The Glamorous, Grueling Life of Thomas Onorato, New York's Top Club Doorman" is an unbridled ride through the worlds of clubs, fashion and celebrity. "

Available at Amazon.com

Miami Heat Signing

Kimora Lee Simmons will be signing autographs at Sephora in Aventura Mall to promote her new makeup line, KLS, on July 22 from noon and 5 p.m.

Also in the mall that day will be Miami Heat star Alonzo Mourning, who will be signing photos from 1-2:30 p.m. at BC Collectibles for $55. If you want sports equipment signed, that'll cost you $70.

King Mag Cover Girl - September 2006

(NY Daily News, July 2, 2006) - Hip-hop mogul Russell Simmons is openly dating, but his estranged wife, Kimora Lee Simmons, tries to keep her love life secret in a cover-story interview with King magazine. When editor in chief Datwon Thomas asks what it's like being "on the market," Kimora pretends ignorance. "Am I on the market? What market?" With that - in the unpublished outtakes of the interview - a publicist breaks in to demand: "What's going on here?" When Thomas repeats the question, the flack advises: "I have to tell you we are going to have to end this interview." But Kimora did return to the phone to take a few more questions.

At another point, the 6-foot-tall model-turned-designer insists men don't hit on her. "Guys do not step to me! They don't, and if they do, they're a certain kind of a guy, like some little kid in the club. Like, 'What, do you even know who I am?' But no one ever steps to me, I guess 'cause they are being respectful." Thomas asks: "Because of the affiliation?" - meaning Russell. Kimora pauses and stammers: "I mean, yeah ... uh, I don't know."

Elsewhere, the half-Japanese, half-African-American beauty announces that she's a "blazin' Asian. ... Me and Tiger Woods are the same damn thing!" As for her addiction to labels: "When I was a little girl, I slept on Ralph Lauren sheets. I was sleeping on another man: Ralph!"