Every rich and famous celebrity in Hollywood loves to get free stuff. Doesn’t matter if they’re an A-list movie star or a newbie guest on their first TV series. Swag is like celebrity crack. Once they try it, they always come back for more.
That’s why the celebrity gifting suites – or as I like to call them – celebrity looting suites– are still going strong. And the 2011 Emmy suites held last weekend were no exception.
The hottest (and most conveniently located) Emmy swag suites were the HBO Luxury Lounge – held at the Four Seasons hotel, which was already packed with Emmy nominees in from out of town – and the HP TouchSmart Gift Lounge – held backstage at the Nokia Theatre during Saturday Emmy rehearsals and the actual Sunday night show. Just like in real estate, successful suites are all about location, location, location.
Over at the HP TouchSmart Lounge, Emmy nominees and guests were playing the wildly popular video game Angry Birds on the HP TouchSmart PC (they even have a new laptop and tablet rolled into one And no, it’s not in the stores yet). For every star that played Angry Birds, HP donated money based on their scores. The final tally hit over $100,000 and it all went to the Academy of Television and Arts and Sciences Foundation. Needless to say, this charitable touch-n-give aspect drew in lots of stars, including a cleaned-up Charlie Sheen, clearly anxious to get back in the fold.
Movie stars see movies for free, right? Not exactly. Stars usually don’t even stay for their own premieres and 0ften see their films (and others) incognito at theaters with real people, otherwise known as civilians. That’s why stars love getting their AMC Signature Pass card that gets them (and a guest) in for free to any AMC theatre anywhere in the country.
Akon slid his new AMC card into his tux pocket on Emmy night to keep it safe. Access Hollywood’s Mario Lopez told us he uses his all the time. Even Entourage star Jerry Ferrera snagged one for himself and his girlfriend. If you don’t have an AMC card, you can still see free movies (and get free popcorn) by signing up for the AMC Stubs membership.
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Steven Tyler is taking no chances. The sober American Idol judge requested that the Moreno champagne bar be covered with a tarp at Roger Neal’s Style Hollywood Oscar Suite during his visit earlier this week.