Answer: The Creative Coalition

Question: What is the fastest route to get in front of a Congressman if you are a Hollywood A-list’er with a major social or political statement, cause or agenda.

Wednesday night after we rolled into Union Station and worked hard to make ourselves look almost human after Vegas and NY, we stepped into B. Smith’s for The Creative Coalition VIP Dinner party.  Here was a haven for the entertainment world meets politicos (with shutterbugs a following their every move), but for much more than just posing for pictures.  This was TCC’s “Welcome Back Celebration”, a Tribute to the 110th Congress. TCC is non-profit and non-partisan and it is the premier political and social advocacy organization of the entertainment industry.  It has players like Alec Baldwin, Susan Sarandon, Joe Pantoliano (Co-Prez), Heather Graham, Alan Cumming, Virginia Madsen, and many other Hollywood A-List’ers.  They say that Tinseltown has this love affair with the Hill, and vice versa.  This impactful organization certainly brings these two powerful worlds together in order to make social progress.  I hear the group spent all day working and meeting with members of Congress to talk about advocacy issues and which ways each can work together to resolve them. 

(Pictured: Ralph Giovenco and me at the B. Smith’s party taken with Victoria’s camera)

Speaking of A-List’ers, that was who was heading in the door almost immediately after we arrived.  Morgan Fairchild, Heather Graham, Alan Cumming (both were here to attend the private screening of their movie Gray Matters, who also starred Tom Brady’s gorgeous ex- Bridget Moynahan), Wendie Malick, Fran Drescher, and the list goes on and on. B. Smith herself was there to welcome the politicians who had left a long hard day on the Hill, with bites of her delicious Southern style menu.  Senators, Congressmen, actors, directors, producers, writers, oh, and the amount of photographers!  Oh, and we little normal folk who were dying and ready to pass out.  (How DO these people do this? And look so darn great!?! Oh yes, personal trainer, chef, yoga, probably lots of sleep.)  After about an hour, we took off. We had to be fresh for the movie screening Thursday night to be held at the House of Sweden. 

Personally, I admire these actors who utilize their celebrity for great causes.  Whether they are involved with YouthAIDS, breast cancer awareness, voting, quitting smoking or the prevention of using drugs, I am proud of each of these entertainers, especially those who march up to the Capitol and intelligently work through these issues with passion.  I hate when I hear people say “Bono is a singer, he should just sing” or George Clooney/Angelina Jolie/Ashley Judd/fill in the blank is an actor. He/she should just act.”  In my humble opinion, I think it’s great that they are taking a stance and action.  Yes, they probably do get the ears of Congress faster BECAUSE they are famous.  But if they are doing it for meaningful causes, so what?  The formula works.  (However, I do worry about the day that Paris decides to adopt a baby from Zimbabwe and Lindsay meets with Congress about lowering the legal drinking age.) 

Off to get ready for the big movie premiere!