Here's what it was like inside the Vanity Fair Oscars afterparty
BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. -- If you weren't allowed to tweet, take pictures or do any interviews at the hottest Oscar afterparty, were you really there?
Answer: Yes, but you're pretty much invisible among the 14page roster of Hollywood A-listers.
And that's OK -- because it's the Vanity Fair Oscars Party. And there was In N Out.
You May Also Like
The VF event, hosted by Graydon Carter, has long been the hottest Oscars afterparty. This year was no different, with the The Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts in Beverly Hills transforming into a magical escape for everyone in the industry after the show.
And truly, I mean everyone was there. At around 3 a.m. PT, the publication sent press an official list of all the attendees, and it was even too long to even copy/paste.
So how did Mashable get there? It was an invitation a journalist can't say no to, even if there are restrictions involved. A lot of restrictions.
For example: Reporters only get a one-hour timeslot. Mine was from 11 p.m. until midnight. That's right, just like Cinderella.
Just hours ahead of the event, we were sent a note with the final rules:
That meant relying on Getty images, mental memory (and ok, maybe some typed out iPhone moments). Challenge accepted."Gentle reminder—there is no social media, recording, or note taking inside the party."
10:15 p.m.: Leave my apartment in West Hollywood to journey to Beverly Hills.
10:30 p.m.: Encounter tons of street closures, should have listened better to the instructions outlined on my parking pass.
10:50 p.m.: Finally find my way to valet.
10:55 p.m.: Turns out I'm the first reporter there.
11:00 p.m.: There's a mariachi band outside! I trip on the stairs in my gown, just as Aubrey Plaza and Malin Akerman roll in.
11:03 p.m.: Security tells Plaza she looks beautiful. The person accompanying her asks if she wants to "change into regular shoes" after walking the carpet. She says she's fine, and they make their way in to the actual party.
11:05 p.m.: I walk the carpet. Actually, I am just told to shuffle on the carpet, behind the stars as they take their pictures, as quickly as possible. Accidental photobomb: Check. The party is just packed enough for me to make my way around.
11:08 p.m.: The first person I spot: Eddie Redmayne, surrounded by a group of people including his wife Hannah Bagshawe. They later were seen hanging out with fellow parents-to-be Anne Hathaway and Adam Shulman. At one point, Emma Roberts also approached Redmayne to congratulate him for the nomination.
11:10 p.m.: I watch this photo get taken. #Aliasreunion.
11:15 p.m.: In the dining room area, the vibe is a bit more lounge-like. Retro style cigarette girls walk around the bar -- in the center of the room -- offering guests cigarettes, mints and Oscar-themed chocolate. Behind the seating areas, TV screens displayed the party entrance and carpet. Emily Blunt and Amy Adams walk in at the same time, greeting Tina Fey who is standing by the bar with husband Jeff Richmond. "Hi, how are you?" Adams says to Fey, giving her a hug. "Good to see you!" Blunt reply. The two then rush off to sit.
11:20 p.m.: I photobooth solo because when in Rome (but following the no social media rule, I 'grammed this on Monday). It takes just 10 seconds for the pictures to print.
11:22 p.m.: I check out the food option -- In N Out burgers, milkshakes, buckets of buttermilk fried chicken, mini hot dogs ... heaven. Not sure how many celebrities indulged in these delicious options, but Room star Brie Larson was pictured eating one post Oscar win.
11:25 p.m.: Nearby another bar at the party (there are 3!), Blake Shelton leans down to give Gwen Stefani a kiss. Awww. Meanwhile Khaleesi -- I mean Emilia Clarke -- chats with Andy Samberg. Another Game of Thrones star Sophie Turner walks in with a friend and says "Let's go get a drink!"
11:30 p.m.: Finally -- I spy the man of the night, Leonardo DiCaprio of course, surrounded by people -- including Rebel Wilson and Netflix's Ted Sarandos -- in line to take pictures with him or congratulate him. Both he and his mom are beaming. She keeps lifting up the Oscar and posing for people's pictures. "Mom enough, enough," Leo jokes, flashing onlookers that classic Leo smile. It looked straight out of a party scene from The Great Gatsby.
11:35 p.m.: Another man of the night, Chris Rock, enters and immediately embraces Puff Daddy.
11:37 p.m.: Taylor Swift, her brother and Lorde are waiting to go in Mark Seliger's popular Instagram portrait studio, where throughout the night Elizabeth Banks, Jessica Alba, Tyler Oakley, James Corden, Sofia Vergara, Justin Timberlake and Jessica Biel and others flock to get their pics taken.
Before heading in, Swift hugs Sam Smith. "You won an Oscar!" she says.
11:40 p.m.: John Legend, accompanied by a beautiful glowing Chrissy Teigen, also embraces Smith. "My man!" he says. Then he turns to Teigen and says "you want to do the mark photos real quick?" and they head to the portrait studio hand-in-hand.
11:45 p.m.: I decide in my last 15 minutes to check out the outside area. There, Nick Jonas lingers at the bar, Zac Posen chats with model Naomi Campbell and Jon Hamm meets up with Judd Apatow.
11:55 p.m.: Someone yells "Oh my God, Tim Cook!" Yep, even he's here. Though I guess it's no surprise given the heavy Apple presence (both the photobooth and DJ booth were Apple-sponsored). I also spot Caitlyn Jenner and Lady Gaga (epic duo) posing for photos.
Midnight: I dash like Cinderella to get to the exit on time, and then wait 30 minutes for valet to bring my car. Luckily, exiting guests are given espresso and donuts for the road. There, I was waiting with Selena Gomez, Larry David, Ben Affleck, Matt Damon, Hilary Swank, Corden, Sarandos, Banks and others.
I'm the Nissan in a sea of limos, but for some reason it doesn't feel like riding off in a pumpkin -- just riding back to reality.
Have something to add to this story? Share it in the comments.
Topics Oscars
Saba was a Los Angeles-based reporter who covers all things digital entertainment, including YouTube, streaming services and digital influencers. Prior to that, she spent two years at the Los Angeles Times covering entertainment for the Calendar and Company Town sections. Saba grew up in Santa Monica and graduated from Boston University with a B.S. in journalism and B.A. in political science. When not reporting, she is usually binge watching shows online or looking for new coffee shops to frequent.
