Vv Magazine’s industry insiders and undercover scenesters fill you in on the best first-hand gossip from Toronto, Hollywood and everywhere in between. Who are we talking about? We don’t tell – but when we see and hear gossip, we let you know. Check in every Wednesday for freshly-squeezed juice, served ice cold.
Lady Gaga pulling a Leanne Rimes?
Juice factor: 8/10
She’s certainly fallen from the top of the charts to the bottom of the ranks, and if she was once at least dedicated to wearing meat dresses and stealing fashion inspiration from SpongeBob Squarepants, her new I’m-a-classically-trained-pianist-who-can-actually-sing-and-look-Old-Hollywood seems like a desperate plea to the mainstream now that her “Monsters” aren’t buying the weirdo act. At least her well-to-do Manhattanite parents seem thrilled, even if she does post the odd I’m-still-crazy-eccentric Instagram pics like these ones of her looking like Elton John as a merman tangled up in a fishing net. Some industry folks are speculating that she’s even pandering to the paparazzi and soliciting press the way Leanne Rimes has made getting her photo taken and updating social media a full-time job. After all, we’ve seen piles of hardcover coffee table books of Gaga shot by Terry Richardson at the Dollar Store for $3 where they weren’t exactly flying off shelves.
King West gets a Beverly Hills makeover
Juice factor: 8/10
Is it just us, or is King West becoming more and more bearable? We’ve being dying for The Addisons Residence – a new high-end cocktail lounge styled to feel like you’re in a Beverly Hills mansion – to open for months, and invites to the launch party on July 23rd have finally made the rounds. Word is the venue is putting in a pool for 2016, making it feel like The Standard Hotel in downtown LA or the Roosevelt on Hollywood Boulevard despite the short swimming season up here. It’s about time someone got inventive with interior design in this beige throw pillow of a town. We’ll see you in the games room near the foosball table.
Mick Jagger says what to get women in bed?
Juice factor: 7/10
Kate Hudson’s character in Almost Famous was actually based on real-life groupie Pamela Des Barres who’s probably the most famous backstage babe and some-time muse in rock history. Her autobiographical book I’m With The Band has earned her a cult following since the 80s thanks to the intimate details she divulges of Jim Morrison, Jimi Hendrix, Frank Zappa, and almost every rock god of the era. Analogue Gallery on Queen West is hosting a $30 per person evening with Pamela this Thursday where she’ll be answering questions from what Mick Jagger says in bed to what Jim Morrison was like before he died, reading stories, and having cocktails with guests while photos of her past conquests line the walls. Apparently it’s sold out. It doesn’t hurt that Toronto music scenesters will likely be there in bulk, since gallery owner Lucia Graca is not only a music photographer herself but also the fiancée of Arts + Crafts founder Jeffrey Remedios. Yes, the equally good-looking duo made it official late last year.
New Queen West resto takeover plans to shake up food scene
Juice factor: 9/10
Everyone’s knows Peter Pan across from the Black Bull, but not in an I-actually-go-there-to-eat kind of way, unless you work in the hood and know the location at least has a kickass patio. Well, new management thinks you’ll change your tune and even bring the office along for your holiday party. That’s right. New owner and chef Noah Goldberg has not only started curating kickass art to adorn the walls of the revamped art deco interior, he’s also doubling the capacity by expanding the square-footage.
The previous owners may have let the second floor go to waste (and by “waste” we mean it looked like a crack den) but after cleaning it out Goldberg was so enamoured with what he’d uncovered – high-ceilings, turn-of-the–century fireplace, antique stained glass windows, French doors, and old hardwood floors – he’s turning it into a private dining section for clientele wishing to entertain larger groups. He’s got the skills to deliver having trained with some of the best chefs in the world and ready to make a mark of the food scene in his hometown now that he’s running his own restaurant. He hasn’t even hired PR or done a press night, but we spotted a contributor to enRoute’s famous food issue dining there last week. Perhaps the word is out.
Al Gore dines on vegan fare at Cafe Bar Pasta
Juice factor: 7/10
The city is chock full of Hollywood A-listers this summer, but last week Dundas West was graced with some presidential (well, almost) presence. Al Gore was visiting town and dined at Cafe Bar Pasta. Looking quite svelte, his vegan diet was not broken as Chef Jay Scaife prepared a special meal for the environmentally conscious leader.
Blind Item: It starts with name-calling, and then…
Juice factor: 10/10
These two local celebs might have star-power in the city, but they don’t exactly get VIP treatment outside of the 416 area code. That was fine when they were friends, but now that they’ve had a clear falling out things are about to get messy in a “you’re not on the list” kind of way. Ouch. Stick and stones might break bones, “I don’t see your name and the event is full” stings to anyone who relies on doormen as their primary source of self-esteem.
The two women, however, have a mutual LA-based friend who actually is famous by real-world standards. Their latest feud – which they aren’t exactly being quiet about – is over who’s going to be the plus one to her household name. It wouldn’t be a big deal if they both didn’t have competing reality shows in the works where a visit from an actual famous person could do wonders for ratings. Remember high school? It doesn’t actually get better, kids, it doesn’t get better.
Spotted: Scott Eastwood picnicking with baby sister
Juice Factor: 8/10
In town for Suicide Squad, Scott Eastwood is getting comfortable in Toronto. He’s been spotted at many local hot spots, including Cabana Pool Bar last week. But our hearts melted when we spotted Mr. Will Wong post a photo of Scott after he’d just spent the afternoon picnicking with younger sister Francesca Eastwood.
Precious. Stars – they’re just like us!
Related Link: Scene & Heard: Will Smith, Jane Fonda & Karl’s New Muse
What had your blood boiling and your mouths gasping from this week’s Scene & Heard column? Leave us your thoughts in the comments below or tweet us at @ViewtheVibe.