Scene in the Tropics

Alex Rodriguez sells Miami Beach manse to a mystery Palm Beach celeb for $30M

TMZ reports that ARod has left the building--that is, his 9 bedroom, 11 bathroom Miami Beach manse, which he just sold for $30 million. Though the Yankee slugger took an $8 million pay cut in the price of the home, originally listed at $38 mil, he bought it in 2010 for $7.4 million, raking in a pretty impressive profit nonetheless. The buyer, TMZ says, is a Palm Beach celeb. Rush Limbaugh? Rod Stewart? G-d forbid Donald Trump?  No one knows--yet. Says our real estate mole, "It's a couple from Palm Beach." The home is not so far from Matt Damon's, which is currently on the market for the bargain basement price of $20 million. True high rollers, however, may want to consider the Versace mansion, which just dropped its asking price today from $100 million to $75 million.

World Music Awards sham canceled, uses Sandy Hook tragedy as excuse

By Jordan Levin and Lesley Abravanel

The mystery of the World Music Awards is solved.

It's been canceled once and for all, say organizers.

The official statement: "For 21 years, the World Music Awards was primarily produced in Monte Carlo. This year the Awards ceremony was scheduled to be at the Marlins Park on Saturday, December 22. Event organizer John Martinotti, along with the team on the ground in Miami, reached a decision yesterday to postpone the event: "We are sorry for any inconvenience but this decision had to be made due to logistical and multiple visa issues and in view of this week's national mourning. Fans have been a great support to the artists and have voted online in huge numbers."

A press release issued on Dec. 13 said the WMAs would raise funds for Superstorm Sandy victims and “be beamed to 180 countries reaching a billion viewers.”

Less than two weeks ago it was announced that the Eurocentric event, usually held in Monaco, would take place on Dec. 20 at Marlins Park. What wasn't announced was the name of a single performer. A vague press release over the weekend announced a date change to the 22nd and touted awards for several big names, including Jennifer Lopez, Earth, Wind & Fire, Tony Bennett, Gloria Estefan and One Republic (not One Direction as was mistakenly reported in Scene in the Tropics).
 
The only major act promised to actually perform was Bennett. Not so, said a Rogers and Cowan spokesman for Bennett, saying the famed jazz crooner was never slated to appear. Mark Young, a past World Music Awards producer and publicist for Jennifer Lopez and Earth, Wind & Fire contacted us saying, "Neither Jennifer or EWF are confirmed to participate on the show. Jennifer has a sold out concert in Puerto Rico as the final stop for her Dance Again World Tour on December 22. The show has been sold-out for months.

And a U.S. label publicist for Brazilian star Michel Telo, another act supposedly performing, also said Telo would be a no show.

Demi Moore stayed at A-Rod's house & made multiple visits to Miami's "Master Injector"

While some speculated that Demi Moore may be on the verge of another trip to rehab for substance abuse, according to our very inside sources, the only substances she is addicted to are age fighting ones--Restylane, Perlane, Dysport and Botox. While in town during Art Basel, the 50-year-old Moore made repeated visits to popular NYC and Coral Gables-based cosmetic dermatologist, Dr. Frederic Brandt. As for the rumors she was shacking up with the 26-year-old art dealer Vito Schnabel at the W South Beach, those weren't true either as Moore was staying at Alex Rodriguez's house, Miami's own Hotel California for the bona fide A-listers. For a second we wondered if A-Rod and Moore were an item, but then we realized the baller was 37 and, well, that's a little too ancient for her. "No, no, they're not together at all," says our mole. Oh well. As for the ex-Mrs. Kutcher's allegedly odd behavior, that's an exaggeration, too. "The only thing weird about her, and it's not even that weird considering her age and considering her love of younger men," says the snitch, "is that she is absolutely, completely obsessed with her weight." Or lack thereof. (Photo/Getty Images/Dimitrios Kambouris)

The cryptic caper of the World Music Awards at Marlins Park solved--sort of

UPDATE: On December 17, we heard from Mark Young, a past World Music Awards producer and publicist for Jennifer Lopez and Earth, Wind & Fire, both listed on the below press release, who told us, "Neither Jennifer or EWF are confirmed to participate on the show. Jennifer has a sold out concert in Puerto Rico as the final stop for her Dance Again World Tour on Dec 22. The show has been sold-out for months. An offer has been made to Earth, Wind & Fire by the organization, but nothing as been confirmed." This confirms our own suspicions as written in the original post that begins here and ends with a copied and pasted press release sent to us over the weekend:

On Wednesday, it was announced that the eurocentric World Music Awards, which usually take place in Monaco, would be held on Thursday, December 20 at Marlins Park of all places, a far cry from the aforementioned Principality. Just two weeks away, and not a single headliner has been announced. Shortly thereafter, the WMA website was down (and is still down a day later), allegedly due to the enormous amount of fan voting, according to the WMA's official Twitter account. Marlins Park tweeted that tickets went on sale at 10 a.m. Thursday. But for what? Who are people paying to see? According to Vanessa Menkes, Opium Group's Senior VP of Communications, "We were offered the afterparty for 500k with no confirmed talent." Strange. Very strange. Besides that, all we heard regaring this bizarre awards show was the same sound you hear during a typical Marlins game--crickets.

We did reach out to Monaco, specifically to  Christiane Cane, Deputy Head of Press Department at Monte-Carlo SBM - Hotels & Casinos, who told us that yes, "The World Music Awards were organised for many years in the Principality," but had no further information on what it's doing in Miami. Cane directed us to WMA co-founder and executive producer John Martinotti, whom we emailed and have yet to hear back.

Today, we finally heard back from someone a little closer to home--Brandi Kolosky, the Miami-based Public Relations & Marketing Director of the WMA, whose employer, Crystal Custom Eyewear, is the show's co-producer. "The release will be sent out tomorrow once the managers of talent approve details, as I am sure you know, celebrities like the perfect timing to take place." We asked Kolosky why everything seems so last minute and why the show is in Miami instead of France and she said, "Last minute with the announcement is due to the change in location because the World Music Awards' message every year that they try to get across is one of peace and helping others, so therefore Hurricane Sandy victims are important as well as building a second WMA orphanage for children in Haiti." Um, ok. Stay tuned for the list of headliners. This should be interesting.

Update: The date has been changed to December 22 and, at long last, a press release, here in its bizarre entirety

WORLD MUSIC AWARDS JOINS FORCES WITH THE HAITIAN GOVERNMENT TO RAISE MONEY FOR SANDY VICTIMS

The World Music Awards will hold its 22^nd Annual Awards Ceremony at the State-of-the-art-Venue, Marlins Park, Honoring the Best-Selling, Most Popular Recording Artists

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

(Miami, FL - December 13, 2012) The countdown to the 2012 World Music Awards has begun, and on December 22, 2012, World Music Awards will stage the biggest international Awards show in Miami, and raise money for Sandy victims in Haiti. The show is being labeled the “Ultimate International Event of the Year” and will be beamed to 180 countries reaching a billion viewers while bringing awareness to the beautiful island of Haiti and the difficulties it is facing after Storm Sandy and the Earthquake.

Never before has an award show been staged in such a huge venue, Marlins Park in Miami, FL, a state-of-the-art ballpark with a seating capacity of over 37,000. With its incredible retractable roof and breathtaking view overlooking the downtown Miami skyline, Marlins Park is the perfect setting for the only music award ceremony that recognizes world-class talent from every continent.

The World Music Awards are determined by the fans themselves, who vote and buy the records, not through an industry panel or jury. In just 8 days, the world’s best-selling, most popular artists from each and every continent will be honored at the most anticipated international music event of the year. JENNIFER LOPEZ has already confirmed her support for the cause and will receive a special World Music Award and also enter into the Guinness World Records for having the Most Viewed Female Video of All Time, “On the Dance Floor.” TONY BENNETT, the legendary Jazz Icon, will receive a Lifetime Achievement Award on the big night for his incredible record sales and outstanding contribution to music. He will perform one of his Latin duets with a surprise guest star. GLORIA ESTEFAN, the queen of Miami, will also be honored for her large impact to the music industry. EARTH, WIND & FIRE will receive a Legend Award for their exceptional influence to Soul & Funk. Also confirmed to perform live in Miami is five-time Grammy nominee, Miguel, Hip Hop sensation, PUSHA T, the latest British R & B superstar LABRINTH, Israel rock star, ASAF AVIDAN, African icon, DBANJ, Brazil’s number one act, MICHEL TELO, Italian pop idol, TIZIANO FERRO, French rap star, BOOBA, Malaysian pop diva, SHILA AMZAH and Chinese superstar, HAN GENG. Miami based N.E.R.D., who are big supporters of Haiti and the World Music Awards, as having performed in 2010, will be there in full-force on the big night. More artists will be released on a daily basis leading up to the show.

The World Music Awards has an incredible history, with past performers that include, Beyoncé, Rihanna, Kanye West, Usher, Alicia Keys, Pink, Shakira, Christina Aguilera, Mariah Carey, Maroon 5, Enrique Iglesias, Bon Jovi, Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder, Celine Dion, Whitney Houston and many others. “We are delighted to bring the 2012 World Music Awards to the most exciting multi- cultural city in America and we are even more honored to be working with Ms. Bernice Fidelia, Director of the Diaspora Liaison for Haitian President, Michel J. Martelly. The Ambassador is rallying artist support and is promoting the sale of tickets which will go to benefit the construction of a World Music Awards orphanage. Of all the places hit by Storm Sandy, Haiti suffered the most and there are still 300,000 without lodging. World Music Awards mission is to bring relief to those in need and our orphanage will provide shelter for many homeless children,” states John Martinotti, Co-Founder & Executive Producer. The WMA’s has an amazing track record of helping those less fortunate around the world and since its inception in 1989, 23 hospitals, schools and orphanages have been built. (see charity endeavors on worldmusicawards.com)

Producer - Jason Shepherd and Co-producer - Bruce Coustillas

About Marlins Park: Marlins Park is located in the heart of Miami, on the historic Orange Bowl site. The ballpark features an open 360-degree Promenade Level, giving fans a live view of the playing field no matter where they are, as well as incredible food options at The Clevelander, Taste of Miami, concessions and shops on the West Plaza. Marlins Park represents the next generation of ballparks. Its curvilinear shape and contemporary design renders Marlins Park an innovative structure veering far from the traditional. A leader in environmental design, Marlins Park features a state-of-the-art retractable roof and six operable glass panels overlooking the downtown Miami skyline. The pioneering design of Marlins Park will set the tone for ballparks to come. Please visit marlins.com for more information.

Tickets: To purchase tickets and/or reserve parking, go to marlins.com, call 877.MARLINS, or visit the Marlins box office, open Monday through Friday from 9:00 AM until 5:00 PM, and on Saturday from 10:00 AM until 3:00 PM

And you are? The Art Basel celebrity blitzkrieg (or lack thereof)

Not all celebrities piss their money away on booze, pills and Bentleys--they get all those for free. Some actually pay for art. Serious collectors include Madonna, David Bowie, the Beckhams, Leonardo DiCaprio, Steve Martin, Kate Moss, Brangelina, Ellen DeGeneres and Oprah. And while we'd raise every single Kardashian past, present, and future for any one of the aforementioned, not all will appear at Art Basel because, well, they have people who do that for them. Then there are those who appear at the art fairs under the guise of being a collector, and those who are actually interested in art and not just the Patrick McMullan photo op. Whatever the case, we'll take 'em. So far, the name dropping is underwhelming plus or minus a few exceptions (see below and see our earlier post on all the parties), and the sightings pretty much nonexistent. Last year's Art Basel Miami Beach Most Ubiquitous Celebrity was a tie between Catherine Zeta-Jones and Michael Douglas and Naomi Campbell. Who, if anyone, will take the title this year? Stay tuned.

Celebrity Spawn: It's not nepotism, it's just lucky genes. Oh, and, in some cases, talent. Will Smith's 20-year-old son Trey, aka DJ AcE, will do his best to prove the latter when he spins a four-hour set Friday, December 7 at swank karaoke lounge Jelsomino. On Saturday, he'll spin at Bâoli Miami for a crowd said to include his famous dad and stepmom Jada.  Yep, it's part of Basel, but more importantly, Justin Bieber's a Trey fan. Art, what?

Artist Spawn: Vito Schnabel, 26, is the art dealer son of artist and filmmaker Julian Schnabel. The younger Schnabel is also reportedly dating Demi Moore, who at 50, is closer in age to the elder Schnabel, 61. May-December, December-May, all we care about is this December, specifically the 6th, when the couple may emerge together at the big Dom Pérignon Luminous Rosé party at Wall.

Channeling Vanna White (Or An Executioner): On Thursday, December 6, former Entourage star Jeremy Piven, front runner for Art Basel's Most Random Celebrity, will flip the switch on the InterContinental Miami’s new 19-story LED Digital Canvas. The event will also feature a specially curated exhibit, “Light Show,” by Patrick McMullan, and an appearance by legendary Warholian Factory worker Ultra Violet, who will showcase one of her 9/11 sculptures. We asked a PR rep about Piven's involvement and she said, "Piven and the characters he has portrayed embody an aura of confidence and coolness that reflect the InterContinental Miami’s brand. Our $30 million renovation is fashion forward, cosmopolitan and contemporary. We wanted to align our hotel with someone that evokes the here and now – someone that’s willing to take a chance – someone who loves Miami. Jeremy is all of these things."

And a whole lot more, apparently. According to our spy, Piven, who bailed from the flip switching because he said the digital images of a dancing woman was bad for his image (!) was hot on the trail of a comely redhead seen dining with him and an, uh, entourage, at the InterContinental's Toro Toro. Said redhead we're told, "wouldn't give him the time of day," although she may have given him the time of the previous day. Says our spy, "She snubbed him and he was pissed." He wasn't the only one.

Less Than Six Degrees of Lindsay Lohan: Spanish artist Domingo Zapata may or may not have been dating Lindsay Lohan, but his profession of love for her on Twitter was a masterpiece of performance art. Then there was that unfortunate Porsche incident that had the even less fortunate connection to The Real Housewives of Miami. But that was in September. Fast forward to today and Zapata has reportedly traded up and may or may not be dating Scarlett Johansson. Whatever the deal is there, it did give the folks throwing the big VIP dinner honoring Zapata Friday night at the SLS South Beach a free pass to drop Johansson's name as one of the expected guests. Whether she will appear in name only is yet to be seen, but it may be the first time you'll see Johansson's name in the same sentence as Pitbull. He's on the list too, and probably has his own ties to the trainwreck whose portrayal of Elizabeth Taylor had seismologists thinking the rumblings from below was The Big One. Also on Zapata's guest list for the unveiling of one of his murals at Wall nightclub: former Lohan BFF Paris Hilton, Owen Wilson, Stephen Dorff and George Clooney's ex, Elizabetta Canalis.

The Art of the Stalk: The actual VIP preview of Art Basel at the Convention Center is ripe with sightings of real life artists, art lovers and celebs. Plus a few crashers and self important types. But enough about those. That overly manicured woman decked out in labels? No pot to piss in. The schlumpy one? That's Diane von Furstenberg. Oh, there's Puff Diddy too. Basel, Switzerland gets Brad Pitt, Miami gets Puffy Daddy. Talk about an unfair exchange rate. Then there's Will Ferrell, hiding under a baseball cap and behind a mustache that's far from ironic, no doubt looking for fodder and comedic inspiration in all the Basel dizzle. That, or he really just wants to buy some art. He was, after all, at a big bash for artist Christian Marclay at the original art festival in Switzerland. As for his mustache, this may be its first Basel experience.

We'll Always Have Paris: Then there's the Paris Hilton factor. As 2003 as it may be, the one who started it all, the famous-for-nothing heiress who many blame for the inexplicable phenom that is the Kardashian, doesn't miss an Art Basel or a photo op. She's baack! Like it or not, people are still fascinated (or appalled) by her. We witnessed an amused Micky Arison glaring at Hilton and her sister Nicky last year at Aby Rosen's chichi Dutch dinner party. This year is no different.Just ask the people at Diane von Furstenberg's lunch Wednesday launching the designer's limited edition Evian bottle. Sure, Chelsea Handler and beau Andre Balazs were there as was Russell Simmons, but Paris and sister Nicky still know how to work a crowd.

Desperate Housewives: Overheard at The Webster, where Martha Stewart (in the running for Basel's Most Ubiquitous--see below) and Hollywood's most prominent proboscis, Owen Wilson, were also seen at Valentino's Pop Pois Capsule Collection party: Lady in red-There's that woman from Desperate Housewives! Lady in chartreuse-The drag queen? Red-No, Marcia Cross! Cross was also seen with her husband Tom Mahoney Wednesday night at The Hole Gallery and Playboy’s party at the Delano. Also there: switch flipper Jeremy Piven (see above). (Photo/

Serg Alexander/Getty Images)

 

Martha, Martha, Martha! : Despite, gasp,  suffering salmonella poisoning from turkeys at Thanksgiving, Martha Stewart is fully recovered and making her rotations in a carefully choreographed way only she can, often seemingly seen in three places at once like she was last night, first at theaforementioned Valentino party, then making napkin origami eating at South Street restaurant and later appearing at the chichi Haute Living and Roger Dubuis Dom Perignon dinner with Dubuis ambassador, artist and (not so ironically) beer heiress Daphne Guinness at Villa Azur. Also seen there: diminuitive actor Stephen Dorff, most recently starring in a wet bathing suit with BFF Owen Wilson in Rio on Perez Hilton's website. And while Wilson & Dorff (also in the running for Basel's Most Ubiquitous) are in their youthful 40s, no one parties younger than the 71-year-old Stewart, who is also expected at Thursday night's Reprise Parisienne at Villa 221, a Cirque du Soleil on mood enhancing drugs featuring bearded ladies, among other things, that's also expected to attract, among others, Macaulay Culkin, whom, last we saw, could stand to benefit from a Stewart-curated cookie or twenty. Benefiting from the talents of Michael Schwartz and Hedy Goldsmith, Martha had lunch Thursday with South Beach Wine & Food Festival's Lee Schrager at Michael's Genuine Food & Drink. (Photo/Wireimage)

Stewart v. Wilson & Dorff: Dorff separated from his boy Owen for a brief time at the Chanel and Art.sy affair at Soho Beach House last night, but he wasn't alone--Martha was there too. Watch out, Owen, you're on the verge of being replaced.

L'ésprit de Chanel: About that Chanel shindig. It was a scene that would have made Coco proud despite a few earlier disinivitations to some prominent Miami art folk. But it wasn't about Miami last night, it was about Demi Moore, who contrary to other reports wasn't acting weird, she was just having a good time. In Chanel. In town with her new boytoy Vito Schnabel. Demi, we've been expecting you. Also at the Chanel dinner that raised over $1 million to benefit the Dash Snow Initiative for the Henry Street Settlement: Lenny Kravitz and Stacy Keibler (!). Seen at the after party: Will Ferrell, not to be confused with Pharrell, who was also there and just listed his Miami penthouse at $16.8 million, Twilight's Kellan Lutz, Naomi Campbell (last year's most ubiquitous), and did we mention Martha Stewart? (Photos/Getty Images/Dimitrios Kambouris) 

Moore, Moore, Moore: Moore was also seen ushering in the new flash season of Le Baron at chic karaoke lounge Jelsomino. While she didn't do any renditions of Kurt Weill's "September Song," she and pal Stacey Keibler were, says our spy, "Having girly time," and were there with some male pals but alas, no 26-year-old boytoy Vito Schnabel.

Double Dutch Bustle: It was a surrealistic painting come to life at the Thursday night dinner thrown by real estate tycoon Aby Rosen and wife/shrink/socialite Samantha Boardman at The Dutch. A name dropper's heaven, the night was straight out of a Tom Wolfe novel, where tycoons mixed with reality schlock, heirs, heiresses and Owen Wilson. In one corner: the Kardashians--Kim and Kourtney, who just joined for dessert; in another, Paris and Nicky Hilton. There was also Paris's ex Stavros Niarchos with his model girlfriend Jessica Hart, Chelsea Handler and Andre Balazs, Stephen Dorff and the young Brant boys (Peter Jr. and Harry) who make Gossip Girl look like Sweet Valley High . Then there was the after party at Wall where Carmelo Anthony, Gavin DeGraw, and Kellan Lutz rubbed elbows with artists and socialites they've never heard of and where Kanye West flipped the bird. Klassy. Absent? Demi Moore (seen, instead, strolling around The Shore Club with a small group) despite the fact that her rumored beau was throwing the party. Let the pictures do the talking.(Photos/Joe Schildhorn /BFAnyc.com Copyright: ©BFA)