CELEB SIGHTINGS 72
Living in the heart of Los Angeles, I, of course, bump into, or at least spy, celebrities all the time. But when I saw one, (whom I’m featuring here,) while out to lunch on my birthday, I realized that I had not published a Celeb Sightings column in a while. So it’s about time.
I’ll go back a few months for you, to where I left off after the previous CS article, to begin the new highlights. Here goes:
Nigel Lythgoe walking to his seat. Photo by Karen Salkin.
10/10/25 Tony winner for starring in Hairspray on Broadway back in the day, Marissa Jaret Winokur, on opening night of a production of the same show at the Bank of America Performing Arts Center in Thousand Oaks. She directed this offering, and not only did she sit right behind me, she and her party and my friend and I were given the VIP treatment together to get in and out of the building! Former American Idol producer, Nigel Lythgoe, was in attendance, as well, to support his daughter-in-law, Becky Lythgoe, who was one of the stars of the show. (Here’s my full review of that musical: itsnotaboutme.tv/news/theatre-hairspray.)
Jay Leno. Photo by Karen Salkin.
10/15/25 Jay Leno in Bel Air, being the featured performer at WeSpark’s May Contain Nuts event which consisted of a delicious and healthful dinner, auctions, (both silent and live,) and a wonderful comedy show. I can’t believe that I never watched Jay’s talk show, but now I’ve seen him a couple of times in the past few months! And enjoyed his easy humor.
John Landis in the center, being helped up by kind strangers. Photo by Karen Salkin.
11/8/25 I was at a very classy fete, to celebrate the publication of a new coffee table book, at a classic abode in the Hollywood Hills, when we heard a giant thud behind the couch my pals and I were occupying. A guest had not noticed that there was a step up to the bar, and had crashed to the floor. As everyone rushed to help him, we noticed that it was none other than…Thriller video and prolific movie director, John Landis! Luckily he only tripped and did not seem to get hurt. Much. He was pleasant throughout the entire event, which impressed me more than his work!
Paula Abdul. Photo by Karen Salkin.
11/17/25 I was a bit shocked that in totally jaded LA, the crowd at the World Choreography Awards in Hollywood were sooo excited to see honoree Paula Abdul! When she arrived, I was standing just inside the entrance speaking with a mutual pal choreographer, and a few people rushed over to take pix with Paula. And she looked great! (Here’s the link to my detailed story of the uber-fun awards show: itsnotaboutme.tv/news/danceawards-show-world-choreography-awards-2025.)
Ray Buktenica and Karen Salkin. Photo by Brad Elterman.
12/7/25 Classic sitcom star, (Rhoda, House Calls, Cutters,) Ray Buktenica, entertaining the crowd with his ever-popular Christmas sweater, (which features a mysterious moving fireplace!,) at a private Holiday Party in Bel Air. (I just had to get a picture with him! Good thing celebrity photog, Brad Elterman, was also a guest there!)
John O’Hurley. Photo by Karen Salkin.
12/12/25 I saw American Idol’s Tamyra Gray, Seinfeld’s John O’Hurley, and Modern Family’s now-grown-up-Lily, Aubrey Anderson-Emmons, not just onstage performing in The Wonderful Winter of Oz at Bank of America Performing Arts Center in Thousand Oaks, but also at the very exclusive opening night party at a British pub afterwards. I got to chat with Tamyra about her incredibly young looks and cute family, and then John stopped me on my way out to marvel over my fabulous Christmas sweater. Nice people and fun event. (If you missed my review, here’s the link: itsnotaboutme.tv/news/theatre-the-wonderful-winter-of-oz.)
Paul Stanley, looking like he’s been doing some home improvements. Photo by Karen Salkin, on her birthday!
12/13/25 Soulful singer Aloe Blacc in Glendale, both onstage and upstairs at the afterparty for the Pacific Jazz Orchestra’s Holiday Jazz Spectacular, which was a very fun holiday show at the Alex Theatre. (The link to my review of it is right here: itsnotaboutme.tv/news/music-pacific-jazz-orchestras-holiday-jazz-spectacular.) [That’s Aloe Blacc at the event in the pic at the top of this page. Photo by Karen Salkin.]
1/14/26 While enjoying my birthday lunch at a known celebrity hotspot in Bel Air, (have I spent enough time in that area in the past few months?,) no sooner had my friend, Roz, (who was kind enough to take me there to celebrate,) just told me, “You’re it! You’re the only celebrity here!,” when I looked up and noticed KISS member Paul Stanley at the counter, ordering take-out. So Happy Birthday to me!
