In a country where extraordinary feats continue to be done by extraordinary athletes — some who do it in a revealing mesh, and others who do it to Phantom of the Opera — Nicole Richie showed her daredevil side on the other side of Canada.
As she blog-revealed the other day, talking about her little retail stop at Holt Renfrew in Montreal, she flew herself to La Belle Province. In her own words: “This past Thursday, I flew to Montreal … and by flew, I mean I actually flew.” In daddy Lionel’s possible words: Hello, is it me you’re taxi’ing for?
Taking this all in, I had a couple of thoughts. First: Canada must really bring this out in the budding young pilot-starlet, for when Richie was at Holt’s similarly, this time for an appearance in Toronto last April, the talk was that she was picked up on a private plane where they let her “play co-pilot.” Fast-forward to this year, and it seems like she’s come along even further in their aviation side-career. “Freeing,” “liberating” and, well, “scary” are some of the adjectives that the mother of two likes to trot out about the experience. “Fun,” as well.
The other thing that strikes me: that we can plop down Richie on a roll-call that includes Angelina Jolie, Tom Cruise, Morgan Freeman, Clint Eastwood, Harrison Ford, Gisele, Zach Braff and Hilary “Amelia” Swank. All boldface. All noted sky-takers. On that list of famous pilot alumni: Mr. Cool himself, Steve McQueen. Not, it likely goes without saying, Aretha Franklin.
By the way, once the House of Harlow designer was, indeed, back on mortal ground at her destination the other day, she was, I’m told, “gorge” and “sweet” and happily met by hundreds of well-wishers who’d come to see her. Richie’s verdict: She loved meeting them. Although, she couldn’t help but mutter that Montreal was — and I quote — “FREEEEEEEZING.” That’s all caps, and seven “E” s.
sgovani@nationalpost.com———
SCENE! HEARD!
This! That!
- Helen Mirren, circling Toronto for a role, bemoans the toning needed for it. Talking to the Times of London recently about the CIA agent she’s currently playing in the Bruce Willis flick Red, the Oscarwinner lamented, “I should be going to the gym now but I just don’t want to do it. I don’t do anything like that regularly. But because I’m filming, I should.”
- Rachel Weisz, who’s also been here and there and at Pusateri’s while in Toronto filming The Dream House, recently told an interviewer that she’s not a “fad diet” kind of girl. Said the prize Brit brunette to the U.K.’s Daily Mirror, “I eat meat and drink alcohol, but everything in moderation. I think happiness is the secret to health.”
- Eric Clapton. In a parka! Yorkville. Saturday.
Meanwhile:
-Basketball players and expensive handbags go together like … well, we’ll find out next Tuesday when the Louis Vuitton shop, on Bloor, throws open its doors for a party with Raptor Chris Bosh. It’s in aide of the Boys and Girls Club of Canada.
-Before Sarah Jessica Parker gets that party in mid-March (for Halston at The Room), her Mr. Big will beat her to the punch. Chris Noth is scheduled to be at the centre of a party on March 9, and man-masks are just the start of it. L’Oreal is behind the bash, and it’s for the actor’s new role as spokesperson for Biotherme Homme.
- Don Cherry. Singular hockey gabber. Likes to “steam.” Every day. Tells Toronto Life this month.
[الاوسمه]: Cool