Friendly Encounters

This is another in a series of meetings of my friends and celebs.

My long-time friend and the Big Cheese of Global Traveler magazine, Fran Gallagher invited Donald Trump to the annual GT awards luncheon in 2005. I had the opportunity to photographically capture the meeting of the titans. Trump had a better tie, but Fran had the better hair.

The Donald and The Francis in New York-January 2005.

The Donald Goes Orange and Blonde

For years people around the world have been bitching at Donald Trump to update his look. Well, he did. Bloggers bitch no more, because we unveil the new and improved, blonder, orangier Donald. The Donald appeared at Fashion Week with this Oompa Loompa inspired, trashtastic look.

WTF was he thinking here? "I think I'll go bleach blonde, and spray tan the living s**t outta myself. I haven't gotten any press lately, so I'll give 'em something to talk about."

Peace in the Air for Rosie and Donald?

We hear....
That Seeds of Peace, which brings young Israelis and Palestinians together, is trying to get Rosie O'Donnell and Donald Trump to set aside their differences and appear together at its March 22 gala at The Waterfront. A rep said, "I don't think that's going to happen."

Tara Conner Admits She's Still Tempted by Drugs

Source: NY Daily News
After cruising the catwalk for the Tadashi Shoji fashion show, Tara Conner posed for photos with Miss Teen USA Katie Blair, and spoke with reporters. She was clean and sober, but admitted that she still has cravings for drugs and alcohol, and her battles are far from over.

"If I were to say I never have cravings, then I would be lying," Conner, 21, told the Daily News backstage after modeling a gold and black V-neck gown in the Tadashi show.

"I'll be in situations where I would have initially had a drink, but I feel better and I take more pride in not doing it now," she said. "I realize that if I put any chemical in my body that I'm going to have an allergic reaction, and it's going to take me back, and I don't want to go back."

Conner recently was given a chance to redeem herself and keep her Miss USA crown, after she was given a public dressing-down by pageant owner, Donald Trump, and ordered into rehab.

Ivana Trump: Pot or Kettle?

Looking for her own little slice of the publicity pie, Ivana Trump has added her own two cents on the Donald-Rosie feud. She recently advised them to make peace in her advice column, which runs in the National Enquirer and Globe magazines, and at the same time accuses both of them of using the war of words to milk the publicity cow for all it's worth. I think that's a slight case of the pot calling the kettle black, don't you. She asks them to "just take the high road."

She goes on to say that the feud is just for show. Well Duh! It happens to be a great marketing tool, boosting ratings and publicity for both.

Tara Conner – I'm a Free Woman!

From TMZ

TMZ has exclusively learned that Miss USA Tara Conner will be getting out of rehab on Sunday, and that Miss Universe officials are "licking their chops" because her imminent release will cause a "news frenzy."

We're also told that people who run the facility say she's back on track. Conner spent the last few weeks at a treatment center in Pennsylvania, after the Donald decided not to fire her for her wild, hard-partying antics and dalliances with multiple men, as TMZ first reported in December.

Since then, two of her fellow contestants in the pageant, Miss Nevada Katie Rees and Miss New Jersey Ashley Harder have been forced to turn in their crowns.

Trump Throws Party. D-List Shows Up

From TMZ
Jessica and little sister Ashlee were doing a bit of sibling bonding on Wednesday night, when our very own G-Hollywood caught up with them at the Trump Vodka launch party at Le Deux.

The sisters were spotted trying to sneak past photogs by skipping the red carpet and going directly to the backdoor of the trendy Hollywood club. Jess and Ash were giggiling when they were caught by paparazzi.

Also on hand to support the Donald; Mekhi Phifer from ER, Brandon "Greasy Bear" Davis, Kim Stewart, Paris Hilton, Kim Kardashian, Lisa & Brittny Gastineau, and Haylie Duff.