Nigel Barker charms during his Haiti: Hunger and Hope art exhibition held Thursday at NYC’s Milk Gallery.

While tunes such as SWV’s Right Here and Stevie Wonder’s Signed, Sealed, Delivered I’m Yours blare, the America’s Next Top Model judge and fashion photographer gamely entertains guests with kisses on the cheek and sparkling conversation.  

Any budget beauty or fashion tips?

“I always say ‘keep it natural, keep it simple,’” he tells me. “People tend to overdo it. People ask ‘what can I do on the red carpet? I want to have a more relaxed look.’ Just be confident in yourself. Don’t think because of the makeup, because of the hair, because of the gown, you’re going to look fantastic. There’s enough fashion faux pas out there. You have to feel fantastic and the camera will pick it up.”

Nigel perks up when asked about his favorite body part.

“I’m more of a butt guy than I am a boob guy,” he laughs. “And legs as well. Legs and butt are very important -- and feet. I’ve got a bit of a foot fetish. I’m all about the lower part of the body.”

Oh really …

Despite pleas from the government to cancel his trip, Nigel traveled to Haiti to document the situation so that he could raise awareness about their desperate plight. (It’s just 45 minutes from the U.S.) His striking photographs adorn the walls tonight.

Giving back is key to the British-born father of two, 36, who is married to Cristen Chin.

“I think it’s fantastic that stars like Angelina Jolie get involved with charity,” he tells me. “The more people the better. We need to help out more in general, and on Top Model we always go on about our girls becoming role models. It’s not a joke. It’s important. If you’re in a position where people listen to you or you’re in the public eye, that celebrity should be used for something. It shouldn’t just be used to make your life better. I guess it’s an Asian thing, but the pleasure is in the giving in my family.”

He continues, “When you have children, it’s not when the kid gives you something, it’s when you give your son something and you see that smile on their face. We can all identify with that. Charity’s the same way. When you help people and they are physically moved by what you’ve done or you’ve changed their life, there’s nothing in the world that makes you feel better.”

I ask designer Zang Toi whether he’s spoken to Farrah Fawcett recently. (She was diagnosed with cancer of the intestine in 2006.) The Charlie’s Angels star has been his muse, and I once had time with her backstage after one of his shows.   

“I haven’t talked to her for several months,” Zang tells me. “I try to leave a message every two weeks. I just left a message at Christmas, but the last time I called about six weeks ago, I spoke to the housekeeper and she said she’s fine, so I hope she’s OK.”

Any fashion advice?

“Create your own style, and don’t follow trends blindly. You have to understand yourself, and have your own individual look.”

He gives props to “glamorous” Sharon Stone, “original” Drew Barrymore and “youthful” Cameron Diaz for having the best style.

Um, Sharon?

“Anything I mention to my clients – if Sharon has it, they all want it.”

Fall, Winter, Awards Season. Yes, it's on. The extra pounds accumulated over the holidays (for those who, unlike me, didn't have a stomach flu) have hardly had a chance to be New Year Resolutioned off and it's already time for Hollywood to pour themselves into dresses that often do little to hide anything Spanx can't help.

 

Yet, the string of awards shows kicked off last night with The People's Choice Awards (where the winners are told in advance and are the only ones really guaranteed to attend), the Critics Choice Awards tonight - where Brad and Angelina dazzled everyone on the carpet but inside everyone got rather tipsy, indulging more in the open bar than the strictly cold food catering. The parties tonight filtered out early as people seemed primed to pace themselves for the rest of the week with the Golden Goldes Sunday and the littany of hospitality suites and parties leading up to them and after them.

 

That said, I'm home about to watch my Tivo'd Grey's Anatomy while I can and cuddled up with my rent-a-dog (I'm still dog-sitting), but check back as I'm sure to have lots to report as awards season rolls on...  ;) xo

 

Stars turn out in full force for the Notorious premiere held Wednesday at NYC’s AMC Lincoln Square, but Beyonce and Jay-Z drift in the side entrance and Mariah Carey and Nick Cannon sneak through the back door.

The superstars are simply being cautious given the circumstances surrounding the debut of the movie paying tribute to the life and death of rapper Notorious B.I.G., who was gunned down in 1997 after attending the Soul Train Music Awards in Los Angeles.
 
Lil’ Kim is unhappy about her portrayal and is threatening to expose the secrets of Biggie’s mom, Voletta Wallace, who says she has nothing to hide, laughing “I was exposed many years ago when I gave birth.”

Voletta adds, “It reveals a lot about my son that I don’t like, but I still love him.” What would surprise us about Biggie? “He was a manipulator.” She gives her stamp of approval to Angela Bassett’s performance of her.

Naturi Naughton, the former 3LW singer who plays Kim, confirms the controversy. “It is true, naturally, I’m not going to front,” she tells me. “But I hope she enjoys my performance because I put my heart into this. It was hard because you’re trying to appease the fans – they want to see a replica of what they’re used to – and you’re trying to appease the person because they see themselves in a different way. It’s a challenge.”

As the story goes, Kim had an affair with Biggie (born Christopher Wallace) while he was married to Faith Evans.

Dealing with the loss of her husband and father of her son Christopher doesn’t get easier for Faith Evans. She struggles to help others when they are grieving.

“You never get over it,” Faith tells me. “Even when I meet people who have gone through the loss of a loved one, I don’t know what to say even though I went through it -- other than I’m praying for you, and keep your head up. I think it’s such a personal thing – you can only be there in the sense that you know that they need you. Just be there when you’re needed. Just keep yourself focused on your higher power, and keep yourself in prayer.”

After B.I.G. was killed, his good friend Puff Daddy recorded I’ll Be Missing You dedicated to his memory.

Of course, the artist now known as Diddy has no beef with how he was portrayed by Derek Luke.

“I think Derek did a great job,” Diddy says. “I think everybody on there did an excellent job. I would get chills when I was around them. I would have to actually leave. At the end of the movie, it broke my heart. My heart is broken every day with Biggie not being here, and it just opened it up even more so.”

The father of four -- who is also an actor -- doesn’t feel dissed because he didn’t want to play himself.

“I get to play myself every day,” Diddy laughs. “I’m looking for roles that would be a stretch for me, and playing myself is probably one of the hardest things to do. But I wanted the movie to not be about me. I wanted the movie to be about Biggie. And I’m looking to play roles that are not myself and are foreign to what I do every day.”

He adds, “I don’t know how many people who have had a movie that is made about them while they’re still young – it’s kind of hard when you’re young, because you’re looking at yourself and it’s something you would expect to happen when you’re older. I don’t know if I was mature enough to really handle it, and I still don’t know if I’m mature enough to handle it.”

Ginger Kroll, who plays another woman who has an affair with Notorious B.I.G., definitely would not cheat after this part.

“There are consequences,” she tells me. “I was punched in the face and had this big fight scene. It’s not a good idea. I don’t recommend it. I’m not a cheater, so I wouldn’t have been in that situation to begin with, but seeing the consequences of this film, even doubly so.”

Jamal Woolard, who suffers from diabetes, defied doctor’s orders to portray Notorious B.I.G. “I got up to 340 because I really wanted to win the role. I just ate everything in sight.” Also: he stuffed his bottom lip with cotton balls. “I put the cotton balls right here [in front of teeth] because B.I.G. had something extra right here. We went Marlon Brando-style with the cotton balls.”

Anthony Mackie, who plays Tupac, says the rapper who was gunned down in 1994 would be “very pleased” with the Obama administration. (His 1990s tune Changes includes the line “We ain’t ready -- to see a black president.”)

Fabolous shares lessons learned from Biggie’s life and death.

“Life is precious,” he tells me. “You see someone who’s had so much great success – they could be here today, and gone tomorrow. Just the same as a regular person. He was a celebrity who represented being down-to-earth. He still went through the same trials and tribulations as regular people go through.”

Actress Melinda Williams remembers when Notorious B.I.G. was shot.
 
“I was in Jerry’s Famous Deli in L.A. at the time, and it’s directly across the street for Cedars-Sinai Hospital. Some guys came in saying ‘Biggie’s dead, Biggie’s dead’ and that’s certainly one of the worst nights I remember.”

Mary J. Blige pats Angela Bassett on the back, saying “you look so beautiful” as Ciara, Ice-T and Coco, and Russell Simmons head into the screening.  

Notorious is in theaters January 16.

Here are some quick bites on limited time:

-A little birdie told me Fergie is having her bachelorette party in Santa Monica tonight; her wedding location is so far on the DL that her guests haven’t even been told where it will be yet! Would you rather crash Fergie’s bachelorette party – or Josh Duhamel’s bachelor party? Hmm.

-Spywitnesses who saw Lindsay Lohan at Apple Lounge in West Hollywood tell me that ‘Lindsay and Samantha have definitely broke up.’ Not shocking despite their denials – but exactly how does my source know this is 100% for real, for sure? Her evidence is sealed, but I believe it.

-I just interviewed The Biggest Loser host Allison Sweeney who said she’s been working out consistently throughout her pregnancy and craving pickles and sugar-free hot chocolates. I'm going to spend a day training at The Biggest Loser camp next week and am afraid, very afraid -but also very excited!

Ok, gotta go. Late for dinner at XIV ;) xo