Out & About
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The invitations to Maria Sharapova’s 18th-birthday party were printed on three pink tennis balls – just like Ms. Sharapova, a neat blend of athleticism and beauty. She is the third-ranked women’s tennis player in the world, but Saturday night Ms. Sharapova was in the mood for celebration rather than competition.
The party took place at Hiro Ballroom at the Maritime Hotel. Guests danced, sipped cocktails, and talked tennis.
Samaire Armstrong’s 18th-birthday advice was, “Make a lot of mistakes and learn from them.” The “Entourage” actress settled in the VIP section with surprise guest Lindsay Lohan, with whom she is filming the comedy “Just My Luck.”
Jenna Morasca arrived with her boyfriend, fellow “Survivor” winner Ethan Zohn. He said he’s “a total tennis fan,” but he conceded, “I’m not too good at playing.” However, he’s an ace at table tennis, he said.
Ms. Sharapova’s tennis skills are no longer in doubt. Despite early whispers that she was the next Anna Kournikova – the Russian beauty who never won a major tournament – the Siberian star won Wimbledon in 2004 and has been a force on the court ever since. On April 3, wearing a pink ensemble and her trademark dangling earrings, she lost a tight match against Kim Clijsters at the Nasdaq 100 Open in Miami.
She arrived at the party Saturday with friends and fellow tennis players Liberty Sveke and Estelle Laporte, with whom she had spent the day relaxing at the Hotel Gansevoort. She had decided on her Nicole Miller party dress “at midnight last night,” unlike her tennis ensembles, which she said are chosen months in advance. Her favorite place to shop when she’s visiting New York from her home in Florida is the boutique Scoop. And when she needs a bite to eat, Nobu is her go-to.
Ms. Sharapova is the new face of Motorola, which sponsored the party and gave her a brand-new cell phone for her birthday – one of only three PEBL V6 phones in the world so far.
Several hours into the party, the pop-rock band Maroon 5 performed on a stage set up at one of end of the club. Some guests admitted they didn’t follow tennis but were fans of the band, which won the 2005 Grammy for best new artist. The actress Tia Texada (“Third Watch”) said, “I have them on my iPod! There’s just something special about seeing a band live.” After their set, lead singer Adam Levine and his band-mates joined the party.
Others in attendance included tennis player Mary Joe Fernandez; singer Fergie of the band the Black Eyed Peas; actress Rosie Perez, who on her way inside wished Ms. Sharapova a happy birthday; actor Alan Cumming; former P. Diddy assistant Farnsworth Bentley (aka Derek Watkins); artist Dustin Yellin; Samata Patel and Meesha Patel, who are friends, not sisters; actress Diane Neal (“Law & Order: SVU”), who said her fiance is an avid tennis fan; actress Kim Raver of “24,” and the Earl of Albemarle, Rufus Albemarle.
Ms. Sharapova’s birthday is April 19, and she said she’ll have another, much smaller party on that day, with just her family and friends, at home in Florida. Meanwhile, she said she’s looking forward to the French Open, which begins May 23.