by senior contributor Brendan Kownacki
Video by Janet Donovan
The White House Correspondents’ Weekend is the ultimate mesh of Washington and Hollywood parading through the nation’s capital. A perfect representation of that blend is the annual reception co-hosted by People Managing Editor Larry Hackett and Washington Bureau Chief Sandra Sobieraj Westfall along side of TIME Manging Editor Rick Stengel and Washington Bureau Chief Michael Duffy at the swank St. Regis Hotel.
This year’s fete was no disappointment when it came to a packed room of taste-makers and power players, all converging to celebrate Washington, the White House and have some fun along the way.
Today Show host Savannah Guthrie and CNN’s Dana Bash lounged in the hotel’s courtyard as celebrities poured in including Olympic gymnast Gabby Douglas, singer John Legend, Mad Men’s Jessica Pare, and Hawaii Five-O’s Daniel Dae Kim (to name a few). Also among the crowd trying to keep a low profile was Elin Nordegren, famously known as the Ex-Mrs. Tiger Woods. Once people caught on though, droves of supportive fans were lined up to get a photo with the Swedish model (whose father is actually a journalist who has covered DC).
Elin Nordegren and Sandra Sobieraj Westfall
Saturday Night Live’s Fred Armisen mingled with the fans and VIPs. Many remember Armisen for his portrayal of President Obama during the election, subsequently taken over by newer cast member Jay Pharoah. Armisen says that he doesn’t miss it. “I’m not a nostalgic person,” he said, mentioning that it was a week-by-week commitment but that he doesn’t revisit the character, even on big weekends like this.
Meredith Fineman and Fred Armisen
Armisen wasn’t the only one from a fictional DC universe on hand; also milling with the crowd was Navid Negahban, known for his infamous portrayal of the villain Abu Nazir on Showtime‘s hit show Homeland. Even with the death of Nazir this past season, Navid was humble about the idea that his character could resurface in the thick web of flashbacks that the show presents; “From your lips to God’s Ears [I will be back].”
As the night wound down, guests were anxious to get their hands on another famous staple of this party; the giftbag (which we hear weighed 25 pounds).
The scene: Photos by Brendan Kownacki
