LOS ANGELES -- David Beckham attracts Hollywood stars the
same way he draws defenders on the soccer field. In large numbers.
A glittery array of actors and entertainment world luminaries
turned out Sunday for what was billed as an official welcome-to-Los
Angeles party for the international soccer icon and his wife,
Victoria Beckham.
With Tom Cruise and Will Smith playing co-hosts for the
invitation-only bash at the Museum of Contemporary Art's Geffen
Contemporary gallery, the guest list was long and deep.
Ron Howard and producer Brian Grazer were among the first to
arrive. Brooke Shields was there. Eva Longoria showed up, followed
by "American Idol" creator Simon Fuller, who managed the Spice
Girls pop group that made Victoria Beckham famous.
Wesley Snipes and Quincy Jones came to welcome the soccer star,
as did Bruce Willis, Demi Moore and Ashton Kutcher. Jim Carrey and
Jenny McCarthy stopped to pose for the throng of international
paparazzi.
The Beckhams arrived with Cruise, accompanied by his wife, Katie
Holmes, and Smith, with his wife, Jada Pinkett Smith. Cruise flew
in from Germany, where he is shooting his newest film,
"Valkyrie."
For the British Beckhams, it was a taste of classic Hollywood. A
red carpet was rolled out at the entrance. A small army of police
patrolled streets for blocks, keeping gawkers at a distance. There
were limousines and TV cameras by the dozen. Helicopters thumped
overhead.
Inside, the warehouselike venue was transformed with couches,
elaborate lighting and floral arrangements into a glittery
nightclub. Music blared.
Beckham, hindered by a nagging ankle injury, played only 12
minutes in his debut Saturday as a Los Angeles Galaxy player. The
Galaxy lost to Chelsea 1-0, but that didn't dampen the spirits of
the sold-out crowd, whose cheers were so loud Beckham admitted to
being "a little bit embarrassed at times."