New York Gets Ugly

(NEW YORK) Ugly Betty has officially moved to New York, and the city is all the more beautiful. Monday night, the cast and crew were given an official welcome when The Diamond Information Center hosted a party at Highbar.

Becki Newton's family held court on an oversized bed snapping photos with a digital camera, while the Ortiz clan occupied a corner booth. Ana Ortiz's father, a politician, shared his world view with fellow guests, while his daughter imparted her own. "After Fashion Week, I spent the weekend enjoying Central Park," she said. While the outdoor patio had a relaxed, jovial vibe, the inner court was blocked by guards shielding America Ferrera from adoring fans and photographers. Prior to joining the party upstairs, Ferrera unveiled her October cover of Seventeen with editor-in-chief Ann Shoket. 

Lindsay Lohan headed up to check out the view. "I need to back at my hotel by 9 p.m.," she said on the elevator ride. Vanessa Williams made her rounds, checking out the Patricia Field-costumed characters and outdoor barbeque area, where hamburgers were being flipped and dressed. "Check out my Versace," she said of her leopard-print frock. Eric Mabius, who plays boss Daniel Meade, helped himself to a hearty burger before mingling. Judith Light, who wore Burberry for the occasion, warmly embraced anyone who approached. Rebecca Romijn was one of the sole cast absentees; the leggy actress is expected to give birth to twins any day now. Though he was celebrating his own show, Mark Indelicato was busy recounting the night's Gossip Girl episode. "I'm obsessed; tonight Dan and Serena get stuck in an elevator," said Indelicato. "I hope that doesn't happen to us!"

Before the party was even half over, the stars' relatives helped themselves to oversized goody bags; reusable Bloomingdale's Brown Bags were stuffed with swag, including a DVD set of Ugly Betty, a poncho and Yoga Toes. One would think celebrity parents had enough makeup samples and cheeky t-shirts, but based on the banquette-hoarding, apparently not.
NOLA WEINSTEIN