People's Choice Awards finds stars in a sharing mood

By Kelley L. Carter, USA TODAY
LOS ANGELES — While the People's Choice Awards on Wednesday night recognized projects released in 2008, many stars shared their plans for 2009.

The ceremony, broadcast from the Shrine Auditorium on CBS, featured host Queen Latifah, who co-starred in The Secret Life of Bees, which won favorite movie drama and independent movie honors.

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Backstage, favorite female movie star winner Reese Witherspoon (Four Christmases) explained the significance of picking up her People's Choice prize. "I was thinking this morning that so many musicians get to see their fans, but in movies, we very rarely get that chance. So this is great that I get to be here and see the people that I make movies for," she said.

Favorite leading lady winner Kate Hudson talked about a recent tabloid report saying she was giving up on men. "I was in Miami and a girlfriend of mine called me and said 'Are you making out with girls?' No. No. No. Strictly boys for me." She showed up late to the awards because it was son Ryder's fifth birthday. "We had his birthday party after school. It was Star Wars-themed. It started out being Bolt, then a sleepover, then he was like 'No, mom, old school. Star Wars.' "

The celebratory atmosphere was well underway on the carpet even before the start of the show as stars talked about the future.

Rob Estes, of The CW's 90210, which was up for favorite new TV drama, talked about Tori Spelling possibly appearing on the updated version of the '90s Fox hit.

"You know, it was hard at first. You come off of something so iconical like 90210, that was a big task for us. But with Tori Spelling, they've been negotiating since the first shows started airing. And she'll be on at some point, I'm sure. But hopefully, they'll throw us a curve ball, and she'll be driving a cab or something."

Grey's Anatomy actress Chandra Wilson expressed appreciation for fans of the ABC show. "This is Season 5, and we're just really fortunate to still be in business this season," Wilson said. "I love the direction that the show has been going so far, and when we come back, we're about to get into some serious medical drama. We're also going to do some crossovers with (Grey's spinoff) Private Practice … because they'll be moving to Thursday night, so it's just going to be one big Shondaland fest," added Wilson, referring to Grey's executive producer Shonda Rhimes.

Backstage, Wilson's co-star Katherine Heigl, whose 27 Dresses won favorite movie comedy, talked about the Grey's story line that has her character in scenes with the ghost of a former love. "It's so outside of my realm of experience. I've never talked to a ghost before. Or had sex with one."

Robin Williams, who won for favorite scene-stealing guest star for a turn on NBC's Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, talked about doing standup. "Comedy is great emotional therapy," said the actor, who split from wife Marsha last year. "And financial therapy with the lack of work. I get to go on the road."

When asked if he has started dating again, he said, "Dating is not really a possibility right now. It's quiet time. Mostly it's not a possibility because my lawyer is busy," he said, laughing.

Television stars weren't the only ones talking about new ventures. Jewel has been working on a children's album. "It's an album that adults and kids will love," said the singer, who married rodeo star Ty Murray in August. When asked if that might mean a baby is on the way, she replied, "The first step is to make the music that can actually soothe the kids. The next step is to actually have kids ourselves."

American Idol Season 6 winner Jordin Sparks also is working on an album, and on her wish list is a duet with Leona Lewis, whom she met at the American Music Awards. "I'm really hoping that Leona and I can get together and do a super power female ballad," Sparks said. "That would be a dream collaboration at this point." As she reflected on the past year, she said, "No Air came out and it took off. I got to go to Africa with the president, and I got to sing at the Super Bowl. So now I have to figure out how to top my own self for 2009."

Sparks' Idol Season 4 counterpart, Carrie Underwood, who took home a prize for favorite country song (Last Name), talked backstage about indulging during the holidays and what she plans to do to bounce back. "It's been a little difficult. … What I do is I give myself two weeks where I can do what I want, and then after the holidays I get back to it."

Two and a Half Men's Charlie Sheen dished on the upcoming additions to his family. "We're just clearing out another room, getting some cribs ready. I've gone through this a few times, you know, so we're ready."


Source: usatoday.com