Wednesday, July 3, 2024

Bill Clinton, Nancy Pelosi attend Hollywood scion Casey Wasserman’s ‘garish’ 50th birthday, played by Imagine Dragons


Nancy Pelosi and Bill Clinton were among the VIPs at Hollywood scion Casey Wasserman's big 50th birthday bash, we hear, where Imagine Dragons played in a 35,000-square-foot venue and guests noshed on Nobu.

But some felt the bash was a bit over the top at a time when Tinseltown overall is struggling.

The birthday boy — the grandson of legendary entertainment business powerbroker Lew Wasserman, as well as the president of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Organizing Committee — hosted the party at Santa Monica's Barker Hangar on Friday.

Casey Wasserman rang in 50 with a bash made for Hollywood. Getty Images Wasserman, pictured with Max Siegel, is president of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Organizing Committee. Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

(Sources said Wasserman met his girlfriend, artist Jenny Chandler, when she was once a private aviation flight attendant.)

Wasserman hired planner J. Ben Bourgeois for the event, and we're told 600 to 800 guests packed the venue.

Many were anticipating a repeat of the Hollywood insider's 40th birthday bash — where power players including music moguls Irving Azoff and Michael Rapino mixed, and Jon Bon Jovi performed.

For his 50th, Imagine Dragons hit the stage, we hear.

Chandler's gal pals — who we hear arrived on a party bus — fawned over fellow guest Jessica Alba and Alice + Olivia designer, Stacey Bendet, was also on the scene.

Wasserman and Jenny Chandler, with Nancy and Paul Pelosi, at the 2024 Vanity Fair Oscar Party. WireImage for Vanity Fair

There was even a replica of the famous Beverly Hills deli, Nate 'n Al's, which Wasserman dubbed Lew 'n Casey's.

Guests were allowed to take photos with his late grandfather's Oscar, spies said.

Former president Bill Clinton attended Wasserman's party. Pool/ABACA/Shutterstock

But some on the guest list found the whole thing to be a bit garish ahead of the big celebration.

Griped a source: "Everybody's talking about how showy it is… It's in poor taste."

Hollywood is experiencing an exodus, according to the LA Times, as the entertainment industry still struggles to bounce back from the pandemic as well as the recent actors and writers labor strikes.

Imagine Dragons performed at the bash. Getty Images

"Production has not resumed to pre-strike level, and everyone who is working, is a name. Actors and crew can't get work. The city still feels frozen, and there are cuts and layoffs everywhere," another Hollywood insider said. "People wouldn't think [his party] was so garish if the whole town wasn't in strife," the source sniffed.

Then again, who in Hollywood doesn't like a night out at a flashy party with open bars and a private concert by A-list talent?

Wasserman — who heads Wasserman Media Group — is also on the board of the Motion Picture & Television Fund, which gives showbiz pros access to health and social services.

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