By Kelly Carter
Star Jones and Lance Bass on the red carpet at the Kentucky Derby. Mike Coppola/Getty Images
The Kentucky Derby always lures a slew of boldface names to Louisville and this year was no different. Jennifer Hudson, Tom Brady, Star Jones, Lance Bass, Lauren Conrad, Valerie Harper, Luke Bryan, Miranda Lambert and Carson Kressley were among the stars to brave the rain during this year’s Run for the Roses.
Nothing was going to stop Bass from attending the 139th edition. “I’ve been planning the Derby for 15 years, and I never get to come! So I put it in the schedule like, ‘Nobody is booking me this day!’ And, it’s my birthday, too, so it’s my celebration.”
Miranda Lambert poses on the red carpet at the Kentucky Derby. Mike Coppola/Getty Images
Bass was one of many celebs to stop on the red carpet and sign a 6-liter bottle of Moët & Chandon Imperial for Moët’s ‘Sign for the Roses’ philanthropic initiative, which raises money for the Churchill Downs foundation, and take pictures with the larger than life bottle.
Jones flaunted a hat designed by a local. “You need a Louisville woman to make you a Kentucky Derby hat,” said Jones, who likes her champagne. “I love to make a toast, and bubbles are my drink of choice!”
Hats off to Harper, who is battling terminal brain cancer, and said. “And now, I’m not saying no to any invitations because I’m looking ahead to what’s going on with my health, and as long as I have no symptoms, it’s fantastic!”
Related
Kressley is into horses but also the fashions. “It’s probably the only event in the country where there are no rules,” he said. “It’s over the top, it’s about fun, and color. And, you see guys in pink pants – I see a lot of men in pink pants, but not really out in the real world!”
Also spotted at Churchill Downs: Jennifer Tilly, Warren Moon, Jason Biggs, Tiki Barber, Scottie Pippen, Kid Rock, Krysten Ritter, Joey Fatone, Christian Siriano, Jai Rodriguez, Coco Rocha, Bode Miller, Rick Pitino, Ken Griffey Jr., and Julius (Dr. J) Erving.
Content from our partners
To keep up on celebrity travel, read my Glitterati on the Go column in Elite Traveler.
