Ariana Grande, Nicole Kidman among Oscar hopefuls to show face at National Board of Review gala

Ariana Grande, Nicole Kidman among Oscar hopefuls to show face at National Board of Review gala

Their ‘Wicked’ ways

National Board of Review is the first event of all the Oscar wannabe whatevers. Winners announced back in December, but gala held Tuesday night.

Always at Cipriani. Always chaired by its president Annie Schulhof, whose custom Dior suit cost more than the whole dinner.

Earliest arrival, Jesse Eisenberg, whose movie “A Real Pain” — now in theaters — he wrote, directed and stars in. The moving memory story is a trip back to Poland to see where his grandma once lived. “Took me 14 years to write this. I’m spending the 15th year doing promos and I leave to fly back home tomorrow first thing in the morning.”

Following him came his co-star, Kieran Culkin, fresh from his Golden Globe win Sunday. At this elegant dinner Kieran wore some blue-green sweater with maroon pants. He dressed better in Warsaw.

Grande was nominated for best supporting actress in this year’s SAG Awards. Ouzounova / SplashNews.com

Cynthia Erivo of “Wicked,” tats all over her arms, wore a gown with wired hoops inside. Gorgeous. But — if she had to pee — locating her behind would not be easy.

Christine Baranski sailed right by me like I was one of the waiters.

Ariana Grande of “Wicked” sported a big diamond necklace. Her pink Loewe gown had a completely bare back. So empty we could have written the price of the diamond necklace on it.

John Lithgow of the papal “Conclave” cast, said: “I’ve been doing the play ‘Giant’ on the West End in London. Hoping it’s a huge success. I play Roald Dahl.” Opens in April.

Kidman starred in “Babygirl” which released in 2024. Photo Image Press via ZUMA / SplashNews.com

Most unbelievably gorgeous was nearly last arrival Nicole Kidman. She asked me, “Want to know how great are our lives? I just flew in from LA. I got up at 5 this morning. It took me a lot of time to look like this.” Forget her front. Her back was naked with big pearl strips. So when she found time to nosh a bagel, who knows. Her behind was thinner than my eyebrow ­pencil.

Lin-Manuel Miranda only said “hi,” but he kissed me in case that counts for something. Daniel Craig: “I cook. I love to make French food. And I’m a drinker.”

Permanent MC Willie Geist: “I’m going to be playing in ‘Wicked’ at a theater in Ridgefield, Connecticut.” Yeah? Why? “Universal is my boss.”

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