Super Bowl Party Report: The Scene From Phoenix (Updating)
TheWrap’s Party Report will be updating throughout the big weekend.
Just a six hour drive or an 45-minute flight from Los Angeles, Hollywood’s biggest names are joining stars of the sports industry this week to celebrate Super Bowl XLIX in Phoenix, Arizona.
As usual, the celebration was in full force long before the New England Patriots and Seattle Seahawks took to the field at the University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, on Sunday.
Also Read: Super Bowl Parties 2015: TheWrap’s Ultimate Guide to Best Invites in Phoenix
After braving the cold and wind last year for the 2014 Super Bowl at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, the desert location was a welcome relief for east coasters escaping winter storm “Juno” — and even a rare downpour in Arizona on Friday couldn’t dampen their spirits.
Most of the action is focused in downtown Phoenix and Scottsdale, where ESPN has taken over Scottsdale Fashion Square and The McCormick Hotel since Monday, airing live shows open to the public including “SportsCenter,” “Mike & Mike” and “SVP & Russillo.”
NBCUniversal, host network of the Super Bowl, which will air Sunday, Feb. 1 at 3.30 p.m. PT/6.30 p.m. ET, also had much of its high-profile programs originating from Phoenix during the week of the game — “Today,” “Access Hollywood” and E!’s “Fashion Police” on all on the scene.
Also Read: ‘Today’ Show Hosts Hit Streets of New York in Super Bowl Spot (Video)
Media Day kicked off action early Tuesday as Seattle Seahawks’ Marshawn Lynch answered question from the press with “I’m just here so I won’t be fined.” The now-viral catchphrase turned into a social media meme with even halftime performer Katy Perry copying it.
After dark, the Worldwide Leader in Sport hosted it’s annual “ESPN the Party – Arizona” at Scottsdale’s Westworld Friday inside a 117,000 square foot space that was as dramatic as the desert landscape outside. Rock wall formations and projections of sunsets left no doubt in guests’ minds as to where they were, while a luxury Mercedes appeared to be driving right out of the wall.
A joint celebration of the Super Bowl and the ESPN the Magazine music issue, the party featured Grammy nominee Charli XCX, DJs Questlove and SOSUPERSLAM, and special guests Imagine Dragons.
Kellan Lutz/ESPN
“Twilight” actor Kellan Lutz snapped a selfie on the red carpet, while Nick Lachey was more interested in talking about being a father than football. Former college stars-turned-ESPN commentators Tim Tebow and Jesse Palmer gave their predictions for the big game, as Super Bowl champion QB Kurt Warner shared his own memories of playing in Arizona with TheWrap and why taking to the field in that stadium “was an experience like no other.” Among the thousands of glamorous and athletic guests were model Erin Heatherton, Aaron Paul, Reggie Bush, Colin Kaepernick, Rick Fox and ESPN hosts Steve Levy and Tony Kornheiser.
A welcome relief for those already feeling sleep-deprived was the Dunkin’ Donuts coffee stand outside; Ciroc, Coors Light, Curve Sport, Mercedes-Benz, Jockey, Nike Golf, Omnia Nightclub by Hakkasan Group, Full Swing Golf, GoViva, Riddell Helmets, the V Foundation for Cancer Research, and Fiji Water were also sponsors.
Playboy’s annual party was at the W Scottsdale this year, with Nelly performing as 24 scantily clad Playmates in bunny costumes delighted partygoers. Downstairs had a frenetic club atmosphere and cash bar, while VIP guests were ushered upstairs to the exclusive area. Chris Evans, Nick Cannon, Jason Merritt, Jamie Foxx, Warren Moon and “Real Housewives” star Gretchen Rossi were among those getting in on the bunny action at the packed event.
Outside, the normally-civilized streets of Scottsdale were in full party mode and resembled Bourbon Street during Mardi Gras as partiers wearing beads, team jerseys — and even one comedian in a deflated football costume — stumbled around.
Alessandra Ambrosio at TAO/Getty
Just a few blocks away, TAO took over Cake nightclub with model Alessandra Ambrosio knocking back VO|CO Vodka Coconut Water cocktails with a whole team of sports stars including “Live with Kelly and Michael” host Michael Strahan, Joakim Noah, Derrick Rose and Reggie Bush.
Neon Carnival/ Jesse Grant, Getty Images
Coachella staple Neon Carnival moved to a new desert location as the Don Julio and 1OAK Present Neon Carnival landed in Phoenix. Philadelphia Eagles QB Mark Sanchez went on a wild ride on the Desert Storm roller coaster, and actor Chris Evans added another big bash to his belt as he rolled up near the end and rapped along to Mystikal while DJ Ruckus spun.
Terry Bradshaw and Joel McHale/Getty Images
Joel McHale, Jerry Lewis, Rob Riggle and Lisa Lampanelli were among the attendees Thursday at the Friars Club ESPN Super Bowl Roast honoring sports broadcaster Terry Bradshaw at the Arizona Biltmore Hotel.
“American Idol” alum Jordin Sparks opened the luncheon by singing the national anthem, then McHale served as host as roasters including Riggle, Frank Caliendo, Jerry Lewis, Michelle Beadle and “SportsCenter’s” newest reporter, Reese Waters, ripped into former Pittsburgh Steelers QB and NFL Hall of Famer Bradshaw.
Also Read: The Most and Least Watched Post-Super Bowl TV Shows: ‘Alias,’ ‘Friends,’ ‘Survivor,’ ‘Glee’
DirecTV began its extravaganza on Wednesday night (running through Friday) at the Pendergast Family Farm in Glendale opposite the football stadium. The multi-stage DirecTV Super Fan Festival and StubHub Chalet features a concert every night (from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.), opening with Zac Brown Band and performances by Thomas Rhett, Sam Hunt, and The Cadillac Three; followed by Calvin Harris (above) on Thursday and Imagine Dragons and Snoop Dogg on Friday.
Brooke Evers/Getty
Australian DJ Brooke Evers also got a taste of Super Bowl fever at the Bud Light House of Whatever, showing American music fans why she’s famous Down Under for her skills on the decks as well on TV in “I’m a Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here,” and reality show “The Stafford Brothers.”
On Thursday night, guests braved the rain armed with umbrellas for the “EA Sports’ Madden Bowl XXI,” at Live Wire/Bottled Blonde in Scottsdale. Host and “The Wedding Ringer” actor Kevin Hart tapped into his inner fan as he grabbed hands with San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick.
Also Read: Super Bowl XLIX’s Marshawn Lynch, Rob Gronkowski Fight to the Death in ‘Mortal Kombat X’ (Video)
Meanwhile Arizona Cardinals’ Patrick Peterson proved he was even better at video game football as he is on the field and was crowned the Madden Bowl XXI champion. Other famous faces going head to head in Madden NFL 25 on Xbox One and watching Nelly and Florida Georgia Line perform were Chris Evans, Marshawn Lynch and Denver Broncos player Wes Welker.
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