CELEBRITY SCHMOOZING AT OSCAR VIEWING PARTY

The Associated Press, Sunday, February 24, 2013, 8:09pm (PST)

It was maybe the next best thing to being there.

Down the road from the Academy Awards, musicians and models found common schmoozing ground at the Elton John AIDS Foundation's Oscar viewing dinner in West Hollywood.

Lithe supermodel Naomi Campbell sat next to music mogul Quincy Jones, then gripped hands and chatted with Steven Tyler and the party host himself, Elton John.

Bono, wearing his customary tinted shades, gleefully kissed Jones on the top of his head, then hugged statuesque model Petra Nemcova.

"Elton's a warrior on the HIV, AIDS scourge, since before anyone can remember," Bono told The Associated Press. "Like Bruce Springsteen is 'the Boss', Quincy is 'the President.' He is so unique. And Elton is both 'the king' AND 'the queen.'"

Other music royalty at the party included Dave Grohl, Michael Buble and pixie-haired Miley Cyrus, the latter flitting around in a sexy backless white dress.

— Solvej Schou — Twitter http://www.twitter.com/Solvej_Schou

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