It’s really not Halloween without an appearance by the Queen of Halloween, Bette Midler, and, once again, she does not disappoint. The 71-year-old legend threw her annual Hulaween benefit on Monday night at the Cathedral of Saint John the Divine in New York City. The event is a benefit for the New York Restoration Project, Bette’s non-profit. Since 1995 the organization has helped make New York more beautiful by enhancing the city’s green spaces with trees, restored parks and renovated gardens.
Bette dazzled in the red carpet in a blonde, Marie Antoniette-inspired wig. In keeping with the spirit of her charity she wore a sparkly green jumpsuit adorned with flowers and butterflies. I know, it’s not as awesome as last year’s outfit, where she resurrected her Hocus Pocus character, Winnie Sanderson, but she still looks amazing.
Speaking of Hocus Pocus, Bette was asked by PEOPLE on the event’s red carpet about the proposed reboot of her cult classic 1993 film and she asserted, “I know it’s cheap. It’s going to be cheap!” And, as for who could possibly fill her shoes for her iconic role, she said, “I’m not sure what they’re going to do with my character. My character is very, very broad and I don’t know who they’re going to find to play that.” Preach, Bette.
Bette hosted a gaggle of celebrities at Hulaween, including fellow Broadway baby Bernadette Peters, who will be taking over Bette’s role in Hello, Dolly! in January. The ageless Ms. Peters, who is 69-years-old on paper, looked fabulous (as always) in a billowy black gown, with a subtle floral print. Designer Michael Kors (ugh) wore an Adam and Eve-inspired ensemble. Comedienne Judy Gold channeled Battle of the Sexes tennis player Bobby Riggs and Anna Camp and Skylar Astin dressed as Wayne and Garth from Wayne’s World.
Bette’s daughter, the lovely (and look-a-like) Sophie Von Haselberg also kept with the floral theme, rocking a nude-toned jumpsuit bedecked with flowers. God, they are so flipping cute.
Also in attendance was the radiant Dita Von Teese, paying tribute to Old Hollywood glam in a black velvet dress. This is a lot more clothes than many of us are accustomed to seeing on Dita and sadly, her scheduled performance during the event was cancelled. Dita told Variety on the red carpet that, “I’m not performing anymore. The church banned me….Reverend Andrew M. L. Dietsche pulled the plug and said, ‘No…there is no burlesque performance in a church.’” The ban did nothing to dampen Dita’s enthusiasm about the event however, as she added, “I have performed in a lot of churches all over the world, but they are all venues and this is a real church, so I can see their point.”
This event looks like so much fun. How can I get an invite for next year? I have a closet full of costumes ready to go, so please, Bette?
Photos: Getty Images, WENN.com
I don’t love her or her policing other women’s choices with their bodies via social media. She’s self important, a legend only to some, rude in public, and forgets she used to shuffle around with her big ole boobs out for entire generations. I thought Beaches was grief pron and Wind Beneath My Wings has been a scourge to commencement ceremonies since the dawn of its creation.
The Parks Department raises enough money for green spaces in NYC and they don’t use puritanical churches to hold a party.
In other words I see you, Bette, and I’ve seen better brats throw fits in Bloomies that weren’t half as pitchy as the ones you’ve thrown back stage Miss Gypsy Wilted Rose pffft
So you’re a super fan I take it.
Lol can’t stand her. You wouldn’t want to run into her in a dark alley hahaha
Wow. Feel better getting all that out??
Listen, there was a psycho terror attack downtown yesterday. Not many people seem to care. I’m in a mood and this hypocritical hussy is a menace to stage hands everywhere. So yeah I guess dragging her does feel good for a moment. But it’s like eating candy when you’re hungry, not very filling haha pssssshhhhhaaaw
To be fair, Me M seems to be one of the few celebs who has never ‘forgotten’ or white-washed her early bawdy bathhouse days. She is who she is…and a lot of us like it.
YUP! 🙂
Co-signed. She is the only queen B i recognize. If I were a gay man I’d be a drag queen. And if I were a drag queen I’d be Bette. She is my muse. Even as a black woman the very few times I have ever had to perform infront of a audience, even as a kid I always tried to channel Bette. Her persona is how I want to live. I can’t speak to that laundry list if grievances up there but to me she is queen.
Her charity is separate from the city park system, as it is private land mostly from trashed/neglected community gardens. The parks department doesn’t have enough money to do everything, especially somewhere as expensive as NYC. Otherwise her charity 1) wouldn’t exist and 2) wouldn’t have needed to save so much of the forgotten spaces that they have.
Ok I’m going to make some coffee. You want some coffee? Let me get you some coffee.
Wiffie, I LOVE your comment!! You are adorable.
That’s ok. My Bette love will make up for it!
I even was disappointed when her short-lived sitcom bit the dust. Yes, I actually thought it was funny. I am probably the reason it failed since I am the kiss of death for new shows, though. If they can get through their first season without me figuring out when they are on and actually watching regularly, they have a much better chance of surviving.
Her NYRP is one of the largest land owners in NYC, all tied up in tiny plots that used to be covered in garbage and rusting car parts. It is an amazing achievement.
So, for a second, I read that her daughter word a nude bodysuit, but the comment was above some dude in a nude bodysuit, dressed like Adam. I had to stare at it for a few seconds to determine whether or not that was her daughter.
I love Bette’s outfit. I’d wear that as a regular outfit. Without the wig. Maybe.
I’m a Bette fan. As a kid I remember her performances on TV (the Tonight Show, etc), and she was as outrages as she could get away with for TV at that time. I loved all things outrages. I haven’t kept up with her, or followed her Broadway career, but she’s always someone I’d like to spend a day drinking wine with. I would love to hear her stories.