We Take You Inside the Most Swish, Celeb-Filled TIFF 2017 Parties

The movie: Molly’s Game and eOne TIFF Celebration
The chic locale: The Citizen
The stars in attendance: Jessica Chastain, Idris Elba, Paul Haggis
The scene: Besides some floral fixtures hanging from the ceiling, there wasn’t too much added to this King West bar (it doesn’t need it). The vibe was much more like a massive reunion among friends than a club night. While the music moved from Top 40 into house as the party went on, the crowd was more interested in chatting than dancing. Plus, the lights were on—so celeb-spotting was easy.
The fanciest drink I sipped: There seemed to be no celebrity-inspired cocktail menu, which I’m here for. Considering all visible bottles behind the bar were replaced with Grey Goose, I opted for a vodka soda.
The swankiest appy I ate: There were plenty of savoury bites being offered but the tray of sweets (mini donuts, truffles, etc.) was what hit the spot after a night covering red carpets. The sweet and salty popcorn was a perfect TIFF snack!
The biggest star I shared the same air as: Zachary Quinto. Either there were no Star Trek fans in the room, or they were keeping it v. v. cool, because he blended in with the crowd so well I almost missed him.
The craziest thing I overheard: “I can’t have a slider. I’m not a basic bitch.”

—Erica Cupido, Hello! Canada staff writer

The movie:The Upside
The chic locale: The top two floors of the RBC House at 11 Duncan St.—one for classy drinks and chic lounging on sofas that my mom would defs tell me not to drink red wine near, and the other for dancing, almost exclusively to “Ignition” by R. Kelly.
The stars in attendance: Bryan Cranston, producer Harvey Weinstein, director Neil Burger, The Arkells band members.
The scene: The crowd was a total mishmash of media, PR people, film buffs, and people who scored an invite. The first level of the House was a very classy affair, with a variety of apps making their rounds and Prosecco flowing freely. The top level was lit AF, though, as most of the guests had been there since 4 p.m. and partied with The Arkells prior to the after party. Party hits like “Party Up” by DMX were bumping through the speakers, taking me back to my awkward middle school dance days, only minus the wine. The sweetest part? The entire side wall was a motion-sensor projection that followed the movement of whoever danced in front of it. I overheard this was developed by young artists in Toronto, which is pretty cool.
The fanciest drink I sipped: Meiomi Pinot Noir, which is $30 a bottle, which is about $20 more than I’d normally ever spend on a bottle. So, I consider that fancy.
The swankiest appy I ate: I made the tragic mistake of eating a large, carb-filled dinner immediately before coming to this event, and was reminded of this mistake every time those cute little burger sliders slid past me. But I couldn’t resist the bacon-wrapped dates, topped with a sprig of dill. That’s, like, healthy, right?
The biggest star I shared the same air as: Word around town was that Nicole Kidman and her country beau Keith Urban were going to make an appearance, and thus I’d finally be able to ask him IRL who does his highlights. Unfortch, they couldn’t make it (excuse me but where else did you two have to be?) but even better, Bryan Cranston—my one true love since his beautiful rollerskating scene in Malcolm in the Middle in 2000—did. He sat in a corner and I lingered with my chic new friends and peeked over a few times. He might’ve looked in my direction once *swoons*. And Harvey Weinstein defs brushed my shoulder, but I didn’t notice until someone told me.
The craziest thing I overheard: “I have a boyfriend, who I love very much, but Bryan is daddy.”

-Meaghan Wray, Hello! Canada acting digital editor