The Palm Beach Post from West Palm Beach, Florida • Page 44

MONDAY, MARCH 1, 2004 2004 ACADEMY AWA10S Dreyfoos graduate admires attitude of model with lupus "-i of And a night light satin What is lupus? A widespread and chronic autoimmune disease that, for unknown reasons, causes the immune system to attack the body's own tissue and organs, including the joints, kidneys, heart, lungs, brain, blood, or skin. What are the symptoms? The most common are achy joints, frequent fevers of over 100, swollen joints, skin rashes, anemia, kidney problems, pain in the chest during deep breaths, and a butterfly-shaped rash across the cheek and nose. Where to find help The Lupus Foundation of America www.lupus.org or (202) 349-1155. The South Florida chapter can be reached at www.lupusfl.com or I- I' Vs A I "1 Julia Roberts in Giorgio Armani Angelina Jolie in Marc Bouwer )': hv .1 Nicole Kidman in Chanel LU PUS fa iz) "People need to know she's not letting it rule her life. I think it's inspiring.

She looks very, very normal, and that's often the face of lupus," she says. Scelba-Shorte's fellow contestants on this Tyra Banks reality show might never have known either, had she not broken down one night on the phone with her mom. Her hair had begun to fall out because of the stress of the competition. Her illness is a definite reality check. Guercague knows that.

"I was pretty sick with joint problems, fevers, in and out of the hospital (when she was first diagnosed)," she said. "It turned into peritonitis, inflammation of the lining of the stomach. That's not common, but that's how they nailed it. I was in sixth grade. "I think it's great, what she's doing.

So often people with ailments like lupus will feel as though they have to limit their life, or the insecurities and possibilities of something happening, like the rash, will override their aspirations. Obviously, she's not letting herself do that. She doesn't walk it. She doesn't let it overcome her. The most telling and the greatest thing about it is she's net letting it stop her." And neither is Guercague, despite developing kidney disease at 15 because of her immune system attacking her organs.

She is majoring in textile and surface design, and she has lots of understanding friends and a boyfriend who is attending New York University. "It's almost like having a secret inside you," she Ceramic Art set in sterling a show of uuork designed bu Kate Nouuak Thru March 14 Meet Katie on March i Zellweger in Carolina Herrera Don't forget Bjork: Like many attendees, Sandra Bullock wore her hair in pretty waves. But her feather-trimmed dress was a little too reminiscent of Bjork's dying swan. says. One that no one can now see.

People would never know to look at her that she's taking a powerful anti-rejection drug, Cell-Cept, given only to people who have had organ transplants. "My body is rejecting my own organs," she says matter-of-factly. But she's not rejecting life. carolynsusmanpbpost.com The Inaugural Boca Raton Walk with Us to Cure Lupus organizing luncheon is Tuesday at the Boca Raton Marriott, sponsored by the Alliance for Lupus Research. Call (866) 925-5257 or e-mail walkslupus research.org.

The walk is April 25. 6, Noon to 4 DIRTY Introductory 4 SESSIONS OF DANCING tor ($200 value) CALL NOWI Learn The Salsa, Latin Dances and Foxtrot, Waltz, Cha-Cha, Swing, Rumba Many More! Students Only Bred DANCE blUUnJtj. THE PALM BEACH POST Leslie Gray Streeter The Flick Chick Moments, and a few messes, on the carpet "This," Oscar host Billy Crystal said, gesturing to unpredictably nutty buddy Robin Williams, "is the reason for the five-second delay." Yes, everybody in Live Televisionland was nervous in case one of those wacky celebs went all Janet and flashed, said or otherwise did something inappropriate. But dare I say it? Oscar and his glittery minions were on their best behavior, and almost nobody looked bad. Almost.

And a chill fell over the red carpet: Did you catch Joan Rivers' attempt to interview a beautifully dressed Nicole Kidman, all the while trying to ward off an interloping BBC reporter and Nicole's obvious disinterest in talking to her? Eventually, Nicole just stopped the interview, mid-gush, and picked up with the BBC guy, and Joan handled the snub with unexpected grace. But still ouch. Looking fine: Nicole Kidman's beautiful blue column dress, Samantha Morton's vintage Givenchy and Johnny Depp's each and every little thing. Won't you marry me, Presidential cousin and ABC pre-show host Billy Bush was a confident, witty and subtley swoony presence. Whether plopping himself into the1 seat between Cold Mountain bigshots Renee Zellweger and Nicole Kidman or riding in a limo with Wliale Rider's little Keisha Castle-Hughes, Bush was funny, well-informed and, well, smoothly cute.

You've got my vote, baby. Crystal cool persuasion I adored Steve Martin's sublimely urbane hosting style last year, but Billy Crystal is simply the best ringmaster this crazy menagerie ever had. His patented opening medley featuring the names of all the Best Picture nominees was ever so clever (Sample lyric: "Seabiscuit He's the horse Oscar might go toOr else he's the star-studded audience was rapt with attention, and his good-natured Vegasy patter was well thought-out, well-timed and well done. Best Tiger Beat Fantasy Moment: When aforementioned Bush, with a minute to go in the pre-show, grabbed Castle-Hughes to introduce her to the swoony Depp, who she'd earlier described as a stud. I don't know what was more touching: Keisha's wide-eyed awe or Johnny's genuine admiration for Keisha's work.

A spiritual coup for giddy teen girls everywhere. Why Tim Robbins rocks: When the notoriously outspoken Best Supporting Actor winner said he wanted to add something to his speech, I could envision the five-second delay guys scrambling to do their thing. Instead, Robbins urged abuse victims like his Mystic River character to seek help. A classy, classy move. Snarky camera guy moment: During Zellweger's acceptance speech for Cold Mountain, she thanked Jerry MacGuire co-star Tom Cruise and the camera quickly panned to Mr.

Cruise's ex Nicole Kidman, probably hoping to catch her rolling her eyes or making an on her forehead for "Loser." Fortunately, Nic was the soul of smiley graciousness. Nice try, camera guy. Boys will too make passes at girls who wear glasses! Lord of The Rings' Liv Tyler traded her elvin ears for a classy pair of cat-eye black-framed specs when she presented the Best Song nominees. lesliestreeteipbpost.com You'll love The Post's Wednesday golf page in Sports. Pro Tips, tour notes, local tourneys and more.

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