Celebrity gossip, sightings in and around Connecticut in June – CT Insider

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The cast of Branford-native and film director Matthew Berman’s latest movie, “The Wedding Pact 2: The Baby Pact.” A red carpet and movie premiere was held at the Edmond Town Hall Movie Theatre in Newtown, Conn. on June 8, 2022. The event featured the film’s stars, including Haylie Duff, Quinton Aaron and Heather McComb. Were you SEEN?
Lin Manuel Miranda came to Greenwich last week to accept his Changemaker Award from the Greenwich International Film Festival. Miranda attended a private cocktail reception in town and did a talkback with audience members that was led by with Sara Elisa Miller, director of philanthropy and special projects for the Miranda Family Fund.
Probably best known for his time with band Run-DMC, Daryl “DMC” McDaniels shares advice with the 90 graduates at Greens Farms Academy’s 97th commencement on June 9.
To promote the upcoming the Hey Stamford! Food Festival in August, celebrity chefs Todd English and Aaron May, at right, held a VIP event for guests at Stamford Town Center in Stamford, Conn., on Tuesday June 28, 2022.
Celebrities made their way around Connecticut in June, attending the red carpet premiere of the new movie, “The Wedding Pact 2: The Baby Pact,” inspiring graduates and cooking in front of guests. 
Here are some of the Hollywood sightings and murmurings that happened in and around Connecticut in June:
The cast of Branford-native and film director Matthew Berman’s latest movie, “The Wedding Pact 2: The Baby Pact.” 
“The Wedding Pact 2: The Baby Pact” had a red carpet premiere at The Edmond Town Hall Movie Theatre featuring Haylie Duff (“known for Napolean Dynamite”), Quinton Aaron (“The Blind Side”), Heather McComb (“Ray Donovan”), Chase Masterson (“Star Trek: Deep Space Nine”), Scott Michael Campbell (“Shameless”) and Kelly Perine (“Knight Squad”).
The film was directed by Branford native Matt Berman and stars Duff as the film’s main character.
Probably best known for his time with band Run-DMC, Daryl “DMC” McDaniels shares advice with the 90 graduates at Greens Farms Academy’s 97th commencement on June 9.
Darryl “DMC” McDaniels, founding member of Run-D.M.C., delivered the commencement address to the 90 graduates of the Class of 2022 at Greens Farms Academy in Westport early in the month.
Lin Manuel Miranda came to Greenwich last week to accept his Changemaker Award from the Greenwich International Film Festival. Miranda attended a private cocktail reception in town and did a talkback with audience members that was led by with Sara Elisa Miller, director of philanthropy and special projects for the Miranda Family Fund.
The Greenwich International Film Festival awarded Lin-Manuel Miranda its highest honor at a private event in Greenwich after the award-winning creator of the famous musical “Hamilton” had to cancel his appearance at the festival’s annual gala in May. 
On the day of the gala, however, Miranda canceled due to a health issue. His father, Luis Miranda, and “Tonight Show” host Jimmy Fallon, a family friend, accepted on his behalf.
“It’s such a thrill to receive the Greenwich International Film Festival Changemaker Award,” Miranda said in a statement provided to Greenwich Time. “Our goal at The Miranda Family Fund has been to widen the doors for emerging artists of color, and we do this through partnerships with organizations like The Eugene O’Neill Theater Center here in Connecticut, Woolly Mammoth Theater, The Telsey Office and Rhode Island College, among others.”
Greenwich resident and Boston Celtics majority owner Wyc Grousbeck was seen having dinner at Terra Ristorante Italiano on Greenwich Avenue early in June. 
Sonja Morgan attends the “Downton Abbey: A New Era” New York Premiere at the Metropolitan Opera House on May 15, 2022.
Sonja Morgan of “Real Housewives of New York City” and April Carrión of “RuPaul’s Drag Race” headlined a Pride party at Norwalk’s Troupe429.
“I grew up in Upper New York State and during my marriage I lived in Connecticut. There are not enough safe spaces for their Community so I’m so excited to be able to support their amazing PRIDE party this year!” Morgan said. 
To promote the upcoming the Hey Stamford! Food Festival in August, celebrity chefs Todd English and Aaron May, at right, held a VIP event for guests at Stamford Town Center in Stamford, Conn., on Tuesday June 28, 2022.
Celebrity chefs Todd English and Aaron May gave spectators a taste of the kind of demonstrations they will give at the Hey Stamford! Food Festival in August.
The pair cooked at the Stamford Town Center near the area where English Hospitality Group — the chef’s joint venture with entrepreneur Keith Burkard — is expected to open an 80,000-square-foot food hall and art exhibition by 2024.
 
Former NBA star Donovan Mitchell, right, with Tony Capasso at Tony’s at the J House in Riverside.
NBA star and Utah Jazz point guard Donovan Mitchell, a Greenwich Country Day School graduate, was seen having dinner at Tony’s at the J House in Riverside in the middle of June. 
Basketball Hall of Famer and Norwalk High School alumni Calvin Murphy addresses alumni, fans and students in 2021. He was recently seen at Joe’s 507 Café in Norwalk.
Calvin Murphy, who is currently a member of the Houston Rockets’ AT&T SportsNet TV broadcast team, was seen at Joe’s 507 Café in Norwalk. The Hall of Famer predicted that the Golden State Warriors were going to win the finals during his visit.
Famed fashion designer Christian Siriano was seen at Viva Zapata in Westport enjoying drinks and dinner with his friends.
Celebrity lifestyle guru and former Connecticut resident Martha Stewart and Los Angeles Chargers lineman Morgan Fox celebrated wins by pups competing for top dog in the 146th Westminster Dog Show.
Stewart, who previously resided in Westport, celebrated the Non-Sporting Group Best of Breed win of a 7-year-old Chow Chow named Buddakan, who she told PEOPLE was the son of her late pup, Genghis Khan. 
French bulldog Winston, which is co-owned by the Los Angeles Chargers’ Fox, won the Reserve Best in Show. 
 
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – MARCH 28: Norm Lewis attends “Plaza Suite” Opening Night on March 28, 2022 in New York City. (Photo by Roy Rochlin/Getty Images)
After a positive COVID-19 test sidelined actress Chita Rivera, Broadway’s Norm Lewis came to the rescue of the Shubert Theatre in New Haven in early June.
Lewis’ long list of Bridway credits include “Les Misérables” and “The Phantom of the Opera.” Rivera, known for originating the roles of Anita in West Side Story and Velma Kelly in Chicago, was originally slated to perform her show, “Chita: The Rhythm of Life,” at the venue’s gala.
AMERICAN NINJA WARRIOR — “San Antonio Qualifiers” — Pictured: Devan Alexander — (Photo by: Elizabeth Morris/NBC)
Danbury teen Devan Alexander is back on NBC’s “American Ninja Warrior” for the third time and is headed to the semi-final round of season 14.
Alexander previously competed in season two of “American Ninja Warrior Junior” and season 13 of “American Ninja Warrior.”
Ivy Childs in Master Chef Junior 
Darien’s Ivy Childs was one of three young chefs on FOX’s “MasterChef Junior” semi-finals, but she was ultimately eliminated. The show is hosted by celebrity chefs Daphne Oz, Gordon Ramsay and Aarón Sánchez.
“Being in the semi-finals was nerve-wracking,” she told Hearst CT Media Group. “I was more nervous than I was before because of the large crowd, making more dishes than usual and there was more at stake.”
Ashley Baylor is a meteorologist for New Haven-Conn.-based TV station WTNH. 
Meteorologist for New Haven’s WTNH Ashley Baylor announced on Twitter that she will have a children’s book coming out on Aug. 1. 
The book, titled  “Storms and Snow, Skis and Sox,” follows the fictional character Teddy through a year of his life as he encounters “some of his favorite things in New England — especially the weather,” according to the book description. 
ABC News anchor George Stephanopoulos and his wife, actress/author Alexandra Wentworth, arrive for the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner in Washington, D.C., on April 28, 2012.
Actress, comedian, author and producer Alexandra “Ali” Wentworth appeared at a book signing evening of her latest book, “Ali’s Well That Ends Well” at The Village in Stamford.
 
Watch “Beetlejuice” while passing out candy to trick-or-treaters. (Just don’t say his name three times, whatever you do.) 
“Beetlejuice 2″ was confirmed to be in the works by Deadline. The original movie, released in 1988, takes place in the fictional Winter River, Conn.
While no plot details are available, there is speculation that Michael Keaton and Winona Ryder will reprise their roles in the film and that it will once again be set in the Nutmeg state.
Singer and fiddler Alison Krauss and legendary rock singer Robert Plant are shown performing together on stage during a “live” concert appearance on June 4, 2008 (Photo by John Atashian/Getty Images)
Legendary rock and roll vocalist and frontman of Led Zeppelin Robert Plant will be joining forces with Alison Krauss for their “Raise the Roof” tour at the Premier Theater at Foxwoods on Saturday, Sept. 10.
The duo first worked together in 2007 for their collaborative effort, “Raising Sand,” which won six Grammy awards and was certified platinum. Last year, the duo reunited in the studio to drop their second album, “Raise the Roof.”
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – SEPTEMBER 25: Demi Lovato performs onstage during Global Citizen Live on September 25, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Rich Fury/Getty Images for Global Citizen)
Singer and former Disney star Demi Lovato announced they will be bringing their upcoming tour to Wallingford’s Toyota Oakdale Theatre on Saturday, Oct. 9.
The last time Lovato performed in Connecticut was in 2016 for a co-headlining performance with Nick Jonas at Mohegan Sun Arena.
LUCK, TX – MARCH 17: Willie Nelson performs in concert during Luck Reunion on March 17, 2022 in Luck, Texas. (Photo by Gary Miller/Getty Images for Shock Ink)
Musical stars Willie Nelson, Sting, Ringo Starr, Van Morrison and Phil Lesh announced they will perform at the Hartford Healthcare Amphitheater during the summer. 
Bill Owens, executive producer for “60 Minutes” and the father of two graduates, gives the commencement address.
CBS News’ “60 Minutes” Emmy Award-winning executive producer and Greenwich resident Bill Owens served as the 2022 commencement speaker at Greenwich High School. Owens’ son and daughter are 2020 and 2021 GHS graduates.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – JUNE 12: Patti LuPone attends the 75th Annual Tony Awards at Radio City Music Hall on June 12, 2022 in New York City. (Photo by Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images)
Kent resident Patti LuPone won her third Tony Award for “Company” at the 2022 Tony Awards.
LuPone took home the award for Best Featured Actress in a Musical for her portrayal of Joanne.
Andrew DaRosa works for the digital team at Hearst Connecticut Media, both producing online content as well as maintaining homepages.
Andrew is an award-winning journalist and holds a degree in digital journalism from Fairfield University.
When he’s not writing, he is spending time with his dogs or going to see live music.
Leeanne is the food and consumer reporter for Hearst Connecticut, handling coverage of restaurant openings and closings, trends, events and general news about CT food and beverage businesses.
She’s been working in Connecticut news for more than 15 years, most recently as the food and dining reporter for the Hartford Courant. A native of Worcester, Mass., she holds a master’s degree in journalism from Quinnipiac University.
Brianna Gurciullo covers local government and politics for the Stamford Advocate. A Meriden native, Brianna came to the Advocate after four years at POLITICO, where she wrote about federal transportation policy. She is always looking for a dog or cat to befriend when she is not working — and sometimes when she is working, as evidenced by her photo.

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