By Mark Shanahan and Paysha Rhone, Globe Staff | August 25, 2008
Eight contestants in the first-ever Mister USA pageant heated up a ballroom at the Lenox Hotel Saturday night, strutting the stage in Speedos and evening wear, and even managing a rather awkward group dance number. The charming Ivan Rusilko (above), of Meadville, Pa., took the sash from outgoing Mister USA Jake Hill, of Plymouth. Hill, who was appointed Mister USA but competed internationally, called competing in a tiny bathing suit "amazingly terrifying. Growing up in the Boston area, Speedos are not necessarily socially accepted, for a masculine man. But you have to take the good with the bad, and enjoy the experience." Hill, Miss Boston 2008 Alida D'Angona, and Suffolk University professor Dana Rosengard were among the judges who chose the new champ. Rusilko, a bodybuilder and fourth-year medical student, will rep America in the Mister International 2008 pageant in Taiwan in November. "I don't have any doubt that he can take it all," said Mister USA founder Rafa Delfin. "We have to doll him up a bit. As you can see, he has a great physique already. He's a champion bodybuilder. He has a great personality, great smile . . . and I'm just very, very happy with him."
A dog day in August
It was a great day to be a dog at Gillette Stadium yesterday, as Patriots cheerleaders joined stylists from Dellaria Salons and dog handlers from LaundroMutt in sudsing up about 80 pooches for the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. The fourth annual "Paw Wash" raised $1,700, spokeswoman Marci Tyldesley said .
Out on the island
Nantucket was hopping this weekend; actress Jennifer Coolidge stopped in for dinner at Michael and Orla LaScola's American Seasons on Nantucket Friday. (Also in the house: US Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Ford Fraker.) Coolidge, stepping in for Chris Matthews, hosted the Nantucket AIDS Network 2008 Gala & Auction Saturday night. Before hitting the party, she got all dolled up at Darya Salon, where we hear the girlie-girl's presence caused quite a stir. Meanwhile, at the 29 Fair bistro Thursday, owners Danielle deBenedictis and her husband, Peter Karlson, welcomed visiting chef Todd Winer, of the Metropolitan Club in Newton. At his six-course table: Metropolitan owner Kathy Sidell Trustman; sculptor David Hostetler and his wife, Susan; Franklyn deMarco, owner of Ta-boo in Palm Beach; philanthropist Sheila Palandjian; and Summer House chef Marc Orfaly.
Landing roles
Just in: Boston actress Christy Scott Cashman will play a detective in "Edge of Darkness," with Mel Gibson and Robert De Niro. The cop drama began filming around Boston this month. Keisha Whitaker, pride of Lynn and wife of Oscar-winning actor Forest, has a new show on TLC. "Who Are You Wearing?" gives regular folks the chance to design and sew red carpet looks for celebs. The first episode, outfitting soap star Alison Sweeney, aired Friday.
A fashion don't
We can't say we're real surprised by the demise of Daniel Feld on "Project Runway" last week. In recent weeks, the Great Barrington designer made an Olympics uniform that looked like a purple cocktail dress and helped losing designer Kelli Martin design a suit for Brooke Shields that involved a bare tummy and leopard accents. ("Slutty, slutty, slutty," designer and judge Michael Kors tsked, causing Feld to huff, "I have impeccable taste!") Last week, he revealed during a drag queen costume competition that too many sparkles make him a little queasy. (Which raised judge RuPaul's perfectly tweezed eyebrows.) Understated drag doesn't pay: The judges ruled Feld's sherbet flamenco gown wasn't grandiose enough. Auf wiedersehen, Daniel. At least you got a man out of the show. (His blog reports he and co-contestant Wesley Nault, of Blackstone, are going strong.)
Ride this way
Steven Tyler led a posse of about 1,500 bikers on a Boston for Africa 2008 charity ride to the Bank of America Pavilion yesterday. Ernie and The Automatics were expected to perform afterward, along with Jeff "Skunk" Baxter, Johnny A, James Montgomery, and Mike Mangini. The Aeromsith frontman, and bandmate Joey Kramer, will also judge a Guitar Hero rock-out competition tonight at the Hard Rock Café. The two-day event benefits Foundation Rwanda, FORGE, and Opportunity International, which raise awareness about poverty and war in Africa.
Family man
Rev. Run, a.k.a. Joey Simmons, and his wife, Justine, signed their new book, "Take Back Your Family: A Challenge to America's Parents," at the Brookline Booksmith Saturday afternoon. About 150 folks turned out to see the legendary Run-DMC rapper and reality TV dad, who fittingly brought along his sons Diggy and Russy. All four signed books, events director Brian Foley said. "The kids were really respectful and kind." We'd expect nothing less from the good reverend's kids.
