[muchlove]

"A DUCK quacks like a duck, a leopard doesn't change its spots, and Sharon Stone will always be, well, Sharon Stone," laughed one observer when the erratic star failed to show up to present an award to Patti LaBelle at Denise Rich's G&P Foundation gala, other wise known as the Angel Ball. Sources say Rich had, at Stone's request, co-written a song with her called "Come Together Now" to aid tsunami victims, and then ponied up more than $300,000 to finance an all-star recording and video. "Sharon paid Denise back by going on Ellen DeGeneres and Larry King and claiming all the credit for herself," says an in sider. "Denise was hurt, but didn't respond because Sharon promised she'd attend the G&P fund-raiser. Then Sharon screwed her again. At least she's consistent." Nevertheless, supporters jammed the Marriott Marquis ballroom Monday and raised $3.3 million for cancer research. Kelly Ripa (left) was there unescorted to present an award. Joan Collins was ruffled at first to find herself placed at a table of strangers ("Don't they know how to seat a star?") but calmed down when informed that the man on her right had procured a $1 million donation from the royal family of Abu Dhabi. Watching LaBelle sing "Over the Rainbow" with Stevie Wonder and Natalie Cole were Bryant Gumbel, Gayle King, Montel Williams, and Nelly, who was dripping in bling.

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