When the Going Was Good: An Editor's Adventures During the Last Golden Age of Magazines

The Vanity Fair Oscars party continued to grow in cultural influence. Each year, Carter’s team would track down stars to invite. Four years in, they were the most esteemed Oscars after-party, and everyone wanted an invitation. As the party grew, they developed new approaches—including how to seat guests and what to offer as party favors. However, the most complicated part was still the guest list. Carter recounts a few instances where guests got into conflicts at the party or used the party to get publicity. He recalls the first parties that Courtney Love, Anna Nicole Smith, and Harvey Weinstein attended. He remembers getting into an argument with Weinstein about his lewd behavior; Harvey insisted they take the disagreement outside. On the street however, Weinstein didn’t pick a fight because of the paparazzi. No matter the conflicts, Carter holds that Vanity Fair was responsible for reminding Hollywood of its history.

Carter is also proud that he invited Monica Lewinsky to the Oscars party one year. He was upset when he noticed how poorly she was treated at the event. A few weeks later, she asked Carter if Vanity Fair would do a special on her so she could tell her story in her own words for the first time.