Living behind the velvet rope

Bobby Hundreds; Photo: Nate Bressler Contrary to popular belief, in Hollywood, the litmus test of Who becomes Who is not a gold-plated naked man, copious cc's of silicone, or a newly adopted Asian baby. It's whether you're on the inside of a Brent Bolthouse Productions party.

"We're like your favorite pair of jeans," says Bolthouse, reflecting on his company's 17-year history. "You know what you're gonna get when you come to one of our events." However, your favorite pair of jeans is a lot easier to get into, which is why people fight, kick, and claw to get past Bolthouse's business partner Jennifer Romero, who works the rope at the company's weekly events at hotspots like LAX and Privilege. So does Romero have any tips on breaking into a Brent Bolthouse party? "Keep coming around. If I see your face, see you're trying, I'll finally let you in, you become a regular, and then you're in forever!"

That lifetime pass rubbing elbows with regulars like Lindsay Lohan, Jessica Simpson, and Cameron Diaz at Bolthouse parties can be a one-way ticket to stardom. Though modest about the significance, Bolthouse concedes, "Do deals happen in restaurants and clubs? Sure."

Wheeling and dealing aside, Romero is in it for the love. "I've had occasions where people tell me, 'We met at [a Bolthouse party] and we're married and have two kids now!'" says Jennifer. "It's nice to think that people are actually meeting people and getting great jobs out of it." Well, when you put it like that.

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