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By the time she spoke at the UNICEF gala, Liu was recoiffed - thanks to Ceron.Photo by Tony Bullard -
Earlier in the evening, Lucy Liu wore her hair downPhoto by Tony Bullard
On Lucy Liu's first visit to Texas she was lovely, low-key and on a mission.
The internationally acclaimed actress stopped over in Houston late last week in her ongoing role as UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador. Thursday night, she headlined "An Evening With Lucy Liu," a glamorous black-tie fundraiser for the non-profit that was held at the home of John and Becca Cason Thrash. We grabbed a few minutes privately with her before the party roared into full action.
Prettier and softer in person than on the big screen or the little screen for that matter, Liu perused the silent auction items before the crowd of 200 reached critical mass. She was bidding on several pieces of art when we caught up with her. Liu is an artist herself having worked in collage, photography and painting. She said that she has just completed work on a book featuring 72 of her paintings, to be published later this year by the London-based art house, Heni Publishing.
Liu explained that she had sought out UNICEF in 2004 because she was interested in doing charitable work for children. So she spent a good bit of time learning about the international organization before officially coming on board a year later. Her most recent area of interest has been in child trafficking. She has addressed the issue at various high-powered forums in Washington in recent months. Liu said that she has traveled over the world — Egypt, Cambodia, Russia, Pakistan, Peru, etc. — on behalf of UNICEF. But this was her first starring role at a UNICEF gala fundraiser.
While we might not have seen her in the spotlight other than last Tuesday night's UNICEF stint on Larry King Live where she talked about child trafficking, Liu has been busy. She has just completed filming a movie, Nomad, in Mexico and she is poised to appear on Broadway later this year.
Soon Liu's gentle handlers were by her side, moving her to another part of the house. And, so, she floated away through the party scene in a shimmering, beaded gown by Carolina Herrera, according to the actress. Her next stop would be the podium to speak briefly on behalf of UNICEF.
INSIDER SCOOP: When we first visited with Liu, her hair was luxuriously hanging long over her shoulders. By the time she approached the podium, her hair was beautifully coiffed, up in a natural chignon. Thank you, Ceron, who stepped in on a drizzly, bad-hair night in order to save the day, so to speak.
