When You Wish Upon a Star...

From: Ali Valentine
Date: January 17, 2011
To: Danielle Simmons
Subject: Gift for Drew Porter

Hello Ms. Simmons,

I wanted to get in touch with you because I see that your agency represents the very beautiful and inspiring actress, Drew Porter.

She was recently quoted on UsMagazine.com as saying that she thought that "fur [is] gross..." The organization I work with, People Against Torturing Animals, was founded in 1983 with one of the same heartfelt convictions and we would like to thank Ms. Porter for her courage as she speaks to a generation and has the power to influence so many lives.

As a small token of our appreciation, we would love to send Ms. Porter a gorgeous, cruelty-free winter coat by the leading French fashion designer, Chloé D’Arbanville, for those chilly nights in Los Angeles. Could you direct me as to where to send it?

Thanks so much,

Ali Valentine
Senior VIP Liaison
PATA

From: Kate Flaherty
Date: January 17
To: Ali Valentine
Subject: Re: Gift for Drew Porter

Hi, Ali,

Thanks for your message. I am glad that you appreciated Drew Porter's statement. One thing Drew’s fans respond to is that she’s not afraid to speak her mind.

You could send the coat to [redacted].

Kate Flaherty
Assistant to Danielle Simmons
The Simmons Management Group

From: Ali Valentine
Date: January 17
To: Kate Flaherty
Subject: Re: Gift for Drew Porter

Hi Kate,

Thanks so much for the information on where to send the D’Arbanville Luxury coat. We hope Ms. Porter enjoys it! She will look beautiful in it. We will send a size zero: please don’t hesitate to let me know if a different size might be better.

If you think that this would be all right, I would love to send a video and informational materials along with the coat that explore the fur industry with some depth. I think that Ms. Porter will find it eye-opening and deepening of her convictions.  As someone with so much influence, we would love the opportunity to help her become even more of a voice for abused and exploited animals.

Thank you,

Ali Valentine
Senior VIP Liaison
PATA

From: Kate Flaherty
Date: January 17
To: Ali Valentine
Subject: Re: Gift for Drew Porter

Amy,

Does the coat happen to come in negative sizes? That may work better. Drew is quite petite. :)

Feel free to add the materials you mentioned.

Take care,

Kate Flaherty
Assistant to Danielle Simmons
The Simmons Management Group

From: Ali Valentine
Date: January 18
To: Kate Flaherty
Subject: House Party?

Hi Kate,

Thanks for getting back to me. A representative from the D’Arbanville design house will contact your agency shortly for Ms. Porter’s exact measurements so a custom-made, cruelty-free coat that will fit her perfectly can be made. She’ll love it!

I just had a thought: there is a house party happening in Beverly Hills on January 27 organized by Ramona Oliver, wife of producer Michael Oliver, at their beautiful estate. Ramona is doing this on behalf of PATA; she is one of our most passionate supporters. Cocktails and hors d’oeuvres will be served courtesy of LA hot-spot Quattro. This is a ticketed fundraiser for PATA but we would love to invite Ms. Porter there as our guest. We’ll also have other celebrity PATA supporters there as well – I can get you a list if you’re interested – and our President, Astrid Newhouse, will also be on hand to talk about some of our bold new initiatives.

Please let me know if Ms. Porter is available and I’ll add her name to the guest list! I know it’s short notice and I’m sure she has a very busy calendar, but I thought I’d try.

Thank you,

Ali Valentine
Senior VIP Liaison
PATA

From: Kate Flaherty
Date: January 19
To: Ali Valentine
Subject: Re: House Party?

Hi, Ali,

I spoke with Drew’s scheduler and unfortunately she’s not available for that date. Great news, though: we just got the word that Drew has been chosen as Maxim magazine’s Hottest Woman Alive for this year! Celebrating in the office…

Best,

Kate Flaherty
Assistant to Danielle Simmons
The Simmons Management Group

From: Ali Valentine
Date: January 19
To: Kate Flaherty
Subject: Re: House Party?

Hi Kate,

While I’m disappointed that Drew can’t make it to our fundraiser, I am really thrilled that she was chosen as Hottest Woman Alive by Maxim! I’m not surprised, though. People with compassionate hearts are always the hottest, don’t you think? PATA had seven sexy celebrity spokeswomen and supporters in last year’s Hot 100 list (eight if you count the model used in that provocative embrace with tennis star Svetlana Petroski) and if the rumors are correct, we are expecting at least that many this year!

This is awesome for the animals!

I would also love to talk to you when you get the chance of mutually beneficial ways Drew can lend her voice and celebrity even more than she already does to helping build a more compassionate world. We have lots of creative ideas.

Enjoy the sunshine!

Ali Valentine
Senior VIP Liaison
PATA

From: Ali Valentine
Date: February 20
To: Kate Flaherty
Subject: Hello again!

Hi Kate,

I just wanted to tell you how amazing it was to see Drew Porter’s interview in this month’s Maxim. She’s so articulate in addition to being beautiful! I also did not know that she loves surfing and dogs. That’s so great! I feel like we would be friends if we met.

The reason I am getting in touch – other than to say hello – is to see if we could work with Drew on a PATA campaign to educate people about the fur industry. Our famous anti-fur campaign, running since 1990, is called I’m Sexy in My Own Skin (for short, it’s referred to as Sexy Skin), meaning we don’t need to wear someone else’s skin, fur in this case, in order to be sexy.

I sense that this is a subject Drew is or could be passionate about given her quote on UsMagazine.com.

PATA is fortunate enough to get some of the world’s most highly acclaimed fashion and art photographers who donate their time and talents to the cause. The portrait would be professional, sensual but tasteful. In keeping with the art direction that that PATA has become famous for, the photograph would hint at nudity but no actual “controversial” naked parts would be exposed. With her youthful, independent, funky vibe, Drew would be a perfect candidate and the latest in a proud tradition of PATA models. With the campaign, we will create a provocative and memorable buzz around an important issue that will then help people make connections between nudity and cruelty to animals. Drew would be amazing!!

Could I send you an attachment with some of our prior Sexy Skin ads?

Thank you, Kate!


Ali Valentine
Senior VIP Liaison
PATA

From: Kate Flaherty
Date: February 20
To: Ali Valentine
Subject: Re: Hello again!

Aly,

I ran your idea by Drew and she’s interested. Time is of the essence, though, because she leaves to start filming on location in Stockholm very soon and she’s doing a two-day Bikram Yoga intensive starting Saturday, so really the only time we have is Friday morning and we’d have to shoot in LA. Call me at [redacted].

Kate Flaherty
Assistant to Danielle Simmons
The Simmons Management Group


From: Ali Valentine
Date: February 22
To: Kate Flaherty
Subject: Tomorrow and Riders

Hi, Kate –

Everything is set up at Magenta Studios for tomorrow morning at 9:30. Thank you for sending Drew’s rider: I wasn’t aware that her make-up and stylist teams would also have riders. Thanks for sending those as well.

As you know, we are a non-profit and we have to make every dollar stretch. Looking over the lists, are there any places we could make some little cuts? For example, is it necessary that we have a glass neti pot, organic tea tree oil, clothing steamer (especially as this is a photograph taken without clothing), on-site astrologer and numerologist, a personal trainer, licensed-and-insured dog walker, a dog chiropractor(?) and orchids on the set? The rest of the list should be fine though we’re having some trouble finding Peruvian mangoes in LA.

Please understand that as we are very grateful and excited to be working with Drew and her team on this important campaign but we are on a tight budget and just weeks away from our big annual pre-gala kick-off in NYC.

Thanks!

Ali Valentine
Senior VIP Liaison
PATA

From: Kate Flaherty
Date: February 22
To: Ali Valentine
Subject: Re: Tomorrow and Riders

Ali –

I’m rushing off to a meeting, but Drew’s assistant said you could send a regular ceramic neti pot in a pinch and probably do away with the garment steamer. Drew works with an astrologer who also does numerology so that’s just one person instead of two (and her intern but she's free) who has graciously offered to reduce her rate to $75 an hour for the cause.  Everything else, I’m afraid, is non-negotiable, especially since this is requiring the very limited free time of Drew and her team.

Kate Flaherty
Assistant to Danielle Simmons
The Simmons Management Group


From: Ali Valentine
Date: February 22
To: Kate Flaherty
Subject: Re: Tomorrow and Riders

Hi Kate,

Thanks for getting back to me. I know you’re busy but I just noticed on the rider that you also need a “Champion or other centrifugal force juicer” along with everything else. The photo shoot is going to only take a few hours, hair and make-up included. Couldn’t we have an assistant go and do a juice run? I’m trying to make tomorrow comfortable and enjoyable for everyone but certain items on the list are quite difficult to procure and/or costly.

I don’t mean to be a pain! Everyone is super-excited for tomorrow.

Ali Valentine
Senior VIP Liaison
PATA

From: Kate Flaherty
Date: February 22
To: Ali Valentine
Subject: Re: Tomorrow and Riders

Yes, it’s necessary to have our own juicer or it wouldn't have been on the list: Drew and her team are very specific about what they put into their bodies. Sigh. I really can’t spend any more time on this, Ali. These are the conditions and if you have any experience working with VIPs at all, these courtesies are not excessive.

Have a good afternoon.

Kate Flaherty
Assistant to Danielle Simmons
The Simmons Management Group


From: Ali Valentine
Date: February 26
To: Kate Flaherty
Subject: Shoot!

Hi Kate,

It sounds like everything went really well at the shoot and Valentino will have comps ready to show us tomorrow.  I hope Drew is happy with how things went.

I did get word that there was some confusion with some of the people who showed up yesterday but weren’t needed. Unfortunately, we still need to pay them for their time. Any insight on this would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Ali Valentine
Senior VIP Liaison
PATA


From: Kate Flaherty
Date: February 26
To: Ali Valentine
Subject: Re: Shoot!

Hi, Ali,

Thanks for your message. My understanding is that Drew had a good experience with the photo shoot, too. She is excited to see the comps, so please send them this way when you’re able.

About the confusion, Drew decided to send her dog Layla to her playgroup rather than pack her along for the shoot, so we ended up not needing the dog walker or chiropractor. Sorry but it was a last minute decision.

By the way, I think you’ll be happy to know that the experience working with PATA, along with the materials you sent, inspired Drew to go vegan! Do you have any healthy recipes you could send her personal chef?

Kate Flaherty
Assistant to Danielle Simmons
The Simmons Management Group


From: Ali Valentine
Date: February 26
To: Kate Flaherty
Subject: Wow!

Hi Kate!

Oh my God, that’s amazing news! Everyone in the office is jumping up and down! Squueeeee! Drew is such an inspiration to her generation: this could really have a great impact on so many lives!

I just got off the phone with Ramona Oliver and she has generously offered to send her personal vegan chef to Drew’s home to give her chef some tips and ideas. We’re also putting together a care package of cookbooks, PATA Gear and videos to overnight to her. Should we send it to the same address as the coat?

Also, could we get two quotes from Drew for the news release we’d like to send out ASAP? Ideally, one would address her participation in the Sexy Skin campaign and it would be great if the other one discussed her decision to go vegan.

Wheeeeee!

Ali Valentine
Senior ViP Liaison
PATA


From: Kate Flaherty
Date: February 26
To: Ali Valentine
Subject: Re: Wow!

Hi, Alli,

Drew would love to borrow Ramona’s chef for in-home training session. Have her set up an appointment at Drew’s chef at [redacted]. Just to let you know, Drew is big on low-fat, high raw, low-carb, high alkaline foods so she’s hoping that Ramona’s chef has some training in this.

Yes, please send the package to the earlier address.

Drew’s publicist, Marci, will send you quotes to use tonight for the news release. Please send me the press release before it goes out so I can get approval on it.


Kate Flaherty
Assistant to Danielle Simmons
The Simmons Management Group

From: Ali Valentine
Date: February 27
To: Kate Flaherty
Subject: Press release

Hi Kate!

I hope you are well. I sent the news release in the attachment. We’d like to send this out first thing tomorrow morning, so I’d appreciate it if you could get back to me as soon as you get the chance.


PATA Supporter Drew Porter is Sexy (and Now Vegan!) in Her Own Skin


For Immediate Release
February 28, 2011

Contact:
Francesca Alexander


Los Angeles – When PATA’s internationally recognized campaign, “I’m Sexy in My Own Skin,” is unveiled tomorrow, admirers will enjoy a new face (and other lovely assorted parts) courtesy of the stunning Drew Porter, animal lover and the actress of her generation. Shot by edgy Italian fashion photographer Valentino Buonarroti in LA’s cutting edge Magenta Studios, Ms. Porter proves to the world that sex appeal is more than skin deep and that there’s nothing seductive about the fur trade.

“I am proud to be a part of PATA’s ‘I’m Sexy in My Own Skin’ campaign and I hope that I can use my celebrity to build awareness of the cruelty of the fur industry,” says darling Drew.

Animals used in the fur industry suffer enormously. On so-called “fur ranches,” they are kept in filthy, small wire cages, one stacked on top of the next, where excrement and urine falls on the tortured animals below. To preserve their pelts, the foxes, rabbits, mink and other fur-bearing animals suffer excruciating pain as they are killed by whatever crude method is easiest: most often, their necks broken, they are poisoned or anally electrocuted.

Like Drew, many of the world’s most sexy and stylish trendsetters are tossing fur coats into the reject pile.

“They are a relic of the past,” says trailblazing French fashion designer, Chloé D’Arbanville. “Fur is beautiful when it’s on the animals but hideous when turned into ‘fashion.’ Fur coats are the direct product of torture and no compassionista would be caught dead in one.”

Working on the campaign caused Drew to open her heart to the plight of all animals and as a result, she tells PATA in an exclusive interview that she is now a dedicated vegan!

“After learning about the fur industry, I have decided to go vegan to try to bring more compassion into the world,“ says the gorgeous movie star. “Every time I eat a vegan meal, I am saving lives, which is amazing! I feel great and I’ve never looked better.”

For more information, please visit SexySkin.org.

From: Kate Flaherty
Date: February 27
To: Ali Valentine
Subject: Re: Press Release

Hi, Ally,

Looks good.

We’d like you to use another adjective for “darling” in her first quote because she is skewing lately toward a slightly older fan-base than this suggests and sounds too cutesy. Maybe “daring” instead to go with her increasingly edgy career choices?

Also, we'd like you to add the words “Academy Award-nominated” after “gorgeous,” in the last quote. Thanks.

Kate Flaherty
Assistant to Danielle Simmons
The Simmons Management Group

From: Kate Flaherty
Date: March 1
To: Ali Valentine
Subject: Entertainment Tonight!

Hi, Ally,

You’ve probably heard by now that Drew is going to be interviewed on ET for her part in the Sexy Skin campaign. It’s set to air tomorrow night, so set your DVR!

Kate Flaherty
Assistant to Danielle Simmons
The Simmons Management Group

From: Ali Valentine
Date: March 1
To: Kate Flaherty
Subject: Re: Entertainment Tonight!

Hi Kate,

I just heard! Astrid was wondering if there was any way she could wear the hot pink PATA tank we overnighted her on the eighth? I know I read that’s her favorite color, she’ll look amazing in it and it’ll help raise awareness of our work.

Also, we would love to offer some “talking points” assistance for the interview to help Drew stay on message. Our VIP Coach, Amanda, is amazing and available in a heartbeat!

Thank you!


Ali Valentine
Senior VIP Liaison
PATA


From: Kate Flaherty
Date: March 1
To: Ali Valentine
Subject: Re: Entertainment Tonight!

Sorry, Ally, Drew’s stylist already has a wardrobe picked out.

Drew is quite skilled with interviews. No need for coaching. She will be sure to put in the good word for PATA’s work.

Kate Flaherty
Assistant to Danielle Simmons
The Simmons Management Group

From: Ali Valentine
Date: March 3
To: Kate Flaherty
Subject: Damage control…

Hi Kate,

We just had an emergency meeting based on Drew’s ET interview last night and the conclusion is that we’re going to need to initiate an immediate plan of action with your team in terms of damage control.

First of all, it was disappointing to see that Drew and her team thought it was appropriate to wear a suede fringe jacket at an interview about her work on behalf of protecting animals’ lives. It’s understandable that the reporter was confused by that clothing choice given the subject, and Drew probably didn’t help too much by saying, “At least it’s not fur. Remember, I said that fur is gross, not suede.” I’m not sure that was too helpful. I wish we could go back in time and have her re-shoot the interview in her PATA tank that we sent you last week, which would have been perfect.

More damaging, though, was her repeatedly claiming that vegans can still eat fish and “occasionally a little chicken.” We’ve been flooded with angry and confused calls and messages ever since the interview aired, especially since we just sent out our newsletter with her on the cover as one of our Big-Hearted Beauty Brigade. Does Drew not realize that fish and “a little chicken” are not vegetarian foods, let alone vegan foods? I mean no disrespect, but how does that even make sense? Did she not see the videos I sent? Was she not given talking points by her team ahead of time? This was why we wanted to have our VIP Coach work with Drew. We are very disappointed because this could have been easily avoided.

Now we have a couple of contradictory messages to the public and this takes away from PATA’s important work of saving the animals. We are known for doing edgy, controversial, in-your-face messaging, but this wasn’t the sort of thing we were hoping for when we approached Drew with the goal of working together. 

We discussed the possibility of Drew doing a follow-up interview with ET clarifying her new understanding of and commitment to vegetarianism. Could you pursue that from your end? We would also like Drew to do a follow-up “oops, I goofed!” campaign for us that we have on hand for our celebrity friends doing damage control called, “It’s Time for the Naked Truth.” It’s a kind of mea culpa and it will help restore Drew’s credibility as a person of depth. Given the fickle nature of the news cycle, it would need to be a very quick response.

Please call me at [redacted] so we can coordinate a plan of action. Every time I call you, I go into voicemail and we do need to move forward.

Ali Valentine
Senior VIP Liaison
PATA

From: Kate Flaherty
Date: March 3
To: Ali Valentine
Cc: Danielle Simmons
Subject: Re: Damage control…

Hi, Ali,

We’re sorry that you PATA are disappointed. Drew was just being herself, as she always is. Despite your disappointment, we have heard that Drew has gotten tons of words of support and encouragement on her fan sites, Twitter and Facebook page.

In terms of the suede jacket, Drew signed on to do an anti-fur campaign, nothing against suede or leather. She would never have signed on if she thought that all animal fabrics would be considered “inappropriate” for her to wear because she does not want to limit herself or her creative self-expression. She is known for her fashion-forward, eclectic, boho style. For example, you probably did not have noticed but while her jacket was suede and vintage-influenced, her shoes were modern bamboo. Her feet, therefore, were green and cruelty-free but the vegans are not giving her credit for this.

We admit that she might have been rash with declaring her veganism without studying it more, but Drew is known for her passion and spontaneity. These are qualities that help her to resonate with her fans. She is real. She may not have considered all the complexities of the vegan or vegetarian diet, but her heart was in the right place.

Regardless, she sent out this Tweet last night on her own accord. Maybe you saw it? “Sorry, fish and chicken are not vegetables. D’oh! #ETscrewup.”

We feel that this is a sufficient acknowledgement and apology.

Given everything, while she appreciated the chance to lend her voice to PATA’s anti-fur campaign, Drew has decided she is not going to continue working with your organization. This, of course, means that she is not going to do a “Naked Truth” campaign, either, especially given all the time she has already dedicated to PATA. Even if she were so inclined, she is doing a cleanse this week before leaving for Stockholm and that requires many hours connected to a colonic irrigation machine.

There are many ways to make a difference and to live compassionately. Drew considers animal fabrics (except for fur), fish and the occasional chicken to be outside her personal sphere of concern. I think we can agree that at this point, Drew and PATA are going in different directions.

We wish you the best in your future endeavors.


Kate Flaherty
Assistant to Danielle Simmons
The Simmons Management Group


From: Ali Valentine
Date: March 19
To: Kate Flaherty
Subject: Hi, again!

Hi Kate,

How are you? I hope you are well! I’ve gotten in touch because noticed that your agency represents the gorgeous starlet Lacy Rousseau. I loved her in “A Cat’s Claws.” That was my all-time favorite movie last year.

I noticed that she was shown on TMZ yesterday leaving an animal shelter with her newly adopted puppy. At PATA, we are so grateful that she’s helping to spread the message of adopting from shelters rather than buying animals from pet stores or breeders and we would love to send her (and her new furry baby) a care package as a small token of our appreciation.

Companion animal overpopulation kills millions of innocent dogs and cat every year and encouraging people to adopt rather than buy was one of PATA’s founding principles. Someone as influential and charismatic as Ms. Rousseau could certainly make a positive difference in so many lives.

Could you please direct me as to where to send our thank you gifts?

All the best,

Ali Valentine
Senior VIP Liaison
PATA