Given all the Oscar buzz Lee Daniels' "Precious" has gotten in recent weeks, it was no surprise the Cinema Society's Thursday night screening of the film, cohosted by Tommy Hilfiger, scored an A-list turnout. Kyra Sedgwick, Terrence Howard, Iman, Mamie Gummer, Sandra Bernhard, Agyness Deyn, Donna Karan and Paula Patton were among the revelers who showed up to catch the film (based on the novel "Push" by Sapphire) and mingle at Crosby Street Hotel for the after-party.

But despite all the star power in the room, the surprise entrance of one guest — General Colin Powell — still turned attendees' heads. "We came because we were invited," explained the politician, who had his daughter and assistant in tow. "It's not very often that an old guy like me gets to come to a young people's party like this in the SoHo area." (Powell explained he was wearing a "monkey suit" because he had come straight from a black tie dinner for the National Urban League.)

Competing with Powell for the spotlight was Gabourey Sidibe, the star of the movie, who had selected a glittery number by Torrid for the occasion. "I bought it two days ago and figured tonight would be a good excuse to wear it," explained the actress. "There are not a lot of places I can wear a sequin ball gown shirt."

Presumably, Sedgwick approved. "You look so beautiful," she cooed when Sidibe arrived at the step-and-repeat.