PartyLines- photographs by Patrick McMullan

Are you a Hamptonite? “It's my first time here this summer. And my first time ever to Russell's house. I finally did something to get him to invite me.” You mean, become governor? “I guess that's what it was.” —Gov. David Paterson

—Sean “Diddy” Combs

—Kelly Killoren Bensimon

What privileges do you get from having a title and being a Countess? “It always works well at hotels. ‘It's the Countess, concierge. Can you get me a table here or there?’” —LuAnn de Lesseps

—Ramona Singer

How do you feel about a Real Housewives of New Jersey? “They can exist, as long as they don't tread into New York. They can't come over the bridge.” —Mario Singer

—Jill Zarin and Bobby Zarin

Will there be women-empowerment songs on your next album? “No, not necessarily. Though I do believe in that. A lot of romance [instead]. I am a romantic.” —Aretha Franklin

—L.A Reid

Russell's auctioning off a cooking lesson taught by you. Teaching anything in particular? “No, I'll teach them whatever they want to know. Me and my assistant will go over there. I won't go alone.” —Padma Lakshmi

—Al Roker

Russell is having this party at his house. What's the wildest party you've had at your house? “Please. I have four small children. The wildest party has been a party for 6-year-olds, which was a complete mistake and a total disaster because it was a boy-girl party.” —Soledad O'Brien

—Ming Lee Simmons

—Aoki Simmons

Why do you like David Paterson? “He's doing a lot of things that he couldn't do if he had to be elected. I don't know of any candidates who'd campaign on the idea of freeing Slick Rick or marching in the gay pride parade or recognizing gay marriages in the state of New York.”
—Russell Simmons

—Danny Simmons

—Porschla Coleman

Most unfortunate thing you've worn to the beach? “I'm very proud of my body. I'd describe myself as cherubic. I think it was an old-fashioned Speedo. The kind your grandpa wore, or professional wrestlers wore.” —Brett Ratner

—Alina Cho

Any beach books you're ashamed to be reading, like The Da Vinci Code? “I read that when it came out! I was a little embarrassed but my whole family read it at the same time, side by side, and we were all into it.”
—Christy Turlington Burns

—Simon de Pury

Have you been playing pick-up games against pros? “I'm playing with celebs. I'm playing with street-ball legends. And I'm playing with NBA players. It's for bragging rights.” —Jerome Williams

Jerome Williams said he'd challenge you to a pick-up game. “Well, considering that he's retired and I'm not, I think I'm in better shape.” You think you can school him? “Oh yeah. I schooled him back in the day. I can school him now.” —Grant Hill

—Tamia Hill

Do you talk to your shrink about Sopranos withdrawal? “I saw a shrink for a long time before the show, and once I got the show I just did the therapy on myself.” —Lorraine Bracco