Star Sightings: Stephen Colbert Talks Louis C.K. With Samantha Bee, Gwen Stefani Performs in Dubai & More!

Stephen Colbert and Samantha Bee
Paul Zimmerman/Getty Images for Monclair Film

While politics were on 'The Late Show' host's mind during a fundraiser in Newark, New Jersey, other stars relished in holiday activities and charitable contributions -- check out all of the A-list events!

Though Louis C.K.'s transgressions were widely considered the worst kept secret in the comedy world, to some, it really was a secret.

Stephen Colbert welcomed Samantha Bee to the stage at NJPAC in Newark, New Jersey, on Dec. 6, where she was the special guest on Sad! A Happy Evening with Stephen Colbert & Samantha Bee, a fundraiser for the Montclair Film Festival.

During their hour-and-a-half-long chat, the longtime friends talked everything from dealing with politics (specifically President Donald Trump's tumultuous first-year in office) during their late night monologues -- Colbert hosts The Late Show on CBS while Bee is the face of Full Frontal on TBS -- as well as the seismic shift in culture surrounding sexual harassment since the Harvey Weinstein allegations came to light.

Colbert was supposed to have C.K. on his show the week the New York Times published its report on his sexual misconduct, and the 53-year-old comedian was planning on using an incident in the Louis star's now canned movie, I Love You, Daddy, to address the rumors -- whispers Colbert hadn't heard about until the article came out.

“I feel dumb. I didn’t know about Louis. I didn’t even know about [Bill] Cosby. And that’s dumb," he said, to which Bee responded, “When I was living in Canada, I knew about Cosby."

Before the event, Colbert spoke to VIPs at the fundraiser, where he praised events like the ones Montclair Film puts on, which provide a bit of reprieve from these dark times. "Art and artistic expression is liberty made visible," he said, adding, "It gives me great hope, and hope is what I need, because my eyes have begun to twitch."

Paul Zimmerman/Getty Images for Monclair Film

Not every recent event tackled politics, though. Gwen Stefani put on a private concert for Marriott Rewards and Starwood Preferred Guest members at the grand opening of the Renaissance Downtown Hotel in Dubai on Dec. 4. For her first visit to the United Arabs Emirate city, the new queen of Christmas performed both new hits and fan favorites like "Make Me Like You," “Underneath It All,” “Holla Back” and “It’s My Life.”

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Also worth smiling about is the holiday season, which is officially upon us! Producer Jennifer Klein threw her annual holiday party to ring in the season, and A-listers were excited to come out for the night of dancing, eating and drinking at her Brentwood, California, home on Dec. 2.

According to an insider, Kumail Nanjiani and wife Emily Gordon’s Cadillac was among the first to pull up to the party. They made the rounds side-by-side all night, with Nanjiani pausing to snack on Pasta Chips by the bar before they later posted up with Sofia Vergara and Joe Manganiello for a hearty conversation in the living room as the Modern Family actress sipped on a Don Julio mini margarita.

was also a Scandal reunion there, with Tony Goldwyn, Bellamy Young, Scott Foley and Darby Stanchfield all bonding by the Chipotle chips and drinking Icelandic Glacial Water, with Shondaland veterans Charlie Weber and Liza Weil soon joining them. Other celebs at the soiree, including Brittany Snow, Julianne Hough, Nina Dobrev, Topher Grace, Skeet Ulrich, Chrissy Metz and Taye Diggs, sipped Chloe Wine and Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf drinks and munched See’s Candies, Baked By Melissa and Jeni’s Ice Cream.

Cover stars Chloe and Halle Bailey hosted ASOS Magazine’s Winter 2018 Party Issue launch on Dec. 3 with an intimate dinner in West Hollywood, California, where they were joined by fellow Young Hollywood elite like Yara Shahidi and Francia Raisa.

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Some lucky stars get to double up the celebrations this month, bringing in good cheer for the holidays and their birthdays. DJ Khaled was among those, being flanked by famous pals Tiffany Haddish and Mary J. Blige, as well as his co-stars on the upcoming Fox competition series, The Four -- Sean Combs, Fergie and Meghan Trainor. The Dec. 2 soiree, thrown by Diddy and sponsored by Ciroc, celebrated both the famous producer and the reality show, which premieres Jan. 4.

Jerritt Clark

Model Joanna Krupa looked fierce on the red carpet at Thomas Henry Jr.’s star-studded $4 million birthday celebration at Hotel Discotheque in San Antonio, Texas, that same night. The bash included performances by Migos and Latin GRAMMY winner J Balvin, as well as a special DJ set by Diplo and DJ Ruckus.

Jay Layno

It was an America’s Got Talent reunion when Heidi Klum presented Season 11 winner Grace VanderWaal with the Rising Star Award at Billboard’s Women in Music Awards on Nov. 29, where FIJI Water made its debut as the official water of the event.

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Stars also stepped out for charitable causes, and showed off some of their collaborations with non-profits.

Jordin Sparks and Real Housewives of New Jersey star Danielle Staub posed for pictures at One Night With The Stars, a Wigs and Wishes event presented by Martino Cartier, in New York City on Dec. 4.

“The one and only #beautyand #grace @jordinsparks so special meeting you at such an incredible #cause#wigs&wishes @martinocartier#onenightwiththestars #rhonj @bravotv,” Staub wrote on Instagram.

Ed Sheeran threw a pizza party with Coca-Cola and (RED) at KIIS-FM’s iHeartRadio Jingle Ball 2017 in Los Angeles on Dec. 1. The foodie fete, held for Omaze winners, is part of (RED)’s larger initiative to fight AIDS.

Brandon Cano-Errecart for (RED)

Also supporting the (RED) Global Fund, Freida Pinto revealed the first Andaz (RED) Cabana during a cocktail reception at the Andaz West Hollywood on Dec. 5. Thirty percent of each room package at Andaz properties in Mayakoba, Costa Rica, Scottsdale and Maui will be donated to the fund.

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Tyler Oakley toasted with Three Olives vodka during the TREVORLive Gala in Beverly Hills on Dec. 3. The event was the annual fundraiser for The Trevor Project, the leading and only accredited national organization providing crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to LGBTQ young people.

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Kaley Cuoco isn’t only flashing some new bling in the form of her engagement ring -- she’s also part of a charity collaboration with ALEX AND ANI. Her bracelet, which she showed off on Instagram on Dec. 2, benefits the Epidermolysis Bullosa Medical Research Foundation, a non-profit raising awareness and funding cutting-edge research in pursuit of a cure for EB.

Coco Austin brought her too cute daughter, Chanel Nicole, to Bash for the Bulldogs at NYU Kimmel Center’s Rosenthal Pavilion in New York City on Dec. 4. The event, hosted by Beth Stern, benefited the Long Island Bulldog Rescue.

Rob Rich/SocietyAllure.com

Let's not forget the top-notch meals the celebs feasted on. Jimmy Fallon and a friend enjoyed a quiet dinner at New York City-based Junoon last weekend, dining on items like lasooni gobhi, smoked vindaloo pork ribs and chicken lababdar, while Amber Rose satisfied her sweet tooth at Sugar Factory American Brasserie in Las Vegas on Dec. 2.

Madison Freedle

And Kevin and Danielle Jonas toured New York City in a Ben Sherman London taxi before making a stop at Bouchon Bakery to treat fans to complimentary coffees.

Travis W. Keyes

The eldest JoBro's younger brother, Nick Jonas, joined New York Mets’ first baseman Dominic Smith, Houston minor league outfielder Jason Martin and Arizona minor league centerfielder Marcus Wilson in hosting over 200 youth at a private advanced screening for the "Chains" singer's new movie, Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle, at the AMC Sunset Dine-In 5 in West Hollywood, California, on Dec. 1.

Jerritt Clark

Jonas' ex, Olivia Culpo, also spent time in West Hollywood. Sporting a black crop top, mesh leggings, beanie and white Chanel fanny pack, she hopped on one of the Paul Frank + WeHo Pedals Bike Share two-wheels, which are available in the town for the month of December.

Sara Jaye Weiss/Rex-Shutterstock

Ashley Benson took a very different ride, getting goofy in a life-sized graffitied subway car at the launch of Privé Revaux Eyewear’s New York flagship store on Dec. 2.

Michael Stewart

Also in the Big Apple, Claire Foy and Matt Smith hosted a screening and panel at the 92nd Street Y on Dec. 4 for the second season of their Netflix show, The Crown.

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On the music front, 98 Degrees was among the guests who took in the Brooklyn, New York, stop of JAY-Z’s 4:44 Tour from the D’USSE VIP Riser at Barclay’s Center in late November.

Shareif Ziyadat

Pharrell Williams hosted a private listening party with LOUIS XIII Cognac at a secret event space in the Hongkou District of Shanghai, China, on Nov. 13, playing his original track made to raise awareness for global warming, “100 Years.”

LOUIS XIII

After popping bottles with his crew, Fetty Wap entertained a crowd that included Rick Fox and Larry English at the grand opening of upscale nightlife venue Bounce Chicago on Nov. 30.

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One of the biggest events of the year, Art Basel, kicked off in Miami, Florida, this week. 

Amar’e Stoudemire and Joe Namath were among the sports stars celebrated the opening of Miami’s longest running contemporary art fair, Art Miami, on Dec. 5. They took in Metallica member Jason Newsted’s exhibition, RAWK, of which half of all sales will be donated to the Perry J. Cohen Foundation.

Leonardo DiCaprio rolled into Wall in Miami Beach, Florida, with 40 people for the lounge’s event with artist Mr. Brainwash and Daniel Mazzone.

And Ellie Goulding and Princess Beatrice of York bonded at a Hauser & Wirth-hosted party celebrating the opening of the 2017 Art Basel season, held at The Beach Club at 1 Hotel South Beach on Dec. 6.

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Meanwhile, Katharine McPhee looked lovely on the set of her LAPALME cover shoot with the magazine’s creative director and celebrity stylist, Derek Warburton. The shoot, inspired by her new album, took place at Hollywood hotspot No Vacancy.

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Plus, Brody Jenner helped reveal the fast, powerful new Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 convertible at a launch event in Los Angeles on Nov. 28.

Steve Fecht

Check out even more must-see star sightings in the gallery below.