Behind People's Choice

Some of what we didn't see during the broadcast of the People's Choice Awards.
People's Choice: We the fans pick Depp, 'Twilight,' Bullock

LOS ANGELES — He might be best known for playing a pirate, but Johnny Depp was handed a real treasure on Wednesday night at the People's Choice Awards at the Nokia Theatre. The Pirates of the Caribbean star was given the award for actor of the decade from the show that honors entertainers from movies, television and music.

He and favorite R&B artist Mariah Carey, fresh from the Palm Springs film fest Tuesday, were joined by the likes of Sandra Bullock, Steve Carell, Ellen DeGeneres,Alyson Hannigan, Hugh Jackman, Carrie Underwood, Mary J. Blige and Nicole Kidman.

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The Twilight Saga was the big People's Choice winner, taking home four awards for favorite movie, franchise, on-screen team and male breakout actor, Taylor Lautner. The series' second installment, New Moon, was released in November.

Carey accepted her award after being accompanied onstage by husband Nick Cannon because she could barely walk in her long gown, which she described as "drama." Her speech was more composed than the one she made at Palm Springs, which Internet blogs posted on Wednesday because of her long pauses and laughing.

Backstage, Carey talked about Palm Springs, where Preciousdirector/producer Lee Daniels presented the breakthrough-actress award for her performance in the film. "The thing is me and Lee hadn't seen each other in a long time. ... We were really celebrating for the movie ... and there's so much exciting stuff going on with Precious. There's a time for celebration, and a time for not. It's kind of like a party atmosphere, but they trick you!" She continued, "If people knew me better, they would understand that I have a sense of humor."

As for the speech she gave, which some observers categorized as bizarre, she explained that she hadn't eaten much before the gala. "We had splashes of Champagne, and I love Lee, but he's a bad influence." Then she quoted a rap song by J-Kwon: "Everybody in the club getting tipsy!"

On the red carpet, Bullock, People's Choice winner for favorite movie actress, talked about 2009, which saw the release of her movies The Proposal and The Blind Side. "It's been my best moneymaking year," she said. "It's been an unexpected year." However, she said, "None of this was done on my back alone. ... It's an extension of a (wonderful) ride."

Backstage, she and co-star Ryan Reynolds talked about The Proposal, which won for favorite comedy movie. When asked about their next project together, Bullock said, "If you come to Ryan's house in a few weeks," there will be a roaring game of charades.

Underwood is still getting used to being engaged. Her fiancé is hockey player Mike Fisher of the Ottawa Senators. "The biggest 'wow' moment was when Mike's father introduced me as Mike's fiancée," she said. She doesn't have a wedding date yet, but "it'll have to be (scheduled) around hockey season." As far as balancing touring and being away from Fisher, "we love each other, and we'll make it work."

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xoxo
Carrie