Sweeping the fluff off the red carpet

Vogue editor at large André Leon Talley, who is to provide commentary tonight on ABC's pre-Oscar show, strolled up Rodeo Drive the other day and was treated like a celebrity by three Swedish students, three Italian engineers and one local real estate agent who asked him to pose for photos.

The 6-foot-7 Talley talked up young supporting actress nominee Jennifer Hudson of "Dreamgirls," Vogue's March cover girl.

So I can guess who you're rooting for in that category.

Oh, of course. I saw "Dreamgirls" 10 times. On Christmas Day, I skipped lunch at Lee Radziwill's house to be on line at 1:30 at the Ziegfeld Theatre in Midtown Manhattan to see the response. People just stand up and scream.

Was it your idea to put Hudson on the cover of Vogue?

No. It was the idea of Anna Wintour. It was my idea behind the scenes, of course. I simply sat there and gave silent support. This is historical for African American women. It's historical for all women. It shows that you could have a dream and you could one day get on the cover of Vogue and you don't have to be Twiggy.

You'll interview on the red carpet?

Yes. Jennifer Hudson, of course. I hope to talk to Cate Blanchett. Jada Pinkett Smith and Will Smith and Jaden, their son, if he is with them. I would love to talk to Mark Wahlberg…. I would love to talk to Martin Scorsese.

So you are not there to talk about gowns, gowns, gowns?

Oh, yes, but I will have an angle. Because when I speak to Cate Blanchett about what she is wearing, I will be able to say, "Cate, when you did 'The Missing' you belted a tweed coat when you were on a horse. And in 'Notes on a Scandal,' you also belted a sweater when you were a school teacher. Is that your special style device?"

A little more informed than the average red carpet reporter?

I hope so. When you see those people from those tabloid shows going, "What are you wearing? Twirl!" I think it's tacky and uninteresting.

In some ways there is a parallel to Las Vegas, a town allegedly about glamour, where it's all fat people in shorts. And at the Oscars, it's supposed to be about glamour, but it's actors shilling for designers.

I just think it's awful when people say, "What are you wearing?" And a star says, "My jewels are Chopard. My dress is whatever. My shoes are so-and-so … " When they list everything, it becomes an endorsement and not true style.

Don't men have a harder time with fashion than women?