Lohan Honored at Young Hollywood Awards

LOS ANGELES – It was a who's who of young Hollywood: Gwen Stefani and husband Gavin Rossdale, Lindsay Lohan (search), Jessica Alba, Hayden Panettiere, Frankie Muniz, Amber Tamblyn, even Britney Spears' little sister Jamie Lynn.

The occasion: the 7th annual Young Hollywood Awards (search) presented by "Movieline's Hollywood Life" magazine. The affair Sunday night was hosted by actress Aisha Tyler, who said, "It's about celebrating the best of young Hollywood — the best actors, the kind of people who have started to build a career that we can all look at and go, 'Oh, they're gonna go somewhere.'"

In some cases, they've already done better than that — like Lohan, who was named "Today's Superstar."

"It's very strange," she told Associated Press Television News. "But it's a huge compliment and an honor and I feel very blessed."

"Desperate Housewives (search)" hunk Jesse Metcalfe was named "Exciting New Face." Series co-stars Eva Longoria and Marcia Cross attended the event to show support for the award.

"Do I have to explain that to you?" asked Cross. "Oh my God! You mean, besides the fact that he's gorgeous and talented, apparently quite a good musician."

"It means people are excited about you, I guess," Metcalfe said. "Maybe people in the industry, or just the viewing public, you know, in general, so that's a cool thing."

The media frenzy surrounding "Housewives" seems to be at an all-time high, with near pandemonium exploding on the arrivals line when Longoria and Cross hit the carpet.

"Everything concerning 'Desperate Housewives' has been a dream come true, and I've been enjoying the ride," Metcalfe said. "As far as dealing with the press and the paparazzi and the tabloids and that stuff, you know it takes a little getting used to. But, at the end of the day, it's not really that big of a deal. You just can't take it too seriously."

As for the Young Hollywood Awards, "It's such an honor," said actor Hayden Panettiere, named "Exciting Young Face." "It's amazing to be amongst peers, and for anyone to even consider me for something like this. I know kids don't get enough props, at all, for being in this business, for working as hard as they do. So, to have a night in honor of them is fabulous."

Presenting her award was actor John Corbett ("My Big Fat Greek Wedding"), who worked with Panettiere on last year's "Raising Helen."

"You know, she's 16," he said of his co-star. "She's gonna be one of those actresses, man. You know, when she's 25, 26, who are making good movies, big movies."

Panettiere loves Corbett, too. "Oh, he's so hot," she gushed, with a laugh. "I CAN say my father figure is hot, right?"