The mystery of Kate Hudson's appeal

New York

FLANKED by a pair of zealous escorts, Kate Hudson was trotted like a show horse onto a makeshift red carpet at the Standard High Line hotel in New York City's meatpacking district.

She was sheathed for the occasion, a celebration late last month of her debut as Campari's latest calendar girl, in a scarlet scorcher of a gown that made the most of her yoga-toned curves. Her handlers, a contingent representing the Italian liquor brand, held Hudson, 36, on an extra-tight leash, fending off would-be interlopers and herding photographers behind steel doors, where they lined up four deep as the actress fielded reporters' questions outside.