TINSELTOWN SPYWITNESS.

Byline: Elizabeth Snead

START YOUR VIN DIESEL ENGINES: Talk about going to extremes!

At Tuesday's premiere of ``XXX,'' a black-leather-clad Vin Diesel ditched his bodyguards and sprinted across the street, leaping over large orange barricades to shake hands with his screaming fans. They were chanting, ``Vin, Vin, Vin!'' as they waited to meet the well-muscled actor with the deadpan delivery and shaved head.

The stunt was a perfect move for Diesel, who stars in the summer action flick about a new breed of secret agent as Xander Cage, an anti-social extreme-sports merry prankster coerced by U.S. Special Forces into taking out a ring of Russian terrorist/mobsters.

Besides the eardrum-splitting sounds of German industrial metal band Rammstein, constant explosions and extreme antics like snowboarding in front of an avalanche, it was the wild body art that got the most attention. Diesel, who has a few real tats of his own, spent hours every day getting colorful tribal tattoos put on his back, stomach, arms and neck. Everyone from stunt men to the film's pouty heroine, Asia Argento (daughter of Italian horror director Dario Argento), has real ink. At the premiere, Argento showed off a giant bejeweled spread-winged angel on her belly.

After the film, Samuel L. Jackson, who plays Gibbons, the agent who forces XXX into the spy game; the finalists from the TV show ``American Idol''; Tom Arnold and his new bride; Magic Johnson; Heavy D; Stephen Baldwin; Rachael Leigh Cook; Jonathan Lipnicki; Ray Liotta; Ja Rule and Eve (who has a small role early in the film as X's um, business manager) headed to the big bash on the grounds near the Wadsworth Theatre.

The blocked-off area was transformed into a futuristic techno rave, similar to the one in the film's opening sequence, with flashing red and blue lights, flame-throwing effects, huge screens playing the film's music video, and elevated bars of block ice serving everything from Moet to flavored Gray Goose vodka.

But the longest lines weren't for the sushi or soul food. They were for the XXX fake tattoos which were stuck on guests' arms and necks. Gwen Stefani, conservative in a white tank top and beige peplum pantsuit, with boyfriend Gavin Rossdale of Bush, didn't bite. They stayed at their table, nibbling on red cinnamon and black licorice and chatting with director Rob Cohen, probably about making music for the upcoming ``XXX'' sequel.

CHECK IT OUT: What were Jennifer Love Hewitt, Reese Witherspoon, Jessica Alba, Susan Sarandon, Tim Allen, Frankie Muniz and Tom Green doing backstage during the Teen Choice Awards taping at the Universal Amphitheatre last weekend?

Oh, just checking out the hottest cool stuff at the special star ``retreat,'' a Tiki Lounge pit stop for tired talent organized by Backstage Creations, which connects companies with the stars at awards shows such as People's Choice and Screen Actors Guild.

A selection of the gifts received by the stars will be auctioned off on Hollywood Charities.com to raise money for TEENS4ACURE, associated with the National Children's Leukemia Foundation.

So what did the stars select? Carmen Electra and Eve couldn't wait to try flirting with Girlfriend's Night Out ``My Lash'' jeweled false eyelashes. Electra was really into the goodies, trying out a Sprint cell phone. She also pocketed a few Hello Kitty guitar picks for her boyfriend, Dave Navarro, who won't be able to top Mariah Carey's collection of Hello Kitty goodies. She even writes songs on the Hello Kitty stationery!

Erika Christensen stepped into a pair of Steve Madden leather sandals with turquoise stones. JenStone's personalized Swarovski crystal belt buckles ( worn by Jack Black on a recent ``Conan O'Brian Show'') were a big hit with Nelly, Sarah Michelle Gellar, Michelle Kwan and Mark McGrath.

Finally, the ``American Idol'' finalists put those itsy bitsy cell phones to the test and immediately phoned home.

THE BEAUTIFUL PEOPLE: The opening night of the new Express flagship store at Hollywood & Highland drew more young celebs than the ``Ocean's Eleven'' premiere back in December.

With the sight of Orlando Bloom and Heath Ledger among the beautiful faces, the free jeans at the end of the night seemed almost unnecessary. Two of the biggest names in the guy category quickly became four, which became six and so on. Keeping up with who showed up five minutes before was the rule of the evening.

Among those joining ranks with the gorgeous imports were Matthew Perry, Vince Vaughn and British pop icon Robbie Williams. Add Rachel Hunter, Nicole Eggert, Jennifer Esposito and those cute brothers from ``7th Heaven,'' and you've got a room full of beautiful people out to have a good time.

Bloom and Ledger hung out with their friends at a table near the bar, chatting with their pal Hunter. They did not run for the free jeans, but most women did sacrifice several minutes to dig out their favorite pair from the stack of styles on hand.

Express, a staple at most neighborhood malls, has changed its look this year, and people are starting to notice, said co-host and actress Samaire Armstrong.

``I really like their new stuff. I like that they are getting away from just jeans and basics. They seem to be growing into fun and funky.''

Armstrong hosted the event with Mike Erwin.

CAPTION(S):

5 photos

Photo:

(1) STEFANI (left), ROSSDALE: An ``XXX''-rated couple

(2) ARGENTO: Can you find the angel?

Chris Pizzello/Associated Press

(3) ELECTRA: It's her call

(4) KWAN: Teen Choice freebies on ice

Jeff Vespa/WireImage.com

(5) ERWIN (left), ARMSTRONG: Dressed for Express

Michael Caulfield/WireImage.com