Sunday, March 7, 2010

Finally....

The buzzing around Grauman’s Chinese Theater definitely caught my attention. But something else was nagging at me – my feet! I insisted that we go back to the hotel, let me change my shoes and we could hoof it back down to Grauman’s to see the stars arrive at the premiere. Well I didn’t check into the premiere deal quite enough! It really didn’t take that long to go to the hotel and come back – we were only a long block away. Lots can happen in an hour on Hollywood Boulevard. By the time we arrived back at Grauman’s, the street was lined with black SUV’s – seems to be the vehicle of choice to be delivered to a premiere. There were Suburbans, Explorers, Tahoes – all in black. It did look pretty impressive with all black vehicles lining the curb. But much to my surprise, the stars had already been dumped out in front of the theater, the movie had started and all the SUVs were just lined up waiting on their passengers to finish their little movie get together. I had one 14 year old daughter that was not happy with me! But then I explained that if they went in, they had to come out so we clicked into full on movie star spotting mode. And we were not alone, there was quite a crowd just hanging out waiting to see whoever might appear. Most got bored waiting so we were able to edge our way up closer to the front of the line – persistence was paying off. I had my huge zoom lens on my Canon and I was ready! All I needed was a star!

Well another misconception that I had about movie premieres was that every star went to every premiere! Now where was the logic in that thinking? I also hadn’t thought about asking what movie premiere was taking place. I didn’t think it mattered. Wrong again. There are about five or six major theaters around the Hollywood area. Movie premieres can take place at any one of these theaters depending on the studio that produces the movie and where they want to hold their “red carpet” event. If you look back at the picture of Brian the Haunted Hollywood Limo Driver, you will notice across the street a Hooter’s and next to it is the El Capitan Theater. Most Disney movies premiere at that theater. A couple of doors down from Grauman’s is the Kodak Theater. That is where the Oscars will be later tonight but it also has a movie theater for hosting premieres and a big nightclub on the top floor for parties. Those three are all right there in close proximity to each other plus there are two or three others in other locations in Los Angeles.

So back to us waiting around Grauman’s to see a star – our movie premiere was Will Ferrell’s Land Of The Lost. Other than Will Ferrell, who was in that movie? It was a matinee premiere. Can you see the strikes lining up for me here? I had moved my way up to the front of the velvet ropes that was being guarded by one of those guys in the black. I decided he might be a wealth of information. They are not friendly types but I was persistent. My little rug rat had missed the red carpet entrance of the stars because I wanted to change shoes and by golly she needed to see a star. Here’s what I got from him: He really didn’t know who all was in the theater that might be coming out soon. He really didn’t know what time the movie actually started to gauge what time they would come out. He really didn’t know who would come out the front door versus going out the back door to a premiere party. Big Guy was not tourist friendly. But again, I was persistent and we weren’t giving up our spots at the front of the red velvet rope. I figured they were keeping him there on the payroll for a reason.

Sure enough – a star soon appeared. Randy Jackson accompanied by his daughter. Either the movie was boring and they left early or Randy couldn’t go to the after party because he brought the baggage (minor child) with him. I quickly zoomed in and got some good close up shots of Randy. So if Randy went to the premiere, maybe Simon and Paula too? And if one star left surely more were to follow? We were really caught up in the excitement and anticipation of more stars to come and I had my camera all ready to zoom right in on them.

From the corner of my eye I happened to catch a glance of something really pink. If you haven’t figured out by now, I like pink. I have three girls and from the time they were born, I dressed them like a walking commercial for Pepto-Bismol. This was enough pink to draw my attention away from the red carpet in front of me. It was a pink cap and a matching pink blazer. Oh my, that was a lot of pink. Then my brain kicked in to actually look and see who was wearing it. It was one of those moments that you look and then you think and then you look again. Was that really ELTON JOHN standing next to me? I am a huge Elton John fan. He was right there next to me. No one in the crowd facing the red carpet had registered yet that he was among us. He had parked down the street and walked up from the back of us while we were all facing the opposite direction. How sneaky was that! He was trying to make his way through the crowd, past Big Guy to get to his star on the sidewalk which happens to be right in front of Grauman’s Chinese Theater. Don’t worry, he had his own Big Guy to move my Big Guy out of the way and go past the velvet ropes. But there was that moment while the two Big Guys were negotiating this deal that Elton was standing right by me. I couldn’t speak! I was frozen for a moment in time. Finally I thought to grab my camera. The stupid thing had the zoom on it and it was sucked up so tight that it looked like Elton was 2 inches from my face. I jerked off the zoom and put the regular lens on in time to get a couple of decent shots.
If I didn’t see another celeb at all, this had made my day!

Leave me a comment to register for the $25 in Glamour Bucks to be given later tonight at the end of the Oscars. What are your star sightings?

31 comments:

  1. Saw Olivia Newton John at LAX one time! And my son had an acting class with Matt Damon... Jack Hanna and Tyra Banks visited the camp we worked at one summer......just to name a few

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  2. Way cool! I could so live in Hollywood and be a star watcher.

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  3. I would love to go to Hollywood to see the stars! cute blog!

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  4. i would love to be one of those crazy fans at the oscars!!! love you site!!!

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  5. Love the website and blog! Will be ordering soon!

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  6. Love your stuff and like the blog!!!!!

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  7. Love the blog and your jewelry. Can't wait for the home decor section.

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  8. I love yall's blog, soo glad I found Giddy up Glamour! I wish I could of been there for all the excitement...

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  9. Love the jewelry, can't wait to order something different! Fun read of you events

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  10. Love the way you write! Very detailed and thoroughly described. Almost felt like I was there!!! hehe I've not run into alot of 'famous people' or actors/actresses but when I lived and worked in Branson MO, I met a few 'semi-well known' people; Donny Osmond (Marie Osmond's brother) and the Oakridge Boys and various not so-well-known actors and singers and dancers involed in the many shows within Branson..... Dunno if you've ever heard of the Christian group called Avalon or not (check em out if you haven't) but I've met them too many times to count. I was obsessed (to say the least) when I was a kid and into my teen years with them. lol
    Anyways. Loved the blog, loveeeeeee all your jewelry clothes etc!!!!

    Vanessa Shores

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  11. Love your all the jewelry and apparel, I will be placing my first order very soon.

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  12. Being stationed at Fort Campbell means being close to Nashville. Everytime my mom comes up we go to Nashville so she may get the chance to run into Tim Mcgraw..lol

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  13. My biggest star sighting was Frankie Muniz. I would love to be up close and personal with my faves though. Great Blog!

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  14. Ive seen the lead singer of ZZ Top (even though i dont listen to that music,my husband does) and i got his autograph. he was staying in the same hotel as us in San Antonio :)

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  15. love your stuff and i enjoy reading you blog now too.

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  16. I Love Giddy UP Glamour!!! THanks for offering plus sizes for your Fluffy friends!!!

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  17. Love the blog and all the Giddy Up Glamour! So happy I found you guys on FB and Plus Sizes ROCK!!!! We well endowed girls have to have the glam too! :) ROCK ON!
    Ann Marie Jones FB Friend

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  18. How cool is that? I probably would not have been able to contain myself with Elton John that close!!!

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  19. awww I love pink as well, and I would love to be around all those stars.

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  20. I met Tim Gunn, Kevin Costner & the Pioneer Woman recently...I love celebrities!

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  21. That's the coolest. Hope you're not too tired to do the drawing - lol. Hope you have a safe trip. BTW, I love everything Giddy Up Glamour! I follow you on FB & now on your blog.

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  22. love your site and love the blog.... well they arent to out there yet but i use to hang out with the eli young band before they started getting big and known

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  23. Love, love, love your products. Ordered a "FAITH" cap & got it in the mail really quick. You guys don't waste any time. Looking to place an order soon. Love keeping up with Giddy Up Glamour!

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  24. The biggest star I have ever been around is Miranda Lambert. We went to high school together. I ran into her at the National Finals rodeo this past December and that was preety cool... ok, it was AWESOME!! The site and your products are great.

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  25. I love your blog and your pictures of your adventure are awesome. Keep us up-to-date on any further excursion LOL. And ... y'alls jewelry is to die for. I have turned all of my friends onto your site.

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  26. Soooo lucky to get to travel like that. Hoping my new job will bring new travels!

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  27. This site is so awesome. You have put a lot of thought and detail into what you do as an artist and also as a writer. Way to go. I would love to go to California sometime. My husband has been to San Diego on a work trip once but I did not get to go. Most of my trips consist of going to and from Texas and going to goat shows all over the Mid west United States. Thanks for telling us about your trips they are great and make me feel like I am right their with you.

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