We’re in California, which means there are celebrities in the very near vicinity of our presence. On the drive from the airport to our hotel I had a very eager, jet-lagged eye out for the Kardashians. They’re like, everywhere, right?
Last night I was locked in our room, watching Luella as she slept. Not creepy at all. And Hubby and Lacey went out to ride rides and have all the fun I wasn’t having.
Hubby text me to tell me that he’d just seen James Van Der Beek, and had asked him for a photograph. He was denied. I find this to be the most hilarious thing ever. Hubby isn’t the sort of guy to care about celebrities. I could tell him Madonna was at a table next to us, and he wouldn’t flinch… but HE ASKED DAWSON FOR A PHOTOGRAPH.
I’m still laughing.
He asked… but worse still, he was denied. And normally that would put me off a celebrity for life. But not Hubby. He still likes the guy. Said he seemed like a really nice guy.
I turn into ice cubes when it comes to celeb encounters. Something happens within that tells me to be all chilled and relaxed, and I just do it. Inside I’m freaking out, but outside I’m all cool and pretending that I don’t even know they’re famous.
Like that time I met Ricky Martin.
I love celebrity encounter stories, so please tell me yours. Who have you met? What did you do? How did they react?
Only ever met a bunch of celebs at conventions I used to go to, so not sure that counts as meeting! Some lovely meets though – Nathan Fillion, Christina Hendricks before Mad Men. Edward James Olmos always stands out for me for being such a boss, in a good way!
Oh fun. I only know Christina Hendricks. She’s beautiful. 🙂
I love football (soccer) and was at a game a few years ago. Anthony LaPaglia – from CSI – was part owner of the club and I was about the 3rd or 4th row back from the front. He was walking past before the game and I jumped over the seats in front of me, losing my shoe in the process, embarrassing my children, and calling out “Anthony! Anthony!” He looked around and kind of stopped. I asked him for a photo, and he turned me down. I put my head down and slunk back to my seat, hoping no-one saw my rejection.
Oh no, you lost a shoe for him and he still turned you down.
Heartbroken. Still a fan?
A lot of celebrities no longer sign autographs. I remember running into Paul Newman in the early 70s at the Farmer’s Market and he never gave an autograph. He always said “Not with my kids present”. But, his kids were always present. LOL Don’t think James is really much different than most these days. I hope you have fun at Disneyland. I especially love the California side.
You know what I was thinking, people would probably be more protective now – particularly with videos and photos – things can go viral quickly.
It would freak me out, I know!
i’ve met a few celebrities. They have been nice in the past to sign autographs or take pictures. Usually though I stand there shocked and end up telling someone later.
Ha ha ha, it’s hard to stay cool, isn’t it?
I saw David Hasselhoff in downtown LA and normally I couldn’t care about anything Hoff related but for some bizarre reason I screamed like an idiot.
How ever my 20 year old son when in LA a few years ago bumped into David Spade ( one of his favourite actors) at The Grove in West Hollywood and he happily posed for a photo , turned the corner and saw Adam Levine from Maroon 5. Next day he was having a coffee in Starbucks in Downtown waiting for his shuttle back to the airport and Danny Glover walked in. Danny was happy to get a photo and asked my son was he from Australia. When my finished his coffee and headed for the door, Danny yelled out to him to ” take care and have a great flight”.
That is awesome. What an experience to meet so many GOOD celebs in such a short time.
That’s is so cool!
I saw Noel Gallagher walking down Rundle Mall while on my lunch break a few years ago. I’m a huge Oasis fan and I was just so stunned that the moment had passed before I could even get myself together. Then I thought about going back to the office and telling my boss how I’d bottled out of talking to him so I turned on my heel and set out to track him down. I had almost given it up when I saw him again. I sidled up to him and said “Excuse me” a couple of times before I had his attention (terrified he was going to tell me to f*ck off) and then said “I just wanted to say, thank you for some of my favourite songs of all time”. He looked surprised and smiled and said “Oh! It’s a pleasure, yeah!” and I smiled back and said “Yeah, so thanks!” and walked off.
You don’t want to live in regret! So glad you ran back and said something. 🙂
My friend drives celebrities around when they tour australia. I just live vicariously through him! I always just want to be trustworthy so I never get any photos or ask stupid questions if I’m hanging out with anybody with a profile. Have sometimes kicked myself for it later but I’d much rather they think I’m all right than an annoying fan :-/
Actually, having said that, I did go up to the guy who wrote the song we danced to at our wedding, and I told him how much the song meant to us. He died not long after and I’m always glad I was that fan for that moment.
Who was it?
I love the stories from your friend. 🙂
His name was Tony Sly. this was the song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WNFEGAfat4Y
An autograph was so much less invasive don’t you think….With selfies you have to worry about all the memes that will then be made based on that one photo. Poor celebrities with their fans and money. Too much pressure. Bring back the autograph I say!
Definitely. I just wrote that in a comment below. Anything you do can and might be used against you as a ridiculous meme. I’d be wary too.
I’d probably never leave the house!
I was always Pacey’s girl anyway. 😉
Ha ha ha. I can’t even remember who I liked, but I liked that show.
That’s just mean! Especially in the happiest place on earth! I met Coldplay at an after gig party before they got really famous. I volunteered to be their personal astrologer and the drummer wrote my number on his arm with my eyeliner. I guess he washed it off because he never did call and ask me about my astrological prowess. It was in the good old days before camera phones were a thing, so I don’t have any photographic evidence. I’m sure Chris would have been a happy snapper, though!
That is so VERY cool Sam! I’m sure it accidentally washed off and he’s been kicking himself ever since. 😛
I met Brett Eldredge in the street in Nashville and he happily gave me a picture! Three months later I met him again in another city and he remembered me! They’re not all deniers!
I love that he remembered you. That’s so sweet. 🙂
Joshua Jackson forever! Have you seen him in The Affair? *drool*
My major celeb experience was Will.I.Am taking my friend and I under his wing one night and taking us to the Black Eyed Peas after party. The morning after Will sat around with us and made us up nicknames and then made them up into some raps… best ever!! Oh and he remembered me a year later when he saw me at a nightclub and gave me a big hug.
Love Will big time!
Woah, that is the best celeb story I’ve heard! I wish it was me. 🙂
Oh i had some celebrety encounters, but just because many german musicians found out, that their fans are worth it and they try to interact with them as much as possible! So after every concert i was able to meet fav musicians, because even when they had a 3 hour concert they take their time, come out to the fans, giving autographs and doing some photos, they also talk a lot with us 🙂
So i met some german artists, but sometimes i wait and have to be lucky, so i also met Shannon Leto from 30 seconds to Mars (yes that’s the same Leto as in Jared Leto, it’s his older brother!) and he took the time to do photos at 2am and was worried that we get cold or wet, really sweet.
But i’m the same, i’m cool and chilled outside, always surprised that i can speak any language known to mankind (especially when it’s english :D) but inside i’m freaking out and be all like the introvert as i am, who wants to run away and hide inside a blanket fort at home and never come out again!
I also understands when a celebrity denies a photo or autograph, because they also try to be privat at that moment and often it’s like “when you do one photo everyone comes and ask!”, even when it’s sad
Oh btw i have to get out of my introvert meeting celebrities mode in october, i will attend the New York Comic Con and i hope there are many actors i always want to meet 🙂
That’s really cool. I think Shannon or one of the bandmates from 30 seconds played along with Photo A Day in the early days. That was pretty cool.
Have fun in New York. That sounds awesome. 🙂
it was Tomo and his wife 🙂 that’s the way i learned about Photo a Day 😀
Oh come on! You can’t say that and not share more details! 😛 That sounds awesome though. x
I used to work as a tour accountant for a high profile music promoter in the UK and I would go to venues regularly to settle the show with the artist’s accountant. These settlements were always back stage and in the AAA areas where the artists and crew were wandering in and out before and after the gigs. I was always just really cool and said a simple “hi” in the halls and moved on. I didn’t want to be “that person” but inside I REALLY wanted to be that person. I’ve toured Pink, Destiny’s Child, Beyonce, Sting, Red Hot Chilli Peppers, U2, Michael Buble, Scissor Sisters, Norah Jones and great festivals events to name a few and so many more names that I can’t even remember now. One highlight was physically being picked up and moved to one side by Will Smith as he ran through the crowd (I was in the exit doorway) while his wife was a support act. He kissed me on the cheek for my trouble! The most embarrassing moment was when I asked a guy while getting food from catering what his job was on the crew…he was only a famous drummer (whoops!!). One of the best parts of my jobs was reading this artists riders. Some were so funny and others quite disturbing. I wish now that I’d kept my run sheet of accounts from that time. It would make interesting reading.
What a life you’ve led. I can’t even imagine all the things you saw and heard. That’s so cool. 🙂
I’ve been fortunate enough to meet a lot of celebrities through my freelance photography, so I’m a bit ‘desensitised’ to getting starstruck…unless it’s someome I’m a huge fan of. I think when I finally meet Jimmy Fallon (hopefully next year) I won’t shut up and say something embarassing lol Very last minute, I got the chance to photograph the logies red carpet in 2008, met a couple of celebs while picking up my media accreditation…Though, the weirdest Celeb encounter/experience and an odd twist of fate is a band in the 90s that my sis and I were fans of (CDB), now as an adult I’m friends with the band members & have been friends with one of them for 10 years now!
CDB? Who’s that?
Jimmy would be awesome to meet! How and why are you doing that?
Aussie 90’s boy band, their bigest hit was ‘Lets Groove’ originally an Earth Wind & Fire song, you may remember them if you hear it haha…most people go “oh I remember them” Andrew DeSilva (one of the members) won the last season of Australia’s Got Talent
I’m going to NYC for my 30th birthday next year and I’m hoping to get monologue rehearsal tickets so I can meet Jimmy 🙂 I would love to see a tonight show taping, but tickets are pretty hard to get
I can’t believe your hubby got brushed by Dawson! Cracks me up. Your hubby is probably more talked bout than James these days! Oh and totally know the “you go have fun, I’ll stay with the baby” holidays. #goodmummy
Ha ha ha! Shane said to me, “You go and meet Dawson and blog about it, and it will be the BEST blog post ever.”
I don’t know how he thinks I’ll meet with Dawson, but now I kinda want to!
I wasn’t there, so this isn’t MY encounter and the details might be a little fuzzy, but my aunt and uncle were at a comedy show quite a few years back and Ryan Stiles was in the audience. My uncle is a pretty funny guy and I’m not quite sure how it came about, but he just introduced himself in a chill way and told Ryan Stiles he appreciated his comedy. At the end of the night my aunt and uncle went to pay their bill, only to find out Ryan and his wife had paid it for them!
That’s so cool and generous! x
Let’s see….I met Donny Osmond, had dinner with Maurice Gibb (from the BeeGee’s) met Phil Donahue, and also a few pro basketball players. But one time we were at Disneyland getting on Pirates, and my daughter noticed two soap stars (I had no idea who they were, but he was smoking hot!) who were riding behind us with their little girl. They asked us a question about the ride and we chatted with them on and off. When we all got off the ride, my daughter quietly went up to them and asked for a picture with them….they were so gracious and went to a quiet spot and took a couple pictures and chatted with us and then went on their way. When you are at the Disney Parks….look for the plaids. They are usually the ones escorting the stars!
Ah, thanks for that tip. Will keep an eye out.
That would be a cool job.
Totally agree there. My daddy worked at Disneyland when it first opened in 1955 and my dream job would be to work there when I retire from my big girl job in about 10 years! Until then I will have to be happy visiting the park every May with my daughter and granddaughter!
I once served Storm from The Gladiators when I worked at Borders… I’m sure you’re totally jealous 🙂
So jealous I won’t be able to sleep. 😛
I haven’t met any overseas stars, however I use to live around the corner from where they filmed all the weddings for Neighbours. I was even there when Scott & Charlene got married! I always loved stopping and chatting with Kylie Minogue, Jason Donovan, Guy Pierce, Craig MacLachlan & Stefan Dennis. Kylie was so lovely and down to earth . . and tiny! She was as tall as me when I was 14 and I am not the tallest of people! My youngest daughter has recently had the pleasure of meeting Rob Mills twice and I have to say he is just gorgeous with the kids. She was auditioning for Young Talent Time and he was hanging around doing all the promo shots etc. We followed him down the escalator & my daughter plucked up the courage to ask for a photo with him, and despite his minders trying to emphatically tell him he doesn’t have time, he stopped, took the time for a chat & a photo.
He sounds very sweet and down to earth. 🙂
When I was a kid Michael Jackson had the bad tour (88). Michael Jackson’s band came to my house and had lunch. Michael was supposed to come too but he was sick that day 🙁 One of the backing singers that was at our house that day (Darryl) keeps in contact with Dad, he sang at Michaels funeral.
Wow. Why did they come to your house?
My dad used to run a dive boat on the weekends, and we took them out scuba diving, they came back to our house for lunch after an early dive.
Such an Aussie thing to do, don’t you think?
The most famous person I’ve ever met is probably Muhammad Ali. When I was little we took my visiting grandma to the airport and Ali was in Australia for the Logies. He came up and sat with us, chatted for a while and plonked me on his knee while talking about how he missed his daughters. There was a newpaper photographer there who captured the moment and it ended up in the next day’s paper.
Another aeroplane/celeb story, I was sent as an unaccompanied minor on a flight to my Grandma’s and on the plane was the full casts of A Country Practice, Neighbours, Molly Meldrum and more going to a telethon in Tamworth. I was seated next to Lorrae Desmond and Stefan Dennis!
That is an epic celebrity story. It’s almost too good to be true. I love it. 🙂
I don’t know how I logged in as that above user? Weird. Anyway, I was saying to my hubs recently they don’t have telethons anymore.
My older brothers were very upset they couldn’t be bothered taking my Grandma to airport and missed seeing Ali. I have no memory of it (I was only 2), but my mum got a copy of the photo from the paper and it’s now in storage with some of my other precious belongings in Sydney.
I still knew it was you somehow. 🙂
This still makes me laugh.
With a heavy metal playing hubby, most of the famous encounters of my life have been musicians that most people probably haven’t heard of but are exciting for us lol otherwise Aussie sport people. Not overly exciting!
Still fun though!
oh that’s hilarious! Ok mine was when my husband and I were in the bar at LAX in the airport lounge – we had been given waaaaaaay too many Qantas drink vouchers to use in the American Airlines (I think it was American) lounge and all cocktailed up we noticed that the Americans in the lounge were paying for drinks.. so I sauntered up to two guys sitting at the bar and got as far as “Hey guys, would you like some freeeeeeeeeee…….” and realised I was offering Jack and Will (Erik McCormack) from Will and Grace the tickets… my husband was trying to catch my attention to stop me when he heard Sean Hayes laugh..hahaha. It was unmistakeable… they kindly declined, I muttered something about my friend Bryan killing me out of jealousy for meeting them and then recovered to say have a great day… But.. we couldn’t give those tickets away. Most of the people in the lounge thought we were serial killers plying people with free drink vouchers or something. One young girl took them in the end. I hope she enjoyed her margarita! I did! (margaritas plural).
Do you know how much I love this? This is good. Jack is the BEST EVER, especially when intoxicated!
haha yes he is – I love his lip sync videos too – gold!
I met Liberace once, when I was about 11. Not the coolest celebrity to meet, but do I still get points? 😉
I give you a 9. I think it’s a good one!
Hah! Why thank you! *curtsies*
This is fabulous on every level. If you were to ask me the LAMEST celebrity you could ever approach, it would probably be Dawson. Don’t get me wrong, I probably still would go and say hi, but it’s DAWSON!!!
Pacey on the other hand…. PHWOAR….
Oh, and, The Queen. I guess she’s the most famous person I’ve met. I’ve met every politician we’ve had but no one cares about them. Until you tell them Bob Hawke felt me up a bit. I also met Roger Moore once and all the blokes I knew were VERY disappointed that I had to be told who he was. Oh, and Hugh Jackman! Swoon! I’m sure there are more, but I can’t really remember them. I don’t tend to get too excited around celebs.
I’ll be sure to tell Shane, he’ll love being called lame. 😛
This keeps making me laugh… and I still think Dawson isn’t high enough on the celeb list anymore to be refusing photographs… he should have been thanking your husband!!
The coolest celebrity I have met was by far Steve Irwin and his family. I worked at the local Maccas in a small country town during my teen years and they would often stop by early of a morning on their way out west to one of the reserves they had purchased. Steve was always so bright and chirpy, even at 5am and was happy to chat.
I’m definitely too afraid of the request rejection to ever ask! I’ve never really seen any celebs anyway!
In NYC my sister walked past Jerry Seinfeld and did the double-take and, in her words, he “sneered” when she smiled at him awkwardly haha! Although now I feel bad laughing because it probably felt like rejection! And I had a knot in my tummy reading your NPH @ Disneyland story 🙁