The Johnny Depp Experience
I’m a very big fan of Johnny Depp. To me, he is the epitome of coolness in Hollywood. I probably won’t be able to explain well on why I think that way but maybe I could say it’s because he is very, very… Johnny Depp. See, I told you I won’t be able to. But really, Johnny Depp in itself is an adjective that is synonymous to “cool.” I’ve seen many of his films and I got so amazed on how he portrayed characters such as the very well known Cap’n Jack Sparrow, Willy Wonka, Sweeney Todd, The Mad Hatter, and Edward Scissorhands. These are very different characters yet you can easily distinguish their personalities from one another, apart from the costumes of course. I’ve also seen him on the original TV series 21 Jump Street (just re-runs, as I was just a toddler during the time it was on air) and apart from his extreme good looks I also took notice on how good an actor he was already back then.
I’ve wanted to meet him in person ever since I was a kid. He’s one of my three super idols (together with Brad Pitt and Tom Cruise) and I said to myself that someday, I will kiss them all on the lips. Just kidding, I’m a straight male. Not coming out at least in the next three weeks. Ha. In high school, somebody told me while we were on a school dance that I look exactly like Johnny Depp and that’s when my fascination with him really started. I kept checking on the mirror and damn, she was spot on. I really looked like him! Just kidding. She never said that. She did tell me I looked like Johnny though. Johnny Bravo. Anyways, it’s not unusual for a young kid to idolize him. Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of The Black Pearl came out when I was in my freshman year in college and boy was I hooked! It was so good it went straight to my favorite movies of all time list.
Living in LA and being a frequent visitor of Hollywood Blvd, I always see those guys in costumes. My favorite is of course, Cap’n Jack Sparrow! He doesn’t look like Johnny but he does make a good Cap’n Jack. He also has a cute girl who is portraying Angelica walking around with him every time. There’s also one guy who doesn’t dress up as a Johnny Depp character but instead, Johnny Depp himself, wearing casual clothes. It’s cool to have pictures with these guys but just as I want my Levi’s jeans to be original, I want my Johnny Depp to be real!
And so I went to the premiere of Dark Shadows with only one intention in mind: see my super idol and hope to get a picture with him!
***CLICK HERE TO WATCH THE TRAILER OF “DARK SHADOWS”***
As expected, there were so many people in there waiting for him. I got into a bad spot, far away from the spot where they drop the celebrities off, that I felt a little down that I wasn’t gonna be able to see him up close. It was okay, I said to myself, as long as I get a glimpse of him. The cast of the movie arrived one by one.
I saw Michelle Pfeiffer from afar. Oh damn. She was too far.
I saw Bella Heathcote.
Bella Heathcote
And I saw a couple other actors whose names I didn’t know.
Then there was Tim Burton.
Tim Burton
It was so nice to see him! He’s collaborated with Johnny so many times (Edward Scissorhands, Sweeney Todd, Corpse Bride, Alice in Wonderland, etc.) it’s impossible mentioning one’s name without the other.
And then it was time for Johnny to arrive. I saw him from afar like the rest. He’s signing for some people from way over the other side, and he’s the size of a peanut on my camera. Oh well, I wasn’t that hard to satisfy. I stepped on the same street as my idol at least for a fraction amount of time and I was happy for that. I was ready to go home to tell this tale to the world but then I noticed something. Johnny Depp has gotten closer and closer! It seemed like he was gonna come to our side after all!
Of course, I want to share my experience with you guys. Enough of the talk. Here’s the moment of all moments, the moment when a super fan finally meets his idol!
Heeere’s JOHNNY!!!!!
I can’t believe it! The fact that I was already convinced that I was only gonna see him from afar but instead we got inches away from each other made it even more spectacular! We got so close I was able to literally feel his breath come out of his nose haha! I stayed a man after that encounter though I gotta admit I was a hair strand away from becoming a Jennifer. Yeah I kinda prepared a girl name for myself just in case.
It was a day I will never forget. Oh Johnny. You da man, man.
I would still like to see him again someday, perhaps in France where he lives and talk to him in straight French. A bientôt!
Trouble With The Curve Gala Premiere
I wanted to call this the “Trouble With The Curve Red Carpet Premiere”, but then it wasn’t a red carpet that was laying there. Instead, it’s green to match the color of a baseball field. This film revolves around baseball after all. Cool, isn’t it?
***CLICK HERE TO WATCH THE TRAILER OF “TROUBLE WITH THE CURVE”***
Outside of the Regency Village Theater
Today we’re at the Regency Village Theater in Westwood. It’s my first time here so I gotta look around first to see which area is the best spot for shooting. There are less people here compared to the premieres held at Grauman’s Theater, mainly because Grauman’s Theater is right in the heart of Hollywood where tourists are all over. This place is a little farther west (ahh so that’s why it’s called “Westwood”?!) This theater is near UCLA as well so if you’re a Bruin this place is no stranger to you. I see a pretty good spot in the middle. Okay ready to go.
First to arrive… John Goodman.
He’s been in so many movies and TV shows but the one that’s really printed on my mind was his role as Fred Flinstone on The Flintstones. I loved that when I was a kid. It’s nice to see Fred here! Yabba dabba doo!!!
Right after Fred… I mean John Goodman is the living legend and the star of the movie, Mr. Clint Eastwood.
Clint Eastwood arrives at the premiere of Trouble With The Curve.
Now I can tell my dad and all my uncles and grandpas that I saw Dirty Harry in person. I got street creds with the elderly mwahaha.
Clint waves and smiles to the people waiting but doesn’t walk towards the crowd to sign autographs and take pictures with them which, to me, is totally fine. The man’s been on the scene forever, he’s in his 80’s and still working, let him decide whatever he wants to do. He’s the law. He IS Clint Eastwood. To everyone who’s waiting for an autograph, I know you’re disappointed but don’t fret. Seeing him in person is already a big honor.
I myself wanted a picture with Clint, even if it’s like this…
Or maybe not haha. That’s from the movie How To Lose Friends And Alienate People, by the way (I LOVE Simon Pegg!)
Next up…
He’s on an Escalade…
And he’s bringing Sexyback…
Sir Justin Timberlake!!!
He’s a really nice guy! He signs for everyone in the crowd. Doesn’t take pictures though, perhaps to speed things up. I gotta say, this man’s got a lot of sex appeal!
Justin Timberlake Signing Autographs
And here’s a little video…
Now we have an Olympic gold medalist with us, swimmer Tyler Clary.
Looking stunning in her red dress is Amy Adams.
Doesn’t look very comfortable though. You want me to cut it for you, Amy?!
We saw Fred Flintstone a while ago, now we see Shaggy from Scooby Doo! Matthew Lillard!
It’s a YABBA DABBA SCOOBY DOOBY DOO day!!!
Uhh, Matthew, are you signing with your hand and with your mouth at the same time?!
Abadee abadee abadee a that’s all folks! See you again on the next red carpet premiere!
HOLLYWOOD STARGAZER 