Wednesday, 04 April 2012
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On Meeting My First Celebrity
By Tom ZunigaI’ve lived in the Los Angeles area for almost two years now. Ah, LA—the Mecca for movie stars and beautiful people alike. And lots and lots of Mexicans.
I’ve met plenty of Mexicans in two years, but never a celebrity. I’ve never expected to bump into Brad Pitt or Angelina Jolie or their seventeen African children at Walmart, but maybe just a passing glance of that Old Spice guy on a horse.
Well, finally, I can proclaim having lived in LA and meeting a celebrity. An actual celebrity whose claim to fame stretches beyond sticks of gel you glide against your armpits.
I was attending a church event in Hollywood and sitting beside a new friend who spoke at said event. After he shared some of his testimony, several people approached and thanked him for sharing. As a result of my close proximity to him, I shook plenty of hands as well.
One of these people shook my friend’s hand while I was turned away, and then he extended a hand toward me. Introduced himself as Tony.
So I looked up at him and gave him my own hand.
“Hi Tony, my name is Tom—WAIT.”
My eyes digested his stubbly face and I knew that I knew him. Not “knew” in an intimate sense, or even “knew” in an awkward acquaintance sense.
I knew him in a CAN IT REALLY BE celebrity sense.
I gasped. Stuttered.
“YOU’RE—ARRESTED—” And that’s all I could manage as he simply nodded in affirmation.
I didn’t mean to tell Tony Hale he was being arrested, though that’s basically what it sounded like. It was just so random. I certainly didn’t wake up that morning expecting to meet freaking Buster Bluth from television’s greatest comedy.
I’d known Tony Hale was a believer, so I guess it wasn’t the most random thing to encounter him at a Hollywood church event. So cool. His smile was warm, and he was just so normal. Genuine.
Alas, I didn’t snag a picture with him because he was on his way out. Also, I’m awkward. But it was a grand moment nonetheless. You’ll just have to take my word that it happened.
I SWEAR IT DID GUYS.
Meeting Tony Hale: adds more meaning to his “Hey brother.”
Ever meet a celebrity? Ever overcome any personal awkwardness to get a picture with said celebrity? PROVE IT.
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About the Author
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- From: twoBex
- Name: TMZ
- Location: Los Angeles, California, United States
- About Me: I'm a 25-year-old tutor, writer, and restless wanderer. Check out my blog at http://thomasmarkzuniga.com. There may or may not be confetti and coffee involved.
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Comments (10)
No pictures, but I did meet Jack Hanna and he was very nice.
I loved this, Tom, this made me smile. Arrested Development is a favorite.
Me common at a roller rink... I wanted to go talk to him but fell skating his way and was too embarrassed.
My (now deceast) best friend's brother was Jordan Jameson, who was one of the guitarists for Sonicflood for a number of years. When they were touring around my area of the USA at the time, the band used to come to my church for services and stay with my best friend's folks at their house. I never really had a conversation with them because it was a fairly normal thing to see Sonicflood show up at my church. It happened a couple times a year, maybe. I have, however, had several conversations with Jordan himself because, well, he was my friend's brother.
I've met Clive Barker, Donovan, Al Franken and Johnny Clegg. I do have a picture of me with Al Franken at the Minnesota State Fair. I'm going to another Johnny Clegg concert in July, same small venue as last time and so he will most likely have a meet and greet afterwards and this time I am determined to speak up and ask for a picture - last time I was too star-struck to get any words out at all, lol.
Not yet, well not anyone uber famous.
Met (but didn't speak too) 2 of the cast from Coronation Street but by the time it sunk in they had walked passed.
I would love to meet Stephen Fry.
:)
from tv? No... country singers? Yep!
First was Paul Brandt, about 5 yrs ago. His dad is a resident at the nursing home I used to work at... and he just about hit me with his truck pulling out of the parking lot. He was nice enough to make sure I was ok (I had been at work since 6am and it was almost 3pm) and apologized profusely. It took me a moment to figure out it was him. I have to say, he drives a big truck!
The second was about a month ago when my hubby and I got VIP passes to a meet and greet with Gord Bamford... talking to his sister at the sales table my hubby found out he is from Lacombe Alberta, where some of my family is. We got to meet him after the show, and we found out that my uncle was his foot ball coach in high school! Totally made my night! (and it was even more important to meet him because my uncle had a stroke about 2 months ago and he needs a lot of prayer.. found out yesterday he was released to go home and do out patient physio! Praise God!!)
You're a 24 years male writer and you're all giggly over meeting some social parasite? Do you realize how immature you sound? I'm wondering if your stuff is worth reading.
@Lovegrove@xanga - I think you left the grove on that one.
Too bad he didn't try to massage your shoulders as he introduced himself.