This has been a long few days for me. I have been touched by something diabolical and Belle and I spent the last two days submerged in Twilight fandom and it has been sick (I'm not even sure I use that in a good way or a bad way). On Sunday I battled some not so hot morning issues and we went to the Borders in Westwood to gather around and see Peter Facinelli, Jackson Rathbone, Michael Welch, Solomon Trimble and Christian Serratos do a quick round of questions and later do a signing. We didn't get there early enough for the signing. People were there at 5pm Saturday to wait in line and the first 70 got bands for the signing. But Belle had a hook up and we got to meet Michael and get our picture with him. He also signed my Kids with a Cause t-shirt. He was really nice. Of course I can't picture him in my head from Joan of Arcadia days but I think he's a good Mike Newton. I, of course, didn't think to bring my camera and only had my iPhone with me for both this day and Monday which speaks to my lack of preparation. I really am working on half of what a normal mind works with.
On Monday we got up at 6am to be in Westwood by 7:30 to get in line for the
Twilight Premiere audience. There were already 400 people ahead of us and some people had been camping out since Friday night. It was utterly insane. Belle and I settled in with knitting and City of Ashes to pass the time in the unbelievable heat, 90F. You can believe me when I say it was ridiculous the number of annoying, loud and stupid people. And maybe we can own up to the stupid part of that ourselves but it was painful. We waited until noon and then they let us move and it took 2 hours for us to get our wristbands to get into the holding area. Then it was waiting on your feet for 3 hours with no room to stretch and people started pusing and shoving early. They did come by and gave us water. My guess is that they were worried that people would pass out. Then they gave us little rubber bracelets that say Twilight and then 11-21-08. Finally they gave us t-shirts. The smallest size was a medium and it was pretty big. Then it was more waiting. I was just happy I could text D because I desperately needed to get my mind off the crowds and there was nothing there but people which does not soothe me. So D saved the day. And the cute small child named Lindsay who stood in front of us who was totally adorable. They handed out raffle tickets to win passes for the premiere and I told Belle I would ditch her if I won and it was only one ticket. Then when we heard it was two, I told her I still ditch her and take Kellan.
The first one to show was Michael Welch and then it is kind of a blur. We were stading at the end of the runway, right before the platform for the interviews and it was a difficult place to be because a lot of actors, *cough*KStew and Taylor*cough* blew right by and didn't even cast a look in our direction. Not to rant but I don't think that Taylor is that big of a star that he can snub fans, not that I am saying I'm one of them but there were several around me, this early in the game. It's such an arrogant move. Kellan was beautiful and he was big and brawny and sweet to the fans. He signed tons of things and took pictures with what seemed like everyone. I think the best description of him would be
dapper. Mhmmm.
Jackson was incredible. I haven't been a big Jackson fan because some of the the MTV interviews with him just turned me off. But he was just so nice. He came to our section on three separate occassions to get everyone. He took his time and seemed genuinely appreciative. I was really impressed and I totally have had my mind changed. I would say that I am now a fan.
Sol came through and people behind me were surprised that he was even in the movie because he had such a small part and they were disappointed in the fact that he's this thin wirery guy. He
seemed to eat up the attention though. I don't know how I feel about him but I was hoping he'd come over and give me Krys's phone number or last name.
Justin Chon looked really good but I wasn't able to find any pics of him. I think he was the second of the night to show. He kind of got lost in the interview section and was never to be seen by me again.
Peter Facinelli was there with Jennie Garth who just looks beyond beautiful althought I hated the dress she wore. It looked like a Grecian looking garbage bag. Both took time to sign. I thought it was awesome that Jennie signed autographes as it wasn't her event. They looked really good together. He's a handsome devil.
Cam was a freaking lunatic. He was a ham and cheeseball. Belle maintains that he is d-bag and I have to agree because he is, but I love him to death. I was hoping to get close enough to him to tell him that I know where he shops. I want to see if I can unnerve him if I tell him we live near one another.
I didn't care too much about Ashley. I feel bad for not being excited about her but I was blown away by Rachelle's stunning beauty. She looked breathtaking. I wish I could have heard the interview she gave. The one draw back of being there in person.
A couple of others that I didn't get too excited about were Billy Burke, Elizabeth Reaser, Gil Birmingham--who teased fans with his attentions. It seemed cruel. Sarah Clarke was there too. Oh! Edi was there and he was so cute. He was dressed real nice and he seemed to be caught between being a ball of energy and very serious. Again another interview I would have likd to have heard. Christian was gorgeous. Anna Kendrick was there and sort of flew below my radar. Melissa Rosenberg was there and she looked about 20 foot tall and really elegant but I wanted actors.
So who's left? Kristen and Rob. First like I said before, I'm not sold on KStew and I won't have my mind changed until I see the movie. Her attitude towards fans is a growing amusement. She called them retarded at one point so it is all kinds of fun to watch what comes out of her mouth. I really would have loved to see what would have happened if she had to interact with the fans last night. I thought that last night she looked really pretty. Not at all the brokeass whore that she could have looked like. But her facial expressions in every picture seem to bleed through her general unhappiness to be there and I don't know who I feel worse for her or the fans.
Now Rob... He surprised me on multiple counts. He was dressed up and not in a button up shirt undone to his nipples. His hair started out combed back and not a duck's butt. He was not the last one to arrive. He was clean shaven. I really expected him to show up in typical Rob fashion and I love him dearly but I put nothing he does as a surprise these days. But no, no. Rob was gorgeous and stylish even. Although in my opinion his pants were a little tight looking but I blame his stylist for that. By the time he got up to us his hair was all silly but that is because the man has a serious nervous habit and it couldn't be helped. He went out of his way to sign things for fans and play the doting actor. I totally feel for the man. He's been elevated to near god status in the fandom and he is handling it like it's nothing at all. He doesn't even get to move without the soundtrack of screaming girls. No one can ever hear him. Poor guy. What happens when he leaves acting for a music career?
More pictures when Bell sends hers. In this video you can see Belle in the crowd, she's in the pink.
