1 post tagged “celebrity story”
Have you ever met any celebrities? Any interesting stories?
Submitted by Tasha.
Back in 1999 (oh so freakin' long ago), I met Ryan Gosling, future Best Actor Academy Award Nominee. The place-- the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium. The venue-- Xena/Hercules Convention.
And why was Ryan Gosling at a Xena/Hercules convention? Well, at the time he was playing Young Hercules on Young Hercules. The show, geared towards kids, played on FOX for one season and was cancelled soon after the YH cast appeared at the Santa Monica convention. Alas for us, but hooray for the world (as Ryan has since done fantastic work that might have been impossible if he were tied to being YH).
And why was I at a Xena/Hercules convention? Well, as you may or may not know, I am a big fan of both shows. Truth be told, I am a big fan of the guest stars, specifically Kevin Smith (who played Ares) and Erik Thomson (who played Hades). Although neither were slated for this convention (Erik Thomson has yet to appear at a convention, but when he does, I am so there!), I was there because Chris Conrad (Young Jason on YH) was supposed to appear. When I got to the convention, I found out that he wasn't going to be there (BOOOO!), but by that point I was just happy to with my friends, ready to geek out with the rest of the Xenites and whatnot.
This convention turned out to be one of my favorites because of Ryan. I will admit it. It ranks as one of my top four. And I didn't even like Ryan before I met him! As I said before, I was there to see Chris Conrad and I was quite disappointed when it was first told that he wouldn't be there. I had to just resign myself to the fact that I would only get to see Dean O'Gorman and Ryan Gosling (and the many other guests set to appear).
Just before Ryan and Dean were set to take the stage for their Q&A, there were whispers that Chris was also there. The trio sauntered on to the stage and I was in line to ask a question, so I had a good spot for watching. The boys worked the stage rather nicely. ;) I shouldn't call them all boys because Chris is actually my age, but just go with it. They answered questions and at one point Chris jumped off the stage to take a picture with a little girl on my side of the Q&A line! Someone behind me asked him for a hug, which he gave, and I asked to shake his hand, a request that he nicely executed in spite of the "security" person who didn't want him down there. Ugh!
Finally, I got to the microphone. And the Q&A was over. Before I could ask my question! (Which was really a silly question, but STILL!) I was so mad that I went back to my seat when I could have stayed there and asked Kevin Sorbo a question. But as I'm not a big Sorbo fan (sorry!), I didn't even think of that. Oh well.
I fared better at the autograph line. I got to Chris first and whipped out my card from my shirt (yes, from my shirt) to give to him. It was nice and warm. I have a website on Chris and I just had to let him know. I wonder if he's ever visited. I took a lovely picture of him and was on my way to the next fella, Dean. He was grinning at me and I found out later that he laughed when I took out my card and gave it to Chris. Oh dear. And then Ryan. Very sweet. Here's what I wrote in my convention report:
After that picture, I realized that Ryan was a cutie. And I was totally hooked.
The next day the YH boys (minus Chris but plus Joel Tobeck) did autographs in the lobby of the auditorium. My friends and I got in line, of course. I wanted a picture with Ryan, but I wasn't sure it was going to happen. I had to wait until a second go-around for a picture. And my friends vowed to embarrass me when I got up there. And oh, they did. LOL!
I took the group picture and then asked Ryan for one with just him. And he sweetly agreed. A friend of mine had my camera and others had their cameras pointed at us. After the flashes, a chorus of "Ohhh Ryan" came out. And I started laughing.
And why was Ryan Gosling at a Xena/Hercules convention? Well, at the time he was playing Young Hercules on Young Hercules. The show, geared towards kids, played on FOX for one season and was cancelled soon after the YH cast appeared at the Santa Monica convention. Alas for us, but hooray for the world (as Ryan has since done fantastic work that might have been impossible if he were tied to being YH).
And why was I at a Xena/Hercules convention? Well, as you may or may not know, I am a big fan of both shows. Truth be told, I am a big fan of the guest stars, specifically Kevin Smith (who played Ares) and Erik Thomson (who played Hades). Although neither were slated for this convention (Erik Thomson has yet to appear at a convention, but when he does, I am so there!), I was there because Chris Conrad (Young Jason on YH) was supposed to appear. When I got to the convention, I found out that he wasn't going to be there (BOOOO!), but by that point I was just happy to with my friends, ready to geek out with the rest of the Xenites and whatnot.
This convention turned out to be one of my favorites because of Ryan. I will admit it. It ranks as one of my top four. And I didn't even like Ryan before I met him! As I said before, I was there to see Chris Conrad and I was quite disappointed when it was first told that he wouldn't be there. I had to just resign myself to the fact that I would only get to see Dean O'Gorman and Ryan Gosling (and the many other guests set to appear).
Just before Ryan and Dean were set to take the stage for their Q&A, there were whispers that Chris was also there. The trio sauntered on to the stage and I was in line to ask a question, so I had a good spot for watching. The boys worked the stage rather nicely. ;) I shouldn't call them all boys because Chris is actually my age, but just go with it. They answered questions and at one point Chris jumped off the stage to take a picture with a little girl on my side of the Q&A line! Someone behind me asked him for a hug, which he gave, and I asked to shake his hand, a request that he nicely executed in spite of the "security" person who didn't want him down there. Ugh!
Finally, I got to the microphone. And the Q&A was over. Before I could ask my question! (Which was really a silly question, but STILL!) I was so mad that I went back to my seat when I could have stayed there and asked Kevin Sorbo a question. But as I'm not a big Sorbo fan (sorry!), I didn't even think of that. Oh well.
I fared better at the autograph line. I got to Chris first and whipped out my card from my shirt (yes, from my shirt) to give to him. It was nice and warm. I have a website on Chris and I just had to let him know. I wonder if he's ever visited. I took a lovely picture of him and was on my way to the next fella, Dean. He was grinning at me and I found out later that he laughed when I took out my card and gave it to Chris. Oh dear. And then Ryan. Very sweet. Here's what I wrote in my convention report:
By the way, Ryan was wrong about Erik's eye color. ;) Blue eyes, Ryan. Erik has blue eyes.
Ahh, Ryan. He smiled, said hello. I smiled, then asked, "Since I asked those two over there, I might as well ask you. What color are Erik Thomson's eyes?" He looked at me, then said, "Erik Thomson?" I hope he didn't think I was rude when I said, "Hades!" He gave a sheepish smile, then answered, "I think they're light brown. I don't know." I just shook my head, then asked to take his picture. As I bent down to take his picture, he mimicked my movement and lowered his head. I laughed and took the picture. He just looked so adorable! That must have been the moment he hooked me.
After that picture, I realized that Ryan was a cutie. And I was totally hooked.
The next day the YH boys (minus Chris but plus Joel Tobeck) did autographs in the lobby of the auditorium. My friends and I got in line, of course. I wanted a picture with Ryan, but I wasn't sure it was going to happen. I had to wait until a second go-around for a picture. And my friends vowed to embarrass me when I got up there. And oh, they did. LOL!
I took the group picture and then asked Ryan for one with just him. And he sweetly agreed. A friend of mine had my camera and others had their cameras pointed at us. After the flashes, a chorus of "Ohhh Ryan" came out. And I started laughing.
One year later, I had another version of the above picture signed by Ryan at another convention. 2000 in Pasadena was the last time I saw him in person but I still keep track of him and I feel very lucky to have met him.
And that is one of my celebrity stories. Gotta love being a Xena/Herc fan. ;)
And that is one of my celebrity stories. Gotta love being a Xena/Herc fan. ;)
