On Meeting My First Celebrity
I’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.
