My 5 Favorite Celebrities I Met Outside of the Red Carpet in Los Angeles
The past week has truly been EPIC in every way for Afrobella and I. Our trip to LA for the Academy Awards went beyond the show itself. We got the chance to go to several events with Stephanie Frederic of FGW Productions in the days leading up to the Oscars and met so many celebs that I didn’t know what to do with myself. Thank God for pictures, otherwise I would not even be able to name them all. I spent the whole time like “WOW!” There’s something really surreal about being in a room where there are more famous people than folks who’ve never had paparazzi follow them.
So, here are my 5 Favorite Celebrity Moments Outside of the Red Carpet
Adepero Oduye
Ever since I watched the fantastic film “Pariah,” I’ve wanted to meet Adepero, who was the star. Her amazing performance as “Alike” was just show-stopping, especially since she played a 17-year old convincingly when she’s 35. Her Black don’t crack or wrinkle AT ALL. AND she’s a fellow Nigerian sisthren so I am an even bigger fan.
Check out the telltale Naija cheekbones we got.
We got to meet Adepero at the Essence Black Women in Hollywood Luncheon, when I walked up to her to introduce myself. She gave a huge smile and was so nice! And when Patrice introduced herself, she said “OMG! Afrobella??? AFROBELLA IS THE SHIT!!!” YESSSSSS! We chatted for some minutes, and she was so funny and interesting. She was an absolute pleasure!
Jill Scott
I don’t know how long I’ve been listening to Jill Scott’s music but I’ve been a fan for years!!! Let “A Long walk” come on my iTunes and I’m taking a proverbial stroll in my head and swooning. That voice of hers is everything, so getting to meet her was great! To add to it, she’s extremely nice and gracious. And that smile of hers lights up a room for realsies. *swoons*
And we matched with our blues. HEY JILLY FROM PHILLY!
Chad L. Coleman (aka Cutty from “The Wire”)
I just wrote about how hooked I am to “The Wire” and I finally finished the entire series. BEST. TV. SHOW. EVER. Anywho, at the Uptown Magazine 20th Anniversary of Boomerang party, we walked in and I immediately say Chad L. Thomas, aka Dennis “Cutty” Wise. I pride myself in maintaining my cool when I meet celebs. I’m seldom the fangirl who is squealing but I came close when I saw Chad. I was all “OMG PATRICE!!! It’s CUTTY!!!”
So Stephanie took us over to meet him and he is just the bomb! He’s sooo nice! Cutty’s heart is Chad’s. And I did tell him how much I love “The Wire.” We chatted for a decent time and he told me and Afrobella that we looked gorgeous. YESSS! We asked for a pic and he said of course.
OMG! I can’t believe I met Cutty! *squeals*
Shonda Rhimes
Shonda is the creator of “Grey’s Anatomy,” the spin-off “Private Practice” and the writer behind “Introducing Dorothy Dandridge.” She was being honored by Essence and her award was given to her by the president of ABC, Anne Sweeney. She’s the Queen of TV behind the veil and now has a tiara to prove it. “ABC didn’t just give me a seat at the table. They GAVE me the table.” For a woman of color to say that, it even means more.
She has the power, prestige and paycheck without the paparazzi so she’s winning all over the place. I have nothing but respect for Shonda, because hard work got her there, and she’s doing what I want to be doing. As she herself said, her dream is being told everyday on film and TV. Anything she imagines, she creates. I want to write for TV and movies and Shonda has BEEN doing it and doing it so well. I don’t have enough props to give her.
I got to meet Shonda after the event and took a pic with her. How could I not be inspired by such greatness? She tapped on Hollywood’s glass ceiling, and then dropkicked it til it broke out her way. She is a queen.
P.S. Ignore my super red lipstick here. Good GAWDT I got some massive lips. And this lipstick didn’t look as bright in person. I blame the flash. That is all.
Tisha Campbell-Martin
On Saturday night, after being at the Uptown Magazine party for a couple of hours, we were ready to leave. Until Steph said Tisha Campbell-Martin was in the house and I insisted on meeting her. Most famous for her role as “Gina” from Martin, Tisha is one of my favorite female comedians. And I love her as Jay in “My Wife and Kids” too. The lady is just hilarious, and she always seemed like one of those friends in my head. I couldn’t miss the chance.
So when we met, Afrobella introduced herself first. Patrice interviewed her sometime last year, and Tisha immediately remembered. She hugged her and said Patrice was sooo nice to her during the interview. AAWWWWWW!!! And then she turned to me and I introduced myself. She goes “I’ve seen you before! I think I’ve read your blog! I have! You look so familiar!” You coulda knocked me over with a feather! LEMME FIND OUT SOMEBODY KNOWS ME! lolol Sooo cool!
YES, LAWD! Tisha is one of my funny lady sheros and she’s dope in person too.
Seriously. It was sooo cool to meet these folks and so many more and they were all awesome (Yvette Nicole Brown, Pam Grier, Tracee Ellis Ross, Kerry Washington, Octavia Spencer…). A lot of them act like regular people, and are just as smart and just as humble. Plus, to be introduced to some of my sheros made my heart smile, nay, GRIN. I couldn’t believe it half the time.
Anywho, see more pics of the celebs we met on my Facebook fan page, where I’ve put up a couple of albums from the weekend.
More recaps to come, including Oscar day stuff!
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26 Comments
I am so happy for you and AfroBella! You two have no idea how much you inspired me to keep on keeping on with the stories you shared from the Oscar Red carpet.
Thank you so much! We’re just 2 people working hard out here and seeing some special things happen.
And because you met all of these amazing people it feels like I have too. How weird is that? LOL!!!!
Not that weird! 😀
Aww that is so dope Luvvie! You look FABULOUS in these photos 🙂
Thanks, ma’am!
I see you Luvvie with your face all beat! Get it girl, you held your own with the celebs…
That red lipstick is giving me life!
Girl my face was beat like a drum! But folks can’t get used to me looking cute. I enjoy my bumminess 98% of the time lol
Luvvie you know I’m living vicariously through you, you are pure awesomeness & your light shines so bright shade cannot be found. I love you so much for going after your dreams and actualizing them you are fearless….Inspired…
AAWWW!!! Thanks, boo! I LOVE YOU!
OH MAH GAH YOU MET CUTTY!!
Wow, this seems like it was quite the epic time… one of those “times of your life” type deals. It’s my dream to lollygag amongst the Academy Awards… or possibly be a guest!
You and Afrobella look FAB, too! So glad you guys got to experience this. Much deserved.
YESSSS!!! Mufugging Cutty! And yeah this was a blast and then some. I haven’t even covered most of the fun stuff yet.
LOVE IT!!!! Esp the Tisha story! Lolol…@ ‘LEMME FIND OUT SOMEBODY KNOWS ME!’…U R HILARIOUS. Sooo proud of you boo!
Hehehe. Tisha is the bomb! I’m even more of a fan now.
WAIT. A. DURN. MINUTE!! You met Queen Shonda??!! I LOVE SHE!!! OMG OMG OMG!!!
I am so proud and happy for you both, I felt like I was there with you. 🙂
Congrats!! Next year, the EBT awards!!! lol!!
YES MA’AM!! She is a Queen indeed. LMAOOO @ EBT Awards. Don’t tempt me. I’d go just to roast people.
EXACTLY!! I mean, we do it here anyway, imagine if it were live and in color! lol!
Thank you so much for sharing your pics with us! I loved Pariah, I cried like a baby. And I can’t believe Adepero is 35, awesome. And Jill Scott looks beautiful as always, and seriously stacked.
My pleasure! And doesn’t Adepero look so young? Black don’t be cracking.
go luvvie!!! ya’ll looked awesome! So happy ya’ll were able to experience the Oscars!! yay! *does happy dance tribute* lol
Thanks, Lexi!
Yes, Shonda Rhimes is TV ROYALTY, hands down. So glad you guys had a great time in LA. Heyyy, Tisha Campbell! 🙂
Shonda sho’ll IS Queen!
Luvvie got them Angelina Jolie arms! Lookin like an obese supermodel….
*hates from outside the club*
LMAOOOO @ obese supermodel.
Did you ask Tisha why she hasn’t aged a day since Martin? I need to learn these ways Luvvie