The Back-Up Plan, part 9 - SPOILERS

[mwj01]

I came back to stare at the pics again! That suit looks great on him...the thighs are looking exquisite!

[MickLifeCrisis]

Thank you so much Red, for sharing your wonderful experience! So excited for you, hon! What a day to remember!

[clair]

Red thank you so much sharing your wonderful day. It's so fun to hear you talk about how much you enjoyed it. The pics are wonderful. I was so surprised when I saw the first one. I love the facial hair. He looks dashing and of course even more handsome if that's possible.

[francis]

Just looking in before heading to work. Red, what an awesome experience you had!!! I'm so happy for you. And he signed the script and you made his day probably with having that one, and he was so beautiful and dapper in that pictures. He's just the best!

[redwinter101]

OK - here are the rest of the videos.

A couple more of Alex - mostly on the big screen only:

http://www.youtube.com/user/redwinter10 ... Rplf4IDSlw
http://www.youtube.com/user/redwinter10 ... CrNu0qVXFw

Alan Poul's interview:

http://www.youtube.com/user/redwinter10 ... YIC_fkqYW4

And JLo's interview (there's some background stuff at the beginning):

http://www.youtube.com/user/redwinter10 ... s7r7B9FoVg

Red

[redwinter101]

Some good box office news:

http://www.altfg.com/blog/movie/jennife ... ley-cyrus/

(Makes me wonder quite how many times Grace has been back to the theatre... )

And a UK TV interview:

http://coolfwdclip.blogspot.com/2010/04 ... ondon.html

Red

[Luxe de Luxe]

Oh my god, Red, how on earth did you cope with him being THAT close to you?? I would have dropped down dead on the spot if he'd looked into my eyes and spoken a word to me.

Just looking at those photos (when I imagine he's looking at the script and asking where you got it), it just strikes me again.... his eyes are amazingly beautiful.

I was wondering, Red, when he spoke to you, what accent was it in?

[redwinter101]

Oh my god, Red, how on earth did you cope with him being THAT close to you?? I would have dropped down dead on the spot if he'd looked into my eyes and spoken a word to me.

Just looking at those photos (when I imagine he's looking at the script and asking where you got it), it just strikes me again.... his eyes are amazingly beautiful.

I was wondering, Red, when he spoke to you, what accent was it in?

Well I didn't really. I was all over the place. And yes - the eyes

Re the accent - it was kinda mid-Pacific.

Red

[fever]

Red thank you so much for sharing, as ofcourse me being in UK, shamefully wasn't able to come but my eyes were throughout the live TV news on every channel I could find. you are right, JLO was the most attended. Few interviews from live TV, they interviewed only JLO and there was NO mention of Alex whatsoever not only that they didnt even show Alex nor a sneek video, the cameraman, everyone was just focused on JLO !! Even she didnt even mention about her co-star

We were watching on the live webcam Leicester Square, we saw the limos etc arriving, but couldn't even see Alex
most of us live so far away from london, we couldnt get together. I feel so angry and pissed off I wish I never moved out of London at the same place and missed my Alex

Anyways thank you so much for sharing
xoxox

So here goes. First off, this is an open thread so I'll make a plea - this is my account of this afternoon, with my pics and my video - please don't repost anywhere else without asking me, 'k?

I'll put the video up on YT so anyone can see it, but the rest is just for everyone here. Pics to follow SOON...

So, I arrived in Leicester Square about 2pm and they'd just started setting up. I'd underestimated what a big deal this was going to be - seriously underestimated - and I'm glad I arrived early.

There were big screens already up showing the trailers and they were just in the process of erecting the barriers. For those who've never been, Leicester Square is pedestrianised, with gardens in the centre, with statues and benches and so on, and shops, bars and cinemas around the outside. The premiere was at The Vue, which is just off one side of the square.

By three o'clock the crowds were already starting to gather, even though the advertised start time was 5.45 so I made my way to what I thought would be the best spot - in front of the stage. I met two charming (well utterly delightful actually) J Lo fans, Jo (without an E but a lovely young man nonetheless) and Charley. The poor blokes - they were interested in Alex even though they only had the vaguest idea who he was. Big mistake. They got an hour of me regaling them with his wonders!!!

Anyway, the setting up continued - a huge stage, dancers rehearsing, dry ice, pink confetti, the works. By 4pm it was really starting to get busy - the trailers were going down well with the crowd, the sun was shining, all was set.

The show started pretty much on time. The host was Spoony (who will be unfamiliar to anyone outside the UK - he's a DJ, sports broadcaster, talk show host..) and he got the crowd warmed up and explained that both J Lo and Alex would be there, as would Alan Poul. Then we had the dancers - Jo and Charley are both dancers and they were resolutely unimpressed, but I digress - and clouds of pink confetti. By this stage they had laid the pink carpet and I was really starting to worry that we'd chosen the wrong spot as it bypassed us completely (it was really hard to tell where they would be arriving, and if you stood right in front of the cinema, you couldn't see the stage).

Anyway, a little late (but not much, Alex arrived by limo. I was sad to see that on the UK posters, which were all around the red carpet area, his name isn't above the title. I'm not that surprised as he really is unknown here, just a little sad. He then went up on stage to be interviewed - I've got video and I'll post the link once it's uploaded - and I thought he too sounded a little downbeat - he knew most of the crowd were there for J Lo rather than him.

Anyway then he started to make his rounds of the crowds, signing autographs etc. and I have to say I do NOT know how these guys cope with this - people screaming and so much noise and flashing cameras . For one horrible moment I really thought he was going to head straight up the carpet and therefore miss us! But one of his assistants (there were 2 tonight) directed him towards us - with some help from my new chums I think we managed to attract some attention . He made his way up the line - Jo took my camera at this point as my hands were shaking too much . He was wearing a dark navy suit, dark purple tie (top button undone ) and it looked like he had on the Williams boots - or something similar.

I gotta say at this point, he is beautiful. Not mere mortal beautiful - godly beautiful. Tall, slim (SO few men could get away with pants cut that slim) and totally immaculate - complete with a little goatee. He'd made his way along the barriers and the announcer was building up to J Lo's arrival. I managed to catch the same assistant's eye and she steered him our direction. So he was signing pics and smiling for pics and then got to me as I held out my "Plan B" script (the original script for the movie). He did a bit of a double-take and asked me where I'd got it from (with The Voice) as he signed it. I swear to God, if my life depended on it, I can't remember what I replied. Then I thanked him, wished him well for the evening, Jo took a pic and Alex moved on.

As a teenager, I had posters on my wall; I had my TV faves and musical heroes - but this is the first time I've ever done "the fan thing". The whole time I had a little voice inside telling me how ridiculous this all was - but I really don't care. Alex was beautiful and charming and lovely and I will always treasure the memory of a delightful experience.

Then J Lo arrived and all hell broke loose (note that Alex stopped what he was doing, turned and applauded, long and loud, as she got out of her limo). She did her interview (more video to be posted later). Then she worked her way round the rope line to us. Jo and Charley were beside themselves when she stopped for a little chat. I have to say, up close, two things struck me: one, she is TINY. Two, she really is incredibly beautiful. She was delightful and charming and seemed very happy with the whole event. Her pen hovered over my script, but she didn't sign I think it was that she was expecting pics and the blank piece of paper threw her - but it's a minor disappointment overall.

There were TV interviews going on and then Alan Poul arrived: (I'll add the video once it's uploaded)

I really wanted him to sign the script too, but he didn't do any autographs (not in a nasty way - I just think he thought it wasn't expected). Meanwhile everyone else was working their way down the rope line, ending up with the press photographers at the cinema entrance.

And that's pretty much it. The video upload is taking longer than I expected so I'll add the links later.

I had a fabulous time. It was SO worth the standing and the crush and the bruises. I feel all giddy - and that's rather wonderful.

Red

[redwinter101]

Aw, fever, I'm sorry you didn't get to go - I'm sure you'll have other chances. I'm also sure this is the last time Alex will be appearing at an event here as an unknown.

In telling my co-workers about my day yesterday (and yes, showing them the pics) they are absolutely determined to see the movie when it comes out next weekend (and I discovered another Moonlight fan!!!!).

Red

[wpgrace]

Some good box office news:

http://www.altfg.com/blog/movie/jennife ... ley-cyrus/

(Makes me wonder quite how many times Grace has been back to the theatre... )

Red

Argggghhhhhhhh!!! I haven't been back since the weekend and won't make it until Sunday again... Kids! Kids kids kids kids.... They INSIST on attention! So I'm like this: But I've been pimping this sucker to every mommy group I've been stuck with, this week.

But I am delighted to see that, like JLo's asset, it's holding up.

[wpgrace]

And more double posting from me... but then y'all are used to it by now...

RUDEST interviewer EVER! But our guy endured with his usual grace ... tho clearly he WAS annoyed:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YRxlG-28PB8

[coco]

Red, your account of the BUP premiere is glorious. Thank you so much for sharing. I'm so pleased that you got to meet and talk to Alex.
Your pics are gorgeous.

I never managed to make the trip myself so I hope you don't mind if I live joyously through your experience for a little while.

[redwinter101]

COCO!! *tackles*

I'm so happy to see you, sweetie. Sorry you culdn't make it - but delighted you got to see the pics anyway.

And Grace, yeah how RUDE. Just because interviewer-guy was ignorant enough to fail to know anything about Alex, he assumed he was some guy just off the turnip truck rather than an experienced, classically-trained actor. Harumph. Great answer though - as you say, Grace, gracious as always.

Red

[cassysj]

Red I am so glad the premiere was everything you hoped for. It's wonderful that Alex signed your script. Your pictures are incredible and while I'm not a fan of facial fur, Alex has certainly grown a handsome looking goatee in a very short time.

It sounds like you are on and I hope you don't come down anytime soon.