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Breaking down barriers at Cadillac Records premiere
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Baltimore is about four hours by car to Manhattan, three and a half at 65 - 70 miles per hour. I’m not promoting speeding as an acceptable mode of travel, just explaining my borderline-insane determination to cover the premiere of Cadillac Records as a bona fide news reporter.
Hey, I’m with Examiner.com, that’s got to count for something, right?
You may find the answer surprising.
Aside from having no press pass, business cards, or credible verification other than an honest face and this website, the Baltimore Celebrity Examiner isn’t exactly a name that opens doors. You should have seen the look from The Blondie in charge when I tried to verify my credentials. Baltimore? Puh-leeze.
Believe it or not, I had managed to wangle a very cushy reporting angle inside the theater. Now Blondie wanted me tossed. At least Examiner is a national news organization. Otherwise I would have been salad.
As it was, Blondie only half bought my excuse for arriving without authorization. “Taking you to a much better spot,” she fabricated while deftly manipulating me out the door.
I figured I’d better go peacefully lest I join the throngs of screaming fans and arriving limousines. Out the door under a huge white tent stood the groveling news media. Hordes of cameras, lights, microphones, and red carpet correspondents jostled for prime interview spots. I resigned myself to a place in the back and promised not to question any celebrities.
Oh, the price I pay to get up close and personal. I probably should have my head examined.
But in this case, I didn’t mind the sweaty bodies packed like sardines against steel barriers, or the annoying twenty-something who swung around to glare every time I videoed a celebrity, or even the guy who knocked my camera out of balance whenever someone of importance stood nearby.
Unexpected appearances by Akon, Jay Z, Toccara Jones, Tamara Tunie, P. Diddy, Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos, not to mention Cadillac Records' dazzling cast, Producer Sofia Sondervan, and Writer/Director Darnell Martin made the indignities worthwhile. I even managed to record interviews with Akon, Eamonn Walker, Columbus Short, Mos Def, Adrien Brody, and the exquisite Beyonce.
Beyonce's mother talked in the background as Sasha Fierce inched her way down the receiving line. That and the way Toccara Jones raved about pie were well worth the price of admission.
Would I do it again? In a heartbeat. But the next time I’ll get pre-authorization. I’m getting tired of being treated like an afterthought.
In that regard, I’ve compiled a list of do’s and don’ts for you wannabes.
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- Readers sometimes ask what these articles have to do with Baltimore. To them I say consider the following:
- To the extent possible, these articles discuss local and visiting celebrities, as well as celebrities with a local connection.
- Local includes areas near Baltimore.
- Baltimore is my hometown. When an article contains commentary or opinion, that in itself is the Baltimore connection.
- Like it or leave it, hon. Baltimore isn't exactly a celebrity town. Hopefully, you'll get it and come back for more.
- Read My Other Celebrity Articles
