October 29, 11:20 PMLA Red Carpet ExaminerPeter Gonzaga
As the wind blew and caused mini-swirls of leaves around the Nokia Theatre, the red carpet for Michael Jackson's 'This Is It" premiere last Tuesday, October 27, 2009 was actual a long u-shaped red dance floor with lighted white squares in various spots. The press was lined up on the outside perimeter of the rectangular shaped premiere area as fans were in stands in the middle. Hanging from the rafters were chandeliers. This red carpet photographer/reporter was a bit nervous for those fans standing underneath the chandeliers as the wind blew them from side to side. However, it looked like fans didn't mind as they were excited to watch celebrities walk down the "dance floor."
Adding to the ambiance was the background music of various songs by Michael Jackson. DJ Bizzy was doing the great mixes of all the Michael Jackson hits. DJ Bizzy has been known to provide live music mixes to various red carpets. The last one I can remember was for "Star Trek." It even got some of the usually jaded photographers into a hyped up atmosphere as they swayed to the music. Even I took a moment to do a slight whop move to "Rock With You" as it blared on the speakers.
While waiting for the premiere to start, fans were treated to free Michael Jackson sequined gloves and t-shirts. This reporter was a bit jealous but I didn't mind as I had a coveted "Michael Jackson This Is It" Press badge to keep as a token of my memory on this historic event.
Starting off the red carpet was Mickey Rooney. What a nice way to start it off as Mickey was a celebrity as a child himself. Surprisingly the younger fans actually knew him or maybe were just screaming out of excitement. Coming down the premiere dance floor were all the primary dancers from the tour. I was most familiar with Charlie Klapow as he worked closely with Kenny Ortega on the "High School Musical" films. It was a bit sad as some of the photographers didn't shoot the dancers since they weren't considered "saleable celebrities."
For this red carpet photographer, it didn't really matter since these dancers are celebrities in their own right. Charlie seemed appreciative that I recognized him even coming up to me asking who do I shoot for. Absent minded me, I forgot to give him my card, but no problem as we have common friends in the dance world. I just tweeted Alex "BGirl" Shorty of the Beat Freaks to send him the links to his photos. Shorty just recently returned from Canada after filming the Camp Rock 2 movie with the Jonas Brothers.
Speaking of the Beat Freaks who were contestants on MTV's "America's Best Dance Crew," Maryss from Paris and Rino Nakasone-Razalan that crew were supposed to be back up dancers for Michael Jackson. They were supposed to me him the day that Jackson passed away.
Going back to the red carpet, other notable celebrities who came on down were Will Smith, Paris Hilton, Jennifer Lopez, Daisy Fuentes, Neil Patrick Harris, Katy Perry, Adam Lambert, Paula Abdul,
The cute couple of the night was Jamie Kennedy and Jennifer Love Hewitt as they both sported Michael Jackson t-shirts under their blazer. Unfortunately, Katy Perry decide to not pose during the last half of the photo line so I wasn't able to capture a full on shot as Adam Lambert and Katy were posing together.
Martin Lawrence came through the carpet with his children in hand.
Poor Jennifer Lopez. Her eyes seemed a bit glazed while her hair was tousled about by the wind. I was hoping that the glazed look wasn't because she was sick. This reporter also tried to get a shot of Benny Medina but to no avail would Benny look the way of my camera. Alison Janney also had some hair problems due to the wind but was able to handle it easier than Lopez.
Evan Ross represented for the Ross family as we did not see Diana anywhere.
Joey McIntyre of New Kids On The Block fame came on walking down the carpet sans his wife. McIntyre is known for the hit song "Please Don't Go Girl." McIntyre's voice had a resounding likeness to Michael Jackson as a young boy.
"Glee" actors Kevin McHale and Cory Monteith showed up to the premiere. Monteith seemed a bit overwhelmed or a bit more surprised that photographers were vying for his attention.
Out of the Jackson family - Tito, Jackie, Marlon and Jermaine walked the carpet and spoke to the media. We did not see Janet or any of Michael's children anywhere close to the red carpet hoopla. Sources said there there was a screening a day or so ago in which the Jackson clan watched the film.
Ashley Tisdale and Monique Coleman had a reunion of sorts on the carpet as Kenny, Ashley and Monique posed for the cameras. Surprisingly, Ortega was without his cute little doggie. Corbin Bleu looked a bit dapper with shorter hair and sporting a suit. I got him to point at me as I mentioned to him that I enjoyed his new movie Freestyle. It gave him a little smile on his face that I was familiar with his new film.
Last on the carpet was Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa. As soon as Villaraigosa finished his walk, the photographers called it a day. "That was it" for them as they had their task to edit and send out photos to their respective agencies.
This photographer still had a long night ahead of him as he had to attend the special birthday bash of Pacific Rim Video's host Angelica Alumia along with dancers Alex "BGirl Shorty" Welch of Beat Freaks plus Glenda Morales and Matt Cady of Fanny Pak from MTV's "America's Best Dance Crew."
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