Celebrity Whore

by Brittany Geragotelis

Last night I ran into a celebrity. It wasn't one of those sightings where you spy that star from your fave show on the street while he's walking by in his unassuming outfit, all scruffy, with his eyes hidden behind a darkened pair of sunglasses and drinking an iced green tea from the Bux. Where you Tweet about them as soon as they've gotten far enough away from you that you can pull out your phone descreetly. Hell, maybe you don't care about decorum at all and you whip your phone out right in front of him and snap a quick pic before he can get away. No, this was different.

It was different because I know this person.

Now, we're not besties or anything, but this starlet, let's call her Penelope (and no this isn't even remotely a clue to her real name, so don't even start guessing. You won't get it, I promise), runs in the same circle of friends as me. We don't hang out, but I see her every once in a while, which is way cool--

--at least it would be if I didn't turn into a blithering idiot every time I talked to her.

For most people, this reaction would be understandable. Most people don't regularly find themselves standing face to face with celebrities. But me....this type of reaction is unacceptable. Because the truth is, for 10 years it was my job to do just this.

As an editor at American Cheerleader, I interviewed celebs like Miley Cyrus, Dakota Fanning, Kendall Jenner, Ashley Tisdale, Ashley Greene, Ashley Benson (there were lots of Ashley's), Debby Ryan and even Jamie Foxx. And being the celebrity-obsessed person I am, I was nervous to talk to each and every one of them. But I always pulled it together long enough to make a good impression and get a great interview, before going and freaking out in private.

So, why is it that every time I get around Penelope, I feel like such a loser? Suddenly, I start saying the stupidest things, ask the dumbest questions, get all tongue-tied and revert back to the uncomfortable nerd I was in high school.

It could have something to do with the fact that I'm not actually interviewing Penelope. See, when I was interviewing the other celebs, both of us were there to do a job. It was my job to ask a slew of questions that would allow our readers to feel like they got a chance to have a peek into that person's real life. And of course, it was the star's job to put forth the image they wanted their brand to reflect as well as highlight whatever project they were working on at the time. Neither of us was being ourselves...not really. We were both playing our roles, being on our best behavior. And that's what trips me up about my encounters with Penelope. My role becomes...just me. And just me is someone who geeks out when she meets celebrities. Just me is someone who cares what creative people that I admire think about me. Just me is self-conscious and not always polished and still that nerd in a lot of ways. Just me isn't always calm, cool and collected.

And if I'm really honest with myself, if Penelope wasn't famous, I have to wonder whether I'd really even care what she thought about me. The answer is: probably not.

So, what I realized about last night is that I need to start embracing my real self. And if someone doesn't like who that is, that's fine. Because the truth is....she's pretty cool, too.

5x5,
B.

How do you feel about Friends with Benefits?

by Brittany Geragotelis

I went to the movies this weekend, to take a little girl time out to see a chick-flick called Friends With Benefits with my BFF Tammy. Starring smooth-dancer and pop crooner Justin Timberlake and the sassy, sexy Mila Kunis, FWB was super fun and super funny. Perfect for a Sunday afternoon with the girls.






The premise isn't exactly groundbreaking: Girl (Mila Kunis) is dumped by boy (Andy Sandberg) for being too clingy. Guy (JT) is dumped by girl (Emma Stone) for not being clingy enough. Girl and Guy meet, become friends, decide that instead of dating they're just going to sleep with each other—no strings attached. And neither of them thinks they'll get hurt in the end.



Uh, huh. Yeah.



Besides the obvious plot points, I really liked the movie. I enjoyed the playful and sarcastic banter between Mila and JT's characters. I also loved that by taking out the romance at the beginning of their relationship, they were much more capable of being honest with each other. Neither is trying to impress the other, so they can say and act exactly how they want, being more themselves than with anyone else.

Now, I was already a fan of Justin Timberlake (what can I say, I grew up listening to N*Sync and loved him in the Disney movie Model Behavior back in 2000) and Mila Kunis has officially become one of my top girl crushes (ever since I saw her in Forgetting Sarah Marshall, I've thought she was so freaking cool), but the movie really was worth paying the $12.50 for admission. There are a bunch of throw-backs to 90s music and some pretty fun dancing scenes. Oh, and did I mention that JT and Mila are naked almost the entire movie (I don't think anyone in the theater was complaining)?

So, yes, a bit unoriginal, but better than the other similar movies that are out there. So, grab your girls and go see it. You won't be sorry!

5x5,
B.

Hanging out at Jamie Foxx's house....

by Brittany Geragotelis

Yes, it really happened.

And as promised here are the pictures. But first, let me give you a little back-story, because it's not like I just happened to stumble upon the Oscar-winning actor's humble abode unknowingly. What actually happened was that we were shooting his daughter, Corinne Foxx, for our cover and asked if we could take a few pics of Corinne at the recording studio, since she's been learning more about the industry lately. We also asked if Jamie wanted to be in a few pictures with her.

Being the doting dad that he is (he's SUCH a proud papa!), he offered for us to shoot her at his in-home recording studio! AND he agreed to letting us take some pictures of him with her! SOOOO, after spending the day at another shoot with 6 other celebs, we headed about an hour away into some random farm hills to the little hideaway that Jamie calls home.

The Ray star was kind enough to let us hang out, put us up in his pool house and provided food, snacks and even sparkling apple cider for everyone as we did Corinne's makeup and hair. We took pictures of his sick cars, walked around his pool and even jumped on his trampoline. It was surreal to say the least.

So now that you've got the inside scoop, here are the pictures I snapped while we were there! Enjoy!

5x5,
B.

You have GOT to see this play!

by Brittany Geragotelis

I trudged out into the rainy night to go see the opening of a new off-off-Broadway play in NYC yesterday evening. And even though it was blistery outside, inside the studio where The Timing of a Day was showing, things were heating up. Now, being that most of my boyfriends' friends are actors and the circle he runs in all seem to come back to entertainment, I've been dragged to a LOT of off-Broadway productions. I'm not going to say any of them were horrible, but none of them really caught my attention—until last night.

The Timing of a Day is a play written by Owen Panettieri and directed by Joey Brenneman. The cast is a small one, comprised of one girl and three guys, all playing mid-20s young people living in NYC. In the show, the audience follows the lives of three roommates, Doug (played by Nik Kourtis), Paige (played by R. Elizabeth Woodard) and Josh (played by Miguel Govea) who are all sharing a tiny apartment in Harlem. After a tragic series of events, two of the characters are left to question their own relationships with each other as well as that with their former roommate. As the actors take us back in time to show us how their lives became so entangled, we start to realize where and how they each fell in love, got off track and began to ignore the things that were right in front of them.

Though it sounds a bit serious, and at times it does deal with serious situations, the play itself was very enjoyable and entertaining. The writing was clever and real, and the situations the playwright put the characters in were totally believable. Nik Kourits' portrayal of a flamboyantly gay guy who's just beginning to admit to everyone around him just exactly who he is, was genius, endearing and a joy to watch. From his mannerisms to the inflection in his voice and wicked dance moves, you can't help but fall in love with him.

R. Elizabeth Woodard showcases a compelling yet realistic character, often saying and acting the way I could see myself reacting if put in the same situations. Though tiny in stature, Elizabeth's presence is huge and she has no problem letting her emotions rip through the venue. Miguel Govea did a good job playing a guy just wanting to find love; everyone can identify with being in love with someone who has no clue how they feel. And watching him work through certain scenes was just heartbreaking (in a good way). And though Matty (played by Justin Anselmi) weaves in and out of the main characters' lives briefly, the actor manages to leave a lasting impression when he's through.

I really loved the way they used the stage and created a space where the audience can see the whole apartment. Also, the way the actors moved around the room, picking stuff up and moving furniture to give the viewer a sense that we were changing time, too was very effective. It was done in a seamless way that wasn't distracting and actually added to the feeling of the show.

All in all, I was pleasantly surprised with The Timing of a Day and would wholeheartedly suggest you go see it if you're in NYC the next few weeks. Tickets are only $18 which is a total steal for the performance that you get. Lots of thanks to assistant director David "Cougar" Williams for putting this show on my radar—I can't think of a better way to spend a night out!

5x5,

B.

Go see White Irish Drinkers!

by Brittany Geragotelis

Hey all!

photo credit: Columbia Pictures/
Nick & Norah's Infinite Playlist

My good friend, Zach Booth is in a movie, White Irish Drinkers, that hits select theaters this weekend! Not only is he adorable and kind, but Zach is an amazing actor who's played Glenn Close's son in "Damages" and can be seen in movies like Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist and Taking Woodstock.

Anyway, you can support Zach and his latest venture to the big screen by checking out the film this weekend! It's going to be good! Congrats Zach, can't wait to see it! Here are the deets:

Thank God "Glee" is Back!

by Brittany Geragotelis

So, I'll start off this post by letting you know that I got another rejection (ominous duh, duh, duuuuuh!!!). A bit of a bummer, but I'm moving on....because "Glee" started back last night! I was so worked up about it being back on that I practically had a Glee-gasm. That's right, I said it.

Last night's episode did not disappoint on the music front. With songs like "Empire State of Mind" by Alicia Keys, "Telephone" by Lady Gaga featuring Beyonce, and "Billionaire" by Travie McCoy featuring Bruno Mars. But the act that really stole the show was a newbie on the scene, Sunshine Corazon (played by Charice). Man can that girl sing! She's like Christina Aguilera: tiny in stature, big in presence and voice.



And speaking of newbies, we've got three new faces walking around McKinley High. I already mentioned Sunshine Corazon and trust me, she's going to give Rachel a serious run for her money when it comes to the spotlight. Next, we have Hottie McStud-Muffin...errrr, Sam Evans (played by Chord Overstreet; yes, that's his real name. When I first read it, I thought it had to be his character's name on the show. Nope...real life.) who plays the new kid in school who has natural talent both in the music room and on the football field. Again, his voice is awesome and I'm looking forward to hearing (and seeing) more from him. Lastly, there's the very masculine yet emotional new football coach, Shannon Beiste (played by Dot Jones), whose heart is as big as her arms!

So, since they're new to the "Glee" world, I thought it was a good time to get to know them a little better. Here are some fun facts about our new favorite gleeks:

photo credit: FOX/Glee

Charice
1. Her real name is Charmaine Clarice Relucio Pempengco.
2. She's a tiny thing, standing at only 4'11" tall.
3. It's no coincidence that her character, Sunshine, sang a song from the movie Dreamgirls for her glee club audition. Apparently a young Charice sang "And I Am Telling You" from the Dreamgirls soundtrack on "StarKing," a Korean variety show, which pretty much launched her career.
4. The first talk show Charice was ever on in the U.S. was "The Ellen Degeneres Show." Check her out back then in the video at the bottom!
5. After meeting her, Oprah called famed music producer David Foster who took her under his wing.

photo credit: FOX/Glee

Chord Overstreet
1. He got his name because his dad's in the music biz. He's the third kid in the family and there are three notes in a chord. And thus Chord was born.
2. His first instrument was a mandolin.
3. He's originally from Nashville, TN.
4. Songs he'd like to cover on "Glee?" "Losing My Way" or "Cry Me a River" by Justin Timberlake or T.I.'s "Dead and Gone."
5. Dancing isn't his strong suit, but he's willing to work on it, if they have him dance on the show.

photo credit: FOX/Glee

Dot Jones
1. She's a 15-time World Arm Wrestling Champion.
2. She's currently a towering 6'3", but she used to be 6'4".
3. Dot scored her gig on "Glee" after running into co-executive producer Brad Falchuk at a Whole Foods about four months ago.
4. She was first "discovered" at a body building tournament.
5. She worked at Juvenile Probation Services before making the switch to acting.

What do you think of the newbies? Like, Love, Hate? Let me know in the comments above!

5x5,
B.

Go see Zach Booth in "Me, Myself and I"

by Brittany Geragotelis

My good friend Zachary Booth is an actor—and a damn fine one at that. Having streaked across the big screen (Nick & Norah's Infinite Playlist and Taking Woodstock) and killed it on the small screen (Damages and Royal Pains), it was only a matter of time before he took to the stage, conquering that medium as well.

photo credit: Me, Myself & I

Matt and I headed out to the Playwrights Horizons theater Saturday night to see Zach star in (Pulitzer Prize-winning) Edward Albee's latest show, Me, Myself & I. As talented as he is good-looking, we had fun seeing Zach up-close and live on stage.

In Me, Myself & I, Zach plays OTTO (notice the caps), a 28-year-old who's officially had it with being a twin and having to put up with his crazy family. Insisting he's the evil brother, he spends the whole play trying to push his twin away—also otto, only this time lower-cased (played by Preston Sadleir)—by insisting that lower-cased otto no longer exists.

But it's not just otto that OTTO wants to get away from. He also has issues with his frazzled mother and her live-in boyfriend (who just happens to be her doctor). So OTTO announces that he plans to move to China and become Chinese because the future is in the east. OTTO manages to turn everyone's world upside down throughout the course of the play, but really crosses the line when he poses as lower-case otto to sleep with his girlfriend (HINT: It's not the first time, either). I don't want to give everything away, but Me, Myself & I will leave you seeing double—and you know what they say: double your pleasure, double your fun!

photo credit: Me, Myself & I

I for one loved Zach's performance and thoroughly enjoyed the fact that his character interacts with the audience throughout the play (although I was a bit worried that our being in the front row would mess him up; imagine being surprised by a familiar face mid-show! Luckily Zach's a pro and didn't even flinch when he saw us.). And although Sadleir couldn't look more different than Zach in his everyday life (Check them out at left; Zach's on the right!), the transformation onstage was uncanny.

If you live in the NY area and are looking to see a fun play with some amazing actors, check out Me, Myself & I before the show ends October 31st! Here are the details:

Me, Myself & I
Playwrights Horizons
416 West 42nd Street
212-564-1235
playwrightshorizons.org

5x5,
B.

Piranha 3D: Sink or Swim?

by Brittany Geragotelis

photos courtesy of Dimension

Matt and I went out to celebrate on Friday night and we decided to go see a movie after having dinner at Peters Gourmet Diner. It was my turn to choose the film (we take turns picking the movies we see), and I insisted on going to see Piranha 3D. Now why, exactly, did I want to see this flick? Well, I knew before we went that the movie itself was going to be stupid, but I was convinced that the 3D effects in the movie would make up for the bad dialogue and horrible storyline.

I was wrong.

Ever since I heard people say how great My Bloody Valentine was because of the 3D, I've wanted to see a horror flick this way. So, when I decided we were going to see Piranha, it was because I was expecting things to be flying at the audience: spears, piranhas, body parts. You know....everything that makes a horror film great. However, there was none of this in Piranha 3D.

Well, I guess there were some body parts flopping around the screen...In fact, I think a Girls Gone Wild video probably has less nudity in it than this movie did. I thought at least the acting would be okay though, since it was starring Jerry O'Connell, Elisabeth Shue, Ving Rhames and Jessica Szohr, but the actors never really had a chance. The writing was that bad. Still, I loved seeing Elisabeth on the screen again (I adored Adventures in Babysitting growing up) and I have a total girl crush on Jessica (I'm trying to get an interview with her for AC!). I've been a fan of Jerry O'Connell in the past (even loved him in Scream 2; an actual scary movie I might add), but in Piranha 3D, he plays a jerk who produces nudie spring break videos—a real sleezeball.

So, if you're thinking Piranha 3D is going to be one of those films that's so bad it's good, think again. It's just bad. But hey, if you DO decide to go, and are forced to sit through the whole thing, you'll at least get to see Jerry's man parts bitten off by the toothy little creatures of the sea. And apparently he wasn't all too happy with the size of the prosthetic.

5x5,
B.