I know you’re all waiting with bated breath to hear whether I got to meet Johnny again yesterday.
Well, yes, thank you for asking. I did!
I am exhausted. By the end of the day I was nearly on my knees with the combined effects of a sleepless night, the crowds, hours of standing, and incipient heatstroke, but it was all worth it. The man is incredible: handsome, sexy, elegant, patient and generous to his fans – and just plain nice.
I had almost decided not to go because of my shoulders and the travelling, and then the standing around all day in what promised to be very high temperatures, but OH is a sweetheart and he took me down the night before and on Monday morning nice and early, he sent me into South Woodford tube station with instructions to have a good day and say hello to Heathrow Jen for him. Now, HJ wasn’t able to get there in the morning, so her lovely friend Pinky met me in Leicester Square and stood in for her till she could come to meet us in the afternoon.
HJ very thoughtfully sent a little folding stool via Pinky for me to sit on.  So we sat, and we stood, and we sat some more, and we tried not to melt, and we watched the crews put up the decorations and security barriers, and build enclosures for the press and a little ’stage’ area for the interviews. And the trucks came in to get everything ready for the outside broadcasting stuff.
And eventually it was time for the fun to begin. The ticket holders for the premiere were let through to go in and sit down and the sun beat down and time passed. Very. Slowly.
Most of the crowd were impeccably behaved up to this point, but as the time drew near, those at the back began to inch forward, and those of us at the front had to do some pretty neat footwork to stay upright. There was a young lady near to us who – for some reason best known to herself – wanted more space than anyone else and she leaned and pushed and leaned until I was half a yard from my handbag and getting less and less space by the minute.  There’s always one, huh?
This young lady was very sweet though. This is Kahlie from Pennsylvania, and she and her friend were behind us at the barriers.
Kahlie managed to get the coveted autograph on that magazine, only it looked a little dog-eared by then. I’m sure she didn’t mind. And if only all the fans were like these two lovely young ladies, there would be never be any trouble at all!
Then a man from Johnny Depp’s security detail came along to tell us that he’d be arriving soon, but that he’d be walking right by us without stopping because he’d have to go straight to the interviews. However, he assured us he’d be back later, and so we went on waiting in happy expectation.
We didn’t have to worry about not noticing when the right car turned up. A crescendo of screaming erupted when Johnny arrived. Sure enough, he strode cheerfully along the red carpet, grinning and raising his hand in greeting, but not stopping. Having been warned, I was ready with my camera and got a bit of video for you, and you can see how jostled we all were by the wobbliness of it as I turned to follow him. It wasn’t just the adrenaline, honest!
And so he did his funky stuff and then began signing for the crowd, but because he was late arriving, he didn’t have time to get around more than halfway before he had to go inside the theatre for the opening he was due to give on-stage. A collective groan arose from the crowd and I hate to tell you that there were some very rude cries of ‘Johnny – COME BACK!!’ and suchlike utterances.
But being veterans, we simply waited, and then the lady next to me called a security guy over and quizzed him and he said, yes, Johnny would be back out again, but he had no idea when, it could be ten minutes or it could be two hours. Ha! Those in the know are well aware that he never watches the whole movie, and sure enough it was only about half an hour before he was back out and catching up on the signing duties, bless him.
To cut a very long story short, eventually we could see him approaching, nodding, smiling, and signing autographs. Miss PushYouAllOverSideways wasn’t done yet though, and just as Johnny arrived and was standing right there in front of me, she leaned on us once again and I nearly went flying. And I have to admit she did me a huge favour.
A strong hand clasped mine and held me steady, warm brown eyes looked over the top of spectacles straight into mine, and a voice said:
‘Are you alright there? Are you getting squished?’
Yes, Johnny Depp himself reached out to steady me, and expressed a proper concern for my welfare! Isn’t that something? I tell you, a more warm and human superstar you could not hope to meet. Amazingly, I found my voice in time to answer and thank him, but he has that effect on people. He stuns you, but also somehow makes it easy to respond.
*Sigh*
Anyway. Needless to say, I don’t have a picture of this event. It’s a miracle I still have the camera after yesterday. But here’s a picture of the delightfully pretty Marion Cotillard instead.
I thought she might go some way to placating all you jealous guys out there.
Oh – and there will be an ABC Wednesday post up later.
Watch this space.
Well…let me be the first to say, GREAT GOOGLY MOOGLY!!
Judy you are one lucky Lady and if anyone deserves a special moment with The Man it’s you! Thanks for sharing.
Okay…that was me…so flustered I can’t spell me own name.
Well good googly! Wow and wow I’m so happy for
you.
I guess it was well worth standing next to Miss PYAOS.
Fortuous indeed!
Well done.
Oh Wow…. I am so jealous. Thanks so much for sharing…just a wonderful ending to all your waiting. …Sigh…
It was great to see him looking so suave and relaxed wasn’t it. It was great to see you again too my matie. x
Wow…he reached out and touched you? Does this mean you will not bathe those body parts for a week?
Glad to hear you’re okay, and even happier for you that he showed honest concern. BTW, does he know about your blog? Just curious…
Oh, btw, you were quite in the pink, weren’t you? Very Cyndi Lauper, if I do say so…
OMG…. I would have fainted….
Lucky, lucky you. And I wouldn’t have expected anything less from Mr. Depp. A gentlemen for sure.
What a wonderful time that must have been!
HOW FABULOUS. Have you recovered yet! Little minx did do you a favour – I’ll bet she was green with envy! I did keep an eye on the news and saw him arrive and yesterday I heard an interview on Radio 4 and he said he considers being recognised and fans wanting autographs as “part of the gig” and doesn’t mind it at all. Good man. He is also being interviewed on GMTV this morning (1 July).
So pleased you enjoyed your day and your JD moment! A x
You’re a total nut but so, so worth the photo! Now don’t ever wash that wrist again, it’s loaded with Dishy Deppy DNA . . .Hilarious post. Ms Pinky is delightful and I just hope I have the courage to dye my hair some outrageous colour one of these days . .
Wow Jay – he was so worth the wait! The pics are awesome!
My friend who is a JD fan will be sooo jealous when I show her how close you were to him and that he touched you!
Kat – Good googly moogly indeed!! I’m not sure I deserve anything so wonderful, but I’m certainly very grateful, and I know how lucky I am. I so wish you could have been here too!
FJ – I didn’t much like her behaviour at the time, but it certainly worked out well for me, huh? Karma, wouldn’t you say?
Sistertex – Thanks! Yes, it was a wonderful ending.
Jeni – As we said, if we didn’t get to see him on Monday, we’d still have had a great day out together! So good to see you too, and I’m grateful that you made the effort, despite not feeling too good. *Hugs friend*
Mr N – Ha! If it were a bit cooler there might have been some very slight chance that I’d have been tempted not to wash, but in this heat? No way. Cool shower as soon as ever I could!
He is such a nice guy that he will always shown honest concern to anyone who he sees as being in trouble, or not well, or suffering rudeness from others. It’s been seen time and again at premieres when other stars would let their people deal with a situation.
No. I doubt very much that he knows about my blog, but if he were to drop by, I have nothing here I wouldn’t want him to read.
That’s not me, by the way, that’s Pinky, in the … um … pink. Guess why she got that nickname? LOL!
Maureen – He is a complete gentleman, and such a nice guy. Each time we say we’ll never do a premiere again, but when it comes to it … how can we resist? It’s a long, long day, and it’s risky from more than one viewpoint, but if you’re lucky enough to get a few moments with him, and a little contact, whether physical or not, it makes it all worth it.
SJ Anne – I know! It was only afterwards that I realised what a huge favour she had done me! LOL!
Thanks for the tip about GMTV. I taped it! I can’t watch TV that early in the morning.
Baino – Thanks – I take that as a compliment! LOL!
Pinky is indeed delightful. She’s just lovely and it was so kind of her to come and keep me company.
Taffy’s Mum – Indeed he was! It’s not the first time I’ve been touched though.
omg he cared for your welfare. He just grew 10,000 more feet in my eyes and I’ve always loved him- always
Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!! What an absolute dreamboat! He protected a damsel in distress. YOU! That is so COOL! You must still be swooning and sooo happy! High five girl!
Thats brilliant… to get so close to your hero … even at 30 odd something.. I get a real kick out of meeting my heros, mainly sports stars, but that must be wonderful for you … have you washed that spot yet ?
OMG! OMG! OMG! I just about FAINTED when I read this:
“Yes, Johnny Depp himself reached out to steady me, and expressed a proper concern for my welfare!”
HOLY. LUCKY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I bet that was such an awesome experience for you! I am beyond thrilled for you.
Oh and, I cant WAIT to see this movie!
I guess the trip was a million percent worth it then? You sound as if you’ve had a fantastic time…
OMG!
I would not have been able to speak at all. I think I would have passed out. So pleased for you Jay!
Well I hoped you thanked the pushy one for making your day!!!
It was certainly worth the wait!!!
WOW!! Just… WOW! Bet Tennessee Jenn is thinking she should’ve come over for that one!!
Congratulations!
Sandy – Yes, it’s one of the things his fans do love about him. He’s a very genuine, warm person.
Moon – It’s a thrill for sure! But of course I’ve washed. Good grief, not shower in this heat? LOL!
Meleah – Aw, you are sweet! I’m thrilled for me too! LOL! And yes, it was awesome. I was like a deer in the headlights!
Mara – Not all of the time was fantastic, but yes, SO worth it!!
JJ – The first time I met him I was not so composed.
But he’s so sweet, you just talk to him.
Kate – I should have! But I was still upset with her for making our lives a misery. She did help me though, didn’t she? Even if she didn’t mean to!
Jeannine – I know!! But look who I’m talking to – the woman who emails with her hero, and gets to have dinner with him AND provide a taxi service! You’ll have to let me know how to wangle that one. ROFL!
Hi it’s me again, love your blog. Still pretty high on the whole experience, and just in case your wondering I have washed my hand. Please say hello to your pal Jen for me, tell her i’ve had less intimate 1st dates! xx
Susie – Hey – thanks for visiting my blog and leaving a comment! I certainly will say hi for you, but she does read, as you can see. She’s left a comment here already.
I’ve washed too. Far, far too hot not too, huh? LOL!
Oh, what a wonderful story. That is just so cool. Tell me . . . are you ever going to wash the hand again?
SQUEEEE!!!! I’m so thrilled you got up close and personal with him!! I know you are overjoyed!
I think I read this about 10 times with my mouth open and my eyes glazed. I’m so envious…but in a good way. Too bad it was so hot you had to wash. LOL
When’s it going to be my turn???
Ruth – It is cool! He is one of the most genuine people around. It wasn’t only me, I heard several reports of him doing the same thing with others. Yes, of course I’ve washed. LOL!
Heather – I am. It’s always a thrill to get a few words with a hero, isn’t it? And it’s good to know he hasn’t changed – although he’s been an A-lister for a while now and I don’t think he ever will.
Celine – Thanks, it’s so sweet of you to be happy for me! Tell you what, you should come over here for the next one. I have a good record for these things and you may get lucky!
What a special and happy day for you
! I hope I can be at a premiere sometimes too and see him in real life. I haven´t come as far yet to put myself in a plane and actually leave this country for that kind of adventure. As far as I know he´s never been here. In Sweden, that is, so I will have to go abroad for that possible meeting. England maybe? It would be an absolute dream to be there next year and maybe see him, Tim Burton and Helena Bonham Carter for the “Alice…” premiere. What a treat for the eye and mind that would be! Guess I will have to start saving up both money and courage for that one as soon as possible 
.
Take care.
Ohmigosh! I’m drooling all over my keyboard! How wonderfully kind of Miss Pushy – I hope you managed to stand on her toes at some point nevertheless!
OMG! I’m green, I’m just utterly green!
I’m worried about that teeny weeny sore spot on his wrist. I do hope it’s better now.
I
Helene – Oh, my .. Sweden! No, I can’t think of a time when he has been there. Maybe one day? Or perhaps you can fly down to Paris. He usually does a premiere there for the big movies. Or maybe London would be nearer?
Yes, it is nice to see Tim and Helena too – they were there for Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, of course. Tim seems such a nice man.
Liz – Haha! No, she was about three people along, and all of us were getting pushed over like dominoes. Then of course, after the event when the crowd is dissipating, your mind is in such a haze, you aren’t thinking about retribution. If I had been thinking, I’d have gone and thanked her. It would probably have made her slightly envious, because she merely got something signed.
JT – And I’m lucky. Very, very lucky – and I’m well aware of it!
Katherine – I’m glad to see you were paying proper attention to Mr Depp’s loveliness, but I think that was actually marker pen – someone in the crowd must have had one in their hand for him to sign their stuff with. LOL!
Marie – I’ve just found your comment – you’d left it on the wrong post, but I’ve moved it. Yes indeed, still stunned and amazed and very touched. Swooning too. Oh yes.
High five right back atcha!