In the latest edition of our “Featured Reader” series, another one of our readers in NYC, Ariella (@Pepamint83 on Twitter) shares a few of her favorite celeb sightings and experiences. Ariella has been lucky enough to have a few big name celebrities working near her Manhattan home base: her office. She also shares how she’s used our tweets to track down some of her favorite TV shows! A huge thanks to Ariella for sharing her stories and pics! If you want to be considered for our “Featured Reader” series, send us an email at olv@onlocationvacations.com!
When I saw a tweet from @OLV reporting that “Blue Bloods” would be filming a mere two blocks from the bus stop where I wait for the bus home I almost had a heart attack. I had made one attempt a few weeks before to see them filming, however I was unsuccessful since they were filming inside. On March 8, 2011 things went a lot better. I had found out from a person waiting outside of Donnie Wahlberg’s trailer (who turned out to be a friend of his) that Donnie Wahlberg would be coming back in a few minutes. I have to say that Donnie Wahlberg is one of the kindest and warmest celebrities there is. He appreciates his fans and was shocked that we had been there waiting for him (he even said he had to tweet that we were there). He not only let me take a photo with him but we took two.
On November 16, 2010 I had seen on @OLV that Katie Perry would be promoting her new perfume PRRR at Greeley Square. Having to pass the square to get to my office I was lucky enough to see Katy Perry. Unfortunately, I was unable to have my photo taken with her because I had to get to work. But when I was on my way home, I saw she was finishing up the signing and then came out to sing a few notes of “I Kissed a Girl”, dance & pose for a few photos. Even though I didn’t get a photo with her I appreciate that she took the time and stopped for her fans for a few minutes.
This was an accidental sighting. On November 22, 2010 I had been heading to work and noticed a photo of Chris Noth in the window of the bank on 33d street and 6th Avenue with the name Peter Florrick under it. It took me a few minutes but then it clicked. They were going to be filming “The Good Wife” in the bank. As fate would have it they were still filming after 5 o’clock and on my way home from work I saw Chris Noth in the window being filmed with Mary Beth Peil. Unable to get a photo as the lights were too bright, I was about to leave when a man in a suit, who no one seemed to notice, came out. But I recognized him, since I have been a fan of his for years, it was Alan Cumming! he was so sweet, I told him how much I loved his work and asked him if it would be alright if I took a photo with him. Not only did he let me take one picture he told me take two just in case I didn’t like the first.
I had seen a post by @OLV on twitter reporting that “Gossip Girl” would be filming on December 13, 2010 at the Old Town Bar (East 18th Street & Park Avenue). I had to be in that area for work & on my lunch break, decided to go check out the set.
Spotted: Blake Lively, even more beautiful in person coming towards me. She wasn’t able to stop because she had to get to filming but stated she would take photos when she was done. After speaking with a production crew member I learned that they would be filming an exterior scene a block away and decided to go see if I could watch. I was lucky enough to actually watch Blake filming a scene which was a wonderful surprise. After filming she had another scene inside the bar but when she was done she came over and asked if I still wanted to take a photo. Of course I said yes and was even happier that she too was bundled up in a big winter coat since it had started to snow when I was waiting to take the photo.
From information I received from @OLV on twitter & onlocationvacations.com I knew they were filming “New Years Eve” around where I worked, but I had not been able to get to the set. However on March 22, 2011, I had read that Ashton Kutcher would be there. Of course, I made sure I went during my lunch break. I was waiting outside of his trailer (marked by his character’s name) which parked down the block from Bryant Park, when someone walking their dog passed me and I heard a familiar voice, which I couldn’t place. I can honestly say this was an “OMG moment” because the voice clicked in my brain and when I looked up there she was, two time Oscar winner Hilary Swank. I sort of froze but thought how much I would regret it if I didn’t try to at least get a photo of her. I followed her into Bryant Park, still unsure how to approach her because it was a private moment, since she was walking her dog but went for it, and in a quiet voice said “Ms. Swank” twice. Her assistant turned around and I said “I’m so sorry to bother you but I am a huge fan and was wondering if it would be alright to take a photo with you. She had a big smile on her face and said of course. We took one photo which did not come out and then a second one. Let me say that Hilary is even more beautiful in person and when I looked at the photo I wished I had looked nicer. She must have read my mind because she said “you don’t like it? Would you like to take another?” and I told her that it was that she was just so beautiful and if she didn’t mind I would appreciate it. She said she didn’t and that is how I got a photo with an Oscar winner.
The moment I read a post by @OLV on the website that “Glee” would be filming the season finale in NYC I made sure to check the website and twitter every day. April 27, 2011 was the first opportunity I had to try to catch a glimpse of the “Glee” cast. With the help on @OLV on twitter I found out that in the afternoon the cast had moved to the Intercontinental Hotel. I got their early enough to get close to the front of the blocked off line. The cast was filming inside but Mark Salling and Ashley Fink were kind enough to come outside and talk to the fans for a few minutes between filming. I was lucky enough and close enough to get a really great photo of the two of them. I also was able to walk past the window and get some photos of the filming including of Lea Michelle and Cory Montieth. I was also able to get a photo of Dianna Agron, Correy Montieth and Heather Morrison leaving the hotel.
Then I found out from @OLV that the cast would be filming in Washington Square Park on April 29, 2011 and met a friend at the park very early in the afternoon. We were one of the first of the fans there and were in the front of the barrier near the tent in which the cast would be taking a break. Corey was the first of the cast to arrive and he was so genuinely happy about the turnout of fans. He took out his camera and took photos of the fans in the crowd. I was also able to get a photo of “Glee” creator, Ryan Murphy. (I also spotted actor James LeGross watching the filming and took a photo of him.) This is definitely an experience I will never forget. I was able to watch all of the glee club filming a scene under the arch in Washington Square Park. The cast couldn’t pose for photos because there were too many of us fans, however they did yell “thank you” and because I was near the tents I got many photos of almost the entire cast. But just being able to watch the show film was enough for me and for that I am thankful for onlocationvacations.com for making it possible as well as all my other sightings that I have had.
I learned from a @OLV tweet that one of my favorite actors, Rob Lowe, would be doing a book signing at Barnes and Noble. Unfortunately, I was too late to get on line to have a book signed but I did meet a wonderful security guard who told me when and where I could wait for Rob to leave the store. Sadly, he did not stop to actually pose for photos, but I was able to get a few photos of him, and to see him in person. He is even more handsome in real life!
