On Meeting My First Celebrity

I’ve lived in the Los Angeles area for almost two years now. Ah, LA—the Mecca for movie stars and beautiful people alike. And lots and lots of Mexicans.

I’ve met plenty of Mexicans in two years, but never a celebrity. I’ve never expected to bump into Brad Pitt or Angelina Jolie or their seventeen African children at Walmart, but maybe just a passing glance of that Old Spice guy on a horse.

Well, finally, I can proclaim having lived in LA and meeting a celebrity. An actual celebrity whose claim to fame stretches beyond sticks of gel you glide against your armpits.

I was attending a church event in Hollywood and sitting beside a new friend who spoke at said event. After he shared some of his testimony, several people approached and thanked him for sharing. As a result of my close proximity to him, I shook plenty of hands as well.

One of these people shook my friend’s hand while I was turned away, and then he extended a hand toward me. Introduced himself as Tony.

So I looked up at him and gave him my own hand.

“Hi Tony, my name is Tom—WAIT.”

My eyes digested his stubbly face and I knew that I knew him. Not “knew” in an intimate sense, or even “knew” in an awkward acquaintance sense.

I knew him in a CAN IT REALLY BE celebrity sense.

I gasped. Stuttered.

“YOU’RE—ARRESTED—” And that’s all I could manage as he simply nodded in affirmation.

I didn’t mean to tell Tony Hale he was being arrested, though that’s basically what it sounded like. It was just so random. I certainly didn’t wake up that morning expecting to meet freaking Buster Bluth from television’s greatest comedy.

I’d known Tony Hale was a believer, so I guess it wasn’t the most random thing to encounter him at a Hollywood church event. So cool. His smile was warm, and he was just so normal. Genuine.

Alas, I didn’t snag a picture with him because he was on his way out. Also, I’m awkward. But it was a grand moment nonetheless. You’ll just have to take my word that it happened.

I SWEAR IT DID GUYS.

Meeting Tony Hale: adds more meaning to his “Hey brother.”

Ever meet a celebrity? Ever overcome any personal awkwardness to get a picture with said celebrity? PROVE IT.