Waiting in line
After we checked in, we found our seats and received a gift bag. Now at some point this was referred to as a "swag bag", so I have to say we had some high expectations of this bag. I thought since the gift was valued at $1000 per person, the bag would be making up at least half of that with jewelry, expensive makeup, etc. In reality, my sister called it the "walk through Walgreens" bag. NOT that I'm complaining, it was such a great experience I wouldn't have given up for anything, but.... the bag included items such as squeeze applesauce, Wet Ones wipes, granola bars, etc. The best items in there were a few makeup items from Maybelline, a sponsor of the event as well as a Oscars Fan Experience T shirt and a People seat cushion.
They had coffee and bagels for breakfast, and then they had some stations set up for us while we waited, as the stars didn't start arriving till mid/late afternoon. First we got our nails done, and then we got our makeup touched up. The rain started while we were waiting but we were able to tuck under an umbrella so we didn't get too wet.
Our boxed lunch was included
Do you like my photo background? Post makeup touchup
There was a photo booth they took our pictures and gave us a hard copy
Finally, after we ate our lunch and got through all of the lines, we decided to sit in the bleachers around 2. We were both so nervous and excited with all of the anticipation of the stars' arrivals we couldn't settle down! There was a guy designated to "fire up the crowd" so periodically he would have us all scream and yell. We were stationed directly across from one of the ABC stages where they have an interviewer stationed on their live Oscars telecast, so whenever the camera panned right at us, he would have us all scream and yell. I think having all of those excited fans really helps bring up the overall excitement level for everyone, including the stars. If you watched the preshow at all, we were behind the ABC interviewer that had on a white dress and princess Leia hair. Not Robin Roberts, or Lora Spencer, but the third interviewer, who was new this year.
There were lots of sister sets, as well as mother/daughter. Some couples too, but there really wasn't anything geared towards the guys before the red carpet so Rob probably would have been a bit bored. Luckily, anticipating rain that day, they covered the bleachers earlier in the week so we didn't get wet at all.
Can you see Mario Lopez with two women flanking him? We are just 5 rows up from that.
Ok, so now that the stars start arriving... I have about a jillion photos but I will have to try to choose the best to share here!
Patricia Arquette
Josh Hutchinson
Ethan Hawke
Kevin Hart and that interviewer from ABC
Adam Sandberg
Adam Levine; got a couple for you Andrea!
Melanie Griffith
Dakota Johnson-a witch to her mom in pre interviews!
Melanie Griffith
John Legend and Chrissy Teigen
Faith Hill and Tim McGraw
The water was leaking through the ceiling so that added lots of excitement
Rosamund Pike from Gone Girl
Laura Dern and dad Bruce Dern
Michael Keaton
Naomi Watts
Jason Bateman
Robert Duvall
Cate Blanchett
Eddie Redmayne (The Theory of Everything)
JK Simmons-love him!
Jeff Goldblum
Ed Norton
The Rock-Heather's boyfriend!
Could not get a good clear one of Reese
Gwyneth Paltrow
J Lo
John "toucher" Travolta and Kelly Preston
Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban
Clint Eastwood
Bradley Cooper
Jennifer Aniston interviewed by Mario Lopez
This one would have been great if it weren't for the hair in front of me! We were all trying to get the shot
Emma Stone
Benedict Cumberbatch (Imitation Game)
Mark Ruffalo and Channing Tatum
Eddie Murphy
Meryl Streep
Oprah
Lady Gaga-what a performance!
These 3 pictures below my sister-in-law was nice enough to send me so we could see ourselves on TV. See us right over Marion Coultilard's head in white? I have sunglasses on.
After all of that excitement, it was sort of a relief when the red carpet arrivals ended to go to the El Capitan Theatre and kick back and relax to watch the actual Oscars. When we arrived, they handed us a coupon for a bucket of popcorn and one drink. As you walked into the theatre entrance, there were more Maybelline ladies stationed there handing out lipsticks in their new colors, as well as candy in dispensers in their new colors. There was also a buffet dinner-a really nice salad, ziti pasta, chicken, triangular fried somethings, nice sandwich wedges, and cookie cake with ice cream and toppings. You could do any or all of that and then sit down and watch or you could come in and out. It didn't look like everyone chose to stay at the theatre, as it was not full, but we really enjoyed the experience of watching it on the big screen with the crowd and all of the excitement.
After we exited, the stars were exiting the Dolby at the same time. Below is a picture of the black cars all lined up to pick them up. As their car pulled up, they driver held up a sign with a number and yelled out the number so that the celebrity would come out to their car. This end of the carpet was uncovered and sopping wet, so as you walked over it water squished up over your feet. We wanted to stay and watch the departures but were encouraged by security to move along.
Whew. Are you exhausted just reading it? Overall, it was a really exciting and once in a lifetime experience and I feel so lucky to have won it! Of course, whenever I enter a contest I honestly always expect to win it, so I can't say it was ENTIRELY unexpected, but I'm glad I pursued and believed it was true so I could actually experience it. I would do it again, with someone else so they could experience it for the first time. Plus, there were so many things we still wanted to do and see in LA that a long weekend just didn't quite cover it. Anyway, I am glad to have it all down now so years down the road I won't forget all of those details! Hope you felt like you were there too.
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