New York City is brimming with celebrities and famous faces. It is a known fact. With 8.5 million people it is easy to find camouflage in the crowd while being inches away from world-class amenities and quick access to other parts of the world. From NYC a flight to Seattle is about as long as a flight to London. Not only do they work here on movies and television filming, but many of the glitterati tend to have a crash pad here or even permanent residence. From Jennifer Lawrence to Jennifer Lopez there is a lot of potential for a chance run in while going about your daily life. Of course, I have a short list of people I would lose my mind over seeing or even meeting.
This list might include: Taylor Swift, Blake Lively, Rachel Brosnahan, Emma Watson, Emma Stone, Hilary Duff, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Sutton Foster, Ryan Reynolds, Tim Gunn, Kristen Bell, Jameela Jamil, Liam Hemsworth, Grant Gustin, Lili Reinhart, Holly Madison, Bridget Marquardt, Lauren Graham, Anna Kendrick, Mindy Kaling, Rami Malek, Jonathan Van Ness, Yvonne Strahovski, Lucy Liu, Krysten Ritter, Debra Messing. I will add as many people to my short list as I want. Now multiple this list by twenty-six.
In the past I have run into people such as Dame Helen Mirren once in Los Angeles and had other more predictable sightings of Anna Camp, Chris Wood, Melissa Benoist, Shia Labeouf, Christine Baranski, Constance Zimmer around Broadway theaters or talk shows tapings at Jimmy Kimmel and Stephen Colbert. This does not count the multitude of concerts because that only sort of counts. But since coming to NYC I have seen more known faces than ever before.
Let’s spill the tea. Without further adieu I present the listing of celebrity spottings of 2019:
Nicole Scherzinger– The Pussycat Doll and Masked Singer judge was my first NYC celeb sighting. Therefore, she will always hold a special place in my fame loving heart. We were waiting at the stage door for a chance to meet the cast of Waitress in early March. It was cold and steadily drizzling. What I did not expect was the most gorgeous human that I have ever laid my eyes on would be inches away from me- but just on the other side of a steel crowd control barricade. I had seen PCD when they opened for Christina Aguilera in 2007 at a Dallas, Texas arena… and of course through digital media, but never up close. She truly is radiant in person. Possibly more so than on a screen.
She was going in to visit one of the leads, either Gavin Creel, but most likely Sara Bareilles. No one expected to see her and I exclaimed, “Oh my gawd, it’s Nicole Scherzinger” to Cohabituer. She was wearing a fluffy pink coat over an all black outfit consisting of a tight top and curve hugging pants, paired with tall, black Christian Louboutin boots along with full make up, dangling earrings, and two long pigtail braids on the same day she was spotted wearing a similar ensemble while out in NYC. Snap, snap, day.to.night, am I right, henny?
Nicole was with a female assistant type or possibly a friend and breezed by quickly as she was ushered out of the rain and into the backdoor of the theater. All of me wanted to pull out my phone to take a picture to document this sighting, but I made a vow to myself that as a New Yorker I would not invade people’s privacy by doing this unless invited to do so during an appropriate situation. That is not what we do. I both love and hate that I made this agreement with myself.
About ten minutes later she exited the theater. This time the small crowd standing around in the wet and cold were ready to pounce. Several bystanders asked her for a photo. She ever so politely agreed and paused for about five or six selfies. A black luxury SUV was waiting for her, but she declined it and sent it on stating she would take the subway instead. With a blink of an eye she was halfway down the street despite the spiked heels of her designer boots. I was left impressed by how kind and willing she was to greet fans even though she was not “working” at the time. My heart races a little thinking back to this moment.
Lucy Boynton– Currently best known for her roles in The Politician (which was not out yet) and Bohemian Rhapsody. She played the love interest of Freddie Mercury turned Rami Malek’s real life love interest. Backstory- that I swear I will cover another day- I got a “fun” job at one of those pop-up experience places. It was my first day and they told us that some actress is expected to come through. No one recognized her name other than me. I pride myself on having top tier celebrity knowledge. I am sure there are others that could take me in a contest, but I think I am basically ready for the big leagues. So, if anyone wants to hire me- for example Buzzfeed or E! I am available for you. Always. I will be a quick training session away from whatever your needs may be.
After paperwork the first thing we got to do was go through the exhibit as guests. We had coat checked and were waiting to enter when she came in with two friends. Rami was not with her. However, he was filming the final season of Mr. Robot in the city during this time so perhaps she was occupying herself.
Her short, blonde hair was down in its usual manner and she was carrying a black shoulder YSL bag. I knew it was Lucy straight away, while once again, no one else noticed her at all. Amateurs. I am not sure if she noticed my laser focus upon her but I could not tear myself away. I was drawn in, consumed even, and wanted to keep observing. If she was aware of my gaze she did not give it away. Perhaps she assumed that she would be looked at a little bit.
I ended up seeing her several times throughout her time at the pop-up exhibit and every time I could not stop watching. You end up leaving that place stuffed full of sugary treats by the end, but she declined all but one during her visit. This is why she has a Hollywood approved waif physique and I don’t need to ever wear a coat in winter. Because I am my own coat and my own heater.
She was pretty in person, but also plain in many ways. I suppose that makes her an excellent canvas. Lucy reminded me of a super rich, popular girl who was constantly wrapped up in laughing and talking with her friends about vapid topics, none of which I actually heard. They were having fun, but were definitely about themselves. From what I could tell no one approached her or noticed her. Surely that made for a peaceful outing. She was my second celeb sighting and I was positively fascinated.
Julie Bowen– I was in full swing in my role at the pop up. There were sixteen different areas in the exhibit. Orientation and Registration were my favorite. All Orientation requires is to give a basic speech, play a five minute video, then stop it at the right time. Registration was the next room where iPads were set up for waivers to be signed by every person eighteen years of age and above.
I like things to be sparkly. So of course I made up my own totally extra speech. I would start by asking if they were excited to be there and waited for them to shout yes. I wanted the Orientation room to be loud enough to be heard in the lobby to add some extra suspense and curiosity as to what awaited. I would give a fake disapproving head tilt and demand they bring up the volume. Groups of fifteen to twenty were usually fun for that, but I still tried to pull it off when it was just a few people coming through.
It was midweek around late morning and a mom with three boys were ready for Orientation. On days like that we would take group by group as they arrived instead of waiting for everyone who has tickets for that time slot, which was every half hour. This allowed for better pacing so the guests felt like they had the run of the place.
Before the video I shouted in my best cheer voice, “Are you ready for the [insert name of pop up place here]?” The three young boys shyly replied, “yeah”. With my best silly face I volleyed back for a bigger response. And to my delight they got pretty loud. Usually after the video I give a ludicrous, self-written speech about signing the waiver in a way to explain it and eliminate resistance to this task. Generally I would say, “In the event that you become famous or are famous, I want to be able to tell all of my friends and family I asked for your autograph.” Today, with a solo mom I refrained, even though it usually elicits a bit of a chuckle. It was an easy group, I sent them on their way down the Button Hall and it was time to go out to the lobby and find another captive audience to Orientate.
One of my coworkers glided through about fifteen minutes later and asked if I noticed that famous person. Wait. I squinted my eyes and tilted my chin to air to activate my thinking face. Wait… Was that? That lady. That was Julie Bowen from Modern Family… wasn’t it? I kept thinking she looked familiar or maybe she was just exceptionally symmetrical. She had on regular clothes- a long sleeved shirt, jeans, and thick framed glasses. Thinking back I keep putting a blue ball cap on her, but I don’t think so.
So basically I performed my Orientation tomfoolery for her sooo, yeah… I am a big deal now. She paid for the ticket. She smiled. She cheered. That is winning.
Kacey Musgraves– So this one is a little less chance bump in and more about the setting of where I was, which was intentionally standing on the sidewalk along the route of the car line for the Met Gala entrances on the Upper East Side. Spoiler alert: I went home and wrote that evening- hint, hint.
Per Wikipedia: The Met Gala, formally called the Costume Institute Gala and also known as the Met Ball, is an annual fundraising gala for the benefit of the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute in New York City. It marks the opening of the Costume Institute’s annual fashion exhibit.
I was hoping to spy someone famous but each guest usually arrives in a black town car, a black SUV, or even a party bus tricked out with the highest grade blackout tinted windows. You never know if a Kardashian or the likes would feel cheeky enough to roll down the window and give a wave or a finger wiggle to the growing crowd. I was clamoring to get a glimpse of the hottest stars of the year. The point to the window tint is that it is all about the entrance and the statement you make through what you are wearing. Each year has a theme and since it is a fashion event about fashion it is suppose to be over the top. Therefore, they don’t want to be seen yet and give away spoilers until the red carpet. Well, this year they had pink carpet. And it was the tits.
Except for one attendee who sat on a Barbie pink convertible with a single driver intending to carry out a cohesive theme beginning with her entrance. She had a blonde wig, clad in head to toe pink. I could not tell who it was, but she was beautiful. The only name to come to mind was Paris Hilton, but it just did not seem right. After the pageantry of entrances and roaring cheers from the swarm at the arrival point died out I walked home to ravenously consume photos from Just Jared and InStyle. Even though I did not exactly know what I saw while I was witnessing it I saw it. I saw Kacey!
Cardi B– The same situation applies here. I made my way down toward the end of the line where cars were pulling in to queue through security. Windows were still rolled down in many of the cars as it was a nice spring evening and the parties of each vehicle were in a much more casual state as they came from the obscurity of traffic. A large bus was pulling into the line. Through the front, non-tinted windshield appeared Cardi B in her oversize gown. She did not seem to want to be seen. But she was! By me! Okurrr
Zac Posen– The fashion designer, gown-maker extraordinaire, and former Project Runway Judge has held a special place in my heart ever since he started touching the fabrics and doing up close inspections of each week’s garment rather than viewing them from afar on the runway. From what I can ascertain he lives on the Upper East Side and tries to interact with his Instagram followers by liking their comments. He dresses many of the Met Gala attendees each year. I would be honored if I were to ever wear a Zac Posen gown. This year he was on one of the largest buses that came through and later I would come to learn it held Nina Dobrev (!!) and Katie Holmes (!) both of whom he dressed in amazing creations. He had the driver put the window down, popped his head out a little, and gave a cheery wave to the crowd. It was exciting because I have this feeling that somehow we will meet. Maybe I will end up working for his company? Collaborating on a project? Being neighbors? Couldn’t say. The world is so weird and wonderful that way. It is a strange feeling I have. So I was psyched to see him and that he was eager to participate in the excitement of the day.
Hank Azaria– Back to regularly minding my business. I put on my coat and walked to the end of my street, crossed, and was heading to the bagel shop a whopping total of 355 feet from my apartment. There is a popular restaurant on the corner when you cross that clogs up the sidewalk with people standing around during their wait to be seated and also by the pedestrians on the corner itself for those waiting to cross.
A man and a woman were strolling together arm in arm when they were stopped by another man gesturing to speak to them. I overheard him exclaim, “It is great to see you” as I rudely cut between them because my tummy was ready for strawberry cream cheese and you are all in my way.
I sing this statement like it should be on my own personal record, but I rarely pay attention to people. I happened to look right into the man’s face and realized it was The Simpsons and Friends, Hank Azaria. I let out a nearly audible hmm at the happen-chance and went into the bagel place. Of course I texted tons of people about it as I waited for my blueberry untoasted with strawberry cream cheese. When I got home I then researched him extensively on the internet. At least at one point it was confirmed he lived on the Upper West Side, where we crossed paths, and possibly still does. It was unmistakably him.
Bernadette Peters– Cohabituer and I were walking home one evening from the movies. It was a lovely spring transitioning to summer evening. People were scattered about coming and going from bars, shops, restaurants, and walking dogs. A lady, flanked by two female friends, was laughing as they came down the street huddled together. Cohabituer informs I made a loud comment and she looked at me. This sounds like me so it is probably true.
I cannot confirm that it was the Bernadette Peters, legend of stage, film, and television and Cohabituer ‘doesn’t know who that is’. Girl, I know you have seen every episode of Will & Grace. She was on the show once. To which he tells me, I am not a girl. Yeah, yeah. Details.
It was the wild, curly hair and prominent face that grabbed my attention. She is older now, but still striking. You know who ages especially well? Famous people. I am not sure, but, hey, this is NYC, anything is possible.
Chris Hemsworth– This is equally by chance and yet not. Going to the movies is expensive here unless you get crafty. We have found six dollar movie Tuesdays at AMC theaters to combat the cost. We were heading to one of our staple theaters when we saw buses and signs plastered with MIB: International. Have you ever wondered where they do movie premiers? Well, apparently our regular neighborhood theater is one of the locations these things happen.
There was a long press tent set up in front of the theater. I was able to stand on the steel barricade and catch glimpses of Chris. He was in a tux looking dashing but too far away for me to study him as thoroughly as I would have preferred. The sidewalk security was super annoying telling people where on the sidewalk they could or could not stand. Being ever sassy I stood where I was told I couldn’t, which was in the middle of the walking lane of the sidewalk, and slowly strode into the theater while quipping, I got ticketssss.
Inside the theater it was quiet so I looked through the windows without anyone reprimanding me. It felt special. And still glaring at the security dude as I looked past him to watch the frenzy. The nearside of the escalator that takes you to the upper floors was blocked so we had to go around to the other side. Once the attendees finished the press line they came in and were sent up with security blocking the side of the “regular people”. I think the stars of the movie premiering go up a different way, maybe an elevator to the IMAX theater, so I never saw Chris again. I know movie premiers have to happen somewhere, I just thought it would be a rare, fancy, special place. Somewhere designated for that and maybe only that. Blows my mind a little bit.
Matt Damon-He was attending the MIB: International premier and I saw him go up the escalator. And then a minute or two later, I too went up the same escalator. We have touched the same rail sooooo. He was in a suit, chatting with some other guys. It was cool and unexpected that he was at that premier.
Al Roker– I was suppose to see Al in Waitress when he was doing a three week stint in the musical, but he was out the day we rushed for tickets. A week later I was leaving work, routinely pushing past the blocked walkway in a too narrow midtown subway station when a man passed by me going the opposite direction. He was well dressed, but his hat made me notice him. Such a simple thing, a hat. Not a cap, but a real hat. Old timey and charming, I reminisced briefly what it would have been like decades ago to be down in the same station when wearing a fedora adorned with a beige fuzzy fishing feather was the norm. He was wearing an unfriendly RBF, going about his way, seemingly impatient- but that is typical of mostly everyone that is not a tourist. I cannot confirm it was him, but I cannot say it wasn’t either. No one bothered him, but it is bustling down there and it isn’t a place you would necessarily think to be looking.
This just in: I learned he has an office in the exact area I spotted him. Knew it!!!!
Chadwick Boseman– Another movie premier for 21 Bridges was happening on yet another cheap movie Tuesday. Is Tuesday the prime day for premiering? We were going up the escalator and could see down to the lobby where they had a section quartered off for press. Chadwick was standing behind a step and repeat while doing an interview. I watched him as we rode up to the next floor until he was out of sight. You could tell he had a naturally commanding presence so it makes total sense he is a movie star.
Tom Hiddleston– This is the final star sighting of 2019. A colleague and I decided we would go out for tea one Monday evening after work. We did not go to my usual haunt, but a place that I patron from time to time. I do not want to “out” the location should this be a regular thing and not a one-off, so mum is the word.
My friend and I were seated upstairs and it was quiet… because Monday evening. There was an empty table next to us and then a group of four occupying the next table over, sandwiched into a cozy corner. Sitting across from me at that table was the unmistakable face of one ex-beau of Taylor Swift. Mr. I Heart TS himself, Tom Hiddleston. You may also know him as that guy that plays Loki in Thor/The Avengers. It made sense to see him because he was in town doing a Broadway drama… and also tea. His hair was long and lightly slicked back. He wore a sweater and appeared casual but well-dressed simultaneously.
He was having tea and scones, so British, with friends who also echoed the same accent. He and a couple, plus their young daughter, were having a tea party. He was very attentive to the young girl, helping to keep her entertained as they chatted. I had a hard time not looking at him since he was in my eyeline. Paying attention to my friend was even more difficult. I felt rude. She grew up here and like a true New Yorker was not phased by the presence of such a person. Oooh, I wanted to take a candid of him, but rules are rules. More tables were filled in and it got loud in the room so I had a harder time watching and eavesdropping. He left early apart from the group that stayed behind. Eventually it was time for us to go, too. I excused myself to facilities since I emptied an entire pot of tea. To my dismay he returned. My friend overheard him apologize to his friends for the errand he had to do. How could I be in the bathroom and he came back!?! I was semi crushed. Walking past him would have been delightful.
The point to this story is that I had tea with Tom Hiddleston. Even if Tom Hiddleston did not have tea with me, per se.
Other honorable mentions:
Are you done or are you thirsty for more? To keep the fun going I will recount another group of people I saw in 2019, even if they do not qualify in the previous category of chance run ins. Because I saw them. With my eyes.
Adam Driver, Keri Russell– We saw the play Burn/This and they were the leads. Cohabituer has a little crush on Felicity, herself. The play was meh, but their performances were superb, especially Adam’s.
We did the stage door after and they came out. Keri had a pregnant friend waiting for her so she said she wanted to be quick so she sped through her signing. She was still such a lovely person. Aging was visible around her eyes ever so slightly, but she is an absolute beauty. She a fairly compact person, short and tiny.
Prior to Adam coming out they announced he could not sign anything that was not the Playbill, so basically no Star Wars stuff. I guess it is a licensing thing. He seemed introverted, or drained, and so very tall. He made his way quickly through the line very no non-sense. And also super tall.
Bryan Cranston, Tatiana Maslany, Tony Goldwyn– They starred together in the Broadway show Network. Bryan was a gem in the show. Truly spectacular at his craft. I was most eager to see Tatiana since I am a big Orphan Black fan. It was also a cherry on the top to see President Grant of Scandal, Tony Goldwyn. They each did the stage door after the show. Security had the fans line up instead of huddle around the silver security barricades near the stage door.
Tatiana came out first. She signed and chatted with fans. The couple behind us also loved Oprhan Black. We talked about Helena being our favorite OB character and it turns out it is, hers, too. She offered to took a photo with us. Which I could because it was an appropriate moment for it. Her hair was cut short and curly. She is just such a super cute human being. When she was finished with the line she jumped on her bicycle, rang her bell and waved as she left. I am in awe of how effing cool that is. And brave. Cycling in the city, especially at night, is… brave.
Tony came out and was kind. Someone nearby had sent chocolates to him at the theater. They asked if he enjoyed their gift and he thanked them graciously. I was surprised by how much older he seemed than his Scandal character and then I googled his age. He is nearing 60 years old. Daaaamn. I never really thought of myself as someone who would admire someone at that age, but good job, Tony Goldwyn, good job. After he was finished signing he jumped into a luxe black SUV and was driven away.
Last, but never least, was Bryan. He spent time chatting with everyone. After you met Bryan that was the end of the production and you went on your way. I intended to take a photo of Cohabituer and Bryan. He is a much bigger fan of him than I am. Walter White, everyone! He watched Breaking Bad while I was in Grad School and I never got around to watching it. I still see him as Malcom’s dad from Malcolm in the Middle.
We asked for a photo and he insisted I was in it, too. He shook hands. We chatted for a moment. He smelled ah-mazing. I suppose he may have showered before coming out. But he is seriously one of the noticeably best smelling people I have ever been around. Cohabituer also agrees with this. I think Cohabituer may have a little crush on Bryan Cranston now. Or bigger than the one he had before.
It is hard to be “on” and personable after performances. Stage door encounters should be seen as a gift, never a given. His performance was that of a man being driven mad by the machinations of media in which his character was both a puppet and a vessel. He broke down and cried on stage in boxer briefs upon hands and knees. That is a lot for him to go through after taking himself there emotionally and then come out and visit with fans. He was great. I have nothing but praise for our meeting.
Cody Simpson– I was watching the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade one year and saw a number from the musical, Anastasia. I knew it was imperative to see Christy Altomare perform that role. I would describe her voice as angels and diamonds. I did stage door to meet her specifically and had the bonus of Cody playing Demitri in the show at that time.
He was tall, blonde, non-chillant. Girls were screaming their faces off in sheer ecstasy at his presence. I get it. He is cute. He signed my playbill and moved along pretty quickly. I thanked him. Everyone else wanted a selfie with him. I had a racy dream about him last night where he was my new boyfriend so now I am sad I did not ask for a picture, too. Poor Cohabituer.
Bill and Hillary Clinton– We went to see Billy Joel at The Garden as they call it (Madison Square Garden). During the show Billy gave a shout out to his friends in the audience, Hillary and Bill. They were met with mixed reactions of both boos and cheers. We were behind the stage and they were sitting Audience Right toward the front. From where we sat we could watch them the rest of the show bopping along to the hits. This is not the first time Hillary and I have been at the same concert. We both saw Adele in Miami during her run for President.
Jordin Sparks, Sara Bareilles– I was privileged enough to see both take the lead role as Jenna in Waitress. Neither did stage door. But I saw them sing and perform. Both are so talented.
Charlie Cox– The Devil of Hell’s Kitchen from Netflix’s Daredevil was in a Broadway drama called Betrayal. Opposite him was my bestie and tea mate, Tom Hiddleston. Neither did stage door. It was cool to see them act in person. They were both great. It was a profound show, albeit dialogue heavy and slow paced.
Tiki Barber– He was in the show Kinky Boots playing the misogynist, bigoted character not okay with the trans crowd and their kinky boots. Eventually the character comes around. It required no solo singing on his part, but he did have to do the dance number at the end with the entire cast all donning their own pair of uber tall, kinky boots. We did not meet him at stage door.
And as they say in showbiz… That’s all, folks!
New York Nobody 