Jen’s encounter & story from the Awake Premiere/Party « DESIRING HAYDEN [CHRISTENSEN] .NET Your #1 Source for Everything Hayden Christensen 2002-2010

New York City – November 19th, 2007- Awake Premiere and After Party Encounter.

The night started when we arrived at the Chelsea Theater in New York City around 6:30pm. There were several people lined up to see the movie, as well as press. Maria and I stood outside taking a few pictures and eventually around 7pm were allowed inside the theater. There were several employees from the Weinstein Company dressed as doctors and nurses. We were told by a reliable source, that Hayden Christensen and Jessica Alba were confirmed to attend, but Terrence Howard was unable to make it for unknown reasons.
So as the night continued on, a few celebrities started to show up. The first celebrity that I recognized was Rachel Bilson. She walked by and I remember her saying ahh my eyes. I can’t see. She had just walked the red carpet, so that would be the reason. Next up, I remember Lena Olin who plays Clay’s Mom in Awake, arriving with her husband and standing, chatting with several people and eating popcorn. Maria then spotted Tove and was like Jen, is that Tove? I’m like shit, it so is. He was walking by and saw me first and got a huge smile on his face and goes Hey Jen!! How are you? (hugs us) I’m like I’m good, how are you? He was like good, good. He goes, Hayden’s out there, but he should be in here soon. We both gave him our congratulations on Beast of Bataan and he was like aww thanks so much. He then went on to tell us about a photo shoot he did and said that Hayden wants to do a photoshoot on his farm with all of his equipment, and that Hayden has been spending a lot of time in Toronto on his new farm. Next up was Jessica Alba and she was being hounded by several photographers/press and it was somewhat impossible to get pictures and approach her. I got a feeling like she might not want to be bothered anyway. Weinstein, Joby and Hayden all arrived at the same time. Hayden, Joby, Lena, Jessica and Weinstein were all talking and greeting each other, as well as the other VIPS in the room.

Finally it was time to take our seats and as we were heading into the theater, waiting to show our tickets, Hayden saw us and the expression on his face was like wait, I know them. He then looked in my direction and his face lit up with a HUGE smile. He opened his arms for a hug and goes Hey, how are you? How have you been? I was like fine, how have you been? He said I’ve been good. He asked if we were going to watch the movie and we said of course. We’re here to support you. He said something like aww thank you. Hayden then said we’d catch up after the movie. He hugged me again and I asked are you going to the after party and he goes yeah and I said we are too, do you think we can talk a little more there? He goes aw of course.

We took our seats and Weinstein was up at the mic talking about the movie and then introduced Joby. Joby then went on to talk a little about the movie, writers and what the movie was about. He then introduced the cast and they stood up as we clapped for them. I have to admit when Hayden stood up, I clapped and even yelped a WHOO!;) Hayden and Jessica were about 3-4 rows behind me, and Lena Olin was only 1. I sat beside the set designer and she was telling me that she designed the entire set and pointed out to me that the older couple shown at the beginning of the movie was her parents.

The movie is very intense and a bit of a rush. You can see that Hayden is really growing as an actor and this film really shows it! The film ends and as the theater empties, Hayden, Alie (mom), Kaylen (sister), Tove, Rachel Bilson and a few others were left in the room and as we were going out the door, Hayden had asked how we enjoyed the movie and I said I loved it and that he was phenomenal. We then congratulated him and I asked if I could have a picture. He said aww of course. I wrapped my arms around him and he did the same as you can see! ;) I asked if he was going to the after party and he goes, well I’m going to dinner with the family first, since I haven’t eaten and then I’ll be there. Smiled and hugged some more. Then I saw his mom and she was sorta standing there waiting to leave, and I went up and said Hi! My name is Jen and she was like the one who runs the website? I said yeah. She goes oh my god, it is SO nice to finally meet you. You do such an amazing job on the website and I can tell you are really dedicated, thank you so much. Then Kaylen overheard and goes you run the site? I go yeah, she goes oh my god, nice to meet you Jen. You do an amazing job. I’m like thank you so much again. Alie said, yeah, I check it all the time. I check it to see where Hayden is. LOL. She goes he just received the birthday project and wow! You guys really did a fantastic job. She grabs Hayden’s arm and goes Hayden, birthday project and he goes OH MY GOD, thank you so much! Kissed me and gave me such a huge hug! He said I could not believe what you guys did for me. I was going to contact you next week about it and I do apologize for not getting back to you sooner. He then continues to tell me that he keeps the card in his wallet and shows it off to everyone. So, he then was asked to talk to an older guy and Rachel asked, you run DH.Net? I said yeah and introduced myself.
She goes I’m Rachel. I said yeah, I know who you are. I’m looking forward to Jumper and I know you from the OC and Maria goes you just did Good Luck Chuck too right? Rachel said yep. She goes seriously though, the star idea for the birthday project was really amazing. He was really touched by that and even carries the card in his wallet and shows everyone. I go yeah, that’s what he was telling me. She also said you do an amazing job on the site. I even visit it once in awhile. I think it’s great you don’t post gossip. I asked her if she ever visits or googles her name and she said ahh no not really. I said I have a few online friends who run a site on you. She answered awww really? I hope they’re nice. I go there are a few nice ones out there. ? I asked for a picture and she goes of course! Told her nice to meet her and hopefully we can talk sometime again. So then, I told Hayden and his family goodbye and see them at the after party.

So we arrived at the After Party and it was very, very crowded, but we made our way through the crowd, bought a drink and ended up running into Tove. He pointed towards the back where we found Hayden, Alie, Grandma Rose, his Grandfather – David I believe Hayden said his name was – Kaylen, and her boyfriend. Kaylen spotted me and we started to chat about what she’s been up to. She asked what I do and I told her I’m going back to school to get a degree in Web Design and she goes, well be sure you add the site to your resume. I will write you a reference she said. (She is such a sweetie!) She asked about the project we did with the frog and thought that was the cutest thing. She and I kept chatting for a bit. Alie then saw me and we talked a little bit more about the site, where I’m from, family, Hayden, and personal subjects. Hayden was making his way to us bit by bit, but so many people were coming up to him. He eventually made his way over and saw me, gave me a huge hug and told me he was losing his voice. He goes I’m so upset man that I don’t have my wallet with me, but I swear, I carry the star card everywhere with me. I still can’t believe that was all for me, kissed me on my lips and gave another hug, while thanking me. Said it was the sweetest thing anyone has ever done for him. He added really cute I always tell everyone and buddies, ya that star up in there in the sky is just for me!!! We asked about what is going on with Beast of Bataan and if it was going to be filmed in February. He told us that he is definitely doing it and that filming was supposed to start at the end of the month but now he’s not sure what’s going on and when filming will start. While chatting with Kaylen, she joked at one point with me about how awesome the gallery is and how easy it is to find pics. She was just looking at some of the Awake & Jumper pics the other day. I asked Hayden if he was doing any sort of press like tv shows for Awake and he said that well, I’m not doing any late night shows, because of the writers strike, but I did do a few satellite interviews, you know that thing you put in your ear? I said yeah, and then I said, do you know which ones he paused and kinda looked a little confused and smiled and did THE SCRATCH and said … “You know … umm .. honestly…I’m not sure which ones!” And we all laughed! I told him, you’re going to make me do some homework right and he just smiled/laughed. I told him that he was amazing in Awake and I was really happy it finally was released. Then I made sure to tell him that I wasn’t a stalker fan, but was interrupted by him saying no, no don’t say that! I don’t think that and hey – I smiled at you and came up to you, right? I said yeah and he goes ok, then stop saying that and smiled/hugged me. After we talked a bit more about things, I asked him if he would be interested in doing an exclusive interview with the site? He said YES right away – of course, of course. I said I know you’re busy, so honestly it’s no rush. I just think it would be nice to help promote Awake and Jumper and of course you. :) I then looked at him and go you sure? He goes yes, yes. I said are you going to contact me while like writing on my hand. He said I don’t have my phone or wallet on me. Then he called for Tove and said I’m going to do an interview for her site. I told him, thank you, thank you so much. I very much appreciate it. He said well I appreciate you being so supportive of me and should be thanking you, so thank you so much. I said it was my pleasure. It was
concluded that someone would contact me about setting up the interview. After many hugs and even a few kisses he was off and I said goodbye to him, Alie, Kaylen, her boyfriend (who’s gorgeous) and Tove.

We went back to the hotel around 1am and I stayed up all night, updating and trying to catch up on everything. Also, just trying to let all of what happened that night sink in – Meeting Hayden, him loving the Birthday Project, the support and love towards the site and myself. It was the best night of my life (so far) and I would like to thank the Christensen’s for everything! I would also like to thank Maria, Sandi, Laja, Leesa, and Josan for all their help. Without them, this not would not have
been so successful and wonderful!!! To all the Fans, Visitors and Members of DH.Net – Many, many thanks to you. I really appreciate all of your comments and support. The website would not be where it is if it wasn’t for all of you. :)

Let’s hope the site gets better and better…………..

Love, Jen