The day before, I tried not to get my hopes up at all, because so many people have been to premieres and not even seen him. I didnt want to be let down badly so I just looked at it as just a chance.
We were looking to get there at about 7 in the morning but we arrived at 9 so I was worried we weren’t going to be anywhere near the front. It was already quite busy there and we were looking for a place to stand. We walked past the entrance and went into the crowd. I ended up on the 2nd row which wasn’t what I’d hoped but it was better than nothing. The guards were moving the barriers around so we were shuffling around a lot, and about 15 minutes later they moved one and I saw this space at the front about 2 meters away. I literally dived for it and I got in and I was so happy. I had a perfect view of the space where they would be arriving and signing. I turned round to my mum and my mate with this massive grin on my face. 🙂
We were stood there for about 9 hours, and it is so damn uncomfortable. I was determined not to lose my space, so I didnt sit down, go to the toilet, go to get food or drink. I just stayed put and my back and feet killed. I met 3 lovely girls called Justine, Charlie and Lucy. The other side of me, well, god they were annoying. I met 2 of my friends from the forums, Emma and Natalie and I had a good chat with Matt the Security Guard.
I came with my Mum, Mate, Cousin and Aunty but my cousin and aunty were a few meters away from us looking at the Odeon. It was so damn hot it was unbelievable. Helpers were running round to everyone spraying them with water and handing out drinks. Its got to have been one of the most uncomfortable days of my life. But it was all worth it.
It seemed like ages waiting there. But when 5 ‘o’ clock came, the crowds were becoming more excited and we were getting pushed further into the barrier. Thats when it started to really hurt. At about 6, a car pulled up and Orlando got out of it, and I got pretty excited. He went over to the interviewers so I got my camera out and took lots of pictures. He worked his way up and when he went another car pulled up. This time it was Keira, she followed Orlando and I took more pictures. I asked Matt if they were going to come back down and he said they’d go to the press and then come back and do autographs. By this time, I was going slightly jelloid. I had a pretty good idea who was going to be next. And I was right. A car pulled up and by that time lots of people had arrived on the carpet and were standing bang inbetween me and where he was. So naturally, I started yelling. Ha. Something along the lines of, “HEY! EXCUSE ME? CAN YOU MOVE PLEASE?! IVE BEEN STANDING HERE FOR 9 HOURS AND YOUVE JUST GOT HERE.” (I know I sound mardy but we were in so much pain ;]) This girl just turned round and stared at me, so I stared at her back.
And no, they didnt move. All I saw was Johnnys shoe. And a bit of his hat. I had vowed not to cry when he arrived. It didnt work, I was so overwhelmed that he was there that I just filled up. He followed where Orlando and Keira had gone, and I got as many pictures as I could. I was really really wobbly at this point, I kept saying to Scott, “I cant believe its him, I cant believe he’s here.” Scott was just as excited. I couldnt believe that my idol was in view.
He did the interviews and disappeared out of view for a bit, so I focused on getting pictures of other celebrities like Naomie Harris, William Moseley, Anna Popplewell, Charlotte Church, Bill Nighy…. and many more.
About 5-10 minutes later, I heard screams from behind me and then I saw Orlando coming down. I got my pad ready and as he came by I held it out, and asked, “Please can you sign this twice for me and my friend?” And he said “Yeah” and did. Then for some absurd stupid reason which I slightly regret now, I told him, “Orlando, you’re beautiful!” and he turned round to me, looked at me, touched my left arm gently and said “And you are too :)” My god.
Afterwards, I heard my mum calling me, and she told me, “He’s here, he’s coming down now!” and I got all flustered and Mum had the camera and I flipped my pad to my drawing of him. But as he got to the corner where I was, someone, assuming it was the press, dragged him off to the other side. Ive never felt so let down in my life. He was so close, and then he just went. And I became a bit emotional then, I thought that was it. 10 minutes later, I saw him working his way around the crowd. Towards me. And I thought, okay, maybe this time. And I did. I remember him a few feet away from me, signing autographs and It was like a dream come true. I tell you, he looks even better in real life. I remember seeing him smile and me going all dreamy. He came dead infront of me, and I lost all my emotions and I was alright. I held out my drawing, he took hold of the corner and signed it. As he started to move on, Scott said, “Sarah! Ask him for a birthday hug!” As it was my birthday the next day, I blurted out.. “Johnny, please can I have a birthday hug?” He didnt hear me so I said it again. This time, he turned to me, and looked me straight in the eye. He said understandingly, “Oh, yeah sure :)” and put one of his arms round me. I rested my hand on his shoulder and he said, “Happy Birthday darlin’!” and gave me a kiss on the cheek. When he hugged me I remember being by his face and seeing the rest of the crowd infront of me, and god did I feel lucky. I cant quite remember the next bit. It was all a bit hazy. He moved on but I cant remember that much. I was in a state of disbelief, and I turned round to Scott and my mum and they were standing there, gaping at me in an amazed sort of way. My mum told me afterwards that she was thinking,’Thats my daughter, and Johnny Depp. Hugging.’ Ha. Scott was excited, laughing and congratulating me. I was so pleased it was untrue. I remember crying after that. I was so overwhelmed. The crowd opposite me were pointing at me and going, “Awwwww!” It was so embarassing but I didnt care then. I really didnt. I’d met him. I never got a picture of him hugging me, my mum said she was too in awe to even think about it. But I have got a picture of him infront of me, where you can see my wristband. 🙂 I also have one of Orlando and Keira infront of me too.
Next it was Keira. I wasnt too bothered about speaking to her, all my energy had gone. I held out my pad and she signed it. She was laughing and joking with the girls next to me. I found her a bit stuck up though. Maybe she was having a bad day.
The other autographs I got were:
Mackenzie Crook
Calum Best
George LOST
Daniel LOST
When the crowd starting to space out, we left the place where we were. I was in tears, I was so emotional. Then I met my friend Toni, off JDW who I speak to quite a bit, and she had met him too. I couldn’t talk to her much. As I said, I was in tears. We said hi, and that we’d both met him but I said I’d have to go because I couldnt really speak.
I was carrying one of the boards of the barriers 🙂 I’ve still got it downstairs, with all the waterspray marks on. Just to think, they all stood by it.
My friend Maris (also from JDW) phoned me then, but I guess I was hard to understand because I was all muffled. I said I’d met him and I’d hugged him and she was so happy for me. I said I had to go then though.
We walked on just a bit and then I saw the cast and crew walking out onto the balcony above the Odeon. And they were waving and everyone was cheering and Johnny turned round and looked in the direction we were in and he gave a little wave back. Then they turned round for pictures and went back inside.
We stopped at a cafe for a drink and to calm down, but I wasnt thirsty or hungry. My aunty had met him too, she had brought a picture of her drawing and he had signed it and said “Wow!” She was pretty pleased. :] She remembered seeing his gold teeth.
I was still emotional, I’d been crying so much my sinuses hurt and I knew I had to stop because I looked pathetic. But it really was a dream come true for me. I eventually stopped when we went down into the London Tube Station and I saw a man begging for money. He was burnt, and hadn’t got a proper face. He didnt have a nose, no ears or hair and his eyes were half closed together. He had no hands either. And I immediately felt sad for him and I completely forgot about the premiere for a minute. I went to him with some money and he did his best at holding out his pocket and I dropped the money inside and he said, “Thankyou, Thankyou so much! Have a safe trip home.” I thought that was beautiful.
Its people like that that make you realise how lucky you are.
I went home. Arrived back about 11pm. We were up 19 hours. Exhausting. Yet I wasnt tired. Not one bit. Infact I went out into my garden and jumped madly on my trampoline to release my energy.
The best damn day of my life.
Dreams do come true!
