On July 3rd 2006 I went to London for the POTC2 premiere. I arrived there shortly before five am. Originally I’d planned to turn up after seven, but due to the intense heat (and the excitement of the premiere) I’d been unable to sleep that night, so I went a little earlier. I’m very glad I did, as there were already over thirty people there by the time I arrived. I found a spot but ended up moving a few hours later when there was a scare that the barriers weren’t going to be placed there. In the end I landed a great spot just a little to the right from the doors of the Odeon cinema and I only truly relaxed once a barrier was in front of me. I’d managed to score a front row place, which I’d been so determined to do.
The rest of the day was spent waiting in unbearable heat. It was the hottest day of the year, and so warm that the Odeon staff were squirting us all with water to try and help keep us safe. In the mid afternoon, one staff member came over to the group I was standing with and told us “I’ve got some information for you, Mr Depp will be arriving at 5:30” and told us how Johnny would go to the press first, then walk up the red carpet and start signing from the left, which got us all really excited because it truly confirmed that he was really coming (it had been a constant worry of mine that Johnny wouldn’t turn up, since he’s missed a few of his premieres in the past). The staff contiuned to look after us, giving us free bottles and cups of water to drink. Every so often announcements would sound out over the loud speakers advising us to keep in the shade and drink lots of water. The Odeon staff were all fantastic and really helped make the waiting a bit more bearable.
Not much happened until after 5:30pm when the stars began to arrive. The crowd began to get excited again when people found out that Johnny had left his hotel and was on the way. Orlando Bloom and Kiera Knightley were the first to turn up. They went to the press first and delt with them, giving interviews and posing for pictures, etc. It seemed to take ages waiting for Johnny to turn up but when he did show, the crowd went absolutely crazy. Johnny got out of his car and there was this amazing roar…I screamed my head off as I clearly saw him step out and I kept nearly bursting into tears because I just couldn’t believe I was actually seeing him in person. The atmosphere was electric and it was just the most incredible moment I’ve ever experienced.
Like we’d been told he was going to do by the Odeon staff, Johnny went to the press first and spent some time with them. Then he walked up the red carpet, passed me, and began signing autographs for the front from starting from the far left hand side of the Odeon. Surprising the pushing and shoving from other fans behind the barriers wasn’t too bad and before I knew it, Johnny was in front of me and autographing my POTC1 DVD cover. I was determined to say something to him, so I blurted out “The movie looks really good, I can’t wait to see it”. Johnny looked right at me through his purple glasses and said a grateful sounding “Thank you”, and then he lightly touched my hand as if to show he was sincere.Then he moved on up the line and contiuned signing. I think he signed for everyone in the front row, at least it looked that way. I’d read from other fans who have met him about how nice he was but I was still blown away by the kindness and the sincerity Johnny displayed towards his fans.
I stuck around and got autographs from Orlando and Kiera too, but I left after the guests had arrived as I’d been there for over thirteen hours by that point and just wanted to get home. But it was an absolutely amazing experience and I just can’t believe it really happened. I’ve been walking on air ever since.
