15 Lucky Fans Share Their Experiences From Winning A “Spend A Day With A Celebrity” Contest

Spoiler alert: They're just like us! Well, some of them at least (we're looking at you, Bruce Willis).

Her Phone Flirting Worked Like a Boss!

My mother won tickets to a Rick Springfield concert here in Orlando a few years ago. The venue wasn’t large and had standing room only, so we made sure to get there early, but so did a bunch of other attendees. We were about 4 people away from the stage, but it was still pretty close. My mom had brought an album of Rick’s she’s had since it came out in the 80’s. While we had no idea how to get it signed, we had it at the ready with a sharpie. At the time I had an app on my phone which allows you to flash or scroll words on the screen, so with the album I held it up flashing, “Hey Rick, Please sign?” Rick Springfield walks out onto the stage, sees it (along with the other few posters and stuff there) and laughs, pointing between it and himself as if to say, “look at the difference between the cover and me now!” Concert goes on, we have the album still at the ready, but in the meantime I decide to use the app to continue ‘chatting’ with Rick. I’m putting up song quotes, retorts to song lyrics, funny gabs, etc. And every time I change it, Rick squints past the stage lighting to read my phone and sometimes has to laugh around his singing. It gets to the point that people notice him squinting, in front of me people turn around to read it, behind me people tap on my shoulder for me to turn the phone around for them to read it. At almost every concert, Rick plays a song of his called “Human Touch” and he ventures out into the audience. We didn’t know if he was going to do it, but we hoped so. Time comes, the song starts, he gets into the crowd and makes a B-line right for mom and I! She’s got the album supported by her hands, I’m gripping the top of the album so it doesn’t get snatched, he signs it and hugs my Mom and I in his passing through the audience. We put the album in a bag we brought and the concert continues on with me getting recommended lines to put on my phone to show Rick. It was seriously a strange and funny thing, because I essentially used my phone to text flirt with Rick Springfield during his concert, just so I could get my Mom his autograph. All in all, I’d say that Rick is a cool guy, just from that experience. (Source)

Essay Turns Mets Fan Into a Temporary Yankee

Last year, I wrote an essay to nominate my employer for Yankees HOPE Week, and, as luck would have it, she won. The Yankees organization, or to be more specific, Joe Girardi, Brian Cashman, Brian McCann, Chase Headley, and Jenny Steinbrenner (It was initially supposed to be Mark Teixeira) visited our workplace. What initially started as a short seminar on teamwork became an invitation to go to the Yankees-Twins game that night. Chase Headley later announced that my boss and I were going to throw out the first pitch. As far as meeting the Yankees Organization, it was fun. Girardi was a very nice guy, and he really loved being at the theater. Everyone else had a blast. I chatted a lot with Headley and Steinbrenner, and basically they were all very chill people. I gained a lot of respect for the Yankees after that (I’m a Mets fan). When we were at Yankee Stadium, the Yankees head of PR basically outed me as a Mets fan, and asked me who I wanted to catch my first pitch. I was initially hesitant and listed off some names of players who I later found out weren’t there. I then asked for Masahiro Tanaka, who I guess agreed to catch my pitch. At first I’m like, “Holy sh*t, Tanaka is going to catch for me”, and then I panicked because I thought that Tanaka doesn’t speak English. So one of my coworkers, who is fluent in Japanese, coaches me on how to say “Nice to meet you, my name is…” So while I’m waiting for the first pitch, I’m running the phrase through my head. We go out to the mound, and I throw the pitch and I’m still thinking about it. I then meet Tanaka, and proceed to flub the line. He responds, “Nice to meet you, by the way, I do speak english.” It was funny and relieving at the same time. All in all, fun experience, and definitely something I will cherish. (Source)

Even Crooks Couldn’t Spoil This Awesome Day

I won a meet and greet for twenty one pilots this last summer. My friend and I were some of the oldest ones there (except for the teenagers being accompanied by their parents). The security guy, (I’m not sure if he was just a venue guy or is normally with them) ushered us through and yelled at us to hurry up when the family in front of us (a group of 4) was blocking the hallway for us to go take our pictures. So that wasn’t super fun, cause I’m not about to knock over some kids to meet two people I look up to on an insane level. Anyhoo, we were rushed up to take the photo and my friend in front of me had enough time to say “hello” to both Tyler and Josh, but I only had enough time to say hi to Tyler. Josh actually reached across my friend and made sure to say “hi, nice to meet you” to me and shake my hand which interrupted the process a bit because the crew was ready to take the photo. Not much, but a small gesture I thought was nice. Also, those two are extremely soft spoken and seemed very genuine. My car ended up being broken into with all my belongings (except my phone, debit card, ID and car key) stolen during the show. Found our meet and greet photo and posted to Instagram with a somewhat cringy recounting of that day. Josh ended up ‘liking’ it and I was honestly surprised that he had even seen it. Those guys though. I would love to meet them again. First impression is that they are super nice. (Source)

Big Brother Shenanigans

I and another contest winner spent a few hours in a mock “Big Brother” house with a bunch of minor Australian celebrities in a promotional event at Rosehill Racecourse. It was kind of lame because while I knew who most of them were, I didn’t really care about them. Met Imogen Bailey though, she was nice, though a lot shorter than I’d have expected as I assumed all models had to be quite tall. Also met one of the cheerleaders for the Parramatta Eels rugby team and Warwick Capper, former AFL star.
After I got “evicted” I was supposed to f*ck off and watch from a distance but one of the guys, a radio presenter (possibly Brendan Jones, IIRC) invited me to hang around out of sight of the cameras and continue to enjoy the free beer, which was darn decent of him. I want to clarify that the main reason I called it lame was not because I didn’t have a good time, but because I guess the promoters overhyped what it would be and also hid from me that the sequence of “evictions” was scripted. The contest I got in on was secondary to the other person’s who I think got “second place” and a Sony prize pack whereas I was the second person evicted and as I said before, was expected to basically leave, my involvement in the promotion done with. If Brendan hadn’t invited me back to hang out with him personally, the day would have been a bit of a washout apart from the drink vouchers my mother got completely wrecked on. I did get a prize pack too – from the Australian Jockey Club. I think I got a business card holder/paperweight with AJC branding, and a commemorative photograph of Sunline which I could probably sling on ebay if I felt it was worth the effort. It’s been over a decade so maybe it’s worth something. Who knows. (Source)

A Love of Tacos Had Him Soaring Like an Eagle

I won a taco bell contest to meet two former Eagles (Bill Bergey and Gary Cobb) when I was in middle school. Super nice guys. We got a tour of the stadium and had lunch. I got a football signed and won a Jersey. Pretty f*cking neat for stuffing my fat ass with a 5 buck box. (Source)

Did This Smashed Fan See Her Face?

I won tickets to a huge NYE party at Manning Bar in Sydney Uni in 2008. Got so drunk there that night, that I’m not quite sure what happened but my friends and I ended up hanging out with Sia backstage and she offered us her fruit platter. She wasn’t even performing but watching her girlfriend DJ. This was in the pre-fringe days when she made her own music that was big in the indie scene. (Source)

Visit Leads to 15 Seconds of Movie Fame

Absolute best experience of my life. I ended up running over Bruce Willis. If you ever get a Make-a-Wish, ask to meet Kevin Smith. I was a bald, chemo-ey f*ckin’ mess, my dad contacted Make-a-Wish, the came out and asked me what I wanted, I said him, and within a week our tickets were bought for us and our trip was planned. (Usually takes weeks/months for celebrities to get back to Make-a-Wish) Kevin had us whisked out to New York to meet him on the set of Cop Out (then called A Couple of Dicks). He met me with the biggest bear hug of my life. He was the nicest, sweetest most genuine celebrity I could ever imagine. I spent the entire day on set. Met Tracy Morgan, Bruce Willis, man-handled all the equipment they would let me touch, and in the middle of it all Kevin says, “Hey, you wanna be in a movie?” “Yeah I wanna be in a movie.” “Okay, I’m gonna have you run over Bruce Willis.” “Thanks, Kevin Smith.” So if you watch Cop Out, I’m the student driver that runs over Bruce under the El-Train. At the end of it all, he invited us back to his penthouse overlooking the Statue of Liberty and let us see the rough cut of Cop Out. I spent all day and night with him. My life has been miserable in comparison ever since. (Source)

Meeting This Band Was Crazy Cool.

I won a radio contest to watch a music video taping of. 36 crazyfists “bloodwork” I wasn’t a super fan but I certainly would appreciate the experience. That “personality” mistress Julia from fuse was on site as was a former child actor ninja star and some director guy. It was like Thanksgiving at your girlfriend’s crazy family’s house. You try to avoid the problem people, there is always stupid drama and throw in lowly production assistants running around doing the shit work. That left me and the band members scratching our heads watching this shit show unfold in some Asian martial arts Studio. The guys were cool. They seemed confused as to why I was there. But was happy to bullsh*t with a human. I was accompanied by a radio dj. He looks and acted NOTHING like what his voice projected on the air….good radio guy (Source)

Turns Out This Band Isn’t as Lame as People Think

My best friend won a Blackjack with Nickelback concert in Vegas. I was fortunate to be invited. He could take 5 total. Each had a Room plus cash to gamble with. We did the set up time with the band to play Blackjack…which was just awkward…but they where extremely nice about it. Backstage passes where really fun…getting to see all the goings on behind the scene…hung out with the crew/roadies. People give them shit, but they put on a good show. The after party was really fantastic — free booze and you could just stand there and talk to them and a few other celebrities such as Carrot Top. We spent around 8 hours or so with them…and can I tell you I have never been so drunk in my life it was a great time. (Source)

These Hollywood Name Droppers Don’t Know Jake

My girlfriend and I won a contest from a major makeup retailer to meet the founders of a pretty major brand. They took us on a tour of their 1920s mansion Headquarters. They were nice and probably didn’t notice when they were bragging (“we got the idea for our product from a casual conversation with Keanu Reeves”). We got to ride in their Lamborghini, which he drove so fast I thought I needed to start writing my will, but the LA traffic seemed to defer to the sports car. We then were treated to lunch at the Chateau Marmont where it was pointed out that Ryan Reynolds was at the table next to us. It was actually Jake Gyllenhaal… (Source)

This Famous Rock Singer Has a Hidden Hobby

My buddy won an MTV contest where we spent the day on a “Rock and Jock” competition back in the early 90’s. Sebastian Bach was so nice. He gave us hand made friendship bracelets. I figured “hand made” meant someone made them by hand and not machine. But later, after the go-kart races, we all went back to hotel rooms to change outfits for the next event, and Sebas was across the hall. He calls us over, and he’s got fishing tackle boxes full of crafting supplies for making friendship bracelets. He added some red beads to our bracelets. (Source)

Toddler Discovers He Loves Bling

A few years ago I won concert tickets and backstage passes to meet and hang out with Montgomery Gentry. Troy Gentry was really sweet and took me and my kids on his tour bus for a tour. My son was only 2 at the time and very curious.. Troy had a box of like a dozen diamond watches sitting on his dresser and my son tried to swipe them. I was so embarrassed but Troy laughed and complimented my son’s taste. He had the prettiest eyes and was kind and down to earth. Eddie Montgomery was drunk and pretty inhospitable, but Troy more than made up for it. On stage later, they were great. (Source)

Fun Time Singing With a Human Smile Emoji

Got to meet Drew Barrymore as part of her promotions for Whip It — the roller derby movie. She was on a national tour and I got to help arrange things with my roller derby team for a local screening and a select group of us to sing the 7th Inning Stretch at Wrigley Field with her. (One teammate had been Kristin Wiig’s body double in the film too.) After the film screening we were ushered out a secret back exit from the movie theatre to a parking lot where we stood in a circle and chatted with Drew while being filmed. She is very sweet and verrrry small. She is like a human smile emoji. We then were put into large black SUVs with livery plates (“ohhhh THIS is who uses those cars…”) . We then SPED to Wrigley Field, where we took another back route up to a sky box fully catered with Chicago style hot dogs and beer (yessss) and Drew came in and hung with us again. She admitted she didn’t know all the lyrics to Take Me Out to the Ballgame, so we all practiced it a few times together, and one of us taught her the extra Chicago Cubs version of it. Very fun and surreal. Then we all (7 of us plus Drew!) were led to the press box to stand right at the front where the crowd can see you – honestly to me this was the coolest part and I am not a baseball fan – and the announcer introduced her and us. We were packed in there like sardines and sang the song and then promptly left so the media could actually see the game again. We said goodbye to Drew somewhere along the way and the rest of us were free to eat, drink, and enjoy the remained of the game from the sky box. I have no idea how the Cubs did that day, but it was 2009 and they probably lost.(Source)

A Simple Look Turns Him Into a Frozen Statue

I somehow won a contest to meet the cast of Spider-Man 3 (I think it was on a promotional site for the video game). It wasn’t an all day thing but we were supposed to be able to meet them backstage for a bit, take pictures, etc. I remember sitting down next to a guy and watching him play Spider-Man 3 on PS3. He was complaining about not being able to kill random people on the street to some PR guy from Activision. At one point he turned and looked at me and I realized it was James Franco. I never ever thought I’d be the kind of person who would be star struck but it goes a bit beyond that. I completely froze in place and was unable to do or say anything. He may have said hello but it’s all a blur. It was a completely involuntary reaction and I’m not sure how long the exchange lasted but I think he got uncomfortable and turned around. He left pretty shortly after that. Over the years I’ve learned that I can’t see a famous person in real life without shutting down. Even obscure D list people or reality TV people. I saw some lady from Survivor in a Costco once and I turned into a human statue until she left the aisle. I do wonder if James Franco remembers getting stared into submission by a creepy fat dude in NYC though. (Source)

Being Stuck on a Tropical Island With These Brothers Was…

I won a trip to the Bahamas in 2009 which included a meet and greet with the Jonas Brothers before the concert (which they gave us front row tickets to). It was a group of about 40 people (10 winners and we each brought 3 people). They gave us dinner then afterwards told us to line up for a picture. We were towards the back of the line, so we mostly just took a bunch of pictures of us while we waited. Meeting them was very underwhelming (I also had grown out of being a Jonas fangirl in the months leading up and I didn’t bring anyone that loved them). They were really nice, but seemed uninterested in being there. The oldest was asking us questions and interacting. He was really nice. But there was an open bar, so that was cool. (Source)