According to a Source author Abby Stern Gives Us A VIP Tour of the Red Carpet

I’ve been drawn to creative writing since early childhood. When a creative writing class was an option as an elective in middle school, I knew it would be my elective. I was on the staff of my school’s literary magazine throughout high school and then switched my focus to screenplays. I’d never set out to write a novel, but I knew that there was a story to tell after I’d taken a job as a freelance entertainment reporter.

I sat down and didn’t even realize at first that I was writing a novel, as Ella Warren’s story poured out of me. It took a lot of work, trial and error, and a great deal of patience, but I was able to marry some of the things I’d seen or heard with fiction to write my debut novel, According to a Source.

Red carpets are a form of controlled chaos. There’s so much you don’t see on TV and that isn’t captured in photos. What you don’t see is what I wanted to capture in According to a Source.

Ella is an undercover reporter, but there are plenty of examples that happen on red carpets. Moments like celebrities being rushed over to different media outlets by their publicists, skipping certain outlets who may have reported on their previous indiscretions, even having publicists huddle next to  the reporter during the interview monitoring their questions. Though it’s a well-oiled machine, there are times when a rare, memorable moment reporters feel lucky to witness. I can’t count how many red carpets I’ve been on, but here are my top 4 memorable red carpet reporting moments.

Céline Dion

I interviewed Céline Dion at the Beauty and the Beast (2017) premiere. You can’t think of Beauty and the Beast (or great film soundtracks of the past 30 years without thinking of Dion). It was a group interview and Dion spoke of her connection to the film for which she provided the eponymous song in Disney’s animated version 25 years ago.

The character of Belle is all about strength and I knew I had to ask Dion about where she finds her own. In the past year she’d been through great tragedy, losing her husband and brother within a week of each other.

She was incredibly gracious and began answering the question. Within moments she began to cry as she spoke. “OMG, I just made Céline Dion cry. Is her publicist going to have me thrown out? Is someone going to scream at me for asking her a personal question? I can’t believe I just made one of the greatest singers of all time cry. What did I do??”

Luckily, no one interrupted and Dion gave a beautiful, heartfelt answer and a nod to her late husband. Celebrities are usually conditioned to present a stoic front on red carpets and witnessing that moment of vulnerability and strength from an international superstar endeared her to me even more.

Kristen Bell

Kristen Bell does it all: movies, TV shows, guest host. In short she seems like the girl next door that everyone wants to be friends with. While I certainly don’t live next door to Bell (fingers crossed, one day!), I have had the opportunity to interview her multiple times. She’s never anything short of incredibly kind to everyone around her but there’s one interview that particularly sticks out in my mind with her. It was an event for mothers in underserved communities, helping them with resources.

Whenever I begin an interview I ask about the event first. What about the cause resonated with her and why she wanted to be there today to support it. She gave a great answer and then answered some fun questions about her kids and moved on. A few minutes later, she returned to me.

She asked if I could ask her that question about the organization again and re-record it because she had a better sound bite for publication. She wanted to be more clear and concise and try to bring more attention to the organization. She knew that her voice could help and wanted to make sure she was doing so as much as she possibly could. Her sincerity and genuine desire to help others stuck with me. I told my reporter friends about the incident and even saw her do the same thing to another reporter at a different event.

Kristen Bell walks the walk and makes sure to talk the talk as well- she’ll even re-record it to make more of a difference.

Tituss Burgess

I’ve loved Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt since the show began and like most, my favorite character is the hilariously selfish singer with a heart of gold, Tituss Andromedon. I was excited when I saw Tituss Burgess’ name on the tip sheet (a one-sheet publicists give to journalists with all of the event information and expected celebrity attendees) for this Pre-Emmy event.

I felt in my gut he’d be a fun interview that would be memorable. It was; just not in the way I expected. Also on the carpet was the famed drag queen Ru Paul (not in his drag attire). When Tituss noticed him, he immediately ran over to Paul, dropped down to his knees and literally started bowing.

I almost expected a Wayne’s World-esq, “we’re not worthy” to come out of his mouth. After about 40 seconds of bowing, Burgess got up and hugged Paul before a brief chat. I was lucky enough to be the next journalist in the press line after Tituss’ public display of affection. I knew that what just happened was going to be my story.

My first questions were, “What was the deal with that? Are you a huge fan? Why did you bow?” Titus was genuinely choked up after the meeting and explained that it was his first time meeting Ru Paul, an idol of his and his admiration for the star for not giving a “f” and being true to who he is, especially when that wasn’t welcomed with open arms.

He went on to explain what an impact Paul has had over the years on the LGBTQ community and how Paul’s paved the way for everyone to try to live an authentic life. As Tituss spoke there was deep reverence in his voice. The act that started out looking like a sketch from SNL was an honest moment of gratitude. I was right, the interview stuck with me, but not for the reasons I anticipated. With all of the scandal and drama it can be easy to forget that celebrities really make a difference both in societal views and in individuals lives. I’m so glad I got to experience that beautiful moment.

Dolly Parton

Her name is Dolly Parton, but come on, when someone says Dolly, no other woman comes to mind: The hair, the wardrobe, the sass. I had an opportunity to a group interview with her at the premiere for her NBC special Coat of Many Colors with another reporter, who happens to be one of my best friends. We were both beyond excited to talk to Dolly.

Aside from the fabulous Coat of Many Colors dress she wore, she gave us full-on Dolly in the interview. She was exactly what you would expect her to be. She made comedic quips and gave us some hilarious sound bites.

Nothing with Dolly (aside from the self-admitted fact she always wears a wig) was put on. She was everything you’d hope for her to really be. There isn’t a crazy story that goes along with this interview other than the fact that my friend and I were truly in awe of her and when it was done we were silent for a few moments. We needed a few minutes to process interviewing a true a living legend.  

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According to a Source, will be released in paperback on June 19th.

Tags: featured, women writers

Category: Contemporary Women Writers, On Writing