How easy is it to become famous in today's society? Is it now who you know, not what you know? Can you become famous without showing a particular talent, perhaps purely through advertising with our ever increasing technological advances? Can it be just by getting your face seen everywhere or taking up the right opportunities? This is my journey covering 12 weeks of investigating 'contemporary fame'.
Well the interview was aired today and I must say it wasn't as bad as I thought it was going to be! I have recorded it so hopefully it will be up on the blog soon for anyone who wants to see it. My Chelsea degree show is staring tomorrow so if anyone wants to come down please do. It finishes next Thursday, nearest station Pimlico, uni next to the Tate Britain.
I am in OK magazine again! This is the original picture that has gone in but it is a lot smaller in the mag! The picture was taken at Jennifer Ellison's Glamioke night. I am photographed with Nice Ede who I also bumped into again today at The London Studios...So today we filmed my 5minutes or so slot on Lorraine Kelly Show having been put up last night at the City Inn Hotel, Westminster. Well what a hotel! We were treated like absolute royalty, had blacked out cars to escort us to everywhere and anywhere. It was the most amazing experience, and then today just topped it. I was so nervous but it all paid off when JON BON JOVI was there and I got to share a sofa with him!!! In fact they asked him to get up so I could sit down! I can't believe I met Jon Bon Jovi, he is a legend. Lorraine was lovely as expected and I am sure I sound like a complete idiot but hey. I will have my interview aired on Thursday so watch out! Hope I look good!
So I appeared in The Daily Mail on Thursday and by Thursday afternoon I had been contacted by GMTV, asking me to go on their show, asked for 4 radio interviews over the next 2 days, Asked to go on Lorraine Kelly, asked for an article by Now magazine, Bella magazine, journalists ringing my mobie number!!! O My God! I had a car pick me up Thursday evening to take me to Radio 5 live and had a really good interview there with someone from The Mirror phoning in saying hats off to me! I had a look on The Daily Mail website and the commrnts on there about my article were so positive! I am so glad people have understood the concept of my project. I am not trying to become famous...I am a graphic designer, I am just exploring how the media works in today's society. As I am writing this I have just had a phonecall from my local newspaper asking me to do an article with them too. Funny how before I hit the Daily Mail I was being turned down for articles and now they are fighting over an exclusive by topping each others bids!
Today has been crazy as my article came out in the Daily Mail!!!!!!! Updates to come soon, I promise!!! Just got in from a radio interview with Five Live x
Piers from OK magazine invited me to this award ceremony on Tuesday at the Riverside Park Plaza Hotel. Arriving on my own was awful but I soon caught up with Piers and we went on the hunt for celebs. We found Michelle Heaton, Andy Scott-Lee, Peter Stringfellow, Alicia (Mysteeq), and we only saw Naomi Campbell when she presented an award! I snuck onto someone's table and even managed to bag myself a free dinner-Fillet steak with the thinnest sliced potatoes I had ever seen, in fact they were pretty much non-existant...but the steak was scrummy! I was then invited onto 'Glamour' party where the likes of Victoria Beckham were hanging out but I had a banging headache from all the free champagne and pina colada's and knew I had to be at uni the next day so headed home! What a loser! I chatted to Michelle Heaton in the toilets about my project and she also thought it was a really fun idea and relevant. I later ran to the men's toilet with Alicia as the security wouldn't let us leave the awards room and the men's was the only one close by! We got a few funny looks by some male celebs when we wandered in and out I must say! Never mind.
Today I had a journalist come round from the Daily Mail to interview me followed by a photographer and stylist/make up artist to take some shots for an article that will hopefully be in the paper this week! It took me 2 hours to explain my project and talk about everything I had done and then another hour or so for the photo shoot. I really enjoyed today as the people were lovely, and I got to reflect on what I had achieved over the past 3 months. It was quite over-whelming!!! Tonight I have been asked to do a radio interview that will be aired to over 4 million people...more details later!
Every fortnight I have been down to my local shop to see if I have appeared in OK magazine and this week presto! The first party I attended with OK magazine at Chinawhites has been published and there I am with none other than Lady Victoria Hervey who was the main attraction as mentioned in the text box. Can you spot me?! Woohoo!
Yesterday I went to my Cosmogirl photoshoot. I was there at 10am and didn't have my photoshoot unil 3.30pm which was a bit annoying but they had another girl to do before me and then needed to work out what they were going to do with the props they had ordered. Unfortunately I had been invited to another photoshoot to promote a nightclub in Mayfair but I had to turn it down in order to do this shoot. Who would of thought 12 weeks ago I would be turning down a photoshoot?! I was guted as I sent some friends of mine along instead and they had a great time! Never mind
Wednesday I went to Dragonfly's music video recording. It was a long day but I am sure I am on screen as I had to be pretending to eat at a restaurant behind where he was singing to his on screen girlfriend. Apparently September time Dragonfly is going to be HUGE, and I believe he will be as he is very talented. Look out for me!
Sunday's News of the World really got me thinking. Nearly every page was "I slept with...(X celebrity)" The reason I brought this paper was because I was told Lewis Hamilton had his first kiss and tell in there. I went to school with Lewis and we have remained friends ever since. I spoke to him to see what he thought and also to congratulate him on his success that day(he came 2nd again at Monaco). Thing was he didn't know about the article and told me that it was lies anyway. He couldn't believe a girl who was 2 years below him at school had done this. How could that girl firstly make that up just for money and secondly obviously not care how it might affect Lewis and his current girlfriend's relationship? I then turned the page to see Imogen from Big Brother on all fours saying how she had slept with Russel Brand. Is this now what people will lower themselves to in order to get in or stay in the spotlight-sex?
Wow! Ok so I went to Rod Stewarts house Sunday!!!!! How good does that sound! A friend of my family knows his brother quite well and told him about my project. Don Stewart then invited me to Rod's house to get some photos taken with him for my project. Rod's football team were playing that morning in his garden(!!) so it was a great opportunity for me to go then and watch a bit of footie too. Unfortunately it was raining like mad but it didn't stop the excitement in me! As we pulled through the gates to his house I became really nervous, his grounds are amazing. I can't believe how much land he owns. Tennis courts, swimming pool, football pitch with changing rooms and seating, stables...it was incredible. I was introduced to Rod before the football and he kissed my hand to say hello! Shame I didn't get that on camera! He couldn't really talk too much as he was trying to organise his football team but at least I got my photo! I got told off on the way down to the pitch as I tried taking a photo of his land and the house but it wasn't allowed. Just goes to show that the celebrities who have become famous for a huge talent don't need or want the extra attention whereas the others that have become famous for a rubbish reason will do anything to show themselves and what they have off. I am so priviliged to say I achieved meeting Rod Stewart.
Friday night I was invited by Julian Bennet to his birthday party at his house in Putney. My friend and I got extremely lost but when we finally arrived there 2 hours late we were welcomed into the most gorgeous house with a live band in the garden. Thankfully the weather was nice so we mostly stayed in the garden where there was free champagne, wine and beer. Julian had also put on a huge buffet in the dining area however there was not much left by the time we got there! I got talking to Antonio (Darlene) from 'Bad Girls' on ITV who thought my project was such a good idea. She said that she feels people can definately become famous today without using a talent as celebrities already have! We had a great laugh talking about these celebrities, she was completely down to earth! She was also saying as well how celebrities do pretend they know on another at parties and so wasn't suprised that at Celeb Soccer 6 I wasn't asked why I was there and was just accepted as a celeb. I did have a few drinks too many and decided to leave at about 2am. Other celebrities there included Michelle Collins, Du'aine Ladejo and Chico! Chico was great! He told me I was 'very lovely' and after the photographer from OK magazine asked me to kiss Chico on the cheek for a photo, he whispered "I'll have to return that later!' I must say he smelt divine and yes I did ask him 'What time is it...!" me and Chico! me and Du'aine
Saturday, 26 May 2007
I had my interview yesterday with Cosmogirl for an article that will be out in August. It may not be being published within my 12 week time frame but I can still say I have done it! I have to go to a photo shoot next week, can't wait!
Monday night I went to a pilot recording of Big Brother's Big Mouth to test the new presenters and the audience and I was invited back to be in the audience for the live show next Friday. Peaches Geldolf was presenting, who came and sat next to me saying 'I love your hair!'. It was great to be able to say I had met her recently at Transmission recording for Channel 4. Guests for the show were Ben Dover(a famous porn star!) and Cassie from Wags Boutique. We were given free booze before we went to the studio so everyone was merry and talkative. Can't wait for the live show!
The one chance I get of a great photo and my bloody eyes are shut! Typical.
So I was able to take part in Celeb Soccer 6 as one of my methods to becoming famous for being a celebrity. I was so nervous on the way to West Ham's ground as I was worried that the celebrities would be funny with me as to why I was taking part. I was given my kit for the Bad Girls Team and was directed to the changing rooms. As I walked in, there in front of me was Michelle Heaton and Bianca Gascoine getting changed into their kits and chatting away. I was even given a smile and hello as I walked in by them. They must have been thinking who the hell is that?! I quickly made friends with my team and had to tell them why I was there so that they were in on the con! All of the celebrities chatted to me like I was one of them, they were so friendly. I asked Jack, Jade's boyfriend to ask if any of the guys in the changing room had any spare shinpads for Rochelle on my team and he was so cool about it. I didn't feel intimidated at all. As I walked through the tunnel and out to the ground lots of kids were asking me to sign their programmes, their footballs and pose for photos with them. My family and Paul Stacey were cracking up when I looked at them! My point was officially proven-just because I was at the right place at the right time, I was accepted as a celebrity. Not even the celebrities asked who I was, they accepted it too. Most of them pretend they know each other anyway as I have seen recently! Julian Bennet was there with his little dog Lulu and it was lovely to know him and some others such as Stuart Mann from Shipwrecked (who I knew from Stevenage in Hertfordshire before the project) and a couple of other celebrities I had met at recent events so I didn't feel so alone! Other celebs included Brian McFadden, Hollyoaks cast, Big Brother cast, X Factor finalists, and many more. My team managed to lose every match as all we wanted to do was chill out, drink and watch the other teams anyway! I really had the most amazing day, and to top it off I managed to speak to Pete Docherty and get a photo taken with him and shared a bar with Kate Moss! She is tiny in real life but was absolutely on a high as Babyshambles won the tournament and Pete scored the winning goal. Afterwards we had drinks in the players lounge and decided not to go to the after party as most celebs had left. I was absolutely shattered anyway, not from playing football but from my pure excitement throughout the day. Today I was made famous for no reason, my goal is achieved.
I have just been asked if I would like to be on a music video for newcomer artist Dragonfly by Dragonfly (Nathan Watson) himself as he has seen my own 'myspace' page and thought it could help my project! How good is that?! The video shoot will be the 30th of this month so it is outside my 12 weeks but hey this video might be played for years to come so I'm not complaining!
Last night I attended the Young Person of the Year Awards in Hertford, Hertfordshire. I was completely taken back by the care and generosity these young people have. It was a complete reality check. Youth's of today are generally given such bad publicity, it is very rare that they get commended for their achievements. Tony Gearing, who held the event, explained that 71% of youth press today is bad. It seems to be that the press thrive on failure and as a result the majority of articles we read are extremely negative, celebs that have got in trouble, voilence, families at war etc and it seems that we as a nation are starting to recognise this as the norm rather than the exception. Theo Walcott from Arsenal FC was there to support the event with his girlfriend stuck to his side and even gave a little speech. I told him I was from a national newspaper which seemed to get me to the front of the queue to have my photo taken. People just believed me, no questions asked. Easy Peasy. As I sat through the ceremony I pondered on the idea that these young people are in the spotlight for one night only and for them, that is sufficient. For others however, it is never enough!!!!
I have been invited to The Young Person of the Year Awards Ceremony tomorrow evening in Hertfordshire by Tony Gearing, who is the founder of this event. He contacted me through my article in the local newspaper covering my House of Fraser story. I am very honoured to have been invited to the ceremony and I am sure that it will be something I will remember for a long time to come.
These last few weeks have gone so fast, my aim now is to just get into a national newspaper... radio- check tv -check magazine - check celebrity parties -check film premiere -check my own agent -check
Nadia and Gillian McKeith sitting behind me at the premiere:
Me and Angelica Bell:
Last night I attended Shilpa Shetty's Film Premiere in Leciester Square. I was pleasantly suprised by the film-I though it was going to be rubbish! It was in Hindu with English sub titles but this didn't seem to put me off. I had to walk up the red carpet and get papped, but not for long as Julian Bennet(Queer Eye for a Straight Guy) who was looking after me that night, had to get in to arrange what was going on. He is a such a great character, so funny! When we found out it was in Hindu he said 'Let's sit down and when it starts piss off to a bar'. However he enjoyed the film too so decided to stay. Also with Julian and I was his mum, Giles Vickers Jones and Michelle from Max Clifford's Office who brought along Jamie Pearce, an artist we are all going to hear much from in the future as Max Clifford is looking after him. We had a laugh trying to get to the after party as we kept taking the wrong turning. Julian's mum in fact is just as funny as him, she kept opening her door while we were driving. They looked after me really well too. The after party was a bit of a let down as Shilpa had left and Danielle Lloyd was only there for a little while after we arrived. I did however get chatting to Jonathan Lipman from Identity One, who looks after many celebrities and parties. There was also many people there that used to be in Eastenders from years ago, the only one I could remember the name of was Sanjay who was married to Gita. Anyone remember?!
Here is me at Hertbeat fM at 8am in the morning! I had a great laugh chatting to Steve, Dawn and Chris about my project. It was a bit daunting at first, especially when they left the room to make me a coffee and the song was coming to an end on air and no one seemed to be coming back to the studio. I thought I was going to have to take over but thankfully after a moments silence when the song finished, which seemed like a lifetime, it switched to adverts. Phew! After that, the presenters were such cool people that I relaxed straight in to it. Friends have been telling me since I put a posh voice on but I didn't think I did! Hertbeat will be advertising my website on the news link all day. A link to my interview will be put up shortly.
(I do normally match clothes within an outfit but it was a 70s theme)
Ok, so this night had nothing to do with my celebrity life style however I felt the need to comment on the experience when I went to Roller Disco at Kings Cross to celebrate a friend's 22nd birthday (can't believe I just admitted that). Having to queue to get in was something I hadn't done in a while and to be completely honest I had to kick myself mentally that I am NOT now in my 'famous' mode. Despite this, I found the venue full of people with attitude and arrogance and the language coming out of some woman's mouth was atrocious. We even nearly got involved in a fight as some woman was so drunk she started slating my friend for helping someone that had fallen over on her skates. Ok, so maybe the average night club isn't normally this bad but I thought it was quite bizarre how I would have previously expected people to be more likely to display more arrogance and attitude at a celebrity party rather than at a normal one but it turned out to be the other way round. My recent nights out have been warm, welcoming with no confrontational atmosphere making me feel very safe. Maybe the celebs don't need to prove anything at a party or maybe because everyone at a celeb party must be 'someone' they don't need to display status. What party would you rather be at...?
Sorry I haven't updated in a couple of days but things have been pretty hectic. Anyway, Thursday night Paul Stacey had arranged for me to attend the Classical Brit Awards after party however, at 6pm he called me to say he had 2 tickets to the actual event would I like to go? Now I am not big fan of classical music but as if I was going to turn down something like that! It was amazing-the voices of these artists were incredible. Fern Britton hosted the event and we all love Fern so it was nice to see her in real life rather than on telly. Sting also made an appearance on stage and Paul pointed out to me Myleene Klass in the audience and actor Richard E Grant. Paul McCartney was also there. Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall also had her own box but unfortunately I wasn't near enough to ask for help in becoming Prince William's new girlfriend. Paul and I had to leave in the mid way interval as he had to get to the party to make sure everything was set up and ready for the guests. Once again it was a free bar so 6 glasses of champagne later I was making my way through the crowd to 'mingle'. I got chatting to LangLang, a very famous classical pianist who I have since been told is worth around £30million and has since text me to say it was lovely to meet me. Now I did not know who he was at the time, had I of, things may have ended differently. He was in fact a very sweet guy along with everyone else there. Katherine Jenkins sure is a girl who likes to party. I interupted her bopping away to ask for a photograph and typically my camera failed me and wouldn't work. Luckily, Piers Allardyce was nearby who I grabbed to take a photo using his camera from OK magazine!
Me and Katherine Jenkins Me and LangLang: me and Mark Fuller:
I have been informed by many friends that someone mentioned me and my project on my local radio station (Hertbeat FM) a couple of days ago. So, I gave the radio station a call and got invited to their station for an interview next Tuesday to explain what I am doing! It will however be at 8am so whether or not I will make sense at that time I am not sure x
So I had to go to my part time job yesterday evening as I haven't been working at all lately and I didn't want to let them down again. After arriving at work, I really began to feel like I am living 2 seperate lives at the moment. From a champagne reception with Fun Lovin Criminals to mopping the floor in my local pub...slightly different. However I did get some locals shouting 'we are not worthy' at the bar while bowing down which was rather amusing. I must admit I don't like the idea of going back to my normal life now I have had a taste of what Fame offers. The roles have switched and Fame seems to be conning me by sucking me in to the lifestyle.I want to still hang out with A-listers and spend my days at photo shoots and interviews. I haven't however yet tasted the bad side of fame i.e bad publicity and as I am not known by most of the public just yet I am not harrassed 24/7. So far everyone seems to be supportive and loves the idea of what I am doing but what if I did something bad and the public hated me? I am not sure I am even willing to do something to experience this. I just want to explore what ways there are of becoming famous today but in a good way. Maybe I could try being slightly rude to people at the parties and see what happens? I do know that I will miss this project immensly as as hard as it was in the beginning it has been one of the best experience of my life. Anyway 4 weeks to go so no more dwelling!
So had my photo shoot today with John Wright today. www.johnwrightphoto.com(How good does that sound?!) What an amazing photographer. I was so worried about today. I normally hate anyone else doing my hair and make up but Charlotte Fisher, who did this for me, was one of the loveliest people I have met and somehow made me look beautiful. I did a few shots in some gorgeous dresses (one costing nearly £500!) and a couple of saucy shots which we will decide if we want or not. I was made to feel so comfortable and their studios were fantastic, right on the canal on Eagle Wharf Road. To be photographed by a top photographer is something I could never imagine happening a few weeks ago. I feel so priviliged to have worked with such amazing people.
The Gumball 3000 launch party was so different to the recent parties I have been to. First off it was at Trocadero which is absoutely huge! Celebs included Xzibit, Caprice, Peaches Geldof and as seen in the picture, Donny Tourette and his band, the towers of london. I had to walk through the paprazzi which was again such an experience. All it needed was for one photographer to be in on the 'con' and all the photographers followed. My name was being called from all directions! I even gave them a twirl! This photo was sent to me by MBS Services www.www.mbs-services.co.uk through my website. As I couldn't get into VIP as there were too many people in there anyway, my new found saviour Piers from OK! magazine took me to Peter Stringfellow's girlfriend's party. As you can see I was chatting to him and David Guest about my project which they both thought was an excellent idea. They were both so friendly and David Guest is exactly as you see him on tele, weird and wonderful! What I would give for a night out with him!
My huge billboard went up yesterday in Knebworth. It took 20minutes to put up and I must say it was rather daunting seeing my face that big! Let's hope it doesn't get vandalised too quickly! So it seems to be within 8 weeks you can get a billboard up.
Begin at the bottom of the page and work your way up to my most recent news on my journey to stardom. My blog is added to regularly so keep checking for updates on my journey to fame.
