♥ Our Hollywood Adventure, Days 3 & 4♥

The day had finally arrived! I had been looking forward to that day ever since Harmony knocked on my door at 11:30 at night to tell me she had gotten us tickets to Dancing with the Stars.

I don't think I have mentioned how she got the tickets. Harmony was invited to attend the V.I.P. opening of the Living Planet Aquarium in Sandy. While she was there they had an auction to raise money for the exhibits. One of the employees at the aquarium has a sister who is a producer of Dancing with the Stars and donated 4 plane tickets and 4 tickets to the show to be auctioned off. After Harmony won the tickets she was given the producers phone number and started corresponding with her to make plans. She was AMAZING! When Harmony called her to tell her the date we wanted she told Harmony that if we were coming all the way from Utah that she would love to give us tickets to the Tuesday night show as well! Of course the screaming started all over again and I was in Heaven counting down the days.

Marcy, our producer friend ( I like to think we are friends) told us that no cameras were allowed in the studio but to bring one and she would take it in for us to take pictures. Marcy wasn't at the Monday show so we didn't get pictures inside that night just a couple outside. Tuesday Marcy was there and came and got us out of line to go on a little tour. She was SO nice! Originally we were going to be able to go back stage but due to a stalker that broke in last season to try and get to Shawn Johnson they won't allow anyone backstage. They won't even let the families of the dancers backstage unless the dancer is injured or something. She did take us around the studio, to the hair & makeup trailers, and to the trailer where they film interviews with the dancers. She also talked to us for over an hour and let us (O.K., mostly me) ask her a million questions. On Monday night our seats were amazing. We were a few rows behind the actor and actress from the show Castle and Latoya Jackson. Luckily our row was the first one that was raised a little bit so we had no one directly in front of us to block our view. We were sitting right by Ozzy Osbourne as well. He has a little entourage that followed him everywhere, even when he went to the bathroom during commercial breaks. Across the ballroom was Soleil Moon Frye (aka Punky Brewster). She is one of Melissa Joan Hart's best friends and was there to watch her dance. On Tuesday night our seats were right to the side of the judges on the first row. Marcy got us great seats! It was fun to get to talk to the judges and be by Tom & Samantha during the elimination. I could go on and on about my nights at Dancing with the Stars but here are just a few things I remember from that night...

*The 'ballroom' is a lot smaller than it looks on T.V.

*Before, during and after the show there is a guy named Cory who talks to the audience and tells us what they need us to know. When to clap, who they need to move while they change the set, and he keeps us all excited. He is such a huge part of the show and yet you never even know he's there when you watch it on T.V.. He was really funny and was actually one of my favorite parts of being there.

*During the Monday show we didn't see much of Samantha Harris because she was backstage interviewing the dancers after they danced.

*Tom Bergeron & Samantha Harris are both really nice. On Tuesday's show we were able to sit right by the judges and Tom & Samantha would stand right by us during the eliminations. They were really nice to everyone in the audience. After the show I said, "Good show Tom" and he laughed and said "Oh, thanks." LOL, did I mentioned how much fun I had. :)

*Samantha Harris is tiny! You could probably put both your hands around her waist.

*Tom had a tear in the back of his jacket on Tuesday night. I laughed every time I saw it. He also doesn't say everything that's on the teleprompter, he just makes it up as he goes.

*All three judges were also really nice. Bruno is CRAZY, and the redbull that he and CariAnn both have under the table probably doesn't help. CariAnn also had a tear in her dress on Tuesday, the wardrobe department must have had a bad night. :)

*The judges and Samantha were all very upset when Natalie was eliminated on Tuesday. CariAnn and Samantha thought it was crazy and Len walked right out of the room as soon as the camera's were off.

*While we were back by the trailers Jamie Pressly from the show 'My name is Earl' drove by us looking for her parking spot. She was there to watch Melissa Joan Hart as well. She texted on her phone during every commercial break. I don't think she wanted anyone to talk to her. :)

*The actor from the show Castle, is very polite. Every time a lady would pass by him he would stand up and help them down the stair. I've never seen Castle but I think I'll watch now just because he was such a nice guy. He's cuter in person than on T.V. too!

*On Tuesday's show the professional dancer did a tribute to Michael Jackson that was so cool. During the performance some of them had to hide behind the judges table right by us. My Mom had to slide over a little bit to make room for Jonathan, Max, and Mark. It was so smoky in there from all the smoke machines and they were asking us if we were dying from inhaling it.

*After the show we ran into Chelsie Hightower's Mom and Louie's Dad. Harmony told them that we were from Utah too and they sat and talked to us for a minute. They said that Chelsie and Louie are having so much fun working together and that Louie's Dad didn't think that he would make it past the first week.

*After Monday's show I was in line buying a T-shirt (I love that shirt so much!) and Soleil Moon Frye touched my arm while walking past me! Holy cow, what I would have given when I was 8 years old to have Punky Brewster touch me! LOL

Here are a few things that Marcy told us...

*Louie really is in love with Chelsie. He tells anyone who will listen how much he likes her. Chelsie is a little hesitant, since they have different standards. (Chelsie is LDS, stick to your guns Chelsie!)

*Aaron Carter also likes Chelsie and keeps asking her out but she says no. This had made Louie upset and so Aaron and Louie don't really like each other. They are very competitive with each other.

*It's really awkward to work with Max and Karina ever since they broke off their engagement. Karina broke up with him because he wants to start a family soon and she doesn't. He is still madly in love with her and is very heartbroken. Marcy said he is nicer to work with now because he isn't as arrogant as he used to be.

*Marcy said that Ty Murray was one of her favorite stars to work with. She said he is so humble and polite, a real cowboy.

*She thinks Donny has a real shot at winning because of all his fans.

*Some of the stars join the show with certain stipulations like, who they want as a partner, how much they want to be paid, etc. If the producers can make it work then they will but sometimes they don't get the partner they want.

*She said the stars get paid VERY well, but the professionals don't get too much. The professional does get a big bonus if they win though.

Alright, I'll stop rambling on about my adventures in Hollywood. It really was a trip of a lifetime. I'll never forget it. Thanks again Harmony! You really are the greatest sister a girl could have. (and not only because you got me tickets to my favorite show, although that helped)

Since the season finale is on Tuesday I thought I would give my prediction of the winner...Donny Osmond all the way!
Monday Night

Outside the studio.

Enjoying dinner at the Cheescake Factory after the show.



Here we are on T.V.. Our kids loved seeing us on the show and thought we were movie stars. It was so funny. You can tell in this picture that I was loving it. I was screaming and yelling all night. :)
Tuesday Night

Leaving the hotel for the show.

Inside the studio.

On the back lot by the trailers.

In our seats before the show started.

In the ballroom.

After the show.

Jayanne, Harmony, Marcy (the producer) and my Mom.

Our 15 minutes of fame. Hahaha!



After the Tuesday night show we had the town car meet us outside the studio gates to take us right to the airport.

Here we are on our way back to reality. Yep, me and all 4 of my chins! LOL

It was an amazing trip, one I will always remember!

Thanks for the memories Harmony, Jayanne and Mom!