Rubbing Elbows With The Stars
April 11th, 2006 at 07:24am Keith Hemstreet 8
The random celebrity sighting is a part of life Aspen locals tend to dismiss as insignificant. “No big deal,” they say. “They’re no different than anyone else.” But they are different. They’re famous and we’re not!
Deep down, everyone loves a random celebrity encounter. We are a celebrity obsessed culture, and everyone is infected to some degree. It’s a thrill to spot a famous person in the flesh, though most Aspenites won’t admit it. I confess to playing the “I’m too cool to care” game myself.
When I set up Jack Black’s snowboard, my friends back home were intrigued, to say the least. Of course, I acted indifferent.
“Did you talk to him?” they asked.
“Yeah, sure.”
“About what?”
“You know, whatever.”
As if we were old buddies, just shooting the shit. It’s fun to tease my old friends with Celebrity gossip. During last year’s HBO Comedy Festival, I found myself standing next to Chris Rock at the St. Regis, both of us enjoying a beer. I immediately sent a text message to a long list of friends, “Drinking beers with Chris Rock.” Just two weeks ago at Eric’s Bar, I looked over my shoulder to see Owen Wilson seated next to me. Again, a blanket text went out, “Drinking beers with Owen Wilson.” A stretch, sure, but technically it was true, and a great way to start rumors back home.
“You hear from Hemstreet lately?”
“Yeah, just got a text. He was partying with Owen Wilson.”
“No f’ing way!”
Recently, the quality of celeb sightings reached an unprecedented level. We’re talking Hollywood’s A-listers on every corner. Vince Vaughn and Jennifer Anniston were seen all over town. A friend spotted them eating at Cantina with Dave Chappelle. Jen stepped outside at one point to smoke a cigarette and smile at gawking passers by. I was pissed my friend didn’t call with this information until they had left. “They already left! Why didn’t you call me sooner?” No doubt, I would have jumped off the couch and sprinted across town just for a glimpse.
Last week, a coworker rode the bus to Snowmass with Bo Derek. Jokingly, he asked, “What’s Bo Derek doing on the bus?” to which she replied, “Going to Snowmass.” Just yesterday, my wife ducked into Big Wrap for a smoothie. Inside, there were three people eating, two of which were actor Jake Gyllenhaal and snowboard queen Gretchen Bleiler. Much to her delight, my wife even got a smile and a “Hello” from Jake. When she told me this, giddy and glowing, I had to quickly remind her of the time Kate Hudson and I locked eyes as we passed each other on the sidewalk.
Such is life in Aspen, rubbing elbows with the stars.
1 Comment Add your own
1. alpha6 | July 14th, 2006 at 4:38 pm
Right now I am rubbing my head from the headache you gave me with your ramblings of meaningless encounters of people you consider important or significant.
Get a life and quit trying to justify your existence in Aspen by who happens to be in the same bar with you at any particular time.
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