If you think about it, celebrities are those individuals who are celebrated because they dared to act or rather dared to convert their dreams into reality. The rest of the things we applaud them for are actually those attributes that WE project upon them. For instance, while living in Los Angeles, the level of disappointment I experienced after encountering a celebrity in real life never ceased to amaze me. I always expected for that movie star, or TV star or rock star to radiate some sort of mysterious oozing "it" factor. Following so many disappointments, I realized that this was unfair of me. Alas, they are ordinary people who are shorter, fatter, funnier looking and far less charismatic than their on-camera or on-air persona portrays them to be. And...they always look extremely annoyed. In person, they can't actually be their real selves because they have to deal with the fame bi-product of whatever dream they dared to chase. That must suck. Imagine having to deal with constant critique and ignorance-based judgement. I believe VIP exists for celebrities primarily to protect them from the unreasonable assault on their character. I only recall meeting one celebrity unaffected by the fame. That's Warren G. That fool will dance in the smack dab of the middle of any party with his arms raised up all night. Maybe that was his dream.
Anyhow, the annoyance factor was in full effect after dragging my ass, in the rain, to Wish in Little Five Points for the launch of a new Hip Hop inspired wrist watch entitled NuPop Movement. (Thanks, Erica for the invitation. I regret that we didn't get a chance to meet in person.) Apparently the Hip Hop community has a thing for watches with huge faces. Them and my momma. For real. My mom loves big faced watches. She can see the numbers better. Evidently Jermaine Dupri partnered with jeweler Pascal Mouawad to create this big faced fashion statement for the masses ...and my mother. 
I walked in to find J.D., Monica and Big Boi posing for pictures in front of the makeshift red carpet while everyone else pretty much lined the walls gawking at them. Of the three, Big Boi looked the most annoyed. Dupri appeared to be making the most of the situation while Monica smiled fiercely and avoided eye contact. I took a couple of pictures. Looked at the big faced watches and then bounced to go see The Men Who Stare at Goats with my boyfriend. The movie proved to be an interesting take on existentialism. We enjoyed it.
Jermaine, Monica, Big Boi, thank you for sharing your time to be gawked at by members of the pain-in-the-ass general public. J.D., I hope you sold and continue to sell many watches. Big Boi, I can't wait for your next Outkast and/or solo project. Monica, I can't say that I'll be watching your show but your makeup was impeccable and I wish you the best. Um....keep standing. (???) As for the launch party itself, C'MON! We can do better! Handlers, Wish, whoever, we are dream chasers who make things happen. Here are a few event planning tips for next time.1. Have some got-damn security at the door! Any deranged stalker could have walked in unchecked with an AK-47 under his coat, a Glock in the small of his back and a knife on his ankle.
2. Make sure you have someone stationed at the door to officialy greet any representatives of the media who dared to come out. Media amplifies your brand and helps you continue to finance the pursuit of your dream. You want to make sure your publicists build those relationships on your behalf.
3. You are or represent stardom, so wear it with pride. There are several liquor companies that would have gladly donated some of their product for the purpose of reaching your audience. That liquor could have moistened your guests' throats and buying attitudes. Additionally, your handlers could've negotiated some butler passes with hors d'ouevres to really finesse the money out of party-goer pockets. Why the hell do you think that fish Paris Hilton leaves the house every day without a red cent on her?
4. It was bright as hell in there! Everyone could see everything and therefore had no real incentive to circulate throughout the party and discover. Illuminate the red carpet and the merchandise ONLY.
5. Partner with a charity and do a dollar coat check or something during cold or rainy seasons. In this way, you make your guests (aka prospective buyers of your big faced watch and other merchandise) comfortable AND you build good will. Plus you get additional publicity through whatever promotion the charitable cause does independently.
And I'm spent.
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