[More] Justin on the set of Selena’s new movie
Now I’m a Belieber
Sure I knew (courtesy of Wikipedia) that ‘The Bieb’ was the first artist to have seven songs from a debut album reach America’s Billboard Hot 100, that he’s won a stack of music awards, was named Forbes magazine’s third most powerful celebrity in the world this year, has sold more than 15-million albums worldwide and that he has more than 20-million followers on Twitter. (I love a bit of research!!!!)
Of course I was expecting the screams, the crowds and the buzz, but even for someone like me who has been on shows with major stars – this was magic. My list of backstage requests on a filming day is pretty small: flowers (tick), sushi (tick), Pink Ugg Boots (tick) and Champagne (big tick)… but here’s the list of what it takes just to get this global star into the building safely:
4 x St John’s Ambulance officers.
2 x mobile St John’s Ambulance units.
36 x Security officers on the studio perimeter.
12 x police officers.
1 x standby helicopter.
I am told this is pretty standard for any Bieber appearance.
The studio was surrounded by the most incredible Bieber fans. One girl I met had slept outside for two days in the rain and cold of Melbourne’s winter just to be front row! She had the cutest Team Bieber outfit on, so I had to get a picture with her. We were at the side of stage and a little in the dark, so the camera does not capture her face properly – it was soaked with tears of love for her biggest idol.
Overflowing from the studio lot were:
30 x members of the Bieber entourage.
85 x AGT crew members.
700 x fans seated in the audience.
170 x pairs of earplugs #BieberFansCanRaiseThoseDecibels
As I had met Justin a while ago on The X Factor (UK) I wasn’t expecting to contract a serious case of Bieber Fever – but this was a special day. During his performance, and unknown to his security and management team, he ran off the stage, jumped up in front of me on the judging desk and sang to me whilst holding my hand!!!
This is not a regular daily occurrence! I went bright red with embarrassment and didn’t know where to look because, seriously, his eyes are mesmerising… HE TOUCHED MY FACE!!!!
You thought our AGT host Grant Denyer was excited to shake hands with Bieber? Well, I can honestly say he left my head spinning like a giddy schoolgirl’s!!!
#ToWashOrNotToWash…#ThatIsTheQuestion!
Then it got even more crazy…
My dressing room is opposite the production office and we heard that Justin had left his shoes behind and they were sitting on the desk! Box-fresh grey high tops that had been worn once, earlier that day when he arrived at the studio!
Well before we could even step across the corridor they had already been sniffed by a female production assistant! I have to admit we were in two minds about whether to return them to their superstar owner or keep them and create a permanent shrine to The Bieb in the Melbourne CBD for all his fans to see.
Luckily, we got our heads together and realised they would have to be flown to him in Sydney! Damn!
But… before they were dispatched to the courier company I couldn’t help stealing them for a quick minute and trying them on. #AnyFanWouldHave!
My heart had a second flutter when I heard Selena Gomez was backstage hanging with Justin, soaking up the adrenalin and supporting him on his Aussie promo tour. #StyleQueenInTheStudio
She was incredibly gracious, letting Bieber shine, and was incredibly private so sightings were rare! #Respect #HopesUpForNextTime
Until the next visit, we will all have the Believe album playing loud on repeat.
With a chauffer-driven car ready and a private jet waiting on the tarmac, they were off.
Until the next visit, we will all have the Believe album playing loud and on repeat.
Did you have a close encounter of the Bieber kind during his visit to Australia? Tweet me if you bumped into your idol this week and tag your tweets #AusGotTalentBieber
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