September 5, 2002

A View From the Red Carpet

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It is the first day of school, and I decide to play hooky because I on am a bus to New York City. I am pretty excited because in just a few hours I will be attending the Video Music Awards at Radio City Music Hall.

When I arrive in the city, I quickly meet up with the rest of the Road Rules cast along with the Real World Chicago and Las Vegas groups. Us reality TV stars are in for a treat. MTV has hooked us up with limos and Red Carpet VIP Passes. When we pull up to Radio City the atmosphere outside feels electric. While exiting the limo Ludacris and the entire DTP gang have the standing crowds jamming to “Roll Out”. Then the media went crazy taking pictures of our group. Oh wait a second, they are not taking pictures of us, we are just standing in the way of Kylie Minogue. This is how the Red Carpet works, only the superstars are acknowledged. Shane and I decide that we are not getting much loving by the press, so we leave the carpet and are quickly swarmed by teenage girls (the police have to ask us to come back due to the safety hazards). While continuing on our way though I bump into Shakira, Avril Lavigne, and many more MTV personalities.

Now it is about time to start the show and I am introduced to Molly Sims (a personal favorite of mine) as she takes her seat a few rows ahead of me. She is extremely sweet and just as beautiful in real life. Jimmy Fallon begins the show with a smorgasbord of songs with a comedic twist, including Eminem’s “Without Me” and Enrique Iglesias’ “Hero”, and there is a surprise visit from the man with all the soul, Mr. James Brown. The show continues with many amazing performances. Eminem showcases his lyrical talents with his new single “Cleanin’ Out My Closet”, and The Hives and The Vines participate in a battle of the bands that brings excitement to the audience. The former Mayor of New York City, Rudolph Giuliani, introduces Sheryl Crow who plays an emotional piano piece that was inspired by the events of September 11th. There were many other great performances, and Guns n’ Roses ended the evening festivities.

Many artists received Moon Men, but Eminem was the man of the hour taking home four awards including Best Male Artist and Video of the Year for “Without Me.”

“After the party is the after party!” The Roadies and the Real Worlders are not done even though the VMA’s have ended. We tried to get into Puff Daddy’s party but are turned down along with Cam’ron and his posse because of the jeans all of us are wearing. The night ends at a club somewhere between 6th and 7th avenue with a few bottles of Greygoose, Orange Juice, and Cranberry Juice. It is now 5:40 a.m. and I am taking a bus back to Cornell, so that I can make my 10:10. It was a blast, and I hope to be a part of it next year.

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