Living A Dream: Walking The Red Carpet #ThorRagnarokEvent
I was invited to an all-expense paid trip to Los Angeles courtesy of Disney to attend the #ThorRagnarokEvent & ABCTVEvent in exchange for my coverage. No other compensation was provided. All views shared are completely my own.
I’m still in awe after having the privilege of attending the Red-Carpet Premiere of Marvel’s Thor: Ragnarok at the El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood.
As I walked down Hollywood Boulevard to get in line for the carpet, memories of my childhood began to flood my mind. I’ve always wanted to walk the carpet. I remembered my brother and I walking through the crowded sidewalks of Hollywood Blvd. We would stand on the sidelines for hours cheering and yelling as we watched celebrities and guests stroll the red carpet, smile, and pose as they entered the Mann’s Chinese Theater.
One of my favorite memories with a childhood friend, Marcisa, was the time we ran from my house to Mann’s Chinese Theatre for the premiere of Beverly Hills Cop II. We were hoping to get a picture and autograph from Eddie Murphy. After being told a million times it seemed “you can’t stand here, you have to move” we went across the street and eased our way to the front of the guardrail and watched in awe…laughing the whole time about how tired we were from running. Now here I stand, with my ticket to walk the Carpet and attend the premiere of a Thor sequel – one of my favorite superheroes.
Thor: Ragnarok directed by Taika Waititi is based on Marvel’s superhero Thor, and tells a story of a fight to save Asgardian, his home from being destroyed by Hela. The film opens in theatres everywhere on November 3rd.
Words can’t adequately describe my gratitude for the opportunity to attend the Thor: Ragnarok premiere. Walking the carpet with the cast and other celebrities like Chris Hemsworth (Thor), Karl Urban (Skurge), Tessa Thompson (Valkyrie), Mylie Cyrus, and Tim Tebow was absolutely amazing! It was more than I ever imagined as a kid.
I went from feeling a tad bit inadequate as a new blogger before receiving my invite from Disney, to walking alongside Cate Blanchett (Hela), Mark Ruffalo (Hulk), and Jeff Goldblum (Grandmaster); A-List mega-stars once newbies in their industry.
With persistence, hard work, and belief in yourself you can continue to live your dreams. After several movies, Mark Ruffalo was diagnosed with a brain tumor. He had surgery, experienced a period of facial paralysis, and then become deaf in his left ear yet he still managed to muster up the courage to transform into the Hulk despite challenges.
I realized as I watched these amazingly talented and beautiful celebrities walk the carpet, we all have our own insecurities and it takes courage not only for us to continue to put our best foot forward in pursuing our dreams but to show up great through the process.
It was intense. The lights, cameras, media, talent, and the red carpet police (I’m positive that’s not their true title) giving orders, “keep it moving, don’t stop walking ma’am”, and the chatter so loud that I could barely hear myself think – I was on the FREAKING CARPET!
I remember looking at my dress designed by Nha Khanh, thinking how beautiful I felt before posing against the Thor poster. I confidently took photos and walked to the front door of the El Capitan Theatre and took my seat on the front row.
Watching Thor: Raganrok with the cast was incredible. The energy in the room was amazing. The support and camaraderie from the cast was extra special. Every time a cast member appeared on the screen for the first time, the room erupted in applause…it was infectious. I left feeling entertained, energized, and inspired.
There were so many magical moments on the carpet, the most memorable was meeting Tim Tebow. We were walking right next to each other, so I leaned over introduced myself and asked for a photo. He agreed, and we took the picture. After the photo, he asked about myself and my blog. I shared my story of how I got started as a blogger, and the mission of A Chance to Learn. He told me that what I was doing through my blog and A Chance to Learn was so very important. It was shockingly sweet, and I sincerely appreciated his time and kind words.
While I can’t speak for the other 24 top bloggers selected by Disney that attended the #ThorRagnarokEvent, I do feel confident saying that they too enjoyed the experience whether it was their first time, like me…or multiple times like some of the others. The process may be the same but the experience can’t be duplicated.
We all have a story, moments (like mine as a kid dreaming of being on the carpet at a movie premiere) stitched together with threads of joy, sickness, doubt, fear, and love. The bloggers and I in the photo above were given an opportunity to add to our story, and it was up to us to make the best of it. For me, I lived a childhood dream – but for us all us, it was not without hard work.
It takes courage to be your best self, especially as moms. To make the best of the opportunities given instead of complaining about what you wish you had. We are all walking the red carpet of life, you may as well feel beautiful, be confident and sit on the front row.
Over the next few weeks, I will be sharing more stories from the #ThorRagnarokEvent. Stay tuned for exclusive interviews with cast members Karl Urban (Skurge), Rachel House (Topaz), Taika Waititi (Korg & Director), Kevin Feige (President of Marvel), and many more.
You can also stay informed about Thor: Ragnarok by visiting the Thor: Ragnarok website, following Thor: Ragnarok on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. You can also follow along using the #ThorRagnarokEvent hashtag.
What do you need the courage to do? Please share moments when you needed the courage to make a major decision be your best self.
[latoyia]
I love that you got to meet Tim Tebow and that he was as nice in person as he seems from afar. AMAZING!
That must of been a very incredible evening. I would have been nervous af. truth be told LOL. but your smile shows you enjoyed it!
Can I just say I absolutely enjoyed getting to know you? Your smile is radiant and you looked amazing on the red carpet! So glad to meet you!
Wow sounds like a peak life experience! We are Marvel fans! You’re so blessed!!
That sounds like such a cool event. I can’t wait to see this movie.
So cool! It would be exciting to go to an event like this. I’m glad you had fun.
I can’t wait to see Thor Ragnarok with my kids. My youngest and I see them all.
I am going to see the movie tonight at Disney! Can’t wait to DROOOOOLLLLL over Chris, he he he he! 😉
Congratulations on an amazing opportunity. That is incredible. So exciting! I love Thor, and Marvel, and anything superhero, actually. I can’t imagine what that would be like.
This must have been an amazing experience. I am so excited to go see Thor: Ragnarok.
Seems like you had a very nice time! I would love to meet with the stars of the movie! What a thrill!
Amazing, I am so jealous what a true honor to walk the red carpet. Huge congratulations to you and the other 24 bloggers
Oh my goodness what an absolutely amazing event! What an awesome thing to be able to do to walk down the red carpet, I can’t wait to see the new thor myself.
How awesome! What a cool opportunity glad you got to do this and you definitely look like you enjoyed it! You look fab btw <3
It’s so amazing that you got a chance to attend this event!!! It looks so grand & I’m sure you had a great time!! ☺️
Wow, you had an amazing experience and I look forward to reading more about the event. I love reading interviews so I’m excited. That’s for sharing yourself with us.
I’m jealous! Congrats! It’s really fun to walk the red carpet. Hope you enjoyed it.
It was a dream come true….now I’m working toward being cast in a film or TV show. LOL!
what a cool experience! i cant imagine what this would have been like!
That is such an amazing experience. I can’t wait to see the new Thor!
That is amazing that you were chosen by Disney to attend the Thor event and that all expenses were paid. I am so excited that you got to see the cast in the flesh x
Wow so lucky to be invited by Disney to attend thor premiere night. Fabulous!
Chris Hemsworth look dashing in his suit.