Rock of Ages Premiere: Tom Cruise Owes Me a Diet Coke

Yes, I know that Tom Cruise doesn’t technically fit in with the subject matter of this blog. But, in my defense, Mrs. P never fully explained the rules when she gave me my own set of keys to the mansion, so I think this is one of those times when it’s better to ask for forgiveness than permission. Come to think of it, that applies to most of life’s situations, doesn’t it?

But, just to show meager effort on my part, I consulted the Oracle of Bacon website to find a way to justify Tom Cruise’s presence here by connecting him to our patron saint Robert Pattinson in 6 degrees or less:

Tom Cruise --> Knight and Day --> Maggie Grace --> Breaking Dawn --> Robert Pattinson

Tom Cruise --> The Firm --> Hal Holbrook --> Water for Elephants --> Robert Pattinson

Tom Cruise --> Rock of Ages --> Paul Giamatti --> Cosmopolis --> Robert Pattinson

Well, if that doesn’t prove Tom fits right in here, than I don’t know what else would. Do you want to see more examples? (please say no). Besides, I think he at least earns a guest visit because he’s been in a vampire movie, right? Good. Moving along…

Last week I found myself with an afternoon off and no real pressing responsibilities, so I did what most people would have done… I drove to Hollywood to attend the Rock of Ages red carpet premiere at Grauman’s Chinese Theater and try to meet Tom Cruise. Makes perfect sense to me. Twi-Daughter Nicole came along too (because apparently I’m raising her to embrace my own skewed version of reality) and Twi-Daughter Megan (Twifixx’s lovely offspring) met us up there.

There were a fair amount of fans already there when we arrived, but we still ended up with a pretty good spot about 1/3 down the block-long barricades. After a few hours of baking in the hot sun, we realized whose star along the Walk of Fame we were practically sitting on: Tom Cruise!! Coincidence? I think not.

Doesn’t it look like they got part way through his name and

realized they were running out of room?

I also killed time by visiting the cement handprint/footprint area to pay homage to Rob’s feet.

Honestly, he has HUGE feet! Yes, I did stand in his footprints.
(Pfffft. Like you had to ask)

We discovered that Tom’s reputation as being good to his fans is well-deserved. Imagine my surprise when he was the first star to arrive (a few hours early!) and then went down the entire fan line, taking his time signing autographs and posing for pictures. In fact, he had two assistants with him that we could hand our cameras to and then they took the pictures of him with us. I was so impressed.

Tom and Sue

... and Nicole

 

... and Megan

After watching his movies for so many years, it was very overwhelming to see him in person. While he was right in front of me, I think I blurted out something really dorky like, "Oh my God, Megan, that's really Tom Cruise!!" and then he smiled at me, laughed, and kicked my drink over. He immediately apologized, but I was in such a Tom-induced daze that my brilliant response was, “What drink?” He pointed it out to me and seemed genuinely sorry, apologizing about three times while I kept telling him that it was OK. (Note: when I told this story to 17foreverLisa, her response was, “I'm sure had it been Diet Pepsi, he would have been more careful.” Right.)

I think I also told him it was such a pleasure to meet him and that I enjoyed his movies and he thanked me. It really was kind of a blur cause that was Tom Freakin’ Cruise in front of me!! As soon as he left, my first impulse was to rush home and watch all of his movies, but we stuck around. My hands were literally shaking like I had OD’d on caffeine or something. Tom (I can call him by his first name now since we’re friends and all) was just SO nice and extremely handsome in person.

 

 

There were a ton of other celebrities and 1980's band members at the premiere, but not a single one ever came over to where we were. Most didn't sign at all or only did a few token autographs and then ran off to go down the press line. That was very disappointing, but we still watched them get out of their cars and wave to the crowd. There were lots of big-haired-leather-wearing guys who were obviously in well-known bands, but I was a total fail at trying to figure out who they were.

All in all, it was a very fun day and we’re already plotting out what premiere we can attend next!

TwiloveSue XOXO

P.S. Here's your Rob pic of the day :)