From Justin To Kelly… and Me
It was the Summer of 2003…
I’ll never forget when Craig invited me to the after party for the premiere of “From Justin to Kelly,” starring none other than Cutting Edge Entertainment alum Justin Guarini and American Idol, Kelly Clarkson. I was fourteen at the time and a big fan of Justin’s. Needless to say, I was so excited to be at the premiere and to experience everything that it entailed – flashing paparazzi cameras, red carpet, reporters, cameramen, and even a man holding an umbrella for Justin to shield him from the rain as he signed autographs for fans. But little did I know that the best part of my night was going to take place after the credits had started rolling.
After the movie had finished, I had started to walk out into the lobby of the theater. As I was walking, I heard Craig, who I had previously known, calling my name. He asked me where my mom was, I showed him, and he immediately ran over to talk to her.
About six minutes later, Craig came back over to where I was standing and said, “Syddi, come with me. We are going to the after party.” As I heard what he said, I couldn’t believe it. Craig knew how much it meant to me to meet Justin, stood out in the rain with me for twenty minutes while Justin finished signing autographs. Was he really going to take me to the after party too?
Sure enough, a few minutes later I was in Craig’s car with two other Cutting Edge staff members at the time, Monica and Alison. I hadn’t met either of them before, but they immediately made me feel as if I had known them forever.
When we got inside the restaurant where the party was taking place, I was quickly introduced to the rest of the Cutting Edge family. Once again, everyone who I met was beyond friendly, and not to mention, an amazing dancer as well. I couldn’t have asked for a more fun group of people to spend the night with.
I also got a chance to talk to Justin again. He remembered me from earlier and made sure that we got a picture together.
Just before the night was over, Craig found me again. This time, he wanted to make sure that I met Kelly Clarkson. We pushed through the crowd, and he introduced me to her and took a picture of us together.
My night at the From Justin to Kelly premiere and after party is one that I still tell my friends about to this day. Thanks, Craig, for making it so amazing.
-Sydney Fenkell
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