February 10, 2013 – Santana Lopez arrives at the Grammy Red Carpet
Quinn gets out first then Rachel (my publicist and Quinn's girlfriend) and then it's my turn. I step on to the carpet and I immediately blinded by all the flashing cameras. I can tell Rachel and Quinn are a little startled too because they grab each other's hands and then Rachel grabs my arm and tugs me forward. We finally get away from the cameras (that is until I have to step out and pose for all the press).
Rachel starts talking about the procedure for media but I am just stunned and completely dazed. I look around me and I am surrounded by layers of people. The first layer being fellow celebrities and publicists, the second security and the third screaming fans, hundreds of them…
"Santana! Focus! Are you even listening to me? Quinn!"
"Lopez! Snap out of it! Focus!"
"What!" I ask a little impatiently.
"You can sign some autographs and take some pictures with fans along here and then you will head down this row of backdrops all you have to do is stand on the square, face the cameras, and smile. Got it?" Rachel says.
"Yeah thanks Rach" I say with a forced smile to be honest I am scared out of my mind though.
"Santana, you got this" Quinn says as encouragement. I nod and walk over to the rows of fans.
Suddenly all I can hear is:
"Oh my god it's Santana Lopez"
"I love you so much"
"You look amazing Santana"
"Are you singing tonight?"
"Can I have your autograph?"
"Can I take a picture with you?"
I take pictures and sign autographs and the whole time I am smiling like a fool. It is crazy to think about all these people knowing who I am and wanting my autograph or my picture. I mean I always knew I would get here someday but actually being here, in this moment, it's completely satisfying in every way. Suddenly I am not as nervous. Talking to all the fans and hearing their names and getting their praise has loosened me up and reminded me that I belong here just as much as anyone else.
As I make my way back to Quinn and Rachel, I turn and wave to all the fans, who go crazy, screaming and smiling, some even crying.
I walk towards the backdrops, step onto the black square, face the cameras and smile. A real smile. Not a fake "so glad to be here" but a real "I can't believe this, thank you so much" smile. Somehow I make it all the way to the entrance of the Staples Center and I only end up getting star struck four times. Once because of Ellen Degeneres who smiles and says she looks forward to having me on the show, once because of Adele, once because of the queen herself Beyonce, and once because of Lena Dunham (I mean come on that woman is just fucking hilarious).
Quinn, Rachel, and I find our seats and sit down. Luckily we are seated next to Kurt and Mercedes for the show. I have to admit I am really excited to see Mercedes preform especially after she kept raving on and on about the choreographer Brittany.
The show starts and I calmly watch, I chat with Kurt about the fashion and with Mercedes about the people and the talent. When it is finally time for Mercedes to preform she and Kurt head back stage. I am talking with Quinn and Rachel when the lights go completely black and then all of a sudden the stage lights come on and little points of white light are reflected all around the room. I finally realize where the light is coming from. Mercedes is wearing a brilliant gold, reflective gown that is casting the light all over the room.
Mercedes jumps right in and I can tell she is absolutely killing it but what I am more intrigued by is the dancing. It is so smooth and energetic there are little pops and bounces throughout the routine, it fits the song perfectly and not one of the dancers misses a beat. I notice all the fancy footwork and I wonder how long it took the dancers to learn the choreography and how long it took the choreographer to teach it. Before I even know it the lights are out and the performance is over.
The rest of the evening goes by in a flash. I wish I could pay better attention but the truth is I am stuck thinking about that choreography and how perfectly the routine matched the music.
Quinn, Rachel, Kurt, Mercedes and I head to the after party and Mercedes says she wants to introduce me to Brittany the choreographer. For some reason I am really, really intrigued by this girl and I really want to meet her, which is why I am so disappointed when Mercedes says that Brittany must have already left, because she can't find her. I can't quite put a finger on why I am so disappointed.