Red Carpet Backdrops

Every Red Carpet Event can be an adventure....you never know just what will happen or who will show up at the event.....

"My First Red Carpet Event...Rocky Balboa"
Written By Lauren Trillo
Photos By Derrrick Adabashi

With minimal interview skills and the fact I am too young to know a lot about Rocky movies, (I know, I'm terrible) I wondered how I got myself into being a part of the press at this red carpet event. Yet, with my dinky camera and notepad in hand, here I was, at the soon to be Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino, willing to put in my best effort with the help of my photographer/boyfriend Derrick.

The VIP Party was held at the new center bar inside the casino and it was decorated with Rocky Balboa signs all around the outside and pretty girls standing at every corner wearing practically nothing but holding glasses of Champagne to start the long night ahead.

The first to arrive was Sly's brother Frank Stallone who sings the opening song in the movie. Everyone else trickled in, most of them late from previously attending the sneak preview of Rocky Balboa at the Palms Brendon Theaters where Johnny Brendon himself was one in attendance. Others who made their way down the red carpet were Lightweight Champ Aaron Pryor, Multi Champion Iran Barkley, Heavyweight Gerry Cooney, Lightweight Champ Ray "Boom Boom" Mancini, Heavyweights Ron Lyl & Tim Witherspoon, and Middleweight Champ Vito Antufermo. Also some people who you would not expect! The former Miss America (not the one in rehab) and her fellow competitors, David Hasselhoff, Carrot Top, and the most "unusual" of all, Tom Jones. I found it very hard to stop people for a quick question. I was at the end of the line and by the time people made their way down to my section their impatient PR agents hustled them right by.

Fortunately my first one on one came from Frank Shamrock a world renowned UFC fighter. As you know Pound4Pound.com is now your go to site for UFC & MMA. So I asked, "Are you a fan of all the Rocky Movies and which is your favorite?" Shamrock answered, "I freaking LOVE them! The 1st and last are my favorite."

I am glad Antonio Tarver took the time to answer my question. He always he has been great to our site. I asked, "You are the second active fighter to play Rocky's foe in the Rocky movies. How hard was it to separate the movie fighter from the real fighter?" Antonio answered, "Me and my character are one in the same. Stallone gave me the ability to ad-lib and bring the character Mason to life. A lot of it was natural. I went back to past press conferences and fights to bring out the character and that made it easy for me. Since I have been a champion it was easy to portray a champion."

My final question went to none other than The Pretty Boy, Floyd Mayweather. I asked him if his fight with Oscar was to be held in Las Vegas or Los Angeles. He replied, "MGM GRAND!!! 100 million dollar fight baby!!!" I then asked if his father would be in Oscar's corner and he replied with a quick and firm, "Absolutely!!!"

Being the only young girl surrounded by rumpled old men with huge cameras and years of experience, was a bit intimidating. I guess I learned if you want something, you need to be forceful in trying to grab some attention from anyone. But at the same time one of the reporters said that was the first he heard anyone admit that Floyd Sr. would be in Oscar's corner on May 5th, so I guess being a young girl has it's advantages as well.

Since I was not at the premier of the movie I can't give my own review, but, I heard many people talking about how much they loved the movie and it definitely wasn't a disappointment. I am sure it will be a HUGE hit at the box office.