People think that to see celebrities, you have to be on Rodeo Drive or literally walking in Hollywood, but you really see the most celebrities in restaurants in the valley or just walking down Ventura Blvd. (the Studio City stretch, of course). Most of my encounters with celebrities were unplanned and just happened while doing day-to-day things.
1. Derek and Julianne Hough
Where: Pulse Fitness Studio
When: 2017
Ironically, this one was actually planned. I saw Derek post on instagram that he was hosting a workout with Julianne as part of their MOVE Interactive campaign.
2. Jonathan Scott (Property Brothers)
Where: Maui (I know it wasn’t in the valley, but it still counts as a sighting.)
When: 2017
I was at breakfast, and I saw a few people going up to him and asking for selfies. It’s probably nice that only a couple of people came up to him because then he could still live his life. At first, I honestly thought he was a basketball player since he was so tall.
3. Kanye West
Where: Equinox
When: 2016
I was on the workout floor at the gym when I saw Kanye strolling in for some cardio. The crowd wasn’t really his audience, so it was weird because I was the only one looking at him.
4. Keegan Allen (Pretty Little Liars)
Where: Bookstar
When: 2016
This one was also planned. I waited in line for 2 1/2 hours at his book signing. He signed my book, but I also wanted him to sign my Pretty Little Liars shirt. When I finally got to the front, I asked if he could sign my shirt, but he was like, “I don’t sign shirts.” After that, we took a really awkward selfie.
5. Duff Goldman
Where: Bamboo
When: 2016
I didn’t get to talk to him, but he passed right by my table and seemed pretty chill. I almost put out my hand for a high five but took it back, though I think he would’ve high fived me if I actually did it.
6. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
Where: Bamboo
When: 2016 or 2015
At 7′ 2,” he really wasn’t hard to spot. His head was probably just a few inches away from the ceiling.
7. Ben Savage
Where: Jerry’s Deli
When: 2015
I was sitting at the counter when I heard someone’s voice, and I thought to myself, “Oh, that sounds like Ben Savage from Boy Meets World.” I turned around and there he was, just like that.
8. Khloé Kardashian
Where: PINZ
When: 2014
During my sweet sixteen party, I noticed that my friends started to disappear. I was really confused, so I took a look around and realized they found out Khloé Kardashian was there, and they had ran over to her.
9. Keke Palmer
Where: Umami Burger
When: 2013
I was sitting at a booth, and when I looked up, Keke Palmer was literally sitting next to me. TBH I think I freaked her out a little because I was looking for a long time.
10. Tia Mowry
Where: Hugo’s
When: 2013
This one was pretty much like the Keke Palmer situation. I just looked up and noticed she was sitting at the table next to me.
11. Joan and Melissa Rivers
Where: Ultrazone
When: 2009
I was having a laser tag birthday party, and when we were playing in the arcade, we realized that Joan Rivers from Fashion Police was walking around handing out tokens. It turned out that her grandson was having his party at the same time.
12. Gwen Stefani
Where: Beeman Park
When: 2007
I was in the middle of playing a softball game when I saw a birthday party in the distance. I saw someone with platinum blonde hair, and all my teammates were going, “OMG it’s Gwen Stefani.” I was trying to see if it was her, and I didn’t notice that a fly ball was coming right at me in the outfield.
13. Ashley Tisdale
Where: Fashion Square Mall
When: 2007
I was shopping at Limited Too (RIP), and all these girls ran up to her, so that’s when I noticed. This was before phones took good quality pictures, so my sister and I waited in line for her autograph. I was all excited when I got it because this was during prime High School Musical season, but then I saw that she spelled my name wrong. *Insert tear*
14. Dakota and Elle Fanning
Where: Color Me Mine (Studio City)
When: Circa 2006
When I was there, I saw this kid who I went to school with, and it turns out that he was really close friends with Elle because they were both in Daddy Day Care together.
15. Jesse McCartney
Where: Johnny Carson Park (Burbank)
When: Rough guess–2002 or 2003
This was planned but impromptu, because earlier that day, we heard on Radio Disney that Jesse was signing autographs at this park. We decided to go over to the park and try to get autographs. I played in the bushes while my mom waited in line with me for three hours (shoutout to her) so we could meet him. Lalaine from Lizzie McGuire was also there, but she left right as we were about to wait in line for her.