If you had the opportunity to nerd out for something you love, would you? Think of the way Sheldon Cooper of “The Big Bang Theory” nerds out for his love of Spock and superhero icons (minus the slew of restraining orders and reassuring he’s not insane, which his mother had him tested for).
I happen to belong in the category of “Twilight” fans who don’t show their devotion with wolf pack tattoos or golden contacts. On Sept. 30, instead of the luxury of sleep as a reward for having no homework, I got a taste of the pop culture phenomenon that was surprisingly less chaotic than I imagined.
Attending the final “Twilight” convention in Novi, Mich. was a once in a lifetime experience. At the celebrity brunch I was at a table of eager “Twilight” moms, which was a hilariously bizarre scenario. One mom boasted about being one of the many fans consuming a burger bought by Jackson Rathbone as a sweet gesture. Wow.
I don’t know why, but I was still expecting the mayhem of girls screaming, prompting me to use my heels as protection. Luckily, everyone was enthusiastic yet calm. The actors Chaske Spencer (Sam Uley), Alex Meraz (Paul), Booboo Stewart (Seth Clearwater), Charlie Bewley (Demetri) and Casey LaBow (Kate) were greeted peacefully. I was just amazed I was there.
Of course, Kristen Stewart’s (Bella) public cheating scandal with director Rupert Sanders over the summer threw a monkey wrench in my chances of contact with Taylor Lautner (Jacob), who bowed out gracefully along with Robert Pattinson (Edward). I know what some of you are thinking—why go anyway? I had a wolf pack to surround myself with, that’s why.
Once I reached Meraz, I continued a quirky conversation I had with him once on Twitter – which to my surprise he remembered – as the moms watched in envy. After Booboo and Spencer finished their hilarious debate on Spiderman, they spoke of their excitement for the final film and Spencer’s service to help Indian reservations called “Be the Shift,” which I did for a college speech. I got a
blushing smile as a result.
LaBow, who plays Kate of the Denali vampire coven, had hilarious details of the spontaneous dance-off that went on behind the scenes while filming the huge fight scene with the Volturi.
“We’re in the snowy field ready to battle and Peter Facinelli (Carlisle Cullen) screams ‘I challenge you to a dance off!’ between the vampires while the Volturi just stand there,” she said. “I’m hoping it’s on the DVD.”
The Q-and-A session was hilarious and often inappropriate, as one question strayed into a weird story between Spencer and Meraz. When describing his experience painting naked men and women for art classes, the use of innuendo from Meraz was at the maximum. The blank stares of the little kids in the crowd were shamelessly priceless.
Through the talk of pre-Twilight days and lifelong friendships formed, it was a bittersweet reminder that it was the end of a history-making phenomenon that changed their lives. I managed to seal this memorable Sunday with a hug from Booboo Stewart and another chat with LaBow, who pushed me to audition for the “Vagina Monologues” this year.
