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My Time in the Jungle! The Jungle Book Red Carpet Premiere Experience

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I received an all expense paid trip from Disney to attend the #JungleBookEvent. The opinions expressed here are my own. I received no monetary compensation.

(Photo by Jesse Grant/Getty Images for Disney)

I grew up in an area of New Jersey that was a ten minute ride to New York City. I spent lots of time in the city regularly walking by, shopping, eating next to celebrities. It was common – it wasn’t a huge deal. Most times they were with their family and you learn early on to respect their privacy. I’m not a crazy “fan girl” kind of person because of those early experiences. When I was a kid (a billion years ago) the Rolling Stones slept on my living room floor once (a story for another time). When I was raising my kids it was common for us to ride attractions at the county fair next to Bruce Springsteen and his kids or eat pizza in the local pizzeria next to Jon Bon Jovi and his kids. Bill Murray owns a home in the same community my mom lives in (and he has been known to torture tease my chef daughter at a local restaurant) and my little town of Myrtle Beach is over-run with celebrities who play golf on the Monday after the Masters with Hootie and the Blowfish.

It is where we live now or lived before and it is all a natural part of life, so when I was invited by Disney to attend the press junket and red carpet premiere for THE JUNGLE BOOK in Los Angeles, I was excited for the experience but never thought I would get an over the top – crazy excited – Oh My Gosh I Can’t Contain Myself – crazy feeling about it. But then the trip had me sitting in a small room with 24 other bloggers listening to Jon Favreau talk about the movie, talking to Neel Sethi and sitting in that same room with Sir Ben Kingsley, Lupita Nyong’o and Giancarlo Esposito and …. as the day went on and it got closer to getting ready to walk the red carpet, I admit, I started to feel just a little bit  a whole lot like a CRAZY FAN GIRL!

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(Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for Disney)

Saying it was an overwhelming experience of a life time is an understatement. I can not begin to explain the feeling – it wasn’t nerves – it was a complete total overwhelming “what the hell am I doing here” feeling! Seeing these things on television doesn’t prepare you for walking in the middle of it. It happens very fast and it’s over in minutes but at the same time you feel as if you are going through it all in slow motion! It’s one of those experiences that will stay with you forever.

Since a few days later I’m still feeling pretty special over this whole thing, and before you get to see the fabulous looks of those that do this all the time, check out this photo of the great bloggers on the trip with me standing on THE OSCAR STAIRS! and a look at what I wore!

shuttle to red carpet
On our way! Photo by Joyce Duboise/Women and Their Pretties
oscar stairs
On the Oscar stairs! Photo by Amy Fulcher/As The Bunny Hops
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Me and Waxy Denzel Washington!
on the red carpet
On the red carpet with Carla Bushey/Adventures of a Nurse

 Now take a look at the really important parts of the entire experience!

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(Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for Disney)

One of the things that will stay with me for sure is the way the entire Hollywood community comes out to support each other, to cheer for the film and the talents of those that created it. 

jungle book red carpet cast
(L-R) Actors Giancarlo Esposito, Lupita Nyong’o, Neel Sethi, Ben Kingsley, director/producer Jon Favreau, actors Russell Peters and Ritesh Rajan (Photo by Jesse Grant/Getty Images for Disney)
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Director/producer Jon Favreau takes a selfie! (Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for Disney)
Actress Lupita Nyong’o (Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for Disney)
Sir Ben Kingsley (Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for Disney)
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Director Jon Favreau and actor Neel Sethi (Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for Disney)
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Actor Giancarlo Esposito (Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for Disney)
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Actors Roberto Aguire, Ritesh Rajan and Damon Dayoub (Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for Disney)
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Composer Richard Sherman and Elizabeth Sherman (Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for Disney)
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Actress Katherine McNamara (Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for Disney)
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TV personality Mario Lopez and Gia Lopez (Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for Disney)

As if walking the red carpet wasn’t over the top enough, I was also invited to attend the premiere after party! The after party took place at the OHM Nightclub in Hollywood, directly across from the El Capitan Theatre. The nightclub was decorated in THE JUNGLE BOOK theme and offered a great variety of food and drinks – and of course, because it was Disney you could have a giant turkey leg, a churro or some Dole Whip! Part of what fascinated me about the after party was seeing some of Hollywood’s famous with their kids/families, just being moms and dads.

band
(Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for Disney)

A special moment that really touched my heart was I stood for a few minutes watching Richard Sherman. He was seated on a sofa directly in front of the stage where a live band was playing songs from the movie. I watched him tap his foot while he listened to some of the songs he helped create for the original Jungle Book. According to Disney, the Sherman Brothers (Richard and Robert) were responsible for more motion picture musical song scores than any other songwriting team in film history. I stood there smiling and realized he was watching me and when I looked at him he motioned for me to step over. When I approached him he said he could tell I liked the songs. I told him I loved the songs. They were special songs that reminded me of my youth. Songs that will always remind me of wonderful times and he said, “young lady I thank you.” First of all – “young lady” really made my day but the thank you! Can you imagine – thank you from Richard Sherman. We all owe him a big thank you for his many, many years of wonderful songs that we all love.  

nightclub
(Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for Disney)
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Comedian Kym Whitley (L) and actor Faizon Love (Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for Disney)
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Actor Jason George and family (Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for Disney)

This was one of those experiences in life that will stay with you forever. So many special things crammed into 2.5 days (thanks to Disney). It was very difficult to put down in writing because I could have written and written endlessly.

Be sure to check back often over the next 2 weeks since I’ll be sharing all about the rest of my adventure. There were interviews with Jon Favreau, Neel Sethi, Sir Ben Kingsley, Lupita Nyong’o and Giancarlo Esposito, as well as a special screening and visit to the set of Disney XD’s new show – Walk the Prank!!

Don’t forget THE JUNGLE BOOK will be swinging into theatres everywhere on April 15th! I can’t wait for you to see it. I know you will all love it! I can’t wait to see it again!

[embedyt] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C4qgAaxB_pc[/embedyt]

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Walt Disney Pictures on YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/user/DisneyMovieTrailers

The official THE JUNGLE BOOK website here: http://movies.disney.com/the-jungle-book-2016

You can read more about Disney films here: Disney Films: Classic vs Modern: The Ultimate Guide

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Jennifer Hardy

Friday 8th of April 2016

OMG I'm tearing up reading about your moment with Mr. Sherman!! What an experience of a lifetime!!

Janice Brady

Saturday 9th of April 2016

it was definitely one of the highlights!

Didi Marie

Friday 8th of April 2016

What a wild adventure- no pith helmet required! I loved following along with your jungle crew- this movie has already far exceeded my expectations. Thanks for the entry into this swinging event Bwana Bob! (AKA "Janice.") ;)

Janice Brady

Friday 8th of April 2016

I can't wait for you to get home from your upcoming adventure and you get to see the movie! It is fabulous! I've already seen it twice and can't wait until it opens on the 15th to take Maddie and see it again! Safe travels!

Suzanne Rudge

Friday 8th of April 2016

I am so happy for you Janice! What a wonderful adventure for you and the other 24. You all looked amazing and you really rocked that little black dress! This will be the first of many more incredible adventures for you my friend :-)

Janice Brady

Friday 8th of April 2016

Thank you Suzanne. It really was an incredible experience!

Amy at Mom's Magical Miles

Friday 8th of April 2016

What a great opportunity! I'm so glad you were able to go and I can't wait to hear more about it!

Janice Brady

Friday 8th of April 2016

Totally over the top experience!

Jane Duckworth

Friday 8th of April 2016

I'm SO overjoyed to read your magical trip report - it actually made me teary eyed because I can tell from your words how much you loved every minute!

Janice Brady

Friday 8th of April 2016

I still feel over-whelmed. It isn't something you can prepare yourself for!