Public Shooting
Nick Haramis
May 08, 2008
I've been to many red carpet events. I've participated in many a tragic photo op. I've also seen my share of reality TV crews, who trail their subjects, hoping for something "real" (in under five takes). But last night, while sitting outside the Waverly Inn, I witnessed my first ever paparazzi maelstrom. It wasn't gradual as one might expect. Salman Rushdie strolled out with friends, relatively unbothered by the four or five photographers straddling the periphery of the restaurant. Stylist Rachel Zoe stepped out for some air, and a few pictures were taken—nothing big. Upon leaving, Charlie Rose smiled at the invasive camera guys, who almost seemed to bow down in deference. One of the more plucky members of the group asked him to pose for a picture. He did. All was well as I sipped on a glass of white wine, happy with the warm spring breeze. And then Fergie walked out.
First off, Fergie (the Dutchess, not the Duchess) had been inside, enjoying the fantastic food and drink on offer. I bumped into her after noticing that she had toilet paper stuck to the bottom of her shoe. A gentleman, I helped with the unsticking process. That kind of thing could have happened to anyone, but, I’ve come to realize, it absolutely cannot happen to celebrities.
On her way out, guided to her car by a man whose best efforts to block out the flashing lights were futile, Fergie ate it on the concrete. I’d guess it was a combination of the heels, the cameras, maybe the drink. In any case, she wiped out hard. Twice. As if watching the whole thing in slow-motion, I noticed an energy emanating from the paparazzi, a salivating excitement that mixed testosterone and adrenaline with childlike glee. Fergie made it to her car, and drove off. In her wake, however, she left behind a crew of man-boys with apertures who breathed a collective sigh of relief as one said, “I got the shot.”
You’ll see the tumble everywhere else. We won’t be posting it.
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