Blake McGrath, Nina Dobrev, Howie Dorough
A plethora of musicians, television stars and celebs I'd never heard of hit the media room at last night's MuchMusic Video Awards in Toronto, and I was there to document every revealing moment.
Let's break it down:
NEVEREST, a modern-day boy band who recently opened for NKOTBSB walked the red carpet with HOWIE DOROUGH earlier in the evening, so when they hit the press room stage my first immediate thought was "There is a Backstreet Boy somewhere in my midst." Before you knew it, HOWIE D was called on stage where the men shared a whole lot of love. NEVEREST love plaing music, they love Toronto, and they love HOWIE D, who has a new solo single.
J. DIGGZ and NEVERENDING WHITE LIGHTS, who won the MuchFACT Indie Video of the Year award revealed they had actually met each other at MuchMusic years ago -- a collab in the making. The award is an indication that hard work pays, J. DIGGZ said. "And now to the alcohol," he exclaimed as he departed the stage.
"I've never felt so naked without a band," THE BIG BANG THEORY's JOHNNY GALECKI joked as he took the press room stage. Though he plays a scientist on TV, he revealed those skills don't spill over into real life. Later asked what kind of music he'd perform if he was a musician, he joked "I'm better at physics than I am at singing." (He also discussed filming CHRISTMAS VACATION with CHEVY CHASE at the age of 14, which was a thrilling convo for me to witness, as it's family tradition to watch that movie on Christmas Eve).
BLAKE MCGRATH, dancer-turned-MMVA winner for his debut single 'Relax,' revealed he runs and sings on the treadmill for an hour everyday in order to train himself to sing while dancing. His next album is called Love Revolution, he said, before using a whole bunch of words like "trance" and "dance" and "underground" to describe it.
DEGRASSI graduate NINA DOBREV, who now stars on VAMPIRE DIARIES, totally impressed me when asked what places she might visit now that she's back in Toronto. Cafe Crepe, she responded, but more importantly followed it up with a desire to get street meat. My kinda girl.
Dev, Danny Fernandes, Fefe Dobson
I didn't know much about DEV and I still don't really, but I can tell you I love her style and personality and think she's just so adorbs. Research via Google will be necessary.
DEGRASSI star MUNRO CHAMBERS was quite amiable, as he promoted the new season of the teen series. It kicks off with a major episode, which he said he's heard people describe as very HBO. I'm curious who these people are. But still, MUNRO seemed like a nice kid who was having fun at the party.
MMVA winner DANNY FERNANDES revealed he's working on a reality show with brother and fellow MMVA winner Sean Desman. Asked how he planned to celebrate his win, he responded, "To be honest, I'm probably going to get drunk." Fair enough.
FAR EAST MOVEMENT, who won International Video of the Year - Group, was incredibly humble, describing themselves as just a group of L.A. kids. They've won an MMVA, one reporter pointed out, at what point would they feel like they'd really made it? "When we all have summer homes in Toronto," one member responded.
I didn't think I was a fan of FEFE DOBSON, but she was actually impressively articulate and likable when she came backstage. Asked what inspires her fashion sense, she responded 60s and 70s rock 'n roll as well as 90s grunge. She loves that rock 'n roll, saying that even if she were to write a country album in 20 years, it would still have a rock influence. Asked who she'd love to make music with -- dead or alive -- she responded "JIM MORRISON because I'd probably have an affair with him, and we'd make some great music at the same time." Hey, why not.
Cody Simpson, Pierre of Simple Plan, Sean Desman
CODY SIMPSON, a 14-year-old Australian version of JUSTIN BIEBER, was all smily and cute as he answered questions backstage. Nope, he doesn't mind comparisons to the BIEBS, he said. Asked about his own collab with FLO RIDA, he replied "He's real tall, but he's totally like a gentle giant," which just made me smile, y'know?
DOWN WITH WEBSTER, who won Best Pop Video, entered the media room still wearing their light-up jumpsuits they had donned for their performance. Sadly, the hype guy who lived on my floor in first year res did not join them for the Q&A. For some reason, the media were pressed to come up with questions that didn't revolve around their current ensembles. If my former res-mate had been there, I could've asked him how he liked living on 7th Glen.
DAVID GUETTA revealed to the media that he and BRITNEY SPEARS worked on a song together briefly, but due to their busy schedules they never finished the track.
SIMPLE PLAN was definitely at the podium for a while, but I can't recall one thing of interest the band said. I do remember that they have a new album coming out on Tuesday, so there's that.
SEAN DESMAN's backstage appearance with video director RT was one big love fest, as they discussed their collaborative process, and RT admitted he'd shoot DESMAN'S video even if he couldn't pay him.
Check back later this week for even more from backstage at the 2011 MMVAs!