2011 Gemini Awards!

I had the chance to attend the 3 night festivities for the 26^th Annual Gemini Awards! It was a blast seeing people being awarded in the Canadian Cinema and television industry. While many are obsessed with American celebrities, I actually support the Canadian entertainment industry as well. Comedian Steve Patterson hosted the industry gala awards, which took place at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre. The Industry Gala recognizes people who were involved behind the scenes in production, programming, make-up, music, writing etc. It was great to see some familiar news anchors especially the legendary Lloyd Robertson, who was presented with the ‘Gordon Sinclair Award’ for Broadcast Journalism. Lloyed stated, “I’m thrilled to receive this award. I knew Gordon and learned a lot from him. Most of all: be yourself, seek the truth, never fear detractors.” George Stroumboulopoulos also won that evening for the ‘Best Talk Series’. George has come a long way since I first met him when he used to work for the radio station Edge 102. George hooked me up with some concert tickets and also later gave me great advice when I was a VJ for a day on the show ‘Much Takeover’. Amidst all the Caucasian people at the awards, it was great to see news reporter Francis D’Souza from City TV receive the award for ‘Best Local Reportage’ covering the G20 Summit. It was great to see a fellow brown person win an award. I was sitting at a table with the team from the long running CBC documentary series ‘The Nature of Things’. I realized after I sat at the wrong table the whole time. Nevertheless, everyone was so nice and humble at the table. Sadly, no one at my table won an award even though they were nominated.

The second night was also held at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre and was hosted by Broadcaster Jian Ghomeshi. Jian joked that he was not Indian and that he was Persian. I actually thought he was Indian too. Good thing he clarified that. Before the show started, there was a great performance by Canadian R & B singer Sean Jones, who’s music video I made a cameo in. The second night was more my scene because it was to award people in Drama, Children’s or Youth, Comedy, and Variety categories. I had more knowledge of these categories. Before the awards, everyone had a chance to mix and mingle, and I saw so many people I recognized and watch on television. Including my boy from Degrassi, Sam Earle and Jahmil French. The other cast members were also there including Jessica Tyler and Alicia Josipovic. They were all at the Gemini’s to support their fellow cast member Jordan Todosey, who was nominated for her role in Degrassi under the category ‘Best Performance in a Children's or Youth Program or Series’. The episode was for the episode titled, My Body is a Cage Part 2, where she plays the first transgendered role on Degrassi. Congrats to Jordan because the newcomer also won that night! Degrassi also won ‘Best Children's or Youth Fiction Program or Series’!

George Stroumboulopoulos was there again and won ‘Best Host or Interviewer in a General/Human Interest or Talk Program or Series’.

I was super stoked to meet Jason Priestley. I grew watching Jason on the hit show 90210. I thought he would be a snob but the Canadian actor who was there to support his comedy show ‘Call Me Fitz’ which won 7 Gemini Awards including ‘Best Directing’ and ‘Best Writing’ was super nice! He was more than happy to take a picture with me. Later, I heard him looking for his make-up artist wife Naomi Lowde, who he said he met while she was drunk and it was love at first sight. I also chatted it up with a very drunk Kevin Brauch who I watched as a kid on TVOKids Crawlspace and show ‘Off the Hook.’ The fellow Ryerson alumni, has previously won many Gemini awards and now make several appearances on shows such as; ‘The Thirsty Traveler, MegaWorld, Superstar Chef Challenge’. He even worked at a bar in Toronto and is known as the ‘Celebrity Bartender.’

Another guest at the Gemini Awards was actress Ksenia Solo. I first watched Ksenia on the Canadian teen drama ‘Renegade Press’, which she won a Gemini for. It was a great teen show, which highlighted important teen issues. Ksenia also acted in a small role as a snobby ballerina in the Oscar nominated film, ‘Black Swan’. Ksenia seemed like she was a little stand offish when I talked to her. I am shocked I was even able to get an interview from her. Everyone was talking about how frail she was looking. Ksenia lives in LA but I think she also lives in TO as I spotted her going into the building next to the Metro grocery store beside Ryerson. Actor Gordon Pinsent gave me a creepy kiss on the cheek when I took a picture with him after he won for ‘Best Performance in an Animated Program or Series’ in ‘Babar and the Adventures of Badou’. The picture didn’t turn out well so we took another one minus him kissing me. Before the show ended, I spotted actor Steve Schirripa who plays ‘The Sausage King’ on the show ‘The Secret Life of the American Teenager’, which Jason Priestley also helps direct. Steve headed to the bathroom and like a stalker, I waited in the premises until he came out. Immediately, I called him, “The Sausage King” and he laughed and was a good sport to take a picture with me.

The 3^rd and final evening of the Gemini Awards was the star studded broadcast gala. The location was switched up and was held CBC studios. The short evening was hosted by funny man Russell Peters. It’s been 6 years since I first met Russell. When we first met, we hit it off. So, I was really excited to see him again. A lot has happened to Russell since our first meeting, he acted in film ‘Breakaway’ and also got married and had a child. However, when I met Russell he wasn’t as funny as I expected him to be and he got two body guards who were rushing him off the red carpet. Is that really necessary? I told him “Come on, we’re family.” Russell was like, “we are?” That was reakky disappointing. I guess marriage and fame changed him. When I was inside at the awards I tried to get another post award show interview and while Russell was willing, his stupid bouncers said I already got an interview. HOW RUDE!

nyways, there were many stars, who I got a chance to meet on the red carpet including Degrassi kids, Annie Clarke and Munro Chambers. I got a chance to chat it up with the talented r & b singer Deborah Cox who also performed that evening. Free the Children founders Craig Kielburger was there with his brother Marc Kielburger to support the cast of Degrassi because they said that the Degrassi team and cast supports Free the Children. Craig talked about a great experience when the kids of Degrassi went with Free the Children organization on amazing life changing trips to Haiti and Kenya. I also asked the brothers about what to expect at this year at We Day and Craig told me there is going to be a lot of surprises and to expect cast pals Munro Chambers and Aislinn Paul to make an appearance at the big event. Another former Degrassi cast member Nina Dobrev will co-host the Toronto event! I was super excited when I saw Amy Jo Johnson on the red carpet who was there to support her Canadian cop show ‘Flashpoint.’ For those of you who don’t know who Amy J J is, well she was the PINK RANGER on the show ‘MIGHTY MORPHIN POWER RANGERS’, which also turned into a movie! I totally just went up to her and was like, “were you the PINK RANGER?” Amy looked startled and said, “Yes.” She was nice enough to take an epic picture with me.

An amazing actress I wanted to take a photo was with one of the greatest movie moms, Catherine O’Hara! Catherine was the famous mother in one of my family and every other family’s favourite movie mom in the epic movie, ‘Home Alone’! Catherine who was there to present an award, was being rushed off the red carpet and into the awards ceremonies. I missed my chance to talk to her on the red carpet. I also missed her backstage. I was so sad that I confided in a camera man who works for CBC. He told me that he will help me meet Catherine. I was thinking ‘Sure buddy.’ Finally, he told me to come with him and I was thinking where is this man taking me because no one has access to the actual party. Except, he was one of the people who did and brought me right in front of Catherine! I told her I loved her in Home Alone and was laughing. I asked her if we could pose for a picture together doing the infamous Kevin McCallister after shave mirror pose. She didn’t want to but told me that I should do it. Of course, my pose wasn’t as great but I did it! Catherine was a sweetheart! I also got a chance to talk it up with Tom Green who is very much still alive. He was doing the backstage hosting at the Gemini’s and was telling my about a reunion with his short lived rap group ‘Organized Rhyme.’ Tom told me he was going to make a new video for their hit ‘Check the O.R’, which was shot in Jane and Finch.

All in all it was a great night with amazingly nice Canadians. It was also my first time trying a delicious cake pop. Thanks for a fun filled time at the 26^th Annual Gemini Awards!