This is What It Means To Be a Red Carpet Reporter For Satisfashion UG

6 hours before …………….

It’s a Friday and I just can’t hold myself. I am at the office working a story but my mind is held up somewhere – Miss Uganda. Who will I see? How will it go? See, it’s going to be my very first time on the red carpet. Not as a guest, but as a red carpet reporter for Satisfashion UG. This role entails coordinating fun stuff like taking note of all the celebrities we photograph, having mini interviews with them and also making sure we get as much content as possible.

The latter is the most mind cracking part because I have to go up to these people and talk to them. What if they’re snobby and mean? What if they just see me as an awkward girl with a shabby afro asking them ‘Who are you wearing’? I am going to have to figure it out somehow.

My plan is to leave work at 5pm, go have an outfit change before I get to the venue at about 6pm. I know it’s definitely going to be a gown affair because, duhh it’s a pageant. However, for the sake of function, I chose a pair of clean black pants. Mobility is the goal here. I spoke to my boss about what it’s like there and never once did I get the impression that it’s about looking cute.

Two days prior to this I had bought myself a long sleeved bodysuit with a chic crisscross around the neck. I also got my first pair of faux lashes. I’m considering pairing them with my black pants for the day.

I have it all figured out, but it’s not helping my nerves.  

At the event …………….

My stomach is in knots as I stroll through security check with Hannington, the photographer, and my partner for the evening. He keeps giving me pointers on what to expect and I’m just getting even more nervous. We get to the carpet and I look around; it’s not exactly chaotic, almost anticlimactic. The people on the carpet at the time are barely anything to write home about, but I use the moment as a sample practice.

Finally, I spot some people who look like they put in more than a thought to their look, I walk up and invite them to take pictures on the carpet. I get into asking about their looks, seems easy enough. Right as I start to relax, Joram Muzira, the famous model coach, emerges from the stairs together with Natasha Sinaboye, who is wearing a feathered dress. I rush to have their names written down together with their designer credits.

Deep breath in and out. He lets her go ahead and take pictures first, so I make sure to alert Hannington while I sneak over to his side. I make a comment about how great she looks and he responds (I swear I don’t remember what he said). I go into more about what they are wearing and get all the information I need. I should have left by then but I stay. Eventually his turn comes and I offer to hold his belongings as he enjoys his paparazzi moment.

You cannot imagine the excitement I have by just holding his phone, lol. He takes quite a while on the carpet and while we have moved on to focus on other guests, in the corner of my eye I’m waiting for him to show signs of being tired of the carpet. Finally he looks around, frantic, and I take that as my cue that he needs his phone back. I weave through and present myself with his belongings. I ask for a selfie, he obliges happily. I remember that my Insta-stories needs to make a much needed revival after a dark month. I go through a few more celebrities and while I manage to speak to most and get everything I need, I think I take selfies with only 3 of them.

The awkward moment…

Only one moment qualified as awkward. So I spot Karitas Karisimbi, she’s dressed to the nines in a plaid pantsuit with her hair in a shade of blonde. She arrives during the ruckus that was Zari’s red carpet moment, as I am on the lookout for gems that might go unrecognized. As she quietly sneaks away I intercept with a loud “WHO ARE YOU WEARING!” She gives me a nasty look and walks on but for some reason or another I’m like, nah sis, I got to know. So I catch up with her and there’s a bodyguard nearby. I “excuse me” myself almost to death until I cry to the bodyguard that I just have one question for this ‘boss lady’ who is ignoring me.

“Let the girl interview you for a minute,” he pleads with a pitiful smile. She stops and turns to me, unimpressed, waiting. I repeat my question and suddenly everything about her face changes.

 “Ohhhh, you asked ‘who are you wearing’? I heard ‘Who Are You!!’” she laughs out loud. Just to calm her down I confirmed that I did in fact know who she was, by telling her her name. She was all smiles as she shared that Abryanz Collection was the creative genius behind her look, and we both went our merry ways.

My crowning moment………..

I am making one of my many trips to the hotel lobby to deliver news and pictures to my boss (seriously, I bounced back and forth like 200 times!) My heels are long gone (I’m wearing flats) and super tired, expecting more interesting things to happen much later in the night. Lo and behold, who do I see, with a dress floating around her like it is made of green cotton candy and a dream; it is Judith Heard!

I lose my motor functions for a moment, and when she gets to the entrance, I take my chance.

“Hello, Judith! I’m Lyn from Satisfashion Ug. I just want to know who made this wonderful gown.” She smiles as she says mutters “Kai’s Divo Colllection” before proceeding to float out on her way in. I would love a selfie with her but this is definitely not the time or place to get it. I get back to my job.

When I tell you that I don’t know who was crowned Miss Pulse, Miss Sports and all the other categories yet I was at the event, I’m most definitely telling the truth. I spent the entire evening on the red carpet, pacing away from it to the lobby and back. I don’t even remember if I had time to sit and enjoy what was on stage. But, it was all worth it!

Timing and right placement come together as Judith Heard, the same Heard I thought we missed to photograph emerged out.

“Leaving already?” I ask her.

“I’m still around, just coming back shortly,” she replies with grin like we’ve known each other for months.

Indeed when she returns, we take some shots of her and I am the girl with her phone taking photos of her as she poses for our cameras. When she is done, I take the chance for a selfie and boom, just like that my night is made!

I skip back to where my boss is stationed and proudly show off the mad selfies I took, along with all the credits we need. Who had I become? A stars truck girl!  I’m also still wondering.

The end ………………..

I leave the event before winners are announced because it’s past midnight and Cinderella’s time is up!

satisfashionug@gmail.com