INDY'S WEEKLY ALTERNATIVE NEWSPAPER HIGHLIGHTING ARTS, ENTERTAINMENT AND SOCIAL JUSTICE

Is Indy ready for celebrities?

Party Expert

Anyone who was out in Broad Ripple last Saturday saw the huge lines and realized that 3-week-old 7 Lounge is going strong and setting the trend for hottest new nightspot. One of the club’s biggest pulls is the local and national stars that flock there. I had the privilege of standing on the dance floor as Pacers player and club co-owner Jermaine O’Neal bought a glass of champagne for all the clubbers and urged them to party on. Two rounds of tequila shots later, I called in a few favors and got me and my clan of six wristbands for the VIP mezzanine.

Once in the exclusive area I made note of the elite company. Some Colts players hogged a booth against the far wall, Sarah Simon shared drinks at a private table and amidst all the high-end chaos stood Jermaine O’Neal. My friend Jesika and I had caught the game courtside earlier that night and Jermaine recognized us. I thanked him for bringing some much-needed glamour to the Broad Ripple scene. He assured me that this was just the beginning; he had big plans for the space, including much bigger celebrity appearances.

As excited as I was for the predicted influx of cultural icons, I was a little hesitant. Yes, Indianapolis is one of the biggest cities in the country, but it isn’t Miami, L.A. or New York. There, stars walk around like common soccer moms in their couture sweatpants and blinged out sunglasses, and no one pays them any mind. The thought of Kirsten Dunst boutique-hopping in Broad Ripple gave me visions of mob scenes and public anarchy.

Is Indy ready for a celebrity makeover?

FRIEND OR FAN: The first thing you have to determine when you meet a celebrity is what category you’re going to fall into. They spend their entire days signing autographs and posing for pictures with fans. Do you want to be another groupie or do you actually want to start a relationship with them? So, start your conversation off right and instead of naming every single accomplishment the star has ever achieved, try treating them like a human being, like a buddy who just happens to have an awesome job. That’s how you make a lasting impression and a long-term connection; everyone else just has pictures, a scribbled-on piece of paper and their embellished stories.

NO CINDERELLA STORY: Most people think that when they meet a celeb they’re going to be whisked into the life of fame and luxury. The truth is, stars are very aware of the company they keep and just because they’re making millions it doesn’t mean they want to pay for every dinner or buy you a new wardrobe. Take the dollar signs out of your eyes long enough to pick up the bar tab once in a while. It will show that you aren’t just hanging around for the perks and that you are able to party on their level. Of course, if Edgerrin James offers to take you on a Caribbean cruise with the family, say “yes,” just don’t go broke expecting him to pick up the bill on every island.