It was just yesterday that I was flying the Millenium Falcon with co-pilot Chewie by my side.

Or was it?

As I sit here typing, it’s hard to believe that a once in a lifetime week just happened. Chance encounters. Dream interviews. Red carpet escapades.

Oh, but it did happen, and while I’m still riding high on adrenaline, I’m going to share it all. The Star Wars’ SOLO Premiere. The after party where we rubbed elbows with celebrities. Everything.

(Disney invited me to California on an all-expenses paid trip, in exchange for our coverage of events. As always, all opinions are my own.)

Star Wars’ SOLO Premiere

As our group of Disney bloggers headed back to the hotel from a half-day of interviews and exclusive tours, it was hard not to think about what was going on around Hollywood Boulevard.

Just miles away, the popular street was being transformed into a galaxy far, far away.

Rumor had it they were building a life-size Millenium Falcon.

I could not wait to see with my own eyes.

I spent time getting ready for the very first Star Wars premiere that Disney bloggers had ever been invited to.

From the dress to the shoes, and earrings to the handbag, I was dressed to impress.

Black dress with silver stud sequins to resemble the galaxy!

With excitement building as I got to the venue, I grabbed my credentials and headed through security.

The moment I turned the corner, I saw it – a red carpet. Though I had attended many red carpets before, they weren’t always red: Finding Dory red carpet world premiere, Inside Out red carpet premiere and Coco premiere!

THIS is what the scene looked like.

Loyal Star Wars fans on the right.

Celebrities and what seemed like thousands of cameras/lenses on the left.

Millenium Falcon – straight ahead.

Having the Millenium Falcon right on the red carpet was nothing short of extraordinary.

But that’s not all. You had to walk under Han’s famed ship to get to the other side of the red carpet, where much more was happening, ultimately leading you right to the Dolby Theatre, where the film would be shown.

Steam was coming out of the ship as you walked under it. There was no doubt about it – this would go down in history as one of the coolest red carpets ever!

This was the SOLO: A Star Wars Story premiere, and it was literally out of this world.

SOLO Premiere Celebrities

Of course there was the cast!

Emilia Clarke and Alden Ehrenreich shined on the carpet.

There was no denying their chemistry both on and off the big screen (oh, more on that tomorrow in my no-spoiler SOLO movie review).

From Donald Glover (Lando) to Jon Favreau (Rio Durant) the cast was out in full force (and I got to interview many of them just two days following the premiere, so be on the lo0kout for my exclusive interviews).

Disney executives, Director Ron Howard – so many creative minds in this one photo.

Through the crowds on the carpet, I felt goosebumps as I saw a certain silver-haired creator walk nearby.

George Lucas was there. In person.  Just steps away from me.

This experience was turning out to be perfect, just perfect.

As if George Lucas wasn’t enough, former Star Wars actors also made their way to the red carpet to show their support.

Billy Dee Williams stood out in red, so much so, it was as if he and Donald Glover (playing a younger version of Williams’ character Lando Calrissian) had planned it. Ewan McGregor and even Mark Hamill showed up. Perfection I tell you.

Having walked through the Millenium Falcon, there was still more red carpet to be had.

More bright lights.

More cameras.

More celebrities.

That smile on my face couldn’t be any more genuine!

SOLO Premiere – It’s Time for the Movie

But there was a reason we were all there.

It was time to head into the Dolby Theatre, where the SOLO premiere (world premiere) would show.

We climbed the famed Oscar stairs and sat in the 3rd row, front and center, in the very theatre that hosts the Academy Awards every year. As I sat waiting for the film to begin, sampling the bucket of popcorn I was given, I imagined Meryl Streep sitting two rows in front of me.

I eagerly watched as the celebrities piled into the theatre one by one just moments before the movie began, with the crowd going wild with applause.

George Lucas walked right past me. RuPaul sat about three rows behind me. Jon Favreau has a photograph on his phone with me in it.

And the movie began…

(more about the actual movie tomorrow)

SOLO Premiere After Party

Just upstairs from the theatre is where we headed for the star-studded after party.

A quick scan of the large room and you were able to notice very quickly what was going on.

There were costumes on display. There were tables everywhere. There were drink stations. There were photo opps. There was a magnificent spread of food.

Ah, food. Though I was starving, I didn’t have a bit to eat.

With only 2 hours to enjoy the after party, I knew I wanted to enjoy every moment and see who was in attendance. Food would have to wait.

I soon realized that one side of the room, one corner in particular, was set up for the cast and special VIPs to enjoy.

A simple stroll through the area and I was overwhelmed with who I saw.

I stood just inches away from the cast…Paul Bettany (Dryden Vos in SOLO, Vision in Marvel’s Infinity War). I watched as Woody Harrelson enjoyed his friends. I saw Emilia Clarke shine – she was just glowing. I stood next to Ron Howard’s daughter as she called after him…”Dad? Dad?”

Then I saw him. Han Solo himself. I mean Alden Ehrenreich. The star of SOLO: A Star Wars Story. He was incredibly gracious and posed for this picture – such a genuinely nice guy (and I have quite the story about him later this week that you won’t believe).

But that’s not all…

Though my friend Melissa might be standing next to Mark Hamill, I’m the one taking the picture and OMG, Luke Skywalker is pointing at ME!

Melissa owes me for this one as Mark was on his way out the door and I couldn’t get a shot with him…BUT still, interacting with him was a definite highlight of the evening.

My friend Shelby and I quickly spotted other celebrities enjoying their time after the movie.

One favorite in particular, Britt Robertson (ABC’s “For the People” and “Tomorrowland” with George Clooney).

Here’s a close up of the Han Solo costume from the film.

Cropped suede jacket with cotton shirt, wool trousers with printed Corellian stripe, and black leather boots.

The SOLO Premiere –  night to remember!

(Oh, and the flying the Millenium Falcon – I’ll tell you about that soon)

About SOLO: A Star Wars Story

Board the Millennium Falcon and journey to a galaxy far, far away in SOLO: A STAR WARS STORY, an all-new adventure with the most beloved scoundrel in the galaxy. Through a series of daring escapades deep within a dark and dangerous criminal underworld, Han Solo befriends his mighty future copilot Chewbacca and meets the notorious gambler Lando Calrissian, in a journey that will set the course of one of the Star Wars saga’s most unlikely heroes. The film stars Alden Ehrenreich, Woody Harrelson, Emilia Clarke, Donald Glover, Thandie Newton, Phoebe Waller-Bridge and Paul Bettany.

SOLO: A STAR WARS STORY opens in theatres May 25th.

Take a look…

Visit the SOLO website and Follow on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Now for some extra Star Wars fun…

EXTRA FUN: Get in the Star Wars mood by creating these incredible Star Wars Themed OREO Cookie Balls

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