Ever wonder what it’s really like behind the scenes at the Oscars or the Grammys? I'm talking about more than just the red carpet flashes and the acceptance speeches. Let me tell you about Chris Gaida, a guy who literally lived that dream – not as a star, but as someone who made sure the stars were shining bright all night long: a celebrity escort.
Picture growing up in Horsham, Pennsylvania, in the '70s and '80s. You’re glued to the TV, watching all those awards shows and dreaming of that glamorous world. Chris was that kid. Little did he know, he’d not only meet those celebrities but actually work with them at over 130 awards shows. Talk about a twist of fate, right?
His journey began in 1999 when he got asked to be a celebrity escort at VH1 Divas Live. Honestly, I’d be skeptical too! Chris was clueless about what it meant and was worried it might be something shady. Thankfully, he was assured it was legit. Turns out, a celebrity escort is like a super-powered assistant, taking care of an A-list celeb all night. Red carpet, after-party, you name it. Think publicist, bestie, and bodyguard all rolled into one. Apparently, those big award shows have so many stars that producers need extra help keeping track of everyone. That’s where the escorts come in, making sure everything runs smoothly.
This gig led to thirteen years of working these events. Imagine getting to hang out with your idols for hours, not just snapping a quick photo. Chris went from being star-struck and tongue-tied to casually chatting and sharing laughs with these celebs. Over time, he realized they’re just people too, with their own stories and jokes.
His friends and family were constantly asking him about his experiences, naturally. "What was so-and-so like?" they’d wonder. He figured, if they’re curious, others would be too. So, in 2001, he wrote “Arm Candy: A Celebrity Escort's Tales From the Red Carpet.” It became a bestseller on Amazon! It's not a tell-all spilling secrets, but a positive, fun look at what it’s really like to be in that world. He wanted to share those incredible years with everyone.
"Arm Candy" gives you a real peek behind the curtain of Hollywood glitz. Chris's writing is funny and engaging, making you feel like you’re right there with him. He really brings these celebrities down to earth, sharing funny stories and genuine moments. It’s about more than just glamour; it’s about personal growth and unexpected life turns. Honestly, if you’re even a little bit curious about how Hollywood works, you need to read this book.
What do you think? Have you ever wondered about the behind-the-scenes of award shows? Or met a celebrity? Share your stories in the comments below! And if you enjoyed hearing about Chris's journey, feel free to show some love by tossing a little something my way. Every bit helps keep the stories flowing. 😉
Sometimes a book comes along that not only stands out in the crowded literary world but leaves a lasting impression on every reader who turns its pages. "The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo" by Taylor Jenkins Reid is one such masterpiece. In my stores, the book stores in the Atlanta airport, this book has been a huge seller and topped our bestseller bay. Even two years later, it's still within our top 36 trade paperback books, and for good reason.
I have to admit, I held off reading it until almost a year after I started working for the company. One day, curiosity got the best of me, and I caved. I devoured the entire book in about a day and a half, mostly through the audiobook version, which I still consider reading because you're absorbing the author's words exactly as intended.
The story of Evelyn Hugo, an aging and reclusive Hollywood movie icon, is nothing short of mesmerizing. Her decision to reveal the truth about her glamorous and scandalous life is a tale of ruthless ambition, unexpected friendship, and a great forbidden love. The Indiependent praised it as a masterpiece, highlighting the compelling narrative that tugs at the heartstrings and the immaculately fleshed-out character of Evelyn Hugo. The book doesn't shy away from exploring dark and important themes such as sexual exploitation, domestic violence, and the restrictions faced by queer women in Hollywood.
On Goodreads, the book boasts an impressive average rating of 4.41 out of 5 stars from over 3.6 million ratings. Readers have lauded it for its phenomenal storytelling and emotional impact. Kirkus Reviews described it as a celebration of human frailty that speaks to the Marilyn Monroe and Elizabeth Taylor in all of us. The book is a fascinating blend of celebrity tell-all style and emotional depth.
Taylor Jenkins Reid, the brilliant author of "The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo," has crafted a story that is both captivating and heartfelt. Her ability to bring characters to life and create a narrative that resonates with readers is truly remarkable. Reid's attention to detail and her knack for weaving complex, multidimensional characters make this book an unforgettable read.
The characters in the book are richly developed and unforgettable. From Evelyn's seven husbands to the journalist chosen to tell her story, each character adds depth and complexity to the narrative. Interestingly, many characters were inspired by real people, fictionalized to create a compelling story. One of these characters is based on Tab Hunter, a man I knew in real life. This personal connection makes the story even more meaningful to me.
Once I got past the first two chapters, I was hooked. Evelyn's story resonated with me on a deep level, and I couldn't put the book down. The audiobook version was an incredible experience, as I felt like I was listening to Evelyn's actual recount her life story. The book's exploration of themes like love, ambition, and identity is both thought-provoking and emotionally charged.
"The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo" is a book that stays with you long after you've turned the final page. I'd love to hear your thoughts and experiences with this book in the comments below. And if you feel inspired, any contributions or gifts are always appreciated but never expected. Let's celebrate this incredible story together.
My book reviews are typically posted on Thursdays. However, considering the significance of this book—Hooray For Hollywood by the GLOW girl Hollywood, Jeanne Basone—I've decided to make an exception. This isn't just a book review; it's also part of my Saturday GLOWcase blog series, where I highlight personalities connected to my all-time favorite show, Gorgeous Ladies of Wrestling (GLOW). This dual-purpose post celebrates Jeanne's amazing new release and honors the enduring legacy of GLOW.
If you were into Gorgeous Ladies of Wrestling (GLOW) back in the day, you definitely remember Hollywood, Jeanne Basone. She wasn’t just a pretty face—Hollywood was the very first to be cast as a GLOW girl and became one of the show’s most iconic villains. With her glamorous street girl persona and killer moves, she knew how to bring drama and excitement to the ring. Her character had the glitz of the Sunset Strip with an edge of menace that made her so intriguing to watch.
Hollywood Jeanne Basone, in Hollywood
In the ring, Hollywood was fierce. She brought a blend of charisma and athleticism to her villainous role, always keeping the audience on their toes. Her high-energy matches against the good girls were legendary, packed with intense action and loads of attitude. From the pilot episode to the unexpected final episode, Hollywood cemented her status as a top competitor and a formidable opponent.
But Jeanne's book, Hooray for Hollywood: The True Story of an Original GLOW Girl, released December 25, 2024, is so much more than just a recount of her wrestling days. It's a heartfelt and raw journey through her entire life. Jeanne dives deep into her childhood, the traumatic events she's endured, her loves and losses, her family, and growing up. She even shares her travels and her long term relationship with her incredible boyfriend, musician Ryan Spencer Cook. This book truly covers it all and gives you a genuine look into the person behind Hollywood.
This isn't just Jeanne's story—it's the story of her friends, colleagues, and family. Her perspective is inclusive and almost every detail is written from the heart, with love, no matter how painful or traumatic. As a long-time fan and friend of Jeanne, I was deeply moved by how she shared not just her life, but the lives of her friends and fans—including myself! Jeanne's ability to weave these personal anecdotes into her story makes it so relatable and touching. It's a beautiful reminder of how powerful friendships can be and the impact we can have on each other's lives.
What really stands out in this book are the memories and stories from Jeanne's friends and family. There's content written by her sisters Julie and Joelle, GLOW's head writer Steve Blance, actor Douglas Dunning (aka Sir Miles Headlock of GLOW), rock music photographer Michael Strider, and fans like William Taylor, Kim Krieger, Mike Rand, Shawn Campbell, Manny Briano, Andrew Zeranick, and myself. This collective memoir makes the book feel like a shared journey. The segments about our own friendship and history as fans were especially touching. Jeanne’s storytelling is engaging and heartfelt, making it impossible to put the book down.
The photos in the book are truly spectacular, with an amazing shot taken in the Dominican Republic by my partner, Terry. These images add so much depth to the stories, bringing the memories to life in vivid detail. It's like you’re right there, experiencing everything alongside Jeanne and her friends.
A spread from GLOW Magazine feature Hollywood
After GLOW, Hollywood didn’t just disappear. Jeanne kept wrestling on the indie circuit and dabbled in acting, stunt work, and modeling. She’s appeared in Playboy, Married with Children, Liar Liar, and countless other movies, TV shows, and magazines. Jeanne's versatility and talent have made her a multifaceted performer, showcasing her skills beyond the wrestling ring. One of her most iconic projects was playing Jane in the video game Plumbers Don't Wear Ties. Her legacy as one of GLOW’s top bad girls lives on, especially with the resurgence of interest in GLOW thanks to the Netflix series. Jeanne's journey from a glamorous villain in the ring to a multifaceted performer is a testament to her talent and determination.
Jeanne bravely addresses the bullying incidents involving certain ladies of GLOW as well as their fans, both towards Jeanne and her fans. Her candidness in setting the record straight is empowering and enlightening. Jeanne's honesty and courage in speaking out about these issues are truly inspiring. Hollywood may have been a bad girl in the ring, but she's a very good girl outside of it. Her book is not just a memoir but a powerful statement against bullying and overcoming adversity, showing that even in the face of challenges, one can rise above and make a positive impact. Her journey is a testament to resilience and the strength to stand up against unfair treatment and adversity.
Terry and I with Jeanne, on a cruise 2018
Today, Jeanne's got her hands in a lot of fires, in addition to her her own comic books and now her memoir Hooray For Hollywood, she still wrestles and makes soap for her company Hollywood Botanika. If you loved Hollywood, be sure to look her up on Facebook, Instagram, X (formerly Twitter), and her Etsy Store https://www.etsy.com/shop/GLOWHollywoodMerch. You might also catch her at fan conventions for wrestling, comic books, and her yearly appearance at the CAC in Las Vegas. Anyone who's ever met her can attest that Hollywood is one of the most fan-friendly wrestlers you could ever meet.
Jeanne also includes beautiful tributes to the GLOW girls who have passed away, such as Matilda the Hun, Tara the Southern Belle, Sally the Farmer's Daughter, Star, Mountain Fiji, Angel, Pepper, Aunt Kitty, Big Bad Mama, Babe the Farmer's Daughter and several others. These tributes are a heartfelt and touching homage to her fellow wrestlers, preserving their legacy and the impact they had on the wrestling world.
You can purchase Hooray for Hollywood: The True Story of an Original GLOW Girl by Jeanne Basone (ISBN# 9798218566524) from various online retailers, including:
Hooray for Hollywood: The True Story of an Original GLOW Girl is a must-read for anyone who loves a good, candid, and truthful biography, 1980's pop culture, and professional wrestling—especially ladies wrestling. Jeanne Basone has truly outdone herself with this remarkable work, creating a book that is both entertaining and deeply moving. I wholeheartedly recommend this book to anyone looking for an inspiring and captivating read.
Yours truly enjoying Hooray for Hollywood!
Each Saturday, I post a blog entry featuring memories of a Gorgeous Ladies of Wrestling personality, including the wrestlers, crew, management, as well as fans who loved the show as kids and into adulthood.
Nashville, TN – Dec 27, 2024 – Step into the ring of 1980s professional wrestling with Hooray for Hollywood!, the captivating memoir of Jeanne "Hollywood" Basone, the first hired and original GLOW girl. This inspiring tale not only chronicles her life in wrestling but also unveils the behind-the-scenes scoop and the groundbreaking impact the internationally syndicated 80s hit TV series Gorgeous Ladies of Wrestling had on women in sports entertainment.
In her memoir, Jeanne reflects on her childhood dreams and the aspirations that led her to audition for GLOW’s creator, David McLane, in 1985. This pivotal moment catapulted her into a cultural phenomenon, where she and her fellow GLOW girls broke barriers and shattered the glass ceiling for an entire generation of female wrestlers. With GLOW airing in over 100 major markets across the U.S. and broadcast internationally, Jeanne’s journey became a beacon of empowerment for women in the wrestling industry.
Featuring insights from fans, GLOW girls, rock ‘n’ roll rollers, award-winning producers, directors, and photographers, Hooray for Hollywood! offers a rich tapestry of experiences that celebrate the evolution of women’s roles in professional wrestling and sports entertainment.
Jeanne has been a media darling, gracing the pages of esteemed publications such as The Hollywood Reporter, New York Post, Washington Post, Vanity Fair, and People magazine. She has also been featured in influential books on wrestling history, such as Sisterhood of the Squared Circle, and was named a “Lethal Woman” in her Playboy pictorial. Her journey has taken her around the globe for appearances, inspiring countless individuals with her story.
Join Jeanne in this incredible journey and discover how one woman’s story can ignite the spark of inspiration in us all.
"Fans of the squared circle, sensational behind-the-scenes storytelling, and all things pop culture will not want to miss one of the best memoirs ever written by a once-in-a-generation talent." – A.J. Devlin, Screenwriter, author of award-winning “Hammerhead” Jed pro wrestler PI mystery novels.
"Hooray For Hollywood! will be enjoyed by book lovers, women’s wrestling fans, wrestlers, and industry professionals." – Bob Harris, Writer and women’s professional wrestling archivist.
Hooray for Hollywood! will be available in bookstores in 2025 and online at Amazon and directly from Etsy store: glowhollywoodmerch.etsy.com.
Welcome to the Saturday GLOWcase! In addition to featuring the wrestlers, cast, and crew of GLOW, I also highlighting the original fans of the show. Without the dedicated viewers, GLOW wouldn’t have thrived for the four amazing seasons that it did. Today, I am celebrating one of those loyal fans who made GLOW the iconic show it is.
James Paul Maher, circa late 1980's
James Paul Maher found GLOW purely by accident. One Saturday at noon, while flipping through channels, he stumbled upon WPIX Channel 11 airing Season 3, Episode 5, where Vicky Victory faced MTV. From that moment, James was hooked and watched every episode he could find. Although he caught Season 3 twice, the show was eventually dropped from his local station, so he never knew Season 4 existed. Hollywood, Sally, and Thunderbolt quickly became his favorite wrestlers, each leaving a lasting impression on him.
James always wished he could’ve gone to Las Vegas to see GLOW live. The closest he got was calling the GLOW 900 number, which cost him $20—a charge that initially got his dad in trouble until his mom called the number herself and found out the truth. Even though he wasn’t allowed to record GLOW on VHS, James got creative and recorded the raps from the TV using his radio, despite his dog barking in the background. His dad eventually helped him set up a better recording method without the noise.
AI James preparing to record the GLOW raps
James’s dedication didn’t stop there. In 1998 or 1999, he bought his first GLOW DVD from eBay, but without a DVD player, he watched it on his computer. He joined the original GLOW message board run by Ursula, where he chatted with other fans and even Hollywood, who sold him some personal videos. Hollywood was always very sweet to him, as was Tiffany Mellon, who sent him an autograph photo.
Through the message board, James also connected with PJ DiGiacomo from Somerville, New Jersey, and bought all four seasons of GLOW from him. PJ likely got his footage from Manzerman, who sold wrestling tapes online. James spent around $400 on his GLOW collection and kept adding missing episodes thanks to Ursula’s releases and his own hunts on YouTube for better quality footage. He transferred all the VHS tapes to DVDs, making a mostly complete collection with only a few missing skits, ending credits, and one televised match from Episode 91 of Season 4 (Roxy vs. Daisy rematch), which he has yet to find.
Hollywood and James
GLOW was a bright spot in James’s life when he felt like an outcast without many friends. It was a show where he could escape and forget his troubles for an hour. GLOW became an important outlet for him, especially since he wasn’t very close to his parents. He never imagined he’d meet his favorite GLOW girl, Hollywood, who has been incredibly sweet to him. Hollywood has visited him in Florida, picked him up in Tennessee for lunch, and done so much for him. In fact, today she picked him up for lunch while he was visiting Tennessee with our mutual friend and fellow GLOW fan, Rick Howard Jr., a few weeks ago. Hollywood’s kindness and generosity have shown James the beautiful person she is inside and out, and he couldn’t have asked for a better friend in his life.
James representing Hollywood with his GLOW belt
Over the years, James has also met several other GLOW girls, including Beastie and Lightning. He and I have been online friends for many years, and we finally met in person this past March on a GLOW cruise with Hollywood and Lightning from Miami to the Dominican Republic, St. Thomas, Tortola, and the Great Stirrup Cay in the Bahamas. We became even better friends and made many great memories on our trip, with hopes for many more in the future.
James as his CHARMING-GLOW alter-ego Malachy MacCharm
James’s story shows the lengths fans would go to engage with GLOW, despite the challenges. His dedication and creativity in capturing GLOW's essence highlight its enduring appeal. James’s journey from discovering GLOW by accident to becoming a devoted fan showcases the show's lasting impact and legacy.
Just read this story on Back2Stonewall and thought it would be worth sharing. I have always liked Anthony Rapp, not so much Kevin Spacey. I find it appaling that someone considered to be a well respected actor, such as Spacey, waited so late in the game to come out, much like Barry Manilow. It's taken decades for the gay community to be considered a part of NORMAL society rather than looked upon as freaks and perverts...For someone that was respected enough to accept Academy, Tony and Golden Globe awards as well as accept nominations for Grammys and Emmys and not to mention a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, why wasn't he fighting the fight for our rights?
As for this story, I can't fault Rapp in this situation because I know how I was from the age 12 onward but Spacey and his lapse of judgement can be likened to the nameless faceless stories we hear coming from perverted pastors and priests. As for the Spacey apology, I commend him for that, it does take balls to apologize for something like this, HOWEVER, there is NO reason to involve the fact that you were intoxicated, an apology should include no excuses.
Speaking to BuzzFeed News, actor Anthony Rapp has come forward alleging that Kevin Spacey made a sexual advance on him when he was the 14-year-old lead of the Broadway play Precious Sons in 1986
Spacey befriended Rapp while they both performed on Broadway shows, invited Rapp over to his apartment for a party, and, at the end of the night, picked Rapp up, placed him on his bed, and climbed on top of him, making a sexual advance. According to public records, Spacey was 26. Rapp was 14.
Rapp said he feels compelled to come forward.
"And not to simply air a grievance," he said, "but to try to shine another light on the decades of behavior that have been allowed to continue because many people, including myself, being silent. … I'm feeling really awake to the moment that we're living in, and I'm hopeful that this can make a difference."
In a statement, Spacey said that he does not remember the encounter, but owes Rapp the “sincerest apology” for his “drunken” actions if the allegation is true.
"This story has encouraged me to address other things about my life. I know that there are other stories out there about me and that some have been fueled by the fact that I have been so protective of my privacy," he continued. He also acknowledged for the first time publicly that "I now choose to live as a gay man."
