On the set with Johnny Depp

Trashwire MySpace friend Anne Rakowiecki got to realize a dream when she met Johnny Depp on the Chicago set of his new film Public Enemies. Read her firsthand account and check out her pictures below.

If you would have told me years, months, or even days ago that I would someday be hugging Johnny Depp in a 7/11 parking lot across the street from Wrigley Field at five o’clock in the morning…I would have laughed in your face and asked you what drugs you had consumed that day.

But, on April 4, 2008, it happened.

The story is kind of funny, actually. It all started with 21 Jump Street. That’s not the funny part, though. The funny part is that it all ended with 21 Jump Street.

It was another typical Thursday night; hanging out with my friends Sara and Jessica, watching our favorite late 80’s cop drama. We were joking around about all the silly Jump Street questions we’d ask Johnny if we met him. It was always, “When we meet Johnny Depp – because it will happen – we’re going to ask him what his favorite episode is.” We thought this was so funny. Funny because we never, ever, in our wildest dreams, ever thought we would actually get to meet him.

Backtrack to when I first discovered that Johnny would be in Chicago filming a movie. March 12, I believe it was. Jessica told me this through instant message. I ran down the hallway and barged into her room: “WHAT?!?!” She told me it was a 1930’s historical gangster film called Public Enemies where Johnny plays notorious bank robber John Dillinger. “He’s already been in Chicago for two days,” she said, “and he’ll be here into the summer.” I fell to my knees and looked to the heavens as a guttural moan/scream erupted from the depths of my soul. Johnny was within miles of me. He was here.

Now, I don’t need to tell you how much I love Johnny Depp (if you can’t already tell), but I’m going to anyway: He is, hands down, my single favorite actor. My friend Sara and I have seen nearly every movie he’s ever been in, even if he wasn’t the lead, even if he only had a 15-second-long part, or even if the only possible way to see the movie is to illegally download it. We’ve watched all of seasons one and two of 21 Jump Street, and I know beyond doubt that by June we will have watched every single episode in which Johnny appeared. I own nearly a hundred DVDs, and I organize them by genre. “Johnny Depp Movies” is, in itself, a genre within my movie collection. Finally, if I were given the chance to choose any musician, author, or actor to meet, I would choose Johnny. And that’s over J.K. Rowling, you guys. Which is a big deal.

Do you understand now? Good.

Back to Thursday: Jessica, Sara, and I watching Jump Street at Sara’s apartment downtown. After we gorged ourselves on ice cream, pizza, and silly Jump Street humor, we decided, at about 11:00 PM, to head up north to check out the movie set. We met up with two of our friends, one of whom told us that she talked to some shady autograph collector, and he told her where Johnny’s trailer was. We hung out at the set for awhile, but alas, Johnny was not there. However, we did stay until about 2:00 AM and watched the filming. Although we didn’t know if we could – or should – trust the information from the autograph collector, we decided to give it a shot. We only had to walk a few blocks until we saw the spot: there was the 7/11. The parking lot behind the 7/11, this is where his trailer was supposed to be. There were, indeed, trailers parked there, and a guy and a girl were sitting on a small curb right next to this lot. We talked to them for a second; the girl said that she had seen Johnny there the night before, and she bravely confided in us, “When I saw him…I peed in my pants a little bit.”

It’s okay. We completely understand.

We made the definitive choice to stay and wait at the trailer, with no end – or guarantee of Johnny – in sight. It looked like we were going to have to suck it up and try to forget how cold it was. Oh, and it was starting to drizzle, too. Perfect. We sat on the curb next to the guy and the girl. We sat. And sat. And sat. Security guards kept coming over to us and told us that we should leave because Johnny wasn’t going to be there. Oh, we were so very close to giving up. But Sara pointed out, “I’d rather stay and have nothing happen than leave and miss out on something.” Truer words were never spoken. Two other girls showed up and joined our waiting party. There were nine of us now. Finally, at about 3:30, this guy (who we later learned to be Johnny’s bodyguard) walked over to us and asked, “Who are you waiting for?” We hesitated, “…Johnny Depp.” Shit. This is it. This is the part where he tells us that Johnny won’t be coming out and that we really did just sit in the freezing cold and rain for absolutely nothing.

“Do you have anything you want him to sign?”

WHAT?!? NO fucking way. We all nodded violently as we frantically dug through our purses and bags. Luckily, I had been carrying around my Edward Scissorhands DVD for the past few days because I knew I would be Johnny-hunting and would be on the movie set, (I had stayed overnight at the movie set the night before and had seen Johnny filming, but didn’t get to talk to him), and I had put it in my purse out of mere foolish hopefulness. Thank God I’m foolishly hopeful.

He told us to write our names on the back of whatever we wanted him to sign so Johnny could personalize them. He said, “Okay, I’m gonna have him sign these, and when he’s finished changing he’ll come out and do some pictures, alright?” And he walked away with our stuff, leaving a very shocked group of people in his wake.

Sara and I couldn’t comprehend it. This really couldn’t be happening. In a matter of minutes, Johnny Depp could be standing directly in front of us. No, no, no. Sara was on the verge of throwing up. I didn’t want that to happen, so I suggested we sing some Sweeney Todd songs, which we did. We tried discussing unrelated topics, none of which I can recall now. But nothing could diminish our excitement. Except, perhaps, the passing of 45 minutes.

It was around 4:15. What the shit?! This guy can’t just leave us hanging here! The prospect of meeting Johnny was growing dim, but even if we weren’t going to get to meet him, we were getting autographs, which was more than any of us had bargained for, and that alone was exciting enough.

Then, six more girls joined our group. The bodyguard came back out and told us that there were now too many of us and Johnny wouldn’t be coming out anymore. (I’m sure this was the bodyguard’s rule, not Johnny’s.) I don’t get angry very easily, but this was one of the rare times in my life where I got extremely, extremely pissed off. What bullshit this was. I kept shooting the girls the dirtiest possible looks that I could form my face into. I cussed about them loudly. Hint, hint, girls. Hint, hint. Then, the bodyguard walked over to us again and gave us our autographed stuff. This calmed me a great deal. I looked at the DVD cover:

“Anne = All my best. Johnny Depp.”

Damn. That right there is enough to make anybody feel better.

We all remained there in a heavy stage of worry, waiting for something, anything to happen. I was overjoyed that I got the autograph, but I was also very, very upset that my one chance of ever meeting my favorite actor was ruined by six giggling girls.

I’m not sure what exactly happened next. But the next thing I knew, the bodyguard was motioning for us to come and stand by Johnny’s trailer: “Alright, over here. Make a line.”

OH MY GOD OH MY GOD OH MY GOD OH MY GOD OH MY GOD OH MY GOD OH MY GOD.

We formed a line, all fifteen of us, and stared at Johnny’s trailer. I was third in line. One minute passed…..two minutes….three…. I couldn’t take this anticipation. The very real thought that Johnny Depp would be near me, that I would be speaking to him, that he would be speaking to me, that I would get to touch him – I couldn’t handle it. I was either going to explode, pass out, or shit myself. And I didn’t want any of those things to happen. Not right now. Dear LORD, anytime but right now! I had to think about something else. I turned to Sara on my left, who was fourth in line right next me. I began talking to her about God knows what. And then…she suddenly grasped my arm. I shut up.

What I did next, I remember as being a big, cliché double-take:
I looked to my right. Hey, look, there’s Johnny Depp. That’s cool.
I looked away.
WHAT?!?!?!?!
I looked back. HOLY FUCKBALLS!!!! THERE’S JOHNNY DEPP!!!!!!!
Shit. I think I just had a miscarriage.

I watched him while he was getting pictures with the guy and girl in front of me. My heart was beating so fast. Oh, God. What was I going to say?? What could I possibly say that would summarize how I feel about this man, without sounding like an annoying fangirl?? I kept going over a little prepared speech in my head. Oh no, oh no, OH NO. He was saying goodbye to the people in front of me. I’m next. SHIT, I’M NEXT! He looks at me. He’s walking over to me.

My turn. When he approached me…my God. My heart stopped beating. Time stalled into a weird, slow-motion dream sequence. Everything that I had rehearsed to say to him completely drained from my head. I’m surprised I didn’t faint or scream or collapse or something. He shook my hand, and I just spoke sincerely and said, “You are my favorite actor.” He smiled at me and said quietly, “Thank you.” I started to ask, “Could I have a-” but before I could complete the question, he cut me off with a hug. After I momentarily lost my ability to speak from being in Johnny Depp’s arms, I said, “It is such an honor to meet you.” He looked at me and smiled and said, “Oh, the honor’s all mine.”

We took a picture together. And I said, “I have to ask…during 21 Jump Street, when did you start doing things to get fired?” (For those of you who don’t know, Johnny hated being on 21 Jump Street and tried, desperately, to get fired so as to break his contract; he tried being a bad actor, he suggested ridiculous things for his character to do on the show, etc.) His response was immediate: “Oh – season one.” I laughed and said something like, “Really?? Season one?” I had always assumed it wasn’t until later in the show that he tried to get fired. He went on to say that he had wanted to leave the show ever since the actor Frederic Forrest (who played Captain Jenko and was only in the first six episodes) left. His bodyguard was annoyingly trying to move people along now, so my time was up. Sara and Jessica got their pictures and hugs, and Jessica asked him what his favorite episode of 21 Jump Street is. He thought for a second and then said, “The one where we dress up like old people.”

I said, “Our favorite episode is when you dress in drag.” He looked confused. I continued, “You’re driving the car to go drop off the ransom money…” Jessica added, “The clown one!” A look of dawning comprehension, he smiled and said, “Oh, yeah.” Jessica told him how when we first saw that episode we didn’t know it was him; how we thought it was an actual woman until he had started talking. Johnny laughed. (So, everything we had joked about saying to him, we said to him.)

His bodyguard was getting frustrated with us for talking to Johnny and taking up other peoples’ time, but Johnny seemed totally unrushed and happy to answer our questions. Nevertheless, Sara and I stepped back a few feet behind Johnny as other people were stepping up to take their turns. However, we noticed that none of the other people were talking to him very much…just getting a picture and a handshake and leaving. Certainly nobody was asking him about 21 Jump Street.

(I later questioned as to why – after all the amazing movies he’s been in and all the unique characters he’s played – in God’s name, WHY did we talk to him so much about 21 fucking Jump Street?? Jessica pointed out to me that, in interviews, he always talks about the movies he’s in, but he never talks about 21 Jump Street. This is true. The only way we could find out about it would be to ask him personally. And that’s exactly what we did.)

Sara and I were standing a few feet behind him, and we just stared at him as he got pictures with other people. As I looked at him…Johnny Depp…two feet from me…..emotion started to get the best of me. I turned my head away and began sobbing. I wasn’t wailing or anything, but I definitely looked like an idiot. Like that Sanjaya girl on American Idol. Thank God Johnny didn’t see me. Sara noticed and kind of smiled and asked, “Are you crying?” I said something like, “I can’t help it. He’s right there. Oh god. I can’t believe it.” Sara hugged me and was trying to comfort me. I don’t know what she said, though. How do you console someone who’s crying out of pure happiness? (Although, I must say, I’m sure my lack of sleep from the night before contributed to this breakdown.) I got ahold of myself finally and looked back over at Johnny. Everyone was finished getting pictures with him, it seemed, and he was just kind of standing there, so we walked up to him again.

I said, “I loved Sweeney Todd; I was so impressed with your voice.” Sara complimented him on Sweeney as well. In interviews, he has said that he doesn’t consider himself a singer at all, and that he had never sung before Sweeney. So, he seemed to get kind of bashful when we told him this and he did that cute nervous thing he does in interviews where he scratches near his ear. He smiled and kept thanking us. Then I asked him, “Are you going to be involved in Tim Burton‘s Alice in Wonderland?” He responded, “Oh, I will if Tim asks me to.” Big smile. “I love Tim.”

His bodyguard came over to us – this was Jessica, Sara, and I; our two other friends were standing nearby, too. Everyone else was…I don’t know. Standing around watching us talk to him, I guess. Or they had left. I don’t remember. When Johnny Depp is directly in front of you, looking right into your eyes, and smiling at you, your peripheral vision kind of goes dead. The rest of the world means absolutely nothing.

Jessica asked if she and I could get one final picture with Johnny. His bodyguard said, “No. No more pictures. It’s cold, it’s raining. We have to go.” But Johnny said, “No, no, we can do one more. It’s okay.” And he took Jessica’s camera from her and gave it to his bodyguard to take a picture of us. He was so incredibly nice. After the picture, we said our goodbyes, and he thanked us and hugged us all again. When he hugged me, I said, “You are amazing. Thank you so much.” And he said, “No – thank you.” His car was parked right on the curb with his driver sitting in the front seat waiting, and we were heading in the same direction he was, so we kind of walked with him. As we walked, he kept patting us on the backs, squeezing our shoulders really tight, smiling at us, and sincerely thanking us: “Thank you girls for coming out here, I feel so bad that you were waiting in the cold and rain for so long; thank you. Get some sleep, girls.”

As he thanked us, we kept thanking him in return. I mean, shit! Johnny Depp has nothing to thank me for, but I have everything to thank him for!

He got into the backseat of his car and waved to us out the window as his driver pulled away. We stood and watched as the car got farther and farther down the street…smaller and smaller…..until it was gone. A moment of heavy silence. The calm before the storm. We had kept our cool when he was here; we were very mature and respectful toward him. But we couldn’t stay composed any longer: We let loose. A chorus of: “AAAAHHHH!!!!”, “OH MY GOD!!!!”, and “WE MET JOHNNY DEPP!!!” broke the night air. Jumping, screaming, skipping, hugging, and dancing ensued. We whipped out our cell phones to call everybody we knew. We belted out the 21 Jump Street theme song. We ran rampant on the streets of Chicago as if there was no threat of rape or crime. All this at five in the morning.

I was in such shock. I had always wondered what it would be like, what I would be like – what he would be like – if I ever got to meet him. Not once did I think it would really happen, though. He was so unbelievably nice, humble, soft-spoken, mellow, down-to-earth, and genuine. It’s refreshing to know that such a huge movie star can be so friendly, so appreciative of his fans, and not be jaded by “the biz.” I admire him so much, as an actor and as a person, and this experience meant the world to me.

When we arrived back at our dorm, we were being way too loud, but honestly, we didn’t care. My roommate woke up and asked what happened. When I told her, she popped out of bed, and we happily regaled her with the story. It was light outside. Shit…now what? Even though we had been up all night, we were way too excited to sleep. Well, what do we always do when we’re in doubt? We put on 21 Jump Street.

Funny how things come full circle like that.

47 Responses

  1. Vickie says:

    Great story!!!! Johnny was just here filming in my city and I had the opportunity to talk to him a few times throughout the course of the week. Nothing as in deppth (ha!) as you did, nor was I able to actually take a picture with him, but I know just how you were feeling and are probably still.

    He’s an amazing person and just so wonderful in person. He far exceeded my expectations and I didn’t think I could adore him anymore, but after last week, my love for him has increased a thousandfold. A millionfold. 🙂

    Congrats! Not only was the story great, but I loved how you told it. Very entertaining!!!

  2. Mariellen says:

    HaHa-OMG-I LOVE this story!!
    One of the best Johnny Depp Google alerts I have ever gotten-I am probably about twice your age, but I SO get all your emotions-and you expressed them so articulately-sigh, almost like I was there with you 🙂
    Good for you for not listening to the bodyguard, that Johnny wasn’t around-they always lie like that, I swear I think it’s to see how dedicated you really are before they let the celebrity come out to! I love to watch 21 JS videos, even though I actually saw the originals-and I have loved JD ever since. And you had him sign my favorite JD movie 🙂
    What a lucky girl-and what precious, priceless pics-thanks for sharing your cute and funny story!!

  3. Jillian says:

    That is a great story. I had a similar experience in my town, My SO and I happen to be standing by the staging area during a break from filming and there he was. He was getting into his SUV and we were the only ones standing there (we were behnd our friends shop which was behind barricades and people weren’t allowed unless they had businesses there) and we had about a 15 minute conversation with him. Like you my mind went kinda blank but I held it together and then after he left of course cried b/c it was a dream come true. It as cool to read another fans experience of how great a person he really is.

  4. Jay says:

    He is an absolute sweetheart, isn’t he? As well as being amazingly talented and beautiful, he is just such a nice person. He makes me want to be a better person myself – but I guess that’s part of the Depp Effect.

    I’ve had the honour to encounter him a couple of times myself, and had him sign my precious From Hell pressbook. That’s one of the few things (other than house documents etc) kept in the fireproof safe-box.

    Thanks for such a wonderful and well-written report!

  5. Therese says:

    I found your blog/story through a link on another site. . .Jesus Christ, girl, what a beautiful story. . .I’m in WI, I’ve read so many fan encounters from the PE filming but yours is by far the best — I can’t believe how he was just standing around, chatting up 21 Jump Street with you all! I cracked up when I read how you were asking him questions about JS, and when he couldn’t remember being dressed in drag — so funny. I agree, why not ask about Jump Street — how else are you going to find out about it?

    God, you met Johnny Depp!!!

    Congrats — and you wrote about it beautifully, I might add.

  6. silverleaves says:

    You can find Johnny in the oddest places! Persistence pays off. Never give up.

  7. Sweetheart28 says:

    Beautiful experience*

  8. amp says:

    I liked this very much! Great, funny story! And thanks so much for asking him about 21 Jump St. I always suspected that Johnny enjoyed dressing up like a derelict old man on that epidose, “Back From the Future”, and that was his last season! He may have wanted out after 6 episodes, but he made the best of it.
    I really enjoying reading this, Anne. Thank you!

  9. Thank you all SO MUCH!!!

    Your comments mean a lot to me, not only because you appreciate Johnny and the story, but for the comments on my writing; I’m a freshman English major and I’ve never had anything, you know, published or put out there like this before, and I’m always self-conscious about my writing, so THANK YOU!

    😀

  10. Dar says:

    Anne – thank you so much for posting this. Your write up is just delightful. What a wonderful encounter you had.

    He is the dearest, sweetest man, isn’t he? They don’t make them any better – or any more beautiful.

    Thank you again!

  11. JEALOUS! says:

    OH MY GOD!
    That was the best encounter I’ve ever read! You lucky lucky lady!
    I must admit, I’m soooo jealous of you right now!
    URRGGG ..
    I loooove Johnny Depp, he’s my hero, my idol, my soul-mate!
    But I’m happy to know that he always makes time for his fans!
    Much Lovvee! 🙂

  12. sarah beth says:

    this was an awesome story, i’m glad sara sent it my way. you are definitely an awesome writer, even though… blasphemy, wait for it… i don’t really like johnny depp, it still felt like i was right there 🙂

  13. Thank you, thank you, thank you all!!!

    I’m glad you guys like 21 Jump Street as much as I do, haha.

  14. EW says:

    I have been blessed tp have met Johnny Depp twice! Both times at POTC prems. And both times he was such a gentleman and so gracious! His bodygurad tried to move him along, but he stayed to give me a hug and kiss when I asked. Is genuinely a humble man and a class act!
    GOD BLESS JOHNNY DEPP!!

  15. Ron Burgundy says:

    Great writing Anne. My only encounter with a celeb was Ted Neely who portrayed JC in the movie Jesus Christ Superstar. Nice enough fella. Keep up the good work.

  16. Mary Ann says:

    I so enjoyed your rendetion of your meeting with Johnny. I am old enough to be Johnny’s mom, but I love every thing about him. He is a great actor and a perfect gentleman, husband and father. I would give my right arm to meet him. I’ve seen all of his movies every time I think he can’t get better, he surpasses himself. Sweeney Todd was fantastic. Of course, I’ll never get over Cap’t Jack.

  17. undertaker says:

    you are hässlon

  18. Astera says:

    Thank you , dear for your story! It was to pleasant to read it)
    And It’s wonderfull that this dream came true!)
    I suppose you feel much better now & have a new
    impulse in life)

  19. Thank you!! Haha, yeah, after this I don’t know what else could be more exciting. I mean, nothing can top this! It was literally the pinnacle of my existence 😀

  20. mary says:

    Hi, Johnny is a truly gentleman and class act.
    What the hell happened with the bodyguard??
    I don´t think the bodyguard has more authority than Johnny to decide if would take photos or autographs, Don´t you think?
    sorry for my english.

  21. Mary – I’m not sure; I think the bodyguard was just trying to get some of the people to leave, because those six girls had not been waiting nearly as long as my friends and I had. Or maybe he just wanted to see who was devoted enough a fan to stick around.

  22. Erin says:

    I loved your story! So well written, I got all giddy as if I had been there with you. Who doesn’t love Johnny Depp? I’m glad that you had such a great experience meeting him!

  23. are you crazy says:

    shut the fuck up already you are on every fucking site I go on. Do you think he is going to run away with you. i have met him three times and he is like that with everyone. so keep patting yourself on the back if you can reach

  24. are you crazy says:

    It was a great story the first time but damn get the fuck over it already. Every site I go on there you are. I have met him three times and he is like that with just about everyone. There is nothing special about you believe me I have seen you in person. He was just being kind. Long skirts are not a good look for you. SO keep patting yourself on the back if you can reach but I doubt it. Move along!!

  25. are you crazy wrote:

    “Every site I go on there you are. I have met him three times and he is like that with just about everyone. There is nothing special about you believe me”
    “shut the fuck up already you are on every fucking site I go on”

    1.) It’s funny that you rip on something for being on “every site you go on” yet you read the whole thing again and post your own comment twice. Are you trying to get back at her popularity by trying to make some of your own with multiple mean comments?

    2.) Also funny that you feel the need to mention how many times you’ve met him, as if people care. It seems like you’d like to turn this into an “I know him better than you do” contest when, in fact, it has nothing to do with “knowing” Johnny Depp nor with her meeting him multiple times. It has to do with her excitement at meeting someone she admires.

    3.) This is more a rhetorical question, but why do trolls like you always feel the need to weigh in on things on the internet? Everyone else here has been happy for someone who achieved their dream, but you feel the need to be negative and immature. I can’t help but feel like your motivations are rooted in jealousy because she has not only done something she always dreamed of, but also composed a very well-written account of that accomplishment.

    And to phrase all this in language you can comprehend: FUCK YOU!

  26. lizzy says:

    are you crazy wrote:

    “Every site I go on there you are. I have met him three times and he is like that with just about everyone. There is nothing special about you believe me”
    “shut the fuck up already you are on every fucking site I go on”

    YOU KNOW WHY HE IS LIKE THAT WITH EVERYONE?? bECAUSE HE IS SWEET AND THOUGHTFUL TO every single FAN!! iF YOU MET HIM AND WERE LUCKY AND BLESSED ENOUGH TO BE IN HIS PRESENCE THEN YOU SHOULD REALIZE WHAT A SPECIAL THING IT IS. SO BACK OFF!!

  27. Star shine says:

    Well I know this person. She has been rude on several sites. She is a little crazy I think. It’s a shame she calls herself a fan of Johnny’s because she is not nice to people. Plus she is waiting for Johnny to sign her 15 year old daughters belly. She claims anyone who can not get an autograph it is because he doesn’t like us. But that he promised her he would sign the belly. Give the guy a break. Stay away if you can’t act more mature.

  28. Star shine says:

    By the way Anne, wonderful story! I’m so happy for you. I wish I could meet him like that. I did meet him in Wisconsin but in a large crowd and he just shook hands and moved along. Your time with him was extra special but I am happy to have just been near him and touched his hand. He is such a wonderful guy. Talented and down to earth and kind and gorgeous ha ha. Wow. Jerry does hurry him along alot. I guess Johnny is so nice and can’t say no or be rude to people so Jerry just does it for him.

  29. First of all, thank you Alexis, lizzy, and Star shine for defending me. I don’t know what that person’s problem is.

    And to “are you crazy” lady:

    I can’t help it if people are putting out links to my story, I’m not the one spreading it around “on every fucking site.” But I’m glad people are reading it because, shit, that’s why I wrote it! For people to read and enjoy! I wrote it at first for myself so I could always have that memory set in stone and go back and read it (and I AM an English major and want to go into writing, and I love writing, so those were reasons as well), but then Alexis kindly asked me if I’d like to put it on Trashwire, and I was grateful for the opportunity. I didn’t write this to rub my experience in peoples’ faces; that was not my intention at all.

    Furthermore, it’s creepy that you mentioned that you’ve seen me, (I know what day you’re talking about), and I don’t care that you don’t like how I look in long skirts. At all. That’s the very least of my concerns. I think it’s ashame that you can’t appreciate and cherish the times you’ve gotten to meet Johnny and can only find negative things to say about other peoples’ experiences. You should not consider yourself a true fan.

  30. Star shine says:

    I am glad you shared your story. It was beautifully written and I was on the edge of my seat and breathless reading it, just as you were I am sure at the time it happened. Yours was the best and most detailed story I have read. He’s the greatest. I’m happy for you…although a teensy weensy bit jealous. 😉

  31. Therese says:

    I think it’s ashame that you can’t appreciate and cherish the times you’ve gotten to meet Johnny and can only find negative things to say about other peoples’ experiences. You should not consider yourself a true fan.

    Bravo, Anne — you would think that someone who has met Johnny 3 TIMES (as she’s repeatedly pointed out), wouldn’t be so bitter and mean-spirited, but that just goes to show that, for all the wonderful Johnny fans out there, we have to put up with these psycho, pseudo-Johnny “fans”.

    Oh, and “are you crazy”: if you’re so bothered by Anne posting her story and it getting so much internet attention, no one is stopping you from putting your own story out there.

    Grow up a little bit. The comments you made make you sound like you’re about 12 years old.

  32. “I am glad you shared your story. It was beautifully written and I was on the edge of my seat and breathless reading it, just as you were I am sure at the time it happened. Yours was the best and most detailed story I have read. He’s the greatest. I’m happy for you…although a teensy weensy bit jealous.”

    Haha, understandable. Thank you, again, so much for your compliments. It means a lot. You too, Therese!

  33. TIFTC says:

    Wow that was beautifuly written. You are a great writer. I am so happy you got a chance to meet your favourite actor he is truly amazing. I really like your sense of humor I enjoyed reading the story it made me exited just reading it. He is my favourite actor too but I never have met him. I have a summer home close to him in france though but I never seem to see him when I go. I always think what it would be like to meet him it always cheers me up when I’m upset.
    I want to be an actress when I’m older it’s great fun. I see what Johnny likes about acting it’s an amazing excperiance. If I ever do meet him I would ask for his advice. There is no better advice than advice from the best.
    I haven’t seen any of the episodes of 21 jumpstreet I want to but haven’t got the chance and reading this makes me want to watch it more.
    I hope you treasure every moment of meeting him it is something that all us Johnny Depp fans would think about to keep a smile on our faces.
    I only wish I had friends like you.
    I hope you and your family and friends stay healthy. And may all happiness stay with you and all the love stay in your heart.

  34. Tuky-Todd says:

    omg… OMG! I hate u! xD Just kidding! ^^ How lucky u are!! unfotunately, I don’t think Johnny Depp would come to Spain ever so… (yeah, I’m spanish & sorry 4 my bad English) … Well, when I’ll become a great actress I’ll meet him!! (Yeah, I dream too much TT.TT)

  35. Maru says:

    Wow, great story, I’m really happy about you, a beautiful dream came true! It’s wonderful to read that such a famous person is so kind with his fans! Now I like him even more!
    This is a story you’ll never forget, there are no words to describe how lucky you are 😉
    I hope you’ll meet him again cause I loved reading your story so I’m waiting for the next one 🙂

    All the best,
    Maru

  36. d w griffiths cock says:

    what a joke

  37. That’s a really nice story!

    A dream come true for those of us who love JD. I would love to met him since his has been my inspiration to do what i do.

    Congrats on your journey! so it has been well deserved.

  38. Anonymous says:

    oh my god, i’m from germany and i love him as much as you, i’m so jalous!
    your maybe the luckiest person in the hole world, do you know that?
    i knew he’s a great person and not just a great actor!
    your story was amazing, thank you!
    all the best 😉 becky!

  39. becky says:

    oh my god, i’m from germany and i love him as much as you, i’m so jalous!
    your maybe the luckiest person in the hole world, do you know that?
    i knew he’s a great person and not just a great actor!
    your story was amazing, thank you!
    all the best 😉 becky!

  40. Manon says:

    Waaauw!! I’m from Holland and i’m so jalous at you. I don’t care if he is that nice to everyone he mets. That’s just the best thing of it! I love it when stars still stay nice and thereselves like Johnny. That makes a person great.
    I don’t know if I will ever meet him, he lives so far away from me and when he is filming, maybe I will do the same as you. Look him up. I’m even happy if I spot him on a set. I’m also a great fan of him. I’m going to write him, so I can get a autograph, that would be awesome. But still, not as awesome as you’re story. I really love your story, how it’s written. It’s so exciting, ’till the end. In the end I was reading so fast, that I had to do it all over some times! Great job!
    Great Love, Manon.

  41. jade says:

    oh my god. Why are all of you guys soo lucky?!i would kill to meet johnny depp! does anybody know if he will be visiting NY anytime soon?

  42. Gertrud Then says:

    Johnny Depp is extraordinary sexy and kind hearted person. An awesome actor-the BEST! wonderful man, inside & out.

  43. Alicia says:

    I love your well-written, interesting article, and you are so lucky to have met Johnny. I would love to meet him someday. He’s my favorite actor and he’s so nice and down to earth, unlike many other celebrities.

  44. Ellen says:

    Excellent story. Quite similar to my story of meeting Jack White of the White Stripes. If you are into him/them at all, he is also extremely humble and very sweet. Great story, I’m so happy for you – I know the feeling 🙂

  45. Thank you for this well written account. So funny! I laughed until I cried. I don’t know how I would react if I had the chance to meet Mr. Depp. It did worry me (Depp-head that I am), that the production company would put him in a trailer behind a 7-11, in Chicago! Why not a suite in a nice hotel? Really, that doesn’t sound safe at all for someone as sought after as Johnny Depp. Shame on them.

  46. I’m just checking this out after many years! I’m the author of this story and I can’t believe so much time has passed since I met Mr. Depp!! Thank you to anyone who left a lovely comment!

    Ellen — very jealous you met Jack White. I’m a big fan. Good to know he’s down-to-earth and sweet!

  1. April 21, 2008

    […] tarnagurl wrote an interesting post today onHere’s a quick excerptTrashwire MySpace friend Anne Rakowiecki got to realize a dream when she met Johnny Depp on the Chicago set of his new film Public Enemies. Read her firsthand account and check out her pictures below. If you would have told me years, … […]

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