Dear Diary, I Met Aldis Hodge At The Bondsman NYC Premiere, But Now I Have Regrets

Before you crash out, let me tell you about The Bondsman Premiere and WHY I have regrets …

On GAWD, I don’t even know where to start because this night was A LOT. But I guess I’ll start from the very beginning. So I got invited as a guest to the NYC premiere to watch episodes 1-2 of Prime Video’s new horror series “The Bondsman” starring Kevin Bacon.

And y’all I tried to be cute. I did, I swear, I tried!

But whew chile, trying to find something, last minute, is always a hassle. Hell, who am I kidding, I could have had two weeks to prepare, and I probably still would have second-guessed my outfit! I need a stylist SO BAD! Universe, please! You hear me begging! HELP!

Anywho … the dress code was business cocktail, so of course I ditched my handy dandy sneakers and went with these cute heeled boots. But boy was that a big f*cking mistake! And for some reason, I forgot I also have a 9 to 5, and I’m still not insanely rich yet, so I had my work bag, aka my HEAVY-AS-HELL Telfar with me. And unlike everyone else — you know, those insanely rich people I just mentioned I’m not one of — I don’t have a car!

So I had to schlep all my stuff with me straight from work … in my hands … like the poor so often must do. And to make matters worse, I had a giant umbrella with me because, surprise surprise, it was supposed to rain!

Okay, in everyone else's defense ... I don't have a car, because I still don't know how to drive yet. But I'm working on that damn it! But whatever.

By the time I got to the theater, my feet were trembling. And guess where our seats were!! ALL THE WAY IN THE GOD DAMN BACK BABY. So there I was, struggling up the stairs, hands full, purse threatening to take me out, and pull me back down the stairs. If I didn’t trip in my boots first. And boom … I drop my M&M’s. I don’t even eat plain milk chocolate M&Ms!! WHY did I GRAB THEM!! Cause they were free, that’s why! *sigh*

But then I saw him … Aldis! I saw Aldis Hodge!

ALDIS. HODGE. Two rows in front of me!

What are the odds!!

And listen, I don’t fan girl a lot, because celebs are regular people, just like us. Some of them just have more money. Some. Y’all know how Hollywood do us.

But I freaked out internally because Aldis Hodge is one of my faves!

Have y'all SEEN "Cross" on Prime? Whew baby! 

I kid you not, I forgot why I was at this event!

What is The Bondsman about again? Kevin who? JK Kev, we know who you are.

But honestly, when the show finally started, I was so thrilled to be in the presence of greatness. Distracted is an understatement! However … I did take notes if anyone’s interested in a “bounty hunter killing demons” action horror series! So I’ll post a review of “The Bondsman” episodes 1-2 in a bit.

But long story short, the show isn’t for me.

Which I knew would probably be the case, because I’m not really a fan of horror unless it’s Black-led like Nope, Swarm, and The Blackening.

But then … THE MOMENT OF MOMENTS.

I MET ALDIS HODGE.

And WHY did this man introduce himself to me like I didn’t already know who he was?! Sir, PLEASE. You are Aldis Hodge. I KNOW WHO YOU ARE. He must be so used to introducing himself. Cute.

But he was super nice! And laughed at whatever foolishness I was saying. So now I can’t WAIT to interview him, because that’ll be fun. Think, he’ll remember me though?

So if it all went well, why did I have regrets?

Because baby! Why did I tell that man “the Black Disney Moms group” loves him? Instead of saying “Sir you were f*cking amazing in CROSS, and you’re lucky you’re good-looking because I almost ain’t make it through that scary ass show!”

*deep sigh*

I feel like I missed a great opportunity to tell an actor (who I love) that I LOVE his work. I mentioned it briefly, but I was so darn excited … and my social anxiety was just like … say something bish! And now I feel like that was the wrong something! Because that man’s superhero project was DC!!

The girls in the Black Disney Moms group DO love him though, and they were excited when I told them, I told him about them. So I GUESS, it wasn’t terrible.

But Shaye, abeg, you’ve gotta do better baby.

Shit! I could have asked him what his NEXT project was gonna be, so I could interview him about that!

But no — just a star-struck fool rambling about foolishness. At least he laughed. Look how cute we are! Not we were matching and shit! I didn’t even notice until I looked at the photos. Which of course I also hate, because why do I have all this shit in my hand baby!

I’m always trying to not take up too much of folks time, so I didn’t even bother putting things down. But that man wasn’t even busy busy. My anxiety just said he important, so he got better things to do.

Still here? Still reading? Aight, let me tell you about the after-party!

Listen, I already knew the food was gonna be meh because this event was catered for the yt folks. And sure enough, the only decent thing was the pulled pork sliders.

I don’t even know why I bothered putting that mac and cheese on my plate baby. I had a bite and put the whole thang down.

But aside from the food, I had a lot of fun!

There were themed drinks, cookies with edible flowers, and a confessional box that turned out to be a photo booth. Which apparently gives a select few people, demon eyes, and why would they pick me?

We also saw Kevin Bacon!

But he wasn’t taking pictures. Which is fine—his security gave us a heads-up, and honestly, he looked like he just wanted to talk with his friends. And same, sir, same.

I’ll post more photos from the event at the end of this post if you’re down to see more.

But can we talk about the struggle to get home?!!

‘Cause this is where everything went to hell! No pun intended baby. It was seriously, trash.

From my feet hurting, and barely being able to walk. To the pouring rain! Just to finally get to the train, and realize I was on the wrong side, so I had to walk back and cross the street.

AND THEN … the cute paper bag my friend gave me BROKE on the platform because it was so wet! *stares in I told that h*e not to bring those damn cookies* But I guess it’s not her fault. Nah it’s her fault. But I cussed her enough via text already, so fine.

A nice man ended up helping me pick my things up, and THANK GAWD he did, because the train was here. And had I not made it on, I would have had to wait 20 minutes for another and I literally would have cried.

But don’t get too excited about the male population just yet, because my Uber driver just stared at me in the rain, across the street from him, and pretended not to see my text, forcing me to walk even more. I literally hate men sometimes. Not that nice man above, but men like this.

By the time I FINALLY got home, it was after 11pm, six whole hours after the event had started. I immediately showered, collapsed into bed, and re-evaluated my life choices.

Anywho, before I crash out …

• Aldis Hodge is a KING, and meeting him was worth every single inconvenience.
• I am never wearing anything but sneakers ever again. I don’t care what that dress code says!
• The Bondsman series isn’t really my vibe, but it may be yours!
• I need a man because I’m tired of struggling home just because brands don’t have Uber money. And neither do I.
• Oh, and did I mention I was SWEATING all damn day?! WHY WAS IT SO HOT!?

Anywho, hope you enjoyed this chaotic recap of my night at “The Bondsman” premiere + after party.

Would I do it all over again?

For Aldis Hodge? Yes. Every single time.

If you see this sir, just let me know what event you’ll be at next and if you need a plus one so we can have an actual conversation this time.

But, that’s all for now, Diary!

Shaye, signing out …

P.S. – The Bondsman premieres on April 3rd on Prime Video. Let me know if you’re not a scaredy cat like me, and decide to watch it.

More photos as promised …