Selena Gomez draws fans to TIFF
Vanessa Hudgens on the red carpet at TIFF for the movie Spring Breakers at the Ryerson Theatre, Friday September 7, 2012. (Craig Robertson/QMI Agency)
Justin...who?
Pop star Justin Bieber might sell out shows all over the world, but when it comes to his girlfriend Selena Gomez's film premieres, he plays second fiddle to her.
Hundreds of fans - the majority, teenage girls - waited for hours at the red carpet premiere of Spring Breakers at Ryerson Theatre on Friday, not for the Biebs, but for Gomez, who plays a pivotal role in the risqu movie about spring break gone out-of-control.
"I'm excited for Justin, but I'm really here for Selena," said Jennifer Pratt, 19, from Aurora, who waited over two hours to catch a glimpse of Gomez. "We're fans."
And the 20-year-old Disney-made starlet was 100% in the spotlight, without her megastar boyfriend by her side on the red carpet. Some sources said Bieber didn't want ! to steal her thunder, but will be attending the premiere of Hotel Transylvania, which Gomez performed voice work in, at the Princess of Wales Theatre on Saturday.
Clad in skin-tight cream-coloured Marchesa dress, Gomez - along with co-stars James Franco, Vanessa Hudgens and Ashley Benson - made the rounds in front of television cameras and to her very-excited fans, some hysterically crying after taking photos with her.
"She came over to us and we took pictures," said Robyn Bell, 15, from Aurora. "I've never cried more. Selena and Vanessa are so nice. I thought he was coming? I'm not disappointed - I'm happy with what I got."
Even though most people came out to support her, there were a few Bieber fans in the crowd.
"She made me check Justin Bieber's Twitter just to see where he'd be," said Alanna, 19, of her friend she came to the theatre with. "I doubt he'll come because maybe people would be more excited about him than Selena."
Toni Daluz brought her two daughters Farrah, 8, and Mikala from Vaughan to TIFF for the time so they could hopefully meet the Stratford-born Bieber.
"They're thrilled," she said. "We pulled them out of school early. They're here for Selena Gomez with the hope and anticipation of Justin."
If Biebs had shown up Mikala, 9, already planned what she would say.
"I love you, Justin!" she said.
Biebs-spotting
Toronto Justin Bieber fans, keep your eyes peeled.
He could be closer to you than you think.
Despite being a no-show at girlfriend Selena Gomez's red-carpet premiere of Spring Breakers, Bieber was spotted Friday in the Intercontinental Hotel, where many TIFF celebrities are staying.
"He's a couple floors down from me," said a woman named Linda, who is in town for an unrelated work conference. "The hotel was all abuzz yesterday when we got here. There's security everywhere."
The popstar was also expected to attend a Spring Breakers after-party at Brassaii on King St. W.,
which was repo! rtedly d ecked out with hot tubs, coinciding with the wild party theme of the movie, starring Gomez.
On his Twitter account Thursday, Bieber posted a black and white photo of himself "at my house cookin some noodles" with Niall Horan from One Direction.