Nathan Langton, a 26-year-old barista from Norwich, beat more than 2000 people to the first prize in a national mobile phone competition - a dream experience in Hollywood. Talent scouts spotted Nathan whilst he was working outside Starbucks in Gentleman's Walk and decided he was just the face they needed to be part of a new commercial for the launch of Virgin Mobile TV. Nathan impressed a judging panel at the grand finale held in London with his confidence and acting ability.
 | | Pammy by the pool at Frank's place |
The next thing he knew, he was jetting across the Atlantic for a date in LA with Pamela Anderson. Since winning the competition, he's now been offered a range of presenting work with a Norwich based TV and media production company. Now read his diary for BBC Norfolk from a whirlwind trip to LA. Wednesday, 13 September I'm sitting in Heathrow having had a disastrous journey down from Norwich. It took six hours due to the M25 being slow. As a result Will [Nathan's flat mate] and I have missed our flight. Luckily we have secured a space on the next plane, so it's a case of some more waiting to do. I'm feeling very showbiz today! I'm sitting in Heathrow Airport doing radio interviews over the phone about my trip. Will's looking on - amused at the absurdity of it all!
 | | Nathan starts to write his diary |
Finally I'm on the plane. The reality of actually going to LA sinks in, now really very excited about the whole adventure. It was a very smooth flight and I'm currently in a very impressive LA hotel. A cool hang out, but the weather is disappointingly British - greyish rain. I have a meeting with the film producers tonight to find out exactly what I will be doing. Time for a drink in the hotel bar. Thursday, 14 September Up early today, no sign of jet lag, just excitement about the day's activities. Enjoyed a huge breakfast by the hotel pool, now to start deciding what to wear to meet Pam in - it takes a little while! On set at Frank Sinatra's house in LA - what an awesome place to shoot an advert.
 | | Pammy and Nathan at Frank's place |
Pam is over by the pool, currently inaccessible as director is shooting her segments of the advert. Lots of waiting and lots of re-takes, it really is a long process! Have enjoyable conversation with English journos, about the latest gossip. My big moment - got to meet Pammy! She was lovely, remembered who I was and that I had missed my flight yesterday! Got my photo taken with her and now whizzing off to Universal Studios to shoot my part of the commercial. The evening takes on a surreal atmosphere as we are standing in Universal, the scenery is battered Mexican buildings, all fake though, with a wrestling ring set up. Lots of Hispanic extras around, camera crew, lots of people. This is a really big operation. Feel excited but calm, a long night ahead. Now about 1am. Have been shooting for hours and I'm dressed like a cowboy! Have done lots of shouting, and lots of miming shouting, it's a really good atmosphere.
 | | Nathan (left) in the mobile phone advert |
The extras are getting tired though and it's raining again, thought it never rained in LA! Back to work now... Now 3am, Will and I are drinking in our hotel. It's been an amazing day, still feels very weird though, had a great time but surreal none the less. Ended up in the foreground of some of the shots, so you may get to see me in the advert - we'll have to wait and see the final edit. I suppose it depends on how good my acting was. Am going to bed now. Buzzing from the day but exhausted. Friday, 15 September Enjoy another huge breakfast today, the weather has changed and it's now hot, hot, hot. The plan today is shopping and sightseeing, and visit a Starbucks - LA style, of course. I've just got back from the Walk Of Fame. Really bizarre as one walks along Hollywood boulevard it transforms from ordinary houses to about five blocks of tourist stuff, Kodak theatre etc, then back to houses.
 | | Time for a stroll on the streets of LA |
A street up or down leads to quite scruffy areas. That really encapsulates LA (the bit I saw) and Hollywood, really is just a facade, all about make believe. Just back from dinner, went to a pizza place and watched the nightlife go past, I've never seen so many Ferraris, Porsches, BMWs, no rollerbladers though! The plan tonight is sit in the hotel bar and celeb watch, apparently Salma Hayek and the Strokes were in here a few days ago. The barman is an aspiring actor, what a surprise! Saturday, 16 September Well, the fun is almost over. It's really been a whirlwind trip, just got 20 hours of travelling to do, but quite looking forward to being home. LA is a cool place to visit, but I wouldn't want to spend too long here. I had a great time here, very brief, but we've packed a fair bit in.
 | | Viewing LA from Frank Sinatra's garden |
Meeting Pam was cool, going to Sinatra's house was fantastic, as was Universal Studios. The filming was long but it was interesting to see the process. Really glad I've experienced the LA thing. The whole four days have been a whirlwind and a lot of fun. Can't wait to get home now and see the finished product on TV. I still can't get over the absurdity of the whole thing, from being spotted outside work in Norwich, to being in LA. Crazy! Back to work next week! - The finished commercial will be screened for the first time in the UK on Monday, 9 October, 2006 and runs for four weeks.
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