On the morning of April 4, I woke up anxious to see what the day would bring as I got ready to go to Sasha Vujacic’s signing at the AT&T Store in Torrance, California. I was even more excited because it wasn’t too far away from my home! Upon arriving at the venue, a line had already formed along the sidewalk filled with patient fans waiting to meet their favorite Laker.
While we were waiting for Sasha to arrive, I was able to catch up with a few fans and talk to them a little about Sasha.
The first person I talked to was 20-year-old Prashant Joseph, a student at the University of California, Irvine. He first caught my attention because he had found a creative way to get Sasha’s attention – he made him a bowl of chicken curry! “I woke up at 7 o’clock this morning to make this and I even asked my mom for help,” said Prashant. Prashant and his friend, Mummeé Mohammed arrived at the AT&T Store at 10:50 a.m. and talked to fellow Sasha fans about the Lakers and previous signings, since this was his first, to pass time.
Moving along the growing line of fans, I came across sisters Michelle and Kristina along with their mom, Priscilla who came to the signing with their pet Maltese (who was decked in Laker gear, by the way) named Bella. When I asked them what they loved about Sasha, Michelle responded with, “He’s the Machine! We love when he gets the ball. We also love his energy.”
Towards the front of the line, I met two young ladies named Violet and Petra Lee. They arrived from downtown Los Angeles at 9:45 a.m. to make sure they were guaranteed a spot in line. The two ladies, along with their father, were still very energetic when we spoke to them. When asked the question, “What do you love about Sasha?” the two Sasha lovers were immediately filled with excitement. Petra responded, “Ok, I won’t lie. His gorgeous hair!” Violet agreed but also added, “His voice!”
Did you think that showing up at 9:45 a.m. was dedicated? Think again. First in line was Rolando from Hawthorne, California. He arrived in Torrance at 7:00 a.m. to meet one of his favorite Lakers. I asked him, “Why did you show up so early?” Rolando responded, “I don’t know. I just never got to meet him and I’ve been wanting to for a long time.”
As I was about to take my place by the door, we took some time to familiarize ourselves with the venue. While doing so, my sister, Anna Raquid, took a glance at the pile of photographs waiting to be marked with Sasha’s autograph on the table. Not trying to hide her excitement, she blurted, “Oh snap! Give me a stack of that!” as a burst of laughter filled the room.
Excitement escalated as 3 p.m. neared. The fans were entertained with music from STAR 98.7 as tickets were handed out. As Sasha entered the store and began the signing, the Laker fans were pleased to also learn that they would be getting their own Sasha headband embroidered “SV18” as a token to take home with them.
I’d like to say that it was definitely another successful signing by Sasha and it was very fun and interesting to meet so many unique fans!
Did you meet Sasha at AT&T? Tell us your story!
Rated 4.92 by 13 people
Loading ...
April 6th, 2009 at 12:44 pm
So sad that I had to miss it! Maybe next time. Hopefully I can make it out to Fiesta Lakers. Glad to see everyone had fun though!
April 6th, 2009 at 12:59 pm
Awesome day ! Sasha is the Best :).
He was so friendly and sweet. It’s no wonder WE LOVE THE MACHINE !!!
April 6th, 2009 at 1:57 pm
Aww, Im sad i didnt go to see sasha At AT&T Store but i saw him at the Beverly Center like a month ago. He is an Amazing Person
April 6th, 2009 at 2:06 pm
My vaca to CA doesn’t start till the 23rd! boo!
April 6th, 2009 at 3:04 pm
I also enjoyed meeting Sasha, but left event unfulfilled because that women standing next to Sasha didn’t allow Sasha to sign stuff I made for him. I spent 4 days making it for Sasha and I was waiting in the line for 2 and half hours and Sasha was impressed and wanted to sign it and she didn’t let him. If Sasha wants to do something, shouldn’t he be allowed to do it? Especially considering that all these people around him work for him anyway - if the boss wants to do something do not stand between him and his fans who work hard to impress Sasha.
April 6th, 2009 at 3:16 pm
Gotta love the machine!! Wow is that a Maltese?
April 6th, 2009 at 3:35 pm
Sasha has certainly got some dedicated fans here! Keep up the passion.
April 6th, 2009 at 4:30 pm
I met Sasha on Saturday. It was my second time meeting him, but first time talking to him. At the signing at Foot Locker, I didnt say a word to him, so this time I decided to actually speak to him. He was so nice and he has a very beautiful smile. I introduced myself and said hello and bye. It wasnt really a conversation, but I still said something. He is just a sweet person, and I talked to a few fans in line and they were sweet too. It was a great experience and I am glad I got to take a picture with him. That was nice of him to do that.
April 6th, 2009 at 4:43 pm
wow, sounds like sasha’s autograph signing session was a big hit. Unfortunely, I missed it, and will also miss fiesta lakers, although im looking forward to sashas upcoming autograph signing because im not going to miss it this time. keep it up sasha.
April 6th, 2009 at 4:45 pm
I couldnt go…..I’m sad
GO LAKERS! GO SASHA!
And we weren’t allowed to take pictures with him at the footlocker signing…so how lucky everyone was at this one! Wish I could of went…hopefully next time
April 6th, 2009 at 5:06 pm
I wish I went too. ah well. There’s always FIESTA LAKERS!!!!
WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
:))))))))
April 6th, 2009 at 5:11 pm
It was nice to see The Machine on 04/03. I was verry disapointed when i was told Sasha would not be able to signed my basketball. They advised like 5 minutes before we meet him that he was only signing the AT&T card. I waited 9 hours in line as i was the firm person there. Without the fans they would no be who they are so i think we should be allowed to have a signature on what we bring. I know i speak for alot of Lakers fans and Sasha fans. Anyways i hope next time i see him there is nobody to tel him what to do.
April 6th, 2009 at 6:48 pm
It was great to meet THE MACHINE ! He was soooo nice and he took a picture with my dog Bella Rina, she’s a Laker fan also and wears her Laker Jersey to watch every game. I HEART SASHA
April 6th, 2009 at 6:48 pm
Rolando and Princess,
If you stand in the line like a sheep and follow rules Sasha’s handlers come up with, you will always leave unfulfilled as they care about corporate side of things and not as much fans as Sasha does. Their job is to stand between fans and Sasha.
To get it done, you need to step away form the line and see who runs things around Sasha. While my daughter was waiting in the line, I was walking around the building and there was this tall guy in suit who had entire crew doing things behind the scenes. He would talk to fans in the line, he had someone videotaping fans for Sasha’s website, he had someone taking e-mails for Sasha’s fan club on the way out, he had someone at the door counting fans, he would personally meet fans in the parking lot after they were done to ask them about their experience like Customer Service representative. He would meet with his team every 20 minutes for status reports. People in the line thought he was Sasha’s brother, but he said he wasn’t.
When my daughter didn’t get what she wanted because she was to impressed with the moment and afraid to ask Sasha to sign her basketball as we were told he can’t do that (!?!?!), and became sad on the parking lot, I knew who to ask to get it done - I asked him, he wait straight up to Sasha and Sasha did it. I thank Sasha and tall guy for saving the day for me as I came to the event to make my dougther happy - not to drive away with unfulfilled feelings. Great event. God bless.
April 6th, 2009 at 7:19 pm
It was a blast meeting Sasha at AT&T! He was so sweet and in such good spirits. It made the the 5 hour wait so worth it! My daughter who was in tears after meeting Sasha forgot to ask him to write her name on the autographed picture. The “tall man” also helped my daughter by taking the picture back to Sasha and sure enough, Sasha came through! After that, the very kind “tall man” had someone interview my daughter and it meant the world to her! Thank you “Very Nice Tall Man”! And a very special thank you to Sasha! WE LOVE YOU! p.s. our picture was posted..two young girls and laker mom
April 6th, 2009 at 8:08 pm
JK ~ Wow! What a great tall guy/Sasha story. I truly warmed my heart. Thanks for sharing it here with all us Sasha fans ~ it is appreciated and good to know that good things really do happen when you love Sasha and the Lakers!
April 6th, 2009 at 8:30 pm
It was great meeting Sasha at At&T! I waited 5 hrs. to meet him and believe me it was worth the wait! I would like to send a special thank you to his manager for helping me out and getting Sasha to sign my daughter’s name on his picture after we had already walked out. This “tall man” also had my daughter interviewed and it meant the world to her! Our pictures are posted the Sasha’s website and for this I AM THRILLED! Thanks Sasha, you’re the best!!
April 6th, 2009 at 9:07 pm
Sandy - thanks for sharing your story. I figured I wasn’t the only one who figured out how to meet initial expectations. The rest of Sasha’s crew couldn’t even notice how their rules around Sasha could make fans upset. While all of Sasha’s handlers were inside of the building focusing on Sasha, the tall guy was focused on us - just as Sasha would do if he was left alone.
April 6th, 2009 at 10:50 pm
All I remember saying is “Hi Sasha, “shaking his hand” I met you before, I went to you’re Beverly Hills signing”…He says something like “oh really, thanks for coming out again…” I told him that I love his website. and then my friend asked us to look at the camera. Emily took a pic also so I was kind of confused. so I asked to take another picture because I said I blinked. He said something like “oh sure no problem”. So I took two pics with Sasha (you know, just to make sure). It was so fast. I really dont remember what else I said.
*** Oh, and the most memorable moment was that I basically froze at the end when my turn was done, and almost forgot my signed Sasha postcard. He pics up the card he just signed for me and jokingly says “Can I keep this?” n i remember I gave him the most sad face ever and said “nooo?” hahahaha he just laughed and smiled at me. I CAN DIE NOW!!!
April 6th, 2009 at 11:12 pm
It was nice that they let everyone take photos with Sasha, which we couldn’t do at the Foot Locker signing. Although I was bummed that he couldn’t sign my jersey, I think having a photo with Sasha is cooler, anyway.
April 7th, 2009 at 9:42 am
James - Thx for the tip. I hope next time i meet Sasha i will leave happy and not sad. To be honest with you, i am still very sad i just cant get over it. Well i am happy your daugther got her signature.Go Lakers and specially Sasha.
April 7th, 2009 at 10:45 pm
is this mysterious “tall man” daniel from the site here?
when i first met sasha i was so overwhelmed i didn’t even think to get a iphone photo with him and i had no pen and paper for an autograph. honestly, i was just thrilled to speak to him alone for a few moments.
the next time i saw sasha up close was at a lakers game, with really great seats by the locker room tunnel. he didn’t stop in my area to sign autographs after the game, though. “oh well,” i thought.
then i went to the footlocker signing - with a lakers magazine and pen handy - but the guards wouldn’t let me in line, so i had to content myself my hanging around inside the store, watching him sign other people’s stuff.
anyways, i don’t think anybody at the event has anything to be sad about.
April 8th, 2009 at 9:43 am
The experience was somewhat awkward (i.e. I’m the weird girl with the bear in that first video up top, haha) as I had completely lost focus and forgot everything I wanted to say, but fun at the same time ’cause I got to bring my boyfriend and roommate and they had fun also.
Meeting
April 8th, 2009 at 11:54 am
It was really nice meeting you my niece and I had a great time! Waiting in line since 9:45am was well worth it. I cant wait till Sunday for Fiesta Lakers and all the play off games I will be attending. See you than!
~Sasha number #1 girl that thinks he is super HOTT!
- Petra Lee
SASHAAAAAAaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!
April 8th, 2009 at 2:52 pm
Would love to have gone! Too bad I live in NY!
April 8th, 2009 at 3:48 pm
My friends and family went with me to go see Sasha on Saturday. I have never stood in line to meet anyone like this before, so I was excited. As we pulled up to the AT&T store, I noticed alot of devoted Laker (Sasha) fans already in line. As I stood in line, I seen Angelica and the Team Machine taking pictures of Daniel.
What made the line fun and quick was standing in line behind Daniel. We teased him and had lots of laughs noticing when others pointed at Daniel and even wanted to take pictures with him! As we got closer to the entrance of the store, we all began to feel a little nervous, which is so crazy, because I usually don’t feel like that when I have to meet someone, but then again, who gets to meet Sasha Vujacic everyday? I was surprised and happy to see that Sasha is very personable with his fans. It was so fun, even just getting to meet him for a few minutes! I would definately stand in line again to see him, he is by far my favorite Laker!
~Ila and Gusto
April 9th, 2009 at 3:38 pm
HELLO I WAS REALLY SAD BECAUSE MY SISTER AND I WEREN’T ABLE TO GO TO SASHA’S SIGNING WE HAD TO WORK…BUT I’M WAITING FOR THE UPCOMING ONE AND WE WONT BE MISSING IT FOR NOTHING…WE GOT TO SEE HIM ON APRIL 5 IN THE GAME AGAINST THE CLIPPERS AND HE PLAYED REALLY WELL…KEEP IT UP SASHA AND MY SISTER REALLY LOVES YOU!!!
April 9th, 2009 at 5:03 pm
Dude I went to that!!!! aaah!!! Sasha referred to me as Jordan Farmar!!!
April 9th, 2009 at 5:07 pm
For the record, Sasha is WAAAY hotter in person. His eyes shine and his smile is absolutely perfect
April 20th, 2009 at 11:33 pm
Hey Sasha Jade iz here let da party begin.
April 28th, 2009 at 1:06 am
Hi Sasha,im 1 of your million fans and I really really love the way you play. Im a big fan of yours, and I am dying to see and meet you in person,coz Im so inlove with you, I dont know why, but when I first see your smile on your game, it feels like you magnet my heart. Its very sound silly and maybe you dont believe it, but thats the truth and even sometimes I dreamed about you. Thats how I love you. But I think thats impossible to happen to see and meet you in person,coz I’ved never been to CA. I am hoping,wishing and praying that one day, this will happen and hope you will give a chance to see you and all the Lakers. My b-day is coming this May and thats my bday wish. I Love You and all the LAKERS. KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK AND STAY HEALTHY. GO LAKERS!!!
May 13th, 2009 at 2:32 pm
Waaaah, my chance to meet Sasha and I missed it!#$@%@#$ Hopefully he’ll have another appearance sooooon…really soon!! :{
May 25th, 2009 at 7:11 pm
haha i was totally there! i wouldn’t have missed it for the world. It was so cool to meet Sasha. he was nice and really geniun my brothers loved it and so did my mother. =]]
July 4th, 2009 at 9:23 pm
I WISH I WENT TO SASHA’S SIGNING. I LIVE IN SAN ANTONIO. I WAS SO SAD I COULDN’T GO.