Maxed Out: Breaking Down the Halls
Have you fallen in love with the hit series Maxton Hall - The World Between Us? If so, this podcast is for you! I'm your host Lorena Coleman. Join me as I recap each episode, discuss the characters, review the soundtrack, and anything and everything Maxton Hall related. Get ready for an emotional roller coaster as I follow Ruby and James at Maxton Hall College.
Maxed Out: Breaking Down the Halls
Inside Obsessed Fest: Our Maxton Hall Weekend
Use Left/Right to seek, Home/End to jump to start or end. Hold shift to jump forward or backward.
Episode 16 is here!
We switched things up for this one! I handed the mic over to Aisha (@bellfortfiles_official), who did an amazing job leading our Obsessed Fest recap.
Join Aisha, Davisha (@damianhardungfl), Daniela (@goesbyniela), and me as we relive an unforgettable weekend at Obsessed Fest, sharing our favorite moments from the panels, our meet and greet, behind the scenes stories, and everything that made the experience so special.
We also couldn’t resist talking about this week’s Maxton Hall Monday clip and sharing our reactions to the newly released Corpus Delicti trailer.
We hope you enjoy listening as much as we enjoyed recording it!
Follow: @damianhardung_boston on Instagram
Hi, I'm Lorena Coleman and this is Maxed Out Breaking Down the Halls. And today I have a very special episode for you all. I have friends who are going to be joining me today to discuss Obsessed Best. So I'm going to go ahead and start with introductions. I'm going to turn it over to Daniela, who's going to introduce herself.
SPEAKER_03Hi everyone. I'm Daniela. And you can find me online as goes by Neila. Next up we have Davisha.
SPEAKER_00Hey guys. As Lorena said, I'm Davisha and I run Damien Hardom Florida fan page on social media. And I'm excited to chat about all things Obsessed Fest.
SPEAKER_01So are we. Yay. Okay. And Aisha, go ahead. Introduce yourself, please.
SPEAKER_02Hi everyone. I'm Aisha. I'm at the Belfort Files where we do Max and Hall mysteries, different pieces of the storyline, the plot, and anything that releases out of Max and Hall with the fans and cast.
SPEAKER_01Oh, that's great. That's great. I'm really happy to have everyone here today. So we're going to go ahead and get started.
SPEAKER_02Yes. And thank you so much, Lorena. I'm super excited to host on your podcast with all of the girls. This is a really exciting event for all of us and the first time that we met in person. So I know I got a ton of messages and DMs around this. And I want to ask you girls, let's, I mean, let's start at the beginning. Where did this all start? How we all got together for Obsessed Fest. And I'm going to hand it over to Davisha.
SPEAKER_00Thank you. Okay, yeah. So I'm going to start us off from the beginning and how it all started. So it all started on April 30th when Prime Video posted their obsession is in session real. And um in the caption, it mentioned how they were going to be hosting an Obsess Fest for the first time. Ran to the link in the bio, and um that's where we saw that like Obsessed Fest um would be this really cool event for the fans. Um and I remember thinking like at the time they had announced uh several guests from different projects that Prime Video had coming out uh for the rest of the year. Um and Max and Hall wasn't announced at the time, but I remember thinking like they have to be. Like this is the final season coming out. They're like the most international watch show on Prime Video. Like, there's no way they wouldn't have representation for the series. Um, so at that time, the four of us were like, hey, we're just going to buy these tickets. They're $25. Um, and we had the option to get a refund if we wanted to, um, if Max and Hall wasn't announced. The good thing is that on the website it did mention that additional guests would be announced later on. And that later on was on May 27th when they added um Damien Hardham to the guest list. And um Yeah, that's kind of how it all started. Once we saw him add it to the list, that's kind of when the planning began. And we're like, oh, there's no refund here. We're gonna make this official and uh, you know, plan the next steps. Um so yeah, that's what we did.
SPEAKER_02Well, thank you so much for going into the details around that. And I really want to just emphasize it was really like, you know, a gamble, like none of us knew, you know, who was gonna be on there, and obviously we had high hopes. Um, but at the time I remember getting the ticket, and then I remember forgetting that I that I got that I purchased the ticket because we just didn't hear too much about it. Um, Daniela, do you want to talk a little bit about the planning that kind of went into this event? Um, in in terms of our girls group.
SPEAKER_03Yeah, sure. I mean, as Avisha mentioned, once uh Damien got confirmed on May 27 that was basically the point of no return. Um yeah, I was like searching for flights and you know comparing hotels versus Airbnb. Um the group chat went a little insane and all the trip planning chaos officially began. Um but yeah, I I must say I I I wanted to add a little bit of the vicious experience um buying that ticket back on April 30th, is that I just took a chance because I didn't even know if international fans were going to be able to attend or if it was mostly for US residents. Um but the ticket was only $25, right? And I remember thinking, you know what? If I don't buy that ticket now and it sells out, I'm gonna regret it. So I just took a chance, like I think we all did. At that point we really knew what Max and Hall's involvement was going to be, but it turned out for the best, I think. And as of planning, well, yeah, I think each of us got our flight, and then you know, all the hotel booking and that form part of planning trips. Um but yeah.
SPEAKER_02I love that. I love the point of no return. I think that moment um that we all made that initial purchase. We're like, okay, let's see. And uh really, I think it was for all of us a really nice surprise in terms of like, hey, take that chance. Um, you never know what can happen and what you know, it was it was truly it was truly a surprising event, and I can't wait to continue to unpack it. Lorena, anything to add around that?
SPEAKER_01Yeah, I just remember when I saw that initial post, I thought I have to get on this. And I remember just telling everyone here, like, hey guys, we gotta go. We we we have to go. I don't know, as Daniela said, the involvement at that point of Maxon Hall, but I I just knew we we we had to be there.
SPEAKER_00And um we were I feel like you were the ringleader though. You're like, we have to go, like it's in the US, like we can't miss, we can't miss this.
SPEAKER_01And I just always feel like you know, anything is possible, like just go for it. You know, I think I've mentioned to you all like in separate messages at one point or another, just just go for it. Like you just you you don't know, just anything is possible, and I'll leave it at that.
SPEAKER_02You know what? I think that that is perfect. And to Davisha's point, you are absolutely like you were definitely the quick that I needed, and and and you know, so grateful for that and your optimism. I mean, it's so contagious. Um, so we started planning, right? And it was four girls that have been in this fandom. We've all been a part of it for how long now for everybody about two years for me, a little over two years.
SPEAKER_00Yeah, when the show came out.
SPEAKER_01A little over a year for me since I well, I mean, I've been a fan since day one since the show came out. But I mean, having like a fan page um a little over a year.
SPEAKER_03Yeah, same for me. I mean, fan since day one, May 2024. Um, but my fan my fan page is actually turning one next month. Um yay! Yeah, so almost a year, I'd say.
SPEAKER_02I love how you said she's turning one. Now I'm trying to think um if Belle for it is she or he also a year in, but uh a fan since day one. So all of us, day one's right here. Um, and there's so many other fans that we know and that we're following along um as we got together. So I think that was really special. Um, so let's talk about kind of getting to the event and our first meeting with each other. Um, go ahead, Lorena.
SPEAKER_01Well, I had met Tavisha previously um at another event, uh, Maxton Hall related, but I had met you or Daniela before, but I felt as if I had already known you just by all of our previous chats and just always supporting each other um in the fandom. So even though I was meeting you all for the first time, except for TV shows, I said, I felt like I already knew you, if that makes sense.
SPEAKER_03Totally, yeah. Likewise, I literally felt the same. Um, I remember uh meeting with you guys with the Vision Lorena first on Friday, that was the day before the event. And we met up at this iconic pink wall in LA. I feel like we haven't mentioned LA, but it was held in Los Angeles. Um I don't know, I felt like a really familiar situation or experience again, like you said. We've been texting and messaging a lot over the year, and it was such a beautiful experience, I'd say.
SPEAKER_00Yeah, I guess, yeah, to piggyback off what the girl said, I like I feel the same exact way. Um, it just felt so natural. Like Lorena said, we'd met in New York City, which was really great. And then meeting both of you guys, the three of us, it felt like we'd known each other, you know, for way longer than we have. And then it just felt like there was no awkwardness, you know, no awkward moments. Everything everyone got along. It was just so fun. Yeah.
SPEAKER_02I totally agree. And I think Daniela, you and I had the conversation where we're like, we don't normally do this, but there was there was definitely that sense of like hunger and failure. And like we kind of, you know, we all stuck together, but also really looked out for each other. And I thought those were so like it was just such a unique experience. I don't think I've ever had that experience. First of all, I know I've never had that experience before, but yeah, it is a unique experience to have to just kind of meet people and just for the first time, but really just feel like you've known them forever.
SPEAKER_03Well, yeah. And I mean, we burned over the year over Maxwell, and I think that's I don't know. I'm always gonna be grateful for that because you know, we all came together because of it, and getting to meet people who also cherish this story and love this show as much as I do will always be so dear to me.
SPEAKER_02Yes, that I think that's you know, I think that's the the heart of it. And you really pointed it out that we actually did all get together and um kind of bond over Maxon Hall and all those big moments um in the past two years as the shows come out and and different things, but also even on a personal level, I think that we've all sort of made those connections and gotten to know each other, you know, as people. And so really like broke down those barriers and that in-person, Davisha, to your point, was was not awkward at all. It was just immediate. It was very exciting and very fun. Um, and then of course, you know, day of the event, we were all super excited. Obviously, the agenda had come out, I think it was shared across the fandom, a lot of pages. Um, we were looking at it, of course, but still unsure of how things were gonna be. Like, I think there was this general like, what is what is passport? Like, um, what is this? Like, how is it gonna be? How's the layout gonna be? We weren't sure what to expect. Um, so I'm gonna go ahead and start off with um the first event. Uh, Davisha, do you want to talk about our first event? Now, I will say before we get into the events, there was a lot of um shows from Prime Video, um a lot of different things that we were able to attend, but this particular conversation is gonna be specifically to everything Max and Hall related.
SPEAKER_00Yeah, of course. I'll go ahead and chime in um to start off um the first panel, which was the passport stamped. Um, I feel like initially we're kind of like, wait, are we gonna get like a little paper passport and have it stamped with like the project that we're you know most excited to see? Like, you know, just so many different like ideas came out. And then also I I don't remember who it was, but someone mentioned, like, oh, maybe it's related to their international, you know, projects that they have slated for the year. And I was like, that actually makes a lot of sense, right? Especially once you saw the lineup for uh the different projects uh that were there. Uh Baxton Hall, um Your Fault. Um there's also The Last Sunrise. Um, those are all like, you know, European projects that are coming out. Um but to get into the first panel, yeah, that was like so exciting, I feel like, for all of us. Um I've I'm sure people have probably seen videos from the live uh feed that was projected on TikTok and then from other videos on social media. But um, you know, when Max and Hall was announced and when Damien came out, the screaming, like the actual piercing screams that you could hear um was actually really cool to hear in person, I want to say. Like the second he came out, I think I even screamed. Thankfully you can't hear me, like, you know, on any of the any of the audio that I have screaming. Um, but um he just looked so happy and excited to be there, especially once he, you know, people were you know cheering for him once they announced Max and Hall. I'm not sure if you guys realized that or noticed that, but there was a genuine like big smile on his face when he came and he walked out uh to sit to sit in a seat. Um, but I also think it was like such a surreal moment too to actually, because we hadn't seen him in quite some time, right? So it was nice to actually see him in person for this event and be like what within the second or third row uh from the stage uh to witness um to witness this panel. I remember us thinking and like, hey, we have to be like as close as we can uh for this event, right? Like we have to be in the first, second, or third row if possible, right? And we did a good job of doing that and securing seats for that panel. Um and yeah, that's I guess the gist of that for me. Um, you know, they asked many questions um about Max and Hall. Um that's when also, too, the big huge, you know, the he confirmed the release month, uh December 2026, when season three would be coming out, which was really exciting because I think people were hoping for some season three news, right? Since it had been some time since we'd heard anything. Um and then we also saw the the posters for you know James and Ruby, which was pretty cool to see in person up there on the big screen. Um but yeah, that's I guess what I thought of the panel.
SPEAKER_02I think that was a that was a great recap. I to your point, like I I heard the videos and the screams, and I was gonna I thought you were gonna say that was us.
SPEAKER_00You know, it probably was you guys, but I'm sure there are some other people.
SPEAKER_02No, but um to your point, I a hundred percent agree with you. I know it was my first time um, you know, seeing Damien in person, and he did come out and he just had like the biggest smile, and like you could tell, like it was the group, like right our entire first couple, like three rows or so, just cheering super loud, and I'm everybody, you know, overall, but like specifically right in front. And um, and it was it was like this this lighthearted, genuine like excitement, genuine fun. And I think that that that sort of lighthearted excitement and joy that everybody had was like kind of followed us throughout the day. And I think that was reflected. There wasn't really any tension or stress at the event. I think people were generally like really happy and like very lighthearted and um just enjoying themselves, enjoying being fans, enjoying being celebrated. Um, and and so I thought that was a really great call out. Lorena, what was your experience? I know that you um were also in New York. This was seeing Damien for the second time.
SPEAKER_01Yeah, I mean it was really great to have him announce the month um of December as season three's release date. I mean, we don't have the exact date, but just knowing that he made this announcement, like it, I was just so happy. I was definitely screaming. I I think I heard myself in some of these videos. Yes. Um and like everyone is saying he he looks so happy, and I'm really glad that we were there to support the show, support him. It was just amazing.
SPEAKER_02Agreed, and I think that that was a big piece for us, making sure to show up um for Maxson Hall and the show that has been so meaningful meaningful for all of us for the past two and a half years. Uh, Daniela, it was also, you know, the first time you know we were all sitting together. What was your experience like at Passport Stamped?
SPEAKER_03Yeah, well, I could barely believe it. Like I think it was cool that he was the first one to walk in on stage. And you know, the room absolutely lost it. I know I did. I lost Yeah, we all lost it.
SPEAKER_00We all lost it for sure.
SPEAKER_03We did, yeah. It was for real. I mean, I I couldn't believe that he was standing right there, just you know, pretty close to the stage, as you say, we were sitting in the second room. Yeah. I can fully express it, but it was just so unreal. Unreal. And as you, I think it was you, Aisha, who mentioned how the whole event, or at least in that panel, it fell all generally like a safe space for fangirls. Um, which I know sounds cheesy, but it's true. Like everyone was just excited about the same things or the shows. Nobody was like judging anyone for being invested. And you could tell um like Prime really wanted fans to have fun, and that was like my first impression of this event, or like experiencing it through my eyes, I think.
SPEAKER_00Oh yeah, I think so too. And you know, this was the first, you know, Obsessed Fest, right? Which I think was pretty cool to attend the first one ever. Um, I feel like they're definitely gonna do additional ones, right? I feel like it was a success. Um so I can see it being like a year, like an annual, like yearly event that they put on for their projects, you know, for the year that they have coming out. Um but yeah, I think uh to back up as to what um Daniela said, like it was definitely too, I guess to her and for me, definitely a fan event. Like you could tell that they put a lot of work and time and you know, they really, really invested time into what the fans want to see. And I think you could see that throughout each panel and the different things that they had, you know, for us to um walk around in um and view like the cool um the cool room with the um the off-campus setting and then the you know the legally blonde L uh Locar thing. Like there's so many cool things that um that I'm jumping ahead to, but you know, so many cool things that they had in the entire venue.
SPEAKER_02No, I I agree with you girls like a hundred percent. And really, Danielle, I love that you pointed it out. It was just like a no-judgment zone, and you were just kind of able to be your best silly self. And I think we also felt like that was appreciated also by a lot of the cast members who were attending and all of like everyone was really just excited to be there. There was not like a front of like, um, you know, I've got to watch what I say or do or be a certain I mean we I think everybody was just really able to fully be themselves um as fans. And I think I'm really like nailed that. Like they did such a good job of making it such a fun, elevated, um relaxing, but joyful and excited and event that we all couldn't stop talking about for weeks after. And so I think it was it was such a positive vibe I got from the event overall. Um, and especially starting with that panel. Um and so, you know, to your point, Davisha, they had all these things set up and we were able to go to the courtyard and go out there and experience some of the different things that they had set up and meet people as we were walking through the courtyard, and that was a lot of fun. Um, as panels would come and go, you know, we would have cast members, there was um the hosts, like people walking around, and we um were able to meet them and um talk to them. And it was just very, like I said, it was very relaxed, a lot of fun. Um, anything you guys want to talk about around that courtyard space? Um, I know there was like a book uh bookstore. Um there was just there were so many like little things and little places that you could kind of get lost in.
SPEAKER_04Oh yeah. Oh yeah.
SPEAKER_02Um we'll we'll go let's start with Lorena.
SPEAKER_01I I remember they had the um prime bags, the obsessed bags, and I thought, wow, I mean, it was so great that they had these bags for us, but I didn't realize until I got back to the hotel that there were things inside that bag. Um there was like makeup and just other things. I it was such a well-planned event for us fans. And I think I'm gonna sound repetitive here, but just everyone was so happy. Everyone there was supportive of each other. Um, it was a great day to make new friends as well because we were all there for the same reason.
SPEAKER_02Oh, I love that, Lorena. That's such a great point. I think um that really did happen. I feel like, you know, we all met people and like made friends, and it like that which was really cool. I feel like it's it's sometimes hard to make new friends as adults and as you get older. And it was really easy to just like connect with people, and I think that. Felt that like everybody was like a fan, and there were so many different, you know, books and book to film adaptations that were there that everybody was just obsessed, obsessed with. And um to kind of like, you know, meet people and and and really understand what is so important to them because I think at the heart of all these books and stories and movies are true emotions and true experiences. And I personally, I think there were some points where I was talking to people and things got so deep where we were talking about very personal things, but it was very easy to talk to talk about because it was on the basis of these stories that we love. So I really love that. That was a great point. Anything to add, uh, Davisha, around, you know, I know you mentioned earlier that they had the setups. Um, anything that you wanted to add around that?
SPEAKER_00Yeah, um, you know, that was cool that um with you know the ticket, the $25 like kind of came back to us and like, you know, we got a food voucher, which was really nice. Um, so I think there was like three or maybe four different food trucks there, uh, depending on your, you know, dietary restrictions. You know, they had like vegan, um, you know, a vegan option and you know, many different options from people to choose from, which was I thought was really thoughtful. Um and um also a huge hit, I feel like a huge hit though, really honestly, was like Daniela, like as far as her bracelets that she was handing out to fans, her cool, amazing stickers that she created, handing those out to fans and just anyone really like, hey, you want you want this cool bracelet that I made, or hey, you want this bracelet? I think that was really cool too. And getting, like you mentioned um earlier, um, you know, it's hard as an adult, you know, to make friends, I feel like. But in that setting, it it was it was it was easy because you know, we're around people who are like-minded and who are fangirling or fan obsessed with, you know, a project or projects, you know, that they really enjoy. And I think that made the experience um so much more meaningful, um, if that makes sense.
SPEAKER_02Oh, absolutely. I think that that's you know, that's a great call-out. And also, yes, let's talk about Daniela because like, yeah, she really popped off first of all. We all got bracelets, which I did.
SPEAKER_00Oh my gosh, I love them.
SPEAKER_02Oh sweet. Like our names, our fan pages. Um was so cute. They were color coordinated. Um, Daniela, can we talk about like all like you were prepared?
SPEAKER_00I mean, the stickers, the posters, the pictures of like David and Harriet in their LA locations. Yeah, give us the nitty-gritty.
SPEAKER_03Yeah, yeah. I mean, I guess I just thought of how we I could make this experience even better, or how I could like bring a part of me into it, like like some artsy part of me in the uh the friendship bracelet idea came. I mean, it's not something I invented, it's something I actually took from Taylor Swift's The Eras tour. We all are familiar with that concept. I love that.
SPEAKER_02Yes.
SPEAKER_03And that was like pretty much the concept behind it, how I wanted to share that love with people. I mean, through something handmade and something that I know people would appreciate. Um, the stickers is pretty much the same. Like I wanted to share a bit of of what of what I've created, I mean like illustrations and these postcards, these pics of Damien and Harriet and LA. I just thought I I guess it was more about um like enhancing the experience and because I've been a fangirl like forever, and but there have there hadn't been many like opportunities to share this space with people that care about the story like I do, you know. So I don't know, I thought it would be like something fun, and again, making friends and getting to know people. You know, we were in line and I was just asking girls like, hey, would you like a French bracelet? Amazing, and people will will would um accept and receive them and put them on, and that honestly is the best part for me. Like, that makes me incredibly happy to know that you guys liked it and still wear them, or that you guys have the stickers, you know. That that's the whole point for me. Like knowing that I like I don't know, made made you a little happy with it. I don't know. I'm gonna get so emotional right now, but that was a core idea of it.
SPEAKER_01Yes, thank you so much. I love mine. I'm wearing mine right now, both of them right now, and I love it. Has my name, like so all of them have our names, like you were saying, and then our um handles. I love it. Thank you.
SPEAKER_03Yeah, yeah. And there was one that I made very special or a very special someone. But we get to that, I think, later on.
SPEAKER_02There was. There was, I think there was a bracelet that had another name on it. And so we had we had bracelets. There was girls um in line that we met, um, and other fans that also got the Daniela bracelets. I think we were talking about this, not not right now, but earlier, about how we kind of got the upgraded um swag bag because we got Daniela's stickers and bracelets and ours. And truly, I know like mine's are so cherished. And I think that your goal was to like you bring people together and elevate the experience. And it definitely did that for me. I think um part of what we mentioned earlier, like meeting and that there was no awkwardness. I think Daniela, the first thing you did when you met us was like, here's these bracelets I made for you guys. And I was just really, really like truly heartwarming and and so sweet. And um, I know I just it just made me feel very like, you know, just very loved as a friend. And so um, and but but there was a lot more. The bracelet, the bracelet story. Um the bracelet. Um, so let's go on to talk about um the next big event that was at obsessed fest, and that was the meet and greets. Um, so as we know, prime really kept us on our toes. We didn't know who was gonna be on it. I mean, this was really like this was truly the first obsessed fest, I think, was like 100% a blind, a fan's blind date with Prime, because we just didn't know what was gonna be on the other side at any given moment, like from the time we purchased the ticket. Um, and then as the events were being unfolded and what they were gonna entail, so passport stamp, like uh Davisha mentioned, was like we had no idea what it was gonna be. And I think Daniela, you were the one who was like, I think it's the international project. And you were right. You were like a hundred percent correct. Um, and so we didn't, we truly didn't know. We thought we were gonna get passports um and maybe get them staked.
SPEAKER_00We we did, yeah, we we did.
SPEAKER_02So another thing that popped up after you know, we got the tickets, they started announcing the lineup um was that there was gonna be meet and greets. And of course, as Maxson Hall fans, like the big the big meet and greet draw is meeting um James Beaufort himself, Damien Harding, and our lovely ladies. Do you want to talk a little bit about the meet and greet? Because I know everybody wants to hear about it.
SPEAKER_01Let's start with Brennan. Yeah, I mean there were so many highlights to attending, such as seeing you all, but just having an opportunity to speak with him. I mean, he really puts you at ease. I I was so nervous. I really, really was. Um, but just he has a way of just making you feel really comfortable. Um, I always say he has such a warm smile. And when you look at that warm smile, you're you're put at ease and you're able to continue your your conversation. And um, I'm just grateful for having that opportunity. Um, I still can't believe it happened again, but um, but it did. And yeah, just just so grateful. And yeah, yeah, I'm speechless and I've and I'm thinking back. And um, I'll share that. I I I cried happiness, like happy tears. I I cried. Um, but yeah, that was my experience.
SPEAKER_02I and and I know everyone listening can't see this, but you have like the biggest smile on your face, and I think that just does it all. Um that you you need to know. I know I do want to say this, I think it's so important is that you know, Max and Hall has such a dynamic cast and has such great people. And I think that all of us, like we were drawn to the show and the story. Um, but the cast behind it has just been so phenomenal, and they're just like amazing people. Um, and they've all interacted with our pages, um, and they've just they've been so just so welcoming and so warm to all the fans and just really sweet. And and with with our leads, and particularly Damien, who was at the event, I will say that, you know, you there's a magnetism that that entire cast brings to the show, um, particularly, you know, Harriet and Damien. And that magnetism that you see on screen is a fraction of what it is like in real life. And I can a hundred percent like say that with full confidence. And I know that, you know, oftentimes they say, Don't meet your heroes, and there's kind of that saying out there. And I would say, you know, you can definitely meet these people and realize that like a fraction of the magic that you experience through the screen is it's it is only a fraction of what it what it is like. They're just dynamic and they have so much warmth, and like they're just very, very like it's very truly special. It comes through on screen. Um, so I want to hand it over to Daniela to sort of l lead us through the uh saga of the bracelet, maybe talk about some of that um and your experience meeting Damien for the first time.
SPEAKER_03Yeah, sure. Um well I don't know, uh it's hard for me to put into words, honestly. Um it's it's been just such a meaningful and beautiful experience for me. Um I walked in that room incredibly nervous. I'm unfortunately one of those people whose nerves become very physical. Like I feel like I can't breathe, I got nauseous, I kind of get teary-eyed. Um it's not cute. Um but I mean we got in line maybe like what like 15-20 minutes before. And by the time they moved us outside the room, um, the meet and greet room, I was I was thinking like, I don't know how I'm gonna get through this. Like I was just so nervous. I I don't know, my head was spinning. Uh thankfully, uh you guys were in line with me. You were literally standing next to me the whole time, so I think that really helped a lot. And also that once I walked in, I felt completely at ease. Like I forgot everything that had me worried minutes before. Um, because I mean it Damien was smiling and he was like very kind and welcoming. And I don't know, I'm getting emotional all over again, but um that instantly put me at ease. And I don't know, I I can't describe it other than such a special, wonderful experience. Um, I made sure to tell him how much I admire him, and you know, not just not only for his work as an actor, because he's amazing, but also because he always comes across as incredibly kind and grounded, and well, that that's like putting into an overall uh of what I said because I lost track of time. I I'm pretty sure that I forgot how time worked for a bit. Um yeah, about the bracelet, I think it was right after I can't even recall like the order of things, but we got to to the bracelet point. Um well, so I had made friendship bracelets, like we just said, for friends and people I met through throughout the event. But I also made one with his name on it. And we knew technically gifts weren't part of the Mid and Greek guidelines. I remember we we read that on the side, so I almost didn't bring it up. But again, like talking to you guys and kind of like discussing it, I actually went for it. Um so yeah, I just decided to quietly like hand it to him because I was wearing it on my left wrist along among my other bracelets, and he thankfully accepted it and put it on. And I don't know, like I thought it was gonna be maybe a little cheesy of me, but you know, it was just a subtle like gift for him, which I kind of could tell that he really appreciated it. And yeah, that instantly made me happy. And you know, seeing photos of the event and the next panel, which we probably will cover uh later on, that he still had it on his wrist. Like, I don't know, it felt truly special. I still can't believe it happened. It was truly a pitch-me moment for me, and yeah.
SPEAKER_02I think that is it was a special moment for you, and I think it was for all of us. Like, I think we all had the bracelets, it's kind of something that you put put a lot of love into. And um, I think that when you shared them, I think we all like it just you know, it kind of brought us all together, and then um and then Damien as well. And there was one with his name on it, which is which is the secret that we were talking about earlier. Um, I also if if you're open to sharing, I know you had some artwork with you. Did you want to talk a little bit about your artwork?
SPEAKER_03Artwork, yeah. I mean, I think it's pr is the first thing that I like did like show showed him the artwork as soon as I walked in. Because I was nervous. I I didn't know how it functioned at the time. So I think um yeah, I showed him that. Um it was a fun art or an artwork that I actually made last year of his uh 2025 shoot uh uh based on the Boys by Girls magazine. And I mean it was a surprise, but he actually told me he remembered that shoot, and we talked a little bit about that. Um then we started talking a little bit about digital art because he asked me if I had drawn it on my iPad, which I said yes. And well, I won't go into that much detail, but that piece was pretty meaningful to me. Um to this day, I think it's my absolute favorite Damien shoot. Um, not only like in a creative way, like the way the shoot was handled, um you know, not just the editorial part of it, but also the interview. It's one of my absolute favorites. Like I don't know, I revisit it every now and then. So it was I don't know, it was really meaningful for me to have him sign one of my pieces, but that one specifically. Like truly.
SPEAKER_02I think uh that's just beautiful, and you know, girls, you can also chime in, but I I think that was a really definitely a meaningful moment. Shout out to Boys by Girls, um for for that photo shoot and and really, really great um interview. Davisha, um meet and greet. Meeting Damien, this was number three. Life coincidences have been in your favor the odds have been in your favor, my girl. So what do you want to share?
SPEAKER_00Oh man. Um, yeah, I have been, I am thankful and grateful that I've um been able to meet him three times now. Um that's definitely true. Um so yeah, I want to say, I mean, I guess we were all, this was like what we were all the most excited for about the day is the meet and greet. Um like I said, even though this was the third time, I was still, you know, nervous standing in line just because you're about to meet someone that inspires you so much, you know what I mean? Um I feel like no matter how many times, maybe, right, you may meet them, it there's still some nervousness there. Um but I feel like um what Daniela said too, um, like once you walk in, right, um he just makes you feel at ease. Um I guess you know how sweet and comforting he is. Um it was funny because he um he did remember who I was, right? Um and uh it was nice that he was excited to uh see me. Um he couldn't believe that I was there from Florida from Florida, uh, which was funny. Um but like I said, he had like this really calm presence that immediately makes you feel um like you're gonna be okay. Um even though like there are plenty of like fans like waiting in line, um he never made us feel rushed because you know the the the meet and greet session was just 15 minutes, right? So there wasn't much time for the you know for you to have you know like a you know a four to five minute conversation if you could possibly write. Um it was pretty uh quick turnaround time, but I feel like it didn't feel like that, right? Because um he's always fully present in the conversation. Um he listens to what you have to say. Um I feel like even before I'd met him, you know, the eye contact is strong there, right? So he's definitely he's definitely looking at you right in the eyes when you're talking. Um so I feel like that makes the interaction like feel um a lot more genuine. Um I also did mention because I did get people asking me, like, oh, if you do, you know, happen to meet him, um, could you tell him like how much we miss him? And I did actually. I did tell him um how you know that we'd missed him since he'd been, you know, pretty quiet on social media um prior to the event. Um and yeah, we um talked a little bit about some of his projects and um we laughed a little bit too, which was fun. Um and he signed my special edition of Save Me, which um I actually took to New York City, but I didn't, um he wasn't able to sign at that time. So I'm glad that I was able to bring it for the meet and greet and um he was able to sign it. Um then we took a photo together at the end. Um but yeah, um to point to what the girls had to say, like the minute and a half, I feel like it felt way longer um than it actually was. And um it's nice that um there was someone there who was able to take our phones and like record it for us. So I don't I have like pictures and I also have a video, which I feel like is a lot more meaningful, meaningful in those situations because you can go back and look at those, you know, the video and hear the audio and hear what was being said because you're talking to Damien, you're not gonna remember what you were talking about and what you said, right? So it's nice to have that to look back on as you know a memory from Obsessfest. Um but yeah, that's uh my takeaway from the meet and greet with Damien at Obsessed Fest.
SPEAKER_01I I did want to add just one more thing to just something that came to mind as Davisha was speaking. Uh you know, when you talk to him, like he's he's really paying attention to you. He's so attentive, but at no point did ever I think any of us feel like rushed by that like we were able to have this conversation and he listened and it wasn't like okay, okay, next go. I didn't feel like that. Like he he really like took the time to speak with you.
SPEAKER_03Yeah, yeah. I mean, just to uh to all that you guys had said. I mean, we knew he obviously had like a schedule to keep and there were people in line, and that was never the case, right? You know, he never made you feel rushed or anything. And what stood out to me the most, I think, is how carefully he listens and asks questions and reacted to what you were saying. I remember telling him, like, I came all the way from Mexico, and he was like, Stop, no way, and I was like, Yeah. But that kind of thing, right? He reacted to that. Um, it just makes every interaction feel very real, very human, I'd say. And again, that's what stayed with me the most. I really admire him as an actor, as a person, but living there, I I am R even more now.
SPEAKER_00Oh yeah. Definitely.
SPEAKER_02I think that's first of all, just beautiful accounts across the board. And I think that, you know, I think, like I said, this event in itself, like you just didn't know what you were gonna get in and out of it. And I just feel like based on that, you know, we all just left with so much more than we expected. Um, and to your point, I don't know if it was time bending because it certainly did feel like a long time. Um, so you know, I I don't know what it was. I don't know if it was like the California sun. I have no idea. Not those moments. Um but truly, I think that, you know, one of the big things that you guys mentioned is like the authenticity. Like he's he's so for real. Like it, it's it's really like refreshing to see. And I think that, you know, if you if you are a fan of Damien, you're a fan of Maxim Hall, but if you're also a fan of Damien, I mean, he's definitely somebody, you know, that there's there's just so much there to be a fan of, whether it's his work um or what he's, you know, what he's embarked on personally or how he sort of conducts himself, um, and all of those things. There's just it's just really, really honestly very inspiring to see. I think it was mentioned in an interview um that you know, he was talking about the kind of doctor that he would be in, he would be healing people in different ways. And I think that from your guys' accounts, it's very, it's very evident. Um, so after the meet and greets, guys, um, there was an event, and you know, we kind of we refer to it as the um book boy friends, but it was the leading men of book talk. And this was such a fun event, guys. There was panels, there was meet and greets, and there was also these interactive like small room sessions, and we all got a panel um to talk about our favorite thing red flags or green flags. And so um Damien was part of that panel as James Beaufort for Maxson Hall. Um, and then we had a whole lineup of book talk um leading men and book book boy friends. Um, so I wanted to kind of turn this around real quick and open it up to a quick um red flag, green flag with you girls, and see what your thoughts were because they this is what they did on the panel, and the panel was was just moderated so wonderfully. It was so much fun. I think this is one of the favorite events um sessions at the event. Um, they were kind of asked, hey, is this a red flag or a green flag? And the guys all got to answer, and then the audience would react and say whether they thought it, you know, their answers were a red flag or a green flag. So I thought that was a lot of fun. Um I'm gonna ask you girls about a red flag or green flag moment.
SPEAKER_00Oh man, okay.
SPEAKER_02And this is uh directly from the session itself. So this question is from the session itself. Um this one I felt like was a very like intense one that they asked. So I'm gonna I'm gonna throw it to you guys. Being friends with your ex, red flag or green flag? Let's start across the room. I see some thinking. Um Davisha.
SPEAKER_00Oh man, I was hoping you weren't gonna pick me first. Um man, I that's uh I feel like I was I feel like I was hesitant in the room too. Like I feel like I was hesitant in the room too with this one because I like I'm actually gonna go with the yellow flag, right? I know that's not an option, right? I'm gonna go with the yellow flag, right? Yeah, yep. Um, I don't know. I feel like every situation is different, right? Every situation is different, right? But since we're speaking like, you know, not like hypothetically, right? Just in general, that's why, you know, there's not a specific scenario like, oh, did this person do this or this what happened, this scenario, right? That's why I'm saying yellow flag without knowing all of the facts first, right? Um but yeah, like I said, every situation is different. Um I feel like if the relationship ended on good terms and there's clear boundaries and everyone's respectful, then I don't see like that being a red flag. But if there's unresolved feelings, like lack of transparency, then I can see where that would become an issue and we can definitely lean more to the red flag area. Yeah, that's how I feel.
SPEAKER_01I mean, that's exactly what I was gonna say too. Uh that's exactly what I thought. The yellow flag. Um Daniella, Daniella, do you wanna let us know your thoughts on that?
SPEAKER_03Yeah, I was gonna actually pull the hearher out flag. Oh, good, good, good, true. I remember that was an option too, right? Um it's tricky, it's a tricky question, but I don't think being friends with your ex is automatically a red flag. Uh as you said, like each situation is different and it's unique. But I don't know, let's see. Um I think if the relationship ended on good terms and there are clear boundaries and everyone's respectful, I actually think it can be a sign of emotional maturity. I don't know how to put it, but I don't know. I think you you also mentioned this that if there are unresolved feelings or the friendship comes before the current relationship, then it starts looking a little red.
SPEAKER_00I don't know. It's it's a tricky question, I think. Yeah, it's such a tricky question, right? Like that's why I'm like red flag for sure, because or excuse me, yellow flag for sure, because I'm like I'm in the middle with that one because we don't know the circumstances in this situation, right? Right, this this situation. So I'm gonna stay neutral and go with that. Yeah.
SPEAKER_02All right. I mean, yellow flags are wild, Davisha. Um we didn't have any of those in the room, but we did have a session, uh section where we could say, hear him out. And I think we, you know, we're hearing you out, hear her out as well.
SPEAKER_00Thank you, thank you, thank you.
SPEAKER_02All right, girl. I've got I've got another one for you. Um, I'm gonna throw this to Lorena. If he watches your favorite show without you, red flag or green flag, and you know, or hear her out.
SPEAKER_01I think that's a green flag. I mean, it's okay to watch it without me. I'm glad he's watching it.
SPEAKER_02Lorena, I think you're a green flag. That was a great answer. Oh great, you know, Daniela, any thoughts on that? Red flag, green flag, or yellow flag, I guess.
SPEAKER_03I'm sorry, I gotta pull my red flag here. Oh no. Yeah. Yeah, I mean, we started this together, we're finished it together. That's that's not a question. I mean, yeah, half half the fun is watching each other's reaction and watching it together. So don't don't rob me of that experience, I guess.
SPEAKER_01True, you're right. Yeah, that that definitely makes sense.
SPEAKER_00Yeah, I'm gonna have to go with Danielle on this one. Like it's something that we started together, a shared, you know, thing that we do, like you know, yeah after the day is done and we can like unwind and watch our favorite show together, right? Together. So I think I'm gonna have to go with that.
SPEAKER_03I'm watching the new the new Mexico season without me. Like that's just oh that's the biggest red flag.
SPEAKER_00That's actually a cry. That's a crime in this household. That would be a crime.
SPEAKER_03I I mean, yeah. I won't allow it.
SPEAKER_02Just a man, I can't even imagine. Um, definitely. I I will say, I would say a double red flag. It's a it's a huge betrayal. Like, how do you know what James and Ruby are doing before I do? Come on.
SPEAKER_04Um I thought that was great.
SPEAKER_02Thank you guys for playing along. Um, but this kind of takes us right into the panel itself. Um, so it was a really interactive panel, like we talked about. Um, you guys want to share anything that you know you took away from that panel? I know specifically for me, what I loved was first of all, I want to say all of the cats, everybody who was on that panel, did such a great job. Like those guys, I mentioned it a couple times, but I mean, they were all like green flags and just like very opposite of their um book talk leading man, um their characters, right? But when it came, yes, right? It was like wild. They were so opposite of it. Um in in in all their answers that they came up with. But I will say, and we're here for Max and Hall, right? Of course, um, Damien had just such thoughtful answers. And um, they were so like reflective. And I think at some point, um, I was sitting next to some girls and we were just talking about how it's almost very therapeutic. Like it was felt like we were in therapy, and he was like, I want you to like look deeper and reflect on yourself. Um, and so so it was really I thought that was something that I took away and I really enjoyed from that panel. Um, but I will throw it to um uh Daniela.
SPEAKER_03Um Yeah, I think uh besides uh the Maxim Hall panel, the Passport Sam, this was a favorite of mine. I think it was it was really good. Um I felt like I don't know, they addressed topics, relevant topics today about masculinity and relationships, and most importantly, I think the responsibility of playing these characters, right? Because I mean, talking from a James perspective, where I think it was also Matthew who plays um Nick in your fault. Why is it I think the question was why is it important to uh play or portray the green flag? He just goes like, Well, you can just play the red flag, man. And that was pretty relatable. Uh they all gave some really thoughtful answers about their characters, Damon specifically talking about James. Um yeah, it was I think a really insightful panel overall.
SPEAKER_02I think that that's a great call-out, and you kind of reminded me of um this came out after on um the photos, but the trio that we never knew we needed, um Damian Matt, and Asha, like I thought that was really like surprising. But when you when you were at the event, you definitely saw it, they were vibing. Um and you know, uh they were like at during the panel just bouncing things off each other. I think we all made friends. I think they all made friends too. I think this was like a universal, like, let's make friends event. Um anything to add, Lorena or Davisha?
SPEAKER_01Just to you know, repeat what everyone has said so far, just the thoughtfulness and the answers that we heard. Um, yes, we laughed a lot too, but just when I hear them, I mean, especially Damien speak, it's it's just it's really deep and it makes me want to hear more.
SPEAKER_00Um yeah, I guess I'll chime into um uh when it comes to the book talk, the leading man uh leading men panel. Um, like we mentioned, like it wasn't just like the games, right, that they had, which were pretty fun, right, and um engaging with the audience. Um I also really like that it was in that room. I feel like it was like a pretty intimate like seating arrangement in that room that I think that was like the perfect setting for that specific panel instead of being in like the um the stage, right? Where the you know, the what's like about 500 plus chairs, you know, that were in there. I really liked the seating the specific room that they set for this panel. Um but uh but what I like I said, it wasn't just games and funny moments. Um I really um also liked how thoughtful the conversation was um about relevant, you know, issues today, like uh Daniela was saying about masculinity and what it means to be like a me a leading man in today's world. Um They also talked about how important it is to show vulnerability, communicate, and like to be emotionally available, which was refreshing like to hear. Um they also like discussed how different they are from their characters that they, you know, that we see on screen and who we know them as, which I feel like most people are, right? Most people are very different than the character and the personalities they portray. Um but obviously, you know, we see them as their characters, but you know, outside of that, you know, them being their own person, most I feel like actors and actresses are you know, they're playing a role and they're playing it well if we, you know, are seeing them as their character. Um and then uh yeah, back to that. I feel like it was really interesting conversation. I feel like it added a lot of depth to the panel, like getting to hear them speak about their characters in such a way. Um and it gave everyone a chance to hear their perspective beyond like the roles that we know them for on screen.
SPEAKER_02I love that. I think that's such a great like recap of that event. And yeah, just yeah, like I think you just literally, quite literally covered everything that was discussed on that panel. But also to your point, like, yes, it was fun and it was like very funny, and we had like there was a lot of jokes that were going on. And I think a lot of the inside jokes came out of that particular panel. Um, lightning doesn't strike twice, um, just like a lot of cool things that came out of it. But at the same time, there was a lot of moments of like seriousness and like these these um young actors talking about how important it was to get it right with their character. And I think that was so important, like to see that, like for us, obviously as fans of these characters, um, how like how serious they took that responsibility. And then I think also for them to see that in each other um as actors, you know. Uh, I thought that was really, really special. Oh anything, anything else to add around this? Uh this was one of the funnest um panels. Anything else, girls, before we before we move on?
SPEAKER_00No, I think I'm good.
SPEAKER_02Okay, perfect. Um, Lorena, Daniela, anything else to add?
SPEAKER_01I was happy to be there. I was happy to hear them all out, not just Damian's answers, but I was happy to hear what the other leading men had to say.
SPEAKER_02Oh, that's a hard agree. All right. I think that really um recaps it. And really after this event, I want to say the energy was super high. Um, I think everyone was really happy. It was really a lot of fun. And no matter what book um to film adaptation you were there for, um, leaving that piece there, everybody was just had this sense of like, yes, this was totally worth it. I mean, if you didn't have that the minute you walked in, and and it was it was at that moment we were like, this is this is so great. This is wonderful, this is it. And we all are ushered to the main stage area and we all go in. Um, you know, we knew off campus was going to be the last event. Um, they got us all into the main area, everybody got a seat. Um, they were really nice about helping find seating, making sure everybody was seated, and then um, and then the entire room just fills up. Like I think this was everybody that was at the event. The entire room fills up.
SPEAKER_00Oh, yeah, it was packed in there. Yes. Right.
SPEAKER_02It was I because we were all, everybody was like at different things throughout the day. So we were like running into people in and out, but that was I pretty sure that was everybody. And then it goes dark. And you know, they come out and say, Hey, there's another surprise. And like I mentioned, this was like one big blind date with prime prime and the planning committee. We did not know what to expect. Um, and I think we were like, okay, you know, like we knew that, you know, the rest of the evening, um, what was gonna be going on, or we had a relatively good idea as opposed to the morning when we had no idea what we were gonna walk into. And um, everything goes dark, and we all like attended a J-Lo concert. Let's talk about that. Like, like that was on nobody's bingo card. So um thoughts, ladies, uh Davisha, I'll throw it to you.
SPEAKER_00Yeah, um, yeah, that was so insane. Like I that was so that was so insane because I remember like because I was more towards the back, um, because people were waiting for like the off-campus panel for some time. Like the line was crazy to get into there. So but I remember, like you said, um, that it just went pitch black, and then like you started seeing like people dancing. You're like, oh, what's happening right now? And then I feel like, correct me if I'm wrong, right? But I feel like like her music started playing, and that's when the whole place just went like crazy because obviously we know that her song, right, um, is huge well, it's a been a huge hit, right, since it came out long time ago, but with the show off campus, it's now like back in circulation, and um the whole crowd just went wild. I think I even was like, holy cow, right? Uh J-Lo is in the building. Um, and I feel like I put I mean I had no idea there was gonna be no any surprises, but I feel like this makes sense, right? Especially leading up to the off-campus panel. And then, you know, with her, I want to say that she was also did like a like a short video a bit ago with Mika, right? One of the leads from the show, which was cute. And I was like, okay, this make obviously makes total sense, but it just was so surprising to everyone in the room who wasn't aware of what was happening. But it was pretty cool to be able to dance and you know, stand up and dance to that J-Lo song. Um, that was really fun. I was it was uh definitely a highlight and a good end to I feel like the event itself. Like it went out with a bang for sure.
SPEAKER_01Yeah, I was gonna say that it was standing room only. I thought it was at a concert. I mean I was dancing and moving. It it was electric. I mean, J-Lo, Jennifer Lopez.
SPEAKER_00Lopez. Oh, that's such a good word. Electric, yeah.
SPEAKER_01She was in the house. I loved it, loved it.
SPEAKER_02Yes, it was a full-on, and I love the way they had it. So the room was full, and um, she just walked through like through the audience, and so everybody was able to like see it. Once you process what was happening, I think there was the moment of shock, like that nobody saw it coming. Um, and then you know, she like literally walked through walked through the entire um, I don't know, like but stage arena area to to the stage, um, dancing. And that was that was pretty that was pretty amazing. Daniela, any thoughts there?
SPEAKER_03Yeah, about JLO, I mean it was pretty crazy. I mean, the room went wild. I knew I was dancing.
SPEAKER_00Yeah, we were all dancing. I feel like we were separated, right? Because there was like so many like limited seats, right? So we weren't like a few of us were together and then you know what I mean, but like it was still so much fun, like because everybody around us was enjoying it and having a good time.
SPEAKER_03Yeah, I also have to point out that it's an old song.
SPEAKER_00Like I remember Hi, yeah, it's like yeah, it's really old. I mean, at least 20 years, right? Like at least bad, I don't remember the name of the song.
SPEAKER_03On the floor, yes, oh yeah, on the floor. Yeah, I know, I know it's pretty viral right now, and everyone's listening because of Canvas, but right listen to that on like iPod, like back in the 2000s, you know. Not the iPod.
SPEAKER_00Yeah Oh yeah, iPod. That's good times.
SPEAKER_02But she also had oh no, go ahead, Daniela.
SPEAKER_00Oh no, no, I was I was pretty much the oh wait guys. Okay, so I just actually I just looked it up, right, to see when this show came out or the song 2011. That's actually not that bad. Here I'm like 20 years, it's like 15. Oh yeah, but still that's some time. Yeah, pit bull's also in the song, too. So yeah, pit bulls also in it.
SPEAKER_02Oh my goodness, imagine if this is the song, guys.
SPEAKER_00Yeah, for sure.
SPEAKER_02Of the 2010s. I remember that, like listening to that on my commute. So I'm like, yeah, on the way to school for whatever reason. That was my vibe. Um, but also she also had part of a new song, right? I think that's what they said. Like she did part of a new song that she was releasing. Um, I thought that was really cool. And you guys, I don't know, like at that point, we kind of uh got a little separated. Um I don't know where you guys were, but I know everybody was like up and jumping up and down and dancing. And like it was, it was it was really wild. Like you like every single person, nobody was sitting.
SPEAKER_00Right, yeah. It was fun. It was definitely like a like I said, a good ending to the event. Like it went out with a bang.
SPEAKER_02Well, and then the thing is it wasn't over, right?
SPEAKER_00Then we had Oh, that's that's true. Then we had the then we had the off-campus.
SPEAKER_02Yeah, the entire cast of off-camp off-campus.
SPEAKER_00She opened up for them. Yeah, that's true. She opened up for them. Oh my goodness. Yeah, that was so cool to see. Not gonna lie, that was to deviate a little bit to see them like in person was pretty cool too. Because I I do I did enjoy the show. I I I think it's good. And yeah, so that was cool to see them in person, to see the hype, you know, in real life, I feel like the current hype.
SPEAKER_01Yeah, it's really cool to see the cast up and the uh the stage. Yeah.
SPEAKER_02Yeah, no, I I agree. Daniela, anything about off-campus that you want to like we'll have a little di diversion here. Um off-campus, any any thoughts around the panel?
SPEAKER_03Um yeah, I mean, I just I think I would go with the visual, like seeing the hype around the series in real life was just I don't know, like so insane. I remember we we got in line like a little late, so we got like seats in the back, but like I said, I think those people like they were waiting for some time to get into that panel, right?
SPEAKER_00Like they were there for a while. They were there for a while. Yeah, so and then we obviously had just left um the leading man, the leading men panel when we got in line and we're like, whoa, it was so long.
SPEAKER_02It was it was it was that was insane. That was really crazy. Um yeah, it was I think it was really cool to see them, and I I love that the whole cast was there. I know as Maxson Hall fans, we were like, I wish we had our Max and Hall cast um in its entirety with us. Um you know, and anything you guys want to add around that?
SPEAKER_03I just think like to wrap up Obsessfulness, I think it was pretty cool also to see the beaches live. I was really looking forward to the performance because I know it's an off-campus song, but I've had it on repeat since May or whenever the show dropped. I think it's on like upstream songs right now. I don't know, it was cool.
SPEAKER_02No, I love that. And like, so we had like basically JLo open for off campus that and then had the beaches, and we also had Asha Banks performing a song. So there were so many things, like there was just so many things going on throughout the day, and like I think that you know, myself as well, like it was really cool to see the cast, and I think for me too, a lot of times with shows, it's really nice to see um cast members that are like like friends and family. I think that's a big draw for off campus. But I was also reflecting, and I think that's that was a big draw for us with Maxton Hall as well. And so just some like similarities of things that do well and work and um just find a place in people's hearts, I think. Um, but really I thought it was a lot of fun. Um, it was almost like it was a very like, what more can you like ask for or ex you know, expect? Um at the by the end of it, I think we were all just like super happy and um just super like appreciative of the event and experience in itself. Um and so we were like really happy, very excited. And I know that you know, we all were we, you know, we had our evening plans um together as you know, our group. We had some other fans that we met up with. Um it was really a lot of fun um as we wrapped up the night and we were, you know, really sad that it was over.
SPEAKER_00Um yeah, really sad actually.
SPEAKER_02Yeah. Do you want to do you guys want to you guys want to talk about how sad how sad we were to leave? Um you guys want to bring up talk about some of that, like that emotion as well.
SPEAKER_00Yeah, I guess I'll go. Um, I guess by overall like experience, you know, of the weekend itself, I guess to wrap up like the obsessed fest in general, but um I feel like I couldn't have asked for like a better weekend um from finally meeting you guys in person, um you know, seeing Damien again uh to all the different panels and the unexpected surprises throughout the day. Um, I feel like it exceeded every expectation I had, which I feel like I didn't have many right going into it right. Um, but it definitely exceeded whatever I I could have imagined in in my mind prior to the event happening. But I want to say, like, as a Max and Hall fan, um, it meant so much like to be there representing our little corner, our little corner of the fandom. Um like seeing so many people come together because of the show we all love was really special because like obviously we know a lot of people were there for um uh off campus, but there were actually a lot of people there for Max and Hall too, which was really great to see. Um, and reminded me how much this community has grown over the past couple of years, like not just in Germany or Europe, but here, you know, in the US and in Mexico and Japan or all over the world, right? Um, which we've known, right? That the the fandom is international. Um and here I am talking too much, but um what I'll probably remember the most though, I think, is the feeling of it all. Um everyone was there because they genuinely love stories and the people behind them. Um and I feel like that created such a positive atmosphere. Um, it never felt like competitive. Um it never felt it just felt like a community of people sharing something that we're all excited about. Um and I'm just so grateful I decided to go. Uh and you know, back looking back, buying the tickets on April 30th, not knowing, you know, that there would be representation for Maxon Hall. Um, and you know, before knowing Damien would be attending was one of the best decisions. Um, and it's a weekend that I um I don't think I'll forget anytime soon. So yeah, that's how I feel about it.
SPEAKER_02Lorena, any closing thoughts on Obsessed Fest?
SPEAKER_01The day just kept getting better and better. I mean, I thought, okay, what are they gonna do next? Everything was getting topped off. And just also to repeat what Tavisha just said, just the Maxon Hall representation, meeting people, it just exceeded my expectations. And I will share that I had a conflict for that same exact day. Um, but Max Hall means so much to me. The show means so much to me. I rearranged my schedule so that I could attend. Um so yeah, I mean, that's how much I really wanted to be there, and I'm so grateful for for being we're so grateful for you doing that.
SPEAKER_00Yes.
SPEAKER_02We appreciate you. I I I've seconded that. Um I would say that's really funny because you you did remind me, yes, I had to make sure to take off of work, which you know can be can be a challenge. And um, I think even even getting on my flight, I remember thinking, I don't know if I can be on this flight right now. And so um, you know, I think that, you know, everything happens for a reason. And you know, you meet people for a reason and you people come into your life. And so I'm really grateful, like just the experience of meeting you girls um and and all the other uh fans and and creators and people that we met at the event, um it was very, very meaningful for me personally. Um, that being said, we thought the night couldn't get any better, but of course, this is a girls' trip, and we of course had to recap. And I I think something that stuck out to me later after the event was that, you know, after we, you know, we had our plans in the evening and everything, but we all kind of got together and I thought that was really special. Um, you know, in our hotel room, and we all like, you know, came together and it was like one big, you know, sleepover. It was a lot of fun. And I really I thought that was very special. Um, so it's like it's definitely a memory that I will keep outside of the actual event itself that I thought was really, really um quite fun. And um, it reminded me of something that Damien mentioned in the passport um stamped where he said, you know, the Maxon Hall team and like something that he'll always cherish was like that feeling of being on a school trip and being away from home and like kind of having this like sort of fun. And I think we we sort of experienced that in this trip. Um, and that was something that he got emotional about, and I kind of get it now because I'm feeling emotional talking about it. Um, but it's you know, it's just it is very special when you kind of get to have a moment in life, and life is so busy um to just kind of be yourself and you know, be with your friends and you know, yeah, it was very now getting emotional. Um, okay, so we wrapped up the night. We thought, okay, can't get any better than this. What an event. But at the same time, we did not forget our Max and Hall fandom. Um, a lot of people messaged me. I know you guys got a lot of messages. And, you know, we talked about all our fellow fan pages and we remembered them and we remembered you guys. And honestly, I think um one of the big things that would happen throughout the day would be like we would remember different, you know, not even you don't need to have to be a fan page, but like a fan of Max and Hall that we've met through this community, and we would say, Oh, so and so would have loved this, or so and so would have wrote a poem about this, or so-and-so would have done this. And so I think throughout the day, like I got messages. I think everybody that was with us virtually was truly with us. Um, and hopefully, like one day we can have a giant Max Denal reunion event, I don't know what um, you know, internationally, because these are people like across like, you know, across the world. And so um that was that was something that I wanted to to kind of reflect on as well. But um, you know, we thought everything was, you know, this was the big thing. We got our date December, not our date, but our month. Uh need to know what day specifically. And um then Monday rolled around, Max and Hall Monday. And Daniela, I'm gonna just kind of give it to you and you can talk about Max and Hall Monday because I don't think we can end this without talking about Max and Hall Monday.
SPEAKER_03Oh my Max and Hall. Yeah, it was crazy because I think it was actually on Sunday, right after Obsessed First, when we got new stills from season three, and then it was Max and Hall Monday right now. Like new seals on Sunday, and then Max and Hall Monday came back with a very special season three clip. I mean, you can call it a clip, it's like two seconds work.
SPEAKER_00It feels very short, but yeah, it's a very short clip on a loop.
SPEAKER_03On a loop, yeah. I don't know, I just it feels so refreshing to see our love games um in season three. I gotta say they I I I think what we talked about is like it feels a little reflective, like I don't know what which scene it is, so we can get into that if you like, but they seem happy, like I don't know what's going on, and we'll probably find out in a couple months, but I like the feeling of this uh scene or very brief tweet that we got. I don't know what you guys think.
SPEAKER_01Yeah, the way that they were looking at each other.
SPEAKER_02Lorena, take it away because you hear that analysis.
SPEAKER_01I think I wrote um so I shared it in my stories, and I think I wrote like the way that Ruby looks at James, it's pure happiness, and vice versa. Like that's that's like what I saw when I saw that that clip. Um and it just made me more excited for December. And even though it was like one or two seconds, it was it was enough. It was enough. And I just remember seeing it and screaming and yeah, just being so excited. And oh wait, wait, and I and I think I saw the motorcycle in the back. And isn't he wearing a leather jacket?
SPEAKER_02Yes. And I think like he does such a good job. I we've talked about this before, but he does such a good job of expressing emotions through his eyes, expressing expressing like thoughts and dialogue through his eyes. And I think the way that he looks at Ruby at this point, I've associated it with the the idea and the concept of coming home. Like he just looks at her and it looks like and um I don't yes, right. Like I just got that in her, like she's like she has this like I'm proud of you look. Like you said, I'm proud of you. Um, and so yeah, I got really emotional. And I was like, oh my God. And it hit me like you know, this is the last season. So I know there's a lot of theories out there about what scene it is. Um, check out my page because I'll be sharing all the theories as we go, as clues are dropped um throughout whatever we think. There's I know there's just so many things out there, and so many of our fans are so good at like finding pieces and like linking things together and trying to figure out what the storyline might be and what the writers are up to. Um, so really excited about that. Um, so that was some news, and that was pretty big. So we got this little like clip that feels like also really short but really long. Um, this time warp that Maxson Hall puts us in. And then we also got something specifically um from Damien Hardung today, this morning at 4 a.m. At least it was 4 a.m. for me. I would love to wake up and look at Instagram. What do you guys let's talk about it? Um, Lorena, I'm gonna give it to you.
SPEAKER_01Oh my goodness. Okay. I wake up and I see it, and I'm like, oh my goodness, like my heart was like racing so fast. Just watching that trailer, it just like I'm ready to see this movie. I am ready. I'm hoping. Um, and I loved his caption that you know he's really trying. Damien's really trying, hoping that we're able to see it worldwide because I know everyone wants to see it, but I just my heart was racing. I know he's gonna portray Moritz um as he does every other character, meaning like giving a thousand percent because that's you know what he does as a phenomenal actor. But yeah, I I watched it on repeat for so long, but as I said, my heart was racing with excitement.
SPEAKER_02I think you captured you know all of our all of our feelings really. And um, for a lot of the fans of Max and Hall, um, they've also become fans of the cast and all the work that they do, right? So this is a movie that's coming out, and if you have been a fan, you have heard about this and seen it in the process. Um, Corpus, Delecti, and we're all excited to see this story come to life, to see, you know, Damien play this character. Um, anything that you're particularly excited about, Davisha?
SPEAKER_00Once um it was announced that you know Damien would be portraying Moritz Hall in the film, um I read the book. Um, and I know that he's even mentioned that, you know, the the the storyline or the plot of this of the film is um gonna be different than the book. So I'm actually looking forward to seeing like what changes that they're going to make. Um, because obviously we know when you um interpret or you know do um uh adaptation, um, there's gonna be some changes, right? So I'm really eager to see what um Lena Stahl has done as a director and the um uh what she's done uh for the film. But um I guess too to go ba based off of what Lorena said, like when she watched the trailer this morning too, like I literally got chills um watching it. I've like I've kind of watched it on repeat um for a little bit um after following like the project for so long, right? Since filming began like last July, right? Um and then I think Damien posted sometime in August, you know, confirming that he was playing more. It's uh um, you know, we've been getting the posters and the stills, and um, so it was nice to finally see it in motion, like the first uh, you know, like I guess the only trailer, but seeing it in motion and seeing the trailer was uh actually pretty cool to see. Uh it was like more than I could have expected, I feel like, too as well, because um, you know, Damien, I feel like, well, we don't know Damien, but we like as far as an actor, right? He portrays, you know, different characters, right? He's not a one size fit-all person. Like he's his range and genre of films and series are so drastic. So I think that's gonna be really interesting to see him portray this specific character on screen. And seeing the trailer today kind of made me realize I'm definitely going to enjoy seeing this side of him on screen. Um, so I can't wait for October. Um, and like you mentioned, hopefully for an international release too, so all of us fans can enjoy it.
SPEAKER_02Yes, we're hoping for an international release. No pressure, Damien.
SPEAKER_00Um pressure.
SPEAKER_02No pressure. Pretty much the whole world waiting. Um no, I think to your point, like we've seen bits of this project in in the process of filming and editing um for so long to see the trailer is so unreal. And I think that's such an exciting. I've never really watched a movie like from like from bits and pieces come together. And so obviously, like being like physically feeling the time from when it was announced, and then you see like the scripts, and uh Lena's shared the journey um on her Instagram page as the director. Um, seeing it in a trailer was really, really awesome. Daniela, anything to add here?
SPEAKER_03Um I still have to read the book, I gotta say.
SPEAKER_02Um you have till October.
SPEAKER_03Yeah, I have till October, yeah, I know. But that doesn't mean I'm not excited about the film. Like um, again, just uh I might sound reported, but like you said, like seeing these beats uh come together and finally get some motion, like Davisha said, it's pretty exciting always. Um it's I I don't know, it looks so good. I love that it's a dystopia dystopia?
SPEAKER_00Yeah, dystopian.
SPEAKER_03Yeah, and because I used to love that genre when I was younger, when I was a teenager. I used to be a huge fan of Hunger Games and stuff like that. And I think I ha I get this that vibe from this film. Um, I don't know, I'm I have to read the book, I will, I promise. And yeah, and dive into this world promises are being made.
SPEAKER_02So we got a promise for promise to read the book and maybe promise for a another girls' trip in the future with you girls, and hopefully more um of the people, the amazing people that we've met um through this. And um, any last words before we wrap things up for tonight? I will give it over to Lorena to um share any last thoughts.
SPEAKER_01Yeah, it's been an amazing past like week and a half or so. Um just so much is happening, all great stuff, everything we want to hear, everything we want to see. Just really excited for everything that's yet to come.
SPEAKER_02I couldn't agree more. Davisha, any last comments from you?
SPEAKER_00Uh yeah, I guess, you know, piggybacking off of what uh Lorena said, um, it's uh the last week and a half has been pretty cool, I feel like, with you know, Obsessed Fest and then, you know, returning back to real life, right? Um, but still like living in that like cloud nine, I feel like, from the event itself. Um, that's for me personally. Um and obviously now we're you know finally starting to get updates for you know projects like you know, Max and Hall season three, um Corpus, um hopefully something for Into the Deep Blue coming up soon. So it's just nice um that we're now like in the middle of the year, so I feel like um it's a good time to be in a fandom, right? When the projects are gonna start dishing out content and get the fans excited for what's to come.
SPEAKER_02Absolutely. I think it's like we're we're reaping the sea the the the benefits of our weight for a lot of these projects. Um Max and Hall season three uh in December as before. Um Max and Hall being in the winter is literally the only thing I look forward to in the winter.
SPEAKER_00Yeah, in Chicago.
SPEAKER_02Exactly. I'm like, yeah, okay, like, oh Max Hall, yes. We're gonna celebrate. Um and Daniela, any last words from you?
SPEAKER_03I just want to know when when's the next obsessed fest.
SPEAKER_04That's right.
SPEAKER_03Uh that's I think about it every day. Uh I wish I could go back seriously. And yeah, really looking forward to Max and Hall season three. Um hopefully the the way won't be too painful. Um, we still got a couple months to go, but still I'm really looking forward to you know, get excited about any updates, Max and Hall Mondays, of course. And yeah.
SPEAKER_02I echo, I second your like when's the next Obsessed Fest? When's the next girls' trip? Um, because I mean it was just really like such a great time for all of us. And I think um, you know, from the thought thought that was put into the event to the fact that one of our favorite shows um was part of the event and is being showcased in its last season. Um so I think we're all looking forward to season three content, and we are all looking forward to more content from all of the amazing team and uh creators and cast of Max and Hall and here to support them. And so really, really excited for everything that's to come. Um also, guys, I can't tell you after that weekend I had the funniest experience of like all these surprises coming from Prime and um you know from the event itself. And then I like got home and I went to a grocery store and there was no JLo popping out of the aisle.
SPEAKER_04Stop.
SPEAKER_00That's what I was like, oh back to real life, back to work.
SPEAKER_02I'm not gonna lie. There was no no no one, no Damien behind the sourdough. So anyway, it was so fun. Um, Lorena, thank you for giving me the honor to host one of your podcasts. I really appreciate it. Hope you guys had fun. I know I did, and we're gonna continue the conversation.
SPEAKER_01Yeah, thank you so much, everyone, for stopping by and just reliving that amazing weekend. I really wish I could go back. Um, it was hard to come back to reality. As you said, no J-Lo popping out at the market or anything like that. Um, it was amazing. I did check. Did you I mean I I loved hanging out with all of you, just everything about it. I mean, I have memories for a lifetime that weekend is one I won't forget. Um, so thank you all so much. So that wraps up, yeah. So that wraps up this episode. Feel free to reach out to any of us. And until next time, this is Loretta Coleman at Maxed Out Breaking Down the Halls. Thanks for listening.