A National Hero, an Internet Phenomenon and now an Author.  Commander Chris Hadfield has been in Toronto this past week  promoting his first Book, An Astronaut’s Guide to Life on Earth, which details his experiences as an Astronaut and Commander of the International Space Station.  Hadfield captivated the World with mind-blowing Photos shared via Social Media from his Expeditions, including his final one in which he aided scientific experiments dealing with the low impact of gravity on Human Biology.  A slick, self-made Music Video for his Cover of David Bowie’s Space Oddity recorded in Space  to date has garnered over 18-million views worldwide on YouTube.

As an Homage to Bowie, who has been front-and-center of late in Toronto with his popular Art Gallery of Ontario Exhibit taking place right now, Maclean’s features Hadfield on the Cover of their October issue made-up as Bowie in his Aladdin Sane Era.  Earlier in the week, he also did Interviews out of the Venue to be fully thematic.

See the Cover below:

Fans got a chance to connect with Hadfield last night as he met in-excess of 600 Fans at Indigo- Manulife Centre, signing Copies of his Book, while earlier in the day he head to the West-End for an appearance at Kobo‘s Headquarters. Generous in allotting the Media face time, he went on a blitz which included appearances on Global Television‘s The Morning Show (National Edition), 104.5 CHUM-FM’s Roger, Darren and Marilyn, KISS 92.5’s Roz & Mocha Show, City’s Breakfast Television, eTalk, CBC‘s Q Radio and George Stroumboulopoulos Tonight.  Although he’s scheduled to visit New York for a quick minute Thursday, he’ll be back in Toronto again this weekend to face Fans again at an Event hosted by Maclean’s at the MaRS Discovery District this Sunday at 1:00 PM.  Details here.

As he jogged across Bloor Street following a TV appearance yesterday into a silver Mercedes Benz, he apologized profusely as he didn’t have a moment for a Photo. This morning though, I spotted Hadfield and his Assistant grabbing a Coffee at Starbucks as they head-off for another day of Press.  Recognizing me right away, he came out of his car and shook my hand, taking a minute kindly for a Snap.  “Are we gonna be able to manage a Selfie?” and after a failed attempt, he was more than patient to Review the Photo with me. “That one will do!”, he gestured at the winning Pic on my LED Screen.

See our Snap:

Order a Copy of on Hadfield‘s Book here!

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong/Chris Hadfield)

The parade of Stars in Toronto just won’t quit!  In one of the most hectic stretches of Starpower we’ve seen in quite some time in our City,  Entrepreneur and Megastar Jessica Alba, is in-town promoting HONEST  – a Line of toxin-free Household Goods, Diapers, and Bodycare Products which she co-founded with Christopher Gavigan, launched last year.

Alba began her day early, arriving for a morning full of Press at CityTV for appearances on Breakfast Television and Cityline – the latter which celebrates its 1,000th episode today –  before heading-off to CBC for another appearance.  Zipping through an array of different outfits, the Los Angeles-based Star wowed as an Entourage of Beauty Experts were on-hand eagerly ensuring she looked her absolute best.  Watch her Interview on Breakfast Television – Toronto earlier here.

On why she stands behind HONEST, Alba told Host Dina Pugliese, “It’s just not a priority for Government to update the legislation on chemicals. So we as Parents and Entrepreneurs, we get to think ‘What is the ultimate Family Brand? What do I want for my Family and think everyone deserves?'”.  She adds,  “That’s really where this idea came out of.”.

Family Products aren’t the only thing on Alba‘s Agenda though – she has a full slate of Films due out over the course of the next year including Machete Kills in which she is seen briefly; Cuban Missile Crisis-Drama Dear Eleanor; Stretch, a Thriller, in which she stars alongside Chris Pine and Patrick Wilson; and Sin City: A Dame to Kill For, in which she reprises the role of Nancy Callahan.

Alba is scheduled this jam-packed Visit for appearances also on CTV‘s The Marilyn Denis Show and The Social; Global Television‘s The Morning Show (National Edition), CBC‘s Steven and Chris and KISS 92.5‘s The Roz & Mocha Show.  Now that’s what I call work!

Despite being in a rush, Alba stopped to sign a few Autographs for Fans who waited at least three hours for her.  “I don’t have time for Photos, sorry!”, she told me, staring directly at me and Billy.  I suppose this rejection shouldn’t be a surprise though, as such was the case when I spotted Alba in New York City this past May on her way to the Met Gala 🙁  One day!

To learn more about HONEST, click here.

UPDATE (October 9, 2013 – 10:00 AM EST): OMG. She did it!  “Okay, let’s do this quick!”, said Alba earlier this morning. I even posed for a Pic for her Publicist who was smitten by Billy, wanting to remember us!

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)

If there was one Person I absolutely had to meet this year, without question I would say it is Robin Thicke! For years I’ve enjoyed his Music but no one can deny that this is his year, breaking Airplay records (242.6 million Listeners to be exact) with his Single Blurred Lines, the Song which would define singlehandedly the Summer of 2013.

The R&B Star’s Canadian connections are deeply-rooted. Like his Father, Actor/Singer/Songwriter Alan Thicke, he also holds dual American-Canadian citizenship and the Proud Pop actually accompanied him on his Toronto Press Tour today. Thicke‘s sixth Studio Disc, Blurred Lines released just last week, went on to become his first ever release to reach the summit of the Billboard Hot 200 Albums Chart.  And he is going all out in terms of promotion to ensure we all know how great an Album it is (it really is amazing – read my Review here)!

In addition to visiting CHUM-FM earlier today, Thicke arrived fashionably late with a three-vehicle Entourage to his KISS 92.5 Interview on The Roz & Mocha Show, where both Rogers Media Staffers and Fans awaited with eagerness for his arrival. Looking devastatingly handsome in his Aviators and Blazer, he was absolutely amazing – promising to spend a moment with his Fans on his way out.  And he delivered of course – cool, calm and collected!  Even his Father was generous to stop and pose for Fans, while younger Brother Carter got a glimpse of what greatness his future could hold, being a part a Family with a firmly-planted place in the World of Entertainment.  Did you know that the Father and Son Duo partnered in writing the Track Ain’t No Hat 4 That on the Disc?

In case you missed Thicke, do not fret. His two-day visit to Toronto includes several stop-offs including appearances on CITY‘s Breakfast Television tomorrow, Global Television‘s The Morning Show, an appearance also on CBC‘s Q Radio with Jian Ghomeshi later this week, plus also an intimate performance tonight at an undisclosed location.  Basically, he’s running the City this week and we know we want it (!).

Thicke was super-thoughtful to sign a Photo for my Readers.  If you want it (I know you want it!), head on over to Mr. Will Wong on Facebook and click “like” on this Post to enter!  All are welcome to enter.  Double ballots if you share the Post on Facebook!  Good luck.

See our Snap below:

Order Blurred Lines on iTunes here!

Thicke headlines the KISS 92.5 WHAM BAM on Saturday, August 31, 2013 at Molson Amphitheatre.  More details here!

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)

His Career couldn’t be any hotter right now!  Yes, that’s James Badge Dale, known also as Badgett Dale, whom those of us who grew-up in the early ’90s will remember him from Boys-turned-Savages Thriller, Lord of the Flies.  After a bit of a hiatus which saw him focus on Hockey, fate could not be avoided as his Star would rise once again with successive Blockbusters lined one right after the other.

Although he’s in town to promote Gore Verbinski‘s The Lone Ranger which has him starring as Ranger Dan Reid alongside Armie Hammer and Johnny Depp, he also has a little Zombie/Apocalypse Movie called World War Z coming out this weekend.  That Film is  expected to debut huge with Brad Pitt front-and-center, going head-to-head with Disney Heavyweight in Monsters University.  And did I mention the record-breaking success of Iron Man 3, in which Dale stars as the villainous Savin?

The Actor arrived at KISS 92.5 Studios super-early this morning, casual in a Button-Down, Jeans and Toque, bringing some of that effortless New York City Style to our City.  Although strapped for time, he still made time to stop for a Photo, heading right over after greeting Roz & Mocha Show Producer, Maurie Sherman. Shortly after, he head over to City‘s Breakfast Television to chat with Jennifer Valentyne, singing the praises of Co-Star Johnny Depp stating that The Lone Ranger will be a complete surprise for Moviegoers.

A busy day of Press is scheduled ahead for Dale in advance of the Wednesday, July 5, 2013 release of The Lone Ranger from Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures.

Dale can next be seen in Parkland, produced by Tom Hanks, about the Events of Parkland Hospital the day John F. Kennedy was assassinated.  Colin Hanks who also stars in that Film, also currently is in town filming RomCom, No Stranger Than Love.

See our Snap:

Reprising once again the beloved role of Mike Wazowski, Funnyman Billy Crystal landed in Toronto to promote eagerly-anticipated  Monsters University for Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictues.  The Film set ten years prior to the events of Monsters, Inc., centers around the friendship between Mike and  James P. “Sulley” Sullivan (John Goodman) and how they went on to become elite Scarers.

The nine-time Academy Awards Host was up and at it early today with a visit to City‘s Breakfast Television, before speaking to a room full of Journalists at the Rooftop Lobby Peess Conference in his Hotel, moderated by Film Critic/Author Richard Crouse.  Appearances on eTalk, Entertainment Tonight Canada and CBC also were slated.  Watch Crystal‘s Breakfast Television appearance right here.

Crystal, who looks a young 65, was amazingly nice to stop for a couple round of Autographs, signing generously despite initially stating “One only each”, to a large group of Fans. Bringing my own little “Monster” along for the occasion, he was beyond nice to stop of a quick Snap with another popular Billy (of the Doggy variety).  “Now, I know you didn’t name your Dog after me!”, he tells me upon being introduced.

Our Snap:

Video Excerpts and Recap from Crystal‘s Press Conference right here.

Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures Canada releases Monsters University on Friday, June 21, 2013.

 To enter to win a photo signed by the gracious Crystal himself, simply click “like” on this Post at Mr. Will Wong on Facebook.  Share on Facebook and double your chances!

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)

Acclaimed Director Guillermo Del Toro is back in Toronto once again, now promoting his latest $300-million Robots vs. Monsters Sci-Fi/Action Epic, Pacific Rim which he filmed in Toronto at Pinewood Studios.

In addition to a series of interviews scheduled today, a noticeably slimmer del Toro did some TV appearances including City‘s Breakfast Television, where he not only charmed Host Jennifer Valentyne, but also wowed Fans stopping generously to pose for Photos and sign Autographs. While on a quick break, del Toro did the impossible, coming out to greet Fans and some workers inside the building too. Often the Talent are content resting in their Green Rooms, but del Toro certainly is something special.

The Director/Producer/Writer known best for Oscar-nominated Pan’s Labrynth and Hellboy will pretty much be making Toronto his home for at least a year as he feels TV Series The Strain in the City this Fall, followed by Crimson Peak next Spring. The latter reunites him with his new Muse, Charlie Hunnam (Sons of Anarchy). It is said that del Toro held a private screening of Pacific Rim for the Toronto Cast of the Film.

I had the pleasure of filming a week’s worth of scenes as a Background Performer and cannot wait to see it!

See my Snap of del Toro:

Warner Bros. releases Pacific Rim on Friday, July 12, 2013.

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)

She’s certainly no Stranger to Toronto, that’s for sure!  Actress/Author Tori Spelling gained widespread popularity starring as Donna Martin on Beverly Hills, 90210 in the ’90s, but has transitioned into a new chapter of her Career with grace, balancing life as a Mother and Wife to Toronto-born Actor Dean McDermott.

In addition to promoting CelebraTORI, her Party Planning Book, she also is here to relaunch a Childhood Favourite of mine, McCain Deep ‘n Delicious Cakes which now feature real ingredients we can find in our kitchens.  Two new flavours are available now too: Carrot and Apple Caramel.  Yum.   New Pies also are being launched including: Cookies & Cream, Double Chocolate and Coconut Cream.  Yes to all the above!

Spelling appeared on KISS 92.5‘s Roz & Mocha Show earlier today, followed by a visit to City‘s Breakfast Television (watch her appearance) and Cityline for most of the morning. Promising to stop for Fans on her way out, some were baffled at her v. irritated Driver’s (he was ticketed during the wait for Spelling) decision to pick her up at a hidden Studio exit.  Thankfully, she was sweet enough to stop for Fans before heading along Queen Street for he next appearance.

Our Snap below:

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong/Gallery Books)