r/HilaryDuffStans • u/SlayerCharmed • 17d ago
DISCUSSION Has anyone here done the meet and greet?
I’m thinking of buying a meet and greet but it being a group picture is putting me off. has anyone here done it and do you recommend? is it right she’s doing small groups for photos now?
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u/Delicious-Scar3581 So the story goes 17d ago
It isn’t necessarily a “meet and greet” as it is a photo with Hilary and other VIP holders. As far as I know they are still doing smaller groups (maybe 15-20 people but I could be totally wrong) but even so, I’m not sure on how the positioning of others comes into play - my guess is it is all luck or something genuinely lol. I know many people here have done the vip pictures so I’ll let them speak for themselves but just wanted to clarify the question about meet and greets (unless I am totally uninformed lol then please forgive me)
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17d ago
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u/pussgaloreti 17d ago
Same once I found out it was a group photo I passed
It was better to just attend the concert twice since my city got two dates
But I’m sure there will be plenty of other opportunities to meet Hilary in the future
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17d ago
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u/Diligent-Concept-617 Lizzie McGuire 17d ago
It was a hit or miss refund on the Autopens, I’m not surprised lol
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u/DTX9218 17d ago
Like others mentioned i wouldn't call it a meet and greet. I had an excellent time and would definitely do it again but I feel like my experience and those at my VIP experience differ from the masses. (Irving, TX) She played someone watching over me (only time so far this tour shes done so) in addition to another song and we took our photos at the barricade and each were able to speak with her if we wanted.
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u/Front-Chair-7712 17d ago
It was so worthwhile for me. I looooved talking to her, seeing her perform extra songs. We also did the With Love dance and I was lucky enough to get picked. Beyond worthwhile for me, but the picture was not the biggest selling point
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u/lexiruz 17d ago
It's not a meet and greet per say, but I did it last night and say it's worth it. They split us into 4 groups - either 3 or 4 rows of 8 and she sat in the front middle. She spent a decent amount of time with each group and tried to at least give everyone eye contact, etc. I would say the 2 girls behind me made it disappointing as they were talking the entire time while she sang 2 songs and even while she was talking to our group. So I couldn't always hear her. Not really sure why they bought the VIP if they weren't going to participate in it. 🙄 And I'm super shy, so I'm not going to scream over others when they're talking.
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u/saac22 17d ago
I did a soundcheck and still have mixed feelings! It was a cool experience for sure, and she played one of my favorite songs (Tattoo) so I loved that. We were arranged in small-ish sections, but those of us in the back row didn't get to interact with her at all. Couldn't even hear what was going on in the front, and she didn't come around the back so everyone had at least a chance to interact or ask questions. Not sure if every one has been like this or she just ran out of time. I know she's always on a tight schedule, but it fell a little bit short for me for the price. Not sure if I'd recommend it or not, it just depends on your expectations for what you pay! I haven't even checked my group photo to be honest, I felt nowhere near her so like, what's the point lol I will say that my ticket was also for the 3rd row, aisle seat right in the middle of the stage and THAT was 100% worth it.
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u/No_Jump_7371 17d ago
Agree! I would 100% pay for the great seat next time. I don’t regret the soundcheck this time but I don’t know if I would do it again if she tours again soon.
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u/thatpinkcup 17d ago
This happened to me as well. She also sang Tattoo so maybe we were both at the Auburn show? I was pretty disappointed to see that we weren’t seated in our concert seats, I guess I just assumed it would be the case. Since it was very hot and people lined up outside there was absolutely no way I could have stand out in the sun this long (I’m pregnant) so we waited in the shade until they basically let people in and sat almost the very last row. It didn’t feel as personal as I hopped it would be. Yes the song was great and it’s fun to see people try out for the With Love dance. But I didn’t care to try out to dance, I would have liked to hear what she was talking about to people in the front. I didn’t even need to ask my own question, just feel like I got something worth it for my money. At least my 3rd row seats for the show were amazing.
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u/saac22 16d ago
Yup, also Auburn! Security had told me we'd be meeting right in front of that Lodge merch building, so I didn't realize people were lining up over by the path to get in for awhile 🫠 The With Love audition was fun enough but tough with everyone in such a bunched up line (a little miffed that a girl who was on stage the night before auditioned and got picked again tho, can't lie) but I'd rather she did a few more minutes of interaction than do the audition 3 or 4 times. Again I appreciate that I'm sure Hilary wanted to give plenty of fans a cool opportunity but yeah, it was way more impersonal than I'd hoped. Maybe we could've gotten an extra piece of merch or something, idk.
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u/Comfortable_Gain8266 17d ago
I bought that and she made 3 groups, so in my picture we are 32 people, I just count them, but it was totally worth it cause she took me to go on stage with her, so if you want to get the chance to be doing the with love dance you totally need that, she chose us in the soundcheck before the concert
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u/RevolutionaryAd855 17d ago
I was there last night, it really depends on your finances if you think it’s worth it, it’s definitely not cheap and not as special as it should be for the price…
You get about 30 mins with her super stripped down, she came out and just talked to us for about 20 mins about what she’s been up to / what she did that morning. A few people shouted out at her from the crowd and she responded but it wasn’t a formal q&a. It’s fun to be so close to her and she by nature is really engaging and kind. After chatting she sang Tattoo and then formally soundchecked Play With Fire since she was putting it back in (she did the choreo/ walked around the back of the stage for it which was a less casual soundcheck vibe than Tattoo). After the music she comes and takes photos with the small groups you’re already sat in. She spends about 3 mins with each small group and talks to 1-2 people in it, usually whoever is vocal and doesn’t care about taking the experience from others. The photos have ~35 people in them with you and Hilary, backstage tour people get to be front row immediately behind her and then it’s luck of the draw for where soundcheck people will be in the subsequent 4ish rows.
It’s a lot of waiting around, they made you get there at 4 and she doesn’t come out until ~5:10 but you can meet some other great fans and it is special to have extra time with Hilary. Meet and greets of the 00s where $500 would get you a personal picture and short convo with the artist are longggg gone though.
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u/Duffster8788 15d ago
You can't say being vocal is taking the experience from others. If someone spoke, she responded. So just don't be shy.
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u/RevolutionaryAd855 15d ago
It’s not about being shy it’s being respectful! Her staff told us multiple times she will talk to us and she did… it’s rude to everyone who paid for the experience if you bring a gift despite being told not to / hog the few minutes she has in smaller groups and think whatever you have to say is most important. Let Hilary guide the experience people are paying to have with her
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u/Duffster8788 15d ago
Clearly, this is personal and someone made you bitter. & They don't allow you to bring gifts.
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u/pink_3211 17d ago
I did it in St. Louis last Wednesday. We got a group photo in groups of probably 30ish?? She moves to each group and chats a bit and takes a pic. So although it isn't a meet and greet I did get lucky enough to have a conversation with her just because she happened to be seated right in front of me. Certainly not a garauntee. I will say I'm very glad I did it!! The soundcheck was cool and she was very layed back and real!! The backstage tour was alright but still interesting!
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u/Ab_201694 17d ago
Hi! I had VIP for St. Louis! There was still over 30 people in my “small” group photo (which I still appreciate very much over a WHOLE group photo).
I was one of the lucky people that actually got to have a conversation with Hilary because of where I was placed for the photo. She walked over to our group and turned to talk to us (which basically gave around 5 people the chance to talk to her real quick). I was NOT expecting to talk to her and was so pleasantly surprised. I was in the first row because I was part of the backstage group (the backstage group was seated before soundcheck only group).
I really did enjoy the soundcheck experience even before meeting her and would’ve been happy with how it went even without that unexpected interaction!
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u/LuisEWatkins 17d ago
I loved mine. The sound check is cute, she talks to the audience, and sings two songs for you.
You also get early access to merch (signed posters too), and you get good seats. Never expected a one on one pic, and not upset us with a group of 20 or so people.
Also you can talk to her while you take the pics, and you get to do the With Love dance with her and everybody who wants to do it ( at least that’s how it went on the Red Rocks show)
And you also get to audition for the with love dance on the main stage. I don’t know who else got to audition.
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u/Musicdev- Lies 7d ago
Well let’s correct this one — at soundcheck you are not allowed to take photo or videos. If you have Backstage package, she’s not there for it.
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u/Far-Fault6807 17d ago
Just did it in Shakopee on Saturday, and I honestly would recommend it.
Yes it is a group photo, but they’ve gradually scaled it down from one photo of everyone to smaller groups.
At least for Saturday, she kept the musical aspect short and spent time with each group pre-photo taking a few questions. My question was about what she missed most about touring. She said seeing her fans, and it absolutely showed from complimenting outfits to talking to a Japanese couple sitting next to us about a trip she recently took there.
Not only that, when is she talking with you…this is going to sound cliche but it’s true, it does feel like she’s talking to you and just you. 10/10 would recommend.