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Story: Amelia, If Only

Lauren Lawson: Welcome back, everyone! Okay, I’m so excited to introduce our next guest. You know him as one of the co-creators and co-stars

of the wildly popular YouTube channel, Drama Clash. Now, he’s set to make his acting debut in what’s looking like this summer’s

buzziest film. Early reviews of The Odyssey Intergalactic have raved about his performance, and a recent piece in Variety

called him “the second coming of Paul Newman.” pause I know, right? So please join me in welcoming Hollywood’s biggest rising

star, Hayden Geller!

applause

Hayden Geller: Thank you so much for having me.

LL: Thank you so much for being here! This is such a thrill. I know I’m not alone when I say I’m literally counting down the

days to the premiere of The Odyssey Intergalactic. No joke. I’m marking them off on my calendar. How much longer are you gonna

keep us waiting?

HG: You tell me!

LL: Oh, so he’s a smartass. Okay, okay. aside to audience Thirty-six days.

audience cheers and Hayden laughs

HG: I’m actually so impressed.

LL: Why, thank you! So, I’ve got to ask—what’s it like to be Hayden Geller these days? We’re just over a month out from your feature film debut. Critics are already raving. And I’m certainly seeing the ladies—and gentlemen—throwing around the word “heartthrob.”

Hayden covers his face, and the audience lets out a collective “awwww”

LL: Listen, I’m just reporting the facts. So, I’m dying to know—what’s your headspace right now? You’ve been incredibly successful

on YouTube, so I know you’re used to attention, but I imagine this is on a whole different level.

HG: Oh yeah. laughs Definitely. It’s... very surreal. I don’t think I’ve fully processed it yet, you know? I don’t know

if it’s the kind of thing you can process! Truly a dream come true for me. It’s a great project—a total honor to be a part

of it. Working with Alistair, Marley, the rest of the cast. I’m just so grateful to even have the opportunity, you know? And

I definitely wouldn’t be here without the support of my friends, family, and my audience—so much love to the Drama Clash fanbase.

I can’t thank you enough.

LL: See, that’s so beautiful. Tell me more about what the reaction’s been like from your existing fans. Are they excited?

HG: Oh, they’re the best. They’re so passionate and supportive, and they’ve been so hyped for Odyssey. I can’t even tell you

how much it means to me. I just hope I make them proud! sheepish laugh

LL: Not a doubt in my mind.

HG: laughs Thanks. Yeah. I just feel so unbelievably lucky to be here.

LL: And you mentioned your friends and family! They must be over the moon for you. I know you’re very close with your Drama Clash

collaborator and longtime best friend, Walter Holland. What does he think about all of this?

HG: He’s excited! Walter’s always been, just, my biggest champion. Right now, we’re both exploring solo projects, and I think

we’re just both really thrilled for each other.

LL: That’s amazing. Oh, Hayden, you’re such a gem.

HG: Thank you, Lauren—so are you!

LL: Oh! Okay. Whew. fanning herself Well. Before we cut to commercials, I’ve got to ask it. smiles at the studio audience;

then smiles at camera We polled you guys to find out what you’re dying to know, and we got some pretty enthusiastic responses.

But, you know, there’s one particular question that seems to be on everyone’s minds.

HG: Uh-oh.

audience laughs

LL: The fans want to know! Relationship status. Hayden, are you single?

HG: pauses, smiles shyly Yes.

Massive cheers erupt from the audience

LL: You heard it here, folks! Hayden Geller, thank you so much for joining us. And in case you’ve been living under a rock: The

Odyssey Intergalactic, coming this June to a theater near you.