Behind the scenes with Adam Glassman on the red carpet

Photo: Courtesy of Adam Glassman

You've Got to Be Familiar with a Different Kind of 'Facebook'
Before each awards show, I receive a booklet featuring short bios and photos of every person nominated for an award, so I know who's who on the red carpet—and what to talk about—but my research doesn't end there. I study all of the major designers' latest collections, visit their showrooms and talk with publicists so I have an idea of what trends to expect.
Behind the scenes with Adam Glassman on the red carpet

Photo: Courtesy of Adam Glassman

Part Two of My Research Comes with a Side of Popcorn
My Christmas holiday was spent at the movie theater, watching every movie up for an award. And I mean every one. Though I typically talk to stars about fashion, I have to be well-versed enough that I can discuss how an actor prepared for a role or ask a director about his inspiration for a scene. Often, the movie's so compelling you can't wait to talk to the cast about it (like Jake Gyllenhaal's standout performance in Nightcrawler).
Behind the scenes with Adam Glassman on the red carpet

Photo: Courtesy of Adam Glassman

The Morning Of: Set a Zen Tone for the Day Ahead
Even though the awards shows are all based in Los Angeles, I typically stay on New York time, which means waking up crazy early. I stick to my usual routine: gym, meditate, then grab some yogurt and a green juice to start the day off right.
Behind the scenes with Adam Glassman on the red carpet

Photo: Courtesy of Adam Glassman

There's One Beauty Treatment I Swear By for Every Awards Show
Early in the morning, I put on a shrinking eye mask and leave it on until the prep team arrives (and sometimes throughout it, like I did for the Golden Globes). Chloe Holguin, the fabulous director of the Ken Paves Salon in Beverly Hills, does my hair, and makeup artist Sarah Lucero ensures I stay shine-free on the red carpet.
Behind the scenes with Adam Glassman on the red carpet

Photo: Courtesy of Adam Glassman

When You're on Your Feet for Hours, You've Got to Do More Than Wear Comfortable Shoes
Gloria Williams, aka the Foot Nanny, does the best pedicure in L.A. (She's so phenomenal that her foot cream and sock gift set was one of Oprah's Favorite Things last year.)
Behind the scenes with Adam Glassman on the red carpet

Photo: Courtesy of Adam Glassman

Five Things Get Me Through the Red Carpet Show
Must-haves for keeping my energy up—and making sure my breath stays fresh: Mentos, Pressed Juicery's Roots 3 (a blend of beet and apple juice, with lemon and ginger), Aloha Daily Good Greens Whole Food Powder and raw almonds. Hand sanitizer is another essential during interviews, especially when you're shaking that many hands.
Behind the scenes with Adam Glassman on the red carpet

Photo: Courtesy of Adam Glassman

The Red Carpet Isn't as Spacious as It Looks
The platform we film on is about 8 feet by 8—think of your college dorm, only smaller—and it has to hold two hosts, producers, cameramen, a sound technician and the celebrity we're interviewing. Plus, the occasional publicist, manager and assistant. Before the show, space isn't an issue (as you can see), but as more celebrities arrive, the area gets crowded, fast. It's a testament to the cameramen's talent that you can't see how packed it is during each interview.
Behind the scenes with Adam Glassman on the red carpet

Photo: Courtesy of Adam Glassman

You Can't Overlook the Jewelry
Since everyone is so close together on the red carpet, it's hard to see everything, so I ask actors to give me a 10-second take on what they're wearing, or I zero in on the dress or a standout accessory, like Lupita Nyong'o's stunning Fred Leighton black jade earrings.
Behind the scenes with Adam Glassman on the red carpet

Photo: Courtesy of Adam Glassman

Certain "It" Girls Emerge Every Season
Early on, we witness an actress becoming the woman to watch on the red carpet (remember Lupita Nyong'o after last year's Golden Globes?). This year, there have been two: Felicity Jones (above) and Rosamund Pike. I can't wait to see what they wear to the Oscars.
Behind the scenes with Adam Glassman on the red carpet

Photo: Courtesy of Adam Glassman

We're Trendspotting as We Talk
Just before winning a Screen Actor's Guild award for female actor in a comedy series, Uzo and I discuss her stunning Angel Sanchez gown—the sunshine yellow isn't just Gayle King's favorite color; it's popping up all over the red carpet. Expect to see even more of it this spring.
Behind the scenes with Adam Glassman on the red carpet

Photo: Courtesy of Adam Glassman

The One Question I Always Ask
You often don't see a celeb's shoes under their floor-sweeping gowns. Knowing Melissa McCarthy's friendship with designer Brian Atwood, I once asked if she was wearing his heels, only for her to reveal a pair of Teva sandals! Since then, it's become my go-to question. (For the record, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, above, wore Roger Vivier heels with that gorgeous Monique Lhuillier number.)
Behind the scenes with Adam Glassman on the red carpet

Photo: Courtesy of Adam Glassman

Research Will Only Get You So Far
Sometimes, an unexpected celebrity will pop up on the red carpet, like David Duchovny did at the Golden Globes. He wasn't there for a movie or TV show, like most actors are; he was there to discuss his new novel, Holy Cow: A Modern Day Dairy Tale.
Behind the scenes with Adam Glassman on the red carpet

Photo: Courtesy of Adam Glassman

…But It Really Does Come in Handy Most of the Time
You have zero time between interviews—in fact, sometimes a producer will tap the host's leg to let us know it's time to transition to the next guest. All that research in the weeks leading up to the show is particularly helpful when interviewing celebrities who are juggling multiple projects, like Mahershala Ali, who stars in House of Cards and The Hunger Games: Mockingjay.
Behind the scenes with Adam Glassman on the red carpet

Photo: Courtesy of Adam Glassman

Yes, Some Celebrities Really Are That Beautiful in Person
Case in point? Sofía Vergara and Reese Witherspoon, two red-hot mamas in Donna Karan Atelier and Armani, respectively.
Behind the scenes with Adam Glassman on the red carpet

Photo: Courtesy of Adam Glassman

When the Night Ends, the Analysis Begins
Though the night's over, our jobs aren't. During the awards show, on the limo ride home and into the next morning, I'm thinking about all of the red carpet looks I've seen, so I can give a full breakdown of the do's—and doozies—the next day.