Supernatural experience - SPECIAL REPORT

Section: Local Edition: 1 - Mt Druitt

MT Druitt's Tara Battishill doesn't need six degrees of separation to get near her Hollywood crush.
Two weeks ago, the 20-year-old met and spent time with Jared Padalecki and Jensen Ackles, the stars of hit US TV show Supernatural.
The actors were in Sydney, along with fellow cast member Mischa Collins, for the All Hell Breaks Loose Supernatural convention at the University of NSW Kensington campus.
Though Tara was just one of hundreds of fans who attended, she left with memories and an experience no one could match.
She said Ackles was easily her favourite character on the show.
After getting caught up in a furious bidding war and paying $1200 for a T-shirt worn and signed by Padalecki, that all changed.
The T-shirt was auctioned to raise money for the Starlight Foundation.
The drama unfolded after Padalecki spent an hour on stage answering fans' questions.
He made such an impression on Tara that when bidding began the only thing she was thinking was ``I want it''.
``One reason I did it was for the Starlight Foundation,'' she said.
``But I also like to get what I want and I'm determined.
``I knew if I won I'd get to meet him and talk with him.''
Bidding went on for what seemed like close to 10 minutes the crowd gasped and cheered every new bid as the price crept into the high hundreds.
By the end of it Tara had her prize, and an experience she said she'd never forget.
``He wrote on the T-shirt `To Tara, All my love. Thank you so much. Jared Padalecki', and he drew a picture, too,'' she said.
``With Jensen's t-shirt, which sold for $4100, it just had a quick signature on the back and a small picture.
``Jared hugged me so tight, he was so appreciative, so genuine, warm and affectionate.
``I think he kissed me four or five times he slobbered all over my face.
``He has such a good sense of humour we stood making jokes about Jensen and he smelt great.
He is the nicest guy I've ever met ... $1200 is only a small price to pay to experience that.''
* Make sure you tune in next week for a Mt Druitt-St Marys Standard exclusive an interview with Jensen Ackles.

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