We found wonderland

Lea Michele Safarti.

[darexcrissx-blog]

The Start of Something New |F2F| LEARREN

[lilmslea-blog]

darexcrissx:

Darren smiled at her. “I know, right? Sadly, I haven’t met her yet, so I haven’t asked her,” he chuckled and nodded. “I find it a completely different experience when collaborating with someone on the writing. But I like both. It’s just a little tougher having to do all the writing and arranging and producing, so I have friends who help out with that too. I haven’t produced on my own yet, but hopefully soon,” he said. “Do you have certain styles you’d like to try out one way or another?”

“I’ve never met her, I’d probably cry.” Lea laughed. She hummed not sure exactly what she had on her mind with their song. “I sort of want to do a couple different sounds. Like I don’t have a specific area on mind, but I would love to do a couple different styles to see what fits best. I feel like voice is adaptable, and while I tend to stay on the vocal aspect I’d love to do something more fun and pop too.”

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The Start of Something New |F2F| LEARREN

[lilmslea-blog]

darexcrissx:

“We’ll just have to see about that,” he winked playfully. “I’ve been told I’m a good teacher,” he grinned, taking the seat across from her. The project was something for the two of the to go into to put their creativity to the test. Darren had a background in song-writing and musical theatre, so the collaboration was probably one of many they’d sign him up for. He nodded, sitting up. “Here and there, I’ve been writing songs since forever. I have StarKid, and have written songs with a few of my friends… I even wrote a song that I had Adele’s voice in mind. Big ambitions for a small guy, I know, right?”

Starkid.. The name sounded familiar but she couldn’t quite place it. “There is nothing wrong with big ambitions. I bet she would sing the hell out of that song.” Lea grinned. “I don’t do a lot of solo writing, I write a lot with people when I want a certain song on my albums but when it comes to writing one completely on my own I can’t say that I am very good at it.” She shrugged. “I’m sure we can come up with something brilliant though.”

[darexcrissx-blog]

The Start of Something New |F2F| LEARREN

[lilmslea-blog]

darexcrissx:

Darren chuckled softly. “I can always teach you how to play! That could be fun. And since we’re working together now, we’ll have plenty of time for that,” he said and got out of the car, stepping up on the curb as he joined her. “I really agree. We’re going to make such a good team.” He opened the door for her and stood to the side to let her walk in first. Once they were both in, he nodded to the hostess for a table for two, preferably towards the back of the restaurant, to give them a bit more privacy.

“Oh gosh, something tells me that I’d be really bad at learning.” Lea laughed. “I mean we can definitely try but I’ll probably embarrass myself and no one wants that.” She added with another laugh. They settled in at a table and she looked around happy with the restaurant they had chose. Part of their meeting had been about public relations and how they were going to handle themselves as they worked together and she was excited for the plan that had been put in place. “I love collaborating. I know you’ve done a bunch of stuff like this before, what do you love the most about it?”

[darexcrissx-blog]

The Start of Something New |F2F| LEARREN

[lilmslea-blog]

darexcrissx:

Darren opened his mouth to speak, then he blushed very lightly. “Oh god, well, I wouldn’t exactly say every single instrument…” he chuckled. “I like to think of myself as someone who tries a bit of everything at least once, you know? Throw something at me and I’ll probably take it,” he said, and bit his lip slightly, glancing at her for a moment. “You’re welcome, and me too. I think our managers were thinking pretty good things when they decided to make this happen,” he said as they pulled up to the restaurant.

Lea looked at him really admiring how humble he was, even she knew that she was capable of being the biggest diva at times. It didn’t seem to phase Darren though and it was something she appreciated and loved so much. “I barely play piano so we’re the complete opposites.” She said with a small laugh. Nodding she got out of his car and walked around towards him so that they could head inside together. “This is going to be such a good thing for the both of us.”

[darexcrissx-blog]

The Start of Something New |F2F| LEARREN

[lilmslea-blog]

darexcrissx:

Darren wrinkled his nose a bit. “Kids are ridiculous,” he said. “But obviously you outdid them,” he winked. “Very nice,” he nodded in agreement. “We did. I pretty much grew up around the community in San Francisco and did a lot of it growing up too. It was a lot of fun, so I got to meet some pretty crazy talented people. Along the way, I started picking up some instruments too.” He entered the driver’s side and started the car after buckling in. “I am too. I knew if tehre was one person I’d love to do a duet with one day it would be you,” he smiled at her, before pulling out of the parking lot and onto the street.

She looked at him and hummed. “I’ve heard that about you, that you can play like ever single instrument known to man perfectly. I’ve heard that there is very little that you can’t do.” Lea mused because she was pretty certain that he was perfect when it came to his talent. She knew she was talented as well in acting and singing but Darren had a way about him that he was just perfect in this world. “Thank you, that’s really sweet of you and I definitely feel the same way. I love that we were put together on this.”

[darexcrissx-blog]

The Start of Something New |F2F| LEARREN

[lilmslea-blog]

darexcrissx:

“Sounds perfect,” Darren sing-songed. He laughed a little. “I like it,” he said. “You have no idea how many times my name was misspelled when I was in school. Your first role was Les Mis, right? My dad worked at the Actors’ Conservatory Theatre in San Francisco, so I heard about that one,” he grinned. “Works for me,” he said, pulling his keys out of his pocket and unlocking his car just a few feet away, before opening the passenger’s side door.

“Try being called SarFATi. Lea laughed before nodded. “That’s right! Les Mis was my first role and it was such an amazing experience, my next was Ragtime.” She explained. “He did? That sounds amazing, did you grow up going to theatre a lot?” Getting into the car she thanked him graciously before checking her phone as she waited for him to get in. “I was really excited when I was asked about doing a collaboration with you. I love the opprutunity to work with other.”

[darexcrissx-blog]

The Start of Something New |F2F| LEARREN

[lilmslea-blog]

darexcrissx:

As they walked, he tossed it in the air and caught it. “Chinese sounds good. There’s a place not too far from here that I’ve been to a few times. It’s delicious and the price isn’t bad either, for LA,” he nodded. “What’s your last name?” he asked, licking over his lips as they made it to the parking lot. “Your car or mine?”

“Chinese it is then!” Lea grinned. “Oh no, you have to earn that Mr. Criss.” She teased. “It’s Sarfati. Lea Michele Sarfati at your service. I took on Michele at age 8 when I got my first role, it’s much easier and I don’t get made fun of for it.” She laughed remembering all the joked when she was a kid. “Yours?” Lea suggested. “Then we can come back for mine afterwards.”

[darexcrissx-blog]

The Start of Something New |F2F| LEARREN

[lilmslea-blog]

darexcrissx:

Darren picked up his almost empty bottle and finished what was in there. “There are a couple of places I always go on a late night or something. I’m a big eater. My mom loves to cook, so I grab a bite anywhere from Thai food to Filipino fast food,” he chuckled. “Okay, ten seconds. Darren. I’m from San Francisco, I went to UMich and took up theatre, and I’m a huge Disney nerd. Your turn.”

Lea hummed as she twirled her hair in between her fingers. “How about something simple such as Chinese sit down or burgers?” She didn’t want to put too much pressure on their first outing but also wanted to have a good time to get to know him. “Okay, my last name is not Michele, I’m from the Bronx, I have a cat named Shiela, and I love horror films.”

[darexcrissx-blog]

The Start of Something New |F2F| LEARREN

[lilmslea-blog]

darexcrissx:

Darren grinned a bit wider at the suggestion of food. “A woman after my own heart,” he gushed. “I’d love to get some food,” he nodded. He was pretty much a foodie, especially coming from a family that loved to cook. And he was always up for trying new things, plus he also just loved to eat. “Let’s do it, then,” he said, then nodded to the managers in the room, agreed to let them into their creative space. “Any place that’s your favorite in town?”

Lea got up and grabbed her bag before walking the door with Darren. “I don’t have a particular favorite, no. I do have regular spots but I’m always up for trying something knew if you have your favorite.” She insisted as they walked. “So tell me a little about yourself, like ten seconds of Darren.”

[darexcrissx-blog]

The Start of Something New |F2F| LEARREN

[lilmslea-blog]

darexcrissx:

“What can I say? I’m as crazy as they come,” he joked, giving her a wink. “And Lea’s got this masterfulness that I only wish I could have in my dreams. Like, holy smokes.” Darren remembered seeing her on stage on a night out with his brother and their dates and just being in awe at her presence there. Now getting to put their two styles together was going to be like a match made in heaven. Even with his own short run on Broadway, Lea was like on a much different level than he was. So this meeting was almost like being in the presence of royalty. “I do, I think we’re going to have a lot of fun with this. I have a lot of ideas we can work on together and expand on together,” Darren nodded and grinned. “I think we’re going to have a lot of fun with that too,” Folders were handed out and ideas thrown on the table about the two of them working on a song together. “I think that’s a great idea. Do we want to experiment with some material we both know so we can match our styles?”

Lea read over the material in front of her before nodding. “I do, yes but first...” She paused. “Do you want to grab something to eat?” There was two things that she loved the most in world and that was music and food, they were also the two biggest tell tale signs of a person. “We can get better acquainted and then settle in on some music. I’m also starving and just want to get something to eat.” She laughed. 

[darexcrissx-blog]

The Start of Something New |F2F| LEARREN

[lilmslea-blog]

darexcrissx:

Darren looked up from the notes he was reading and set down his Vitamin Water. His eyes went wide when he realized who his new duet partner would be. He stood up. “Yeah! It’s great to finally get to meet you!” He gave her a big grin. “I’m a huge fan of your work, too. Not late at all, I just got here a few minutes ago. Traffic can be a real bitch sometimes,” he chuckled. “Can I hug you?” His agent and producer walked in holding another pile of folders filled with notes. As the man was saying something, Darren looked to Lea, gesturing to the seat next to him and he sat back down scooting himself into the table. “I’m really excited to be working with you,” he told her.

Lea immediately loved the energy that Darren had and how he seemed to be so passionate about the project that they would be working on. Before she could really say anything else their meeting was beginning and she sat down and placed her hands neatly in front of her. Professionalism was one of her top qualities, as well as being a diva, and she put her attention on her manager and the discussion on the table. “I love Darren’s style and his energy.” She complimented as they talked about mashing their music together into a song. She was such a vocal performer that she looked forward to embracing Darren’s vocal and physical style. “I’m so excited to do this with you, Darren. I hope that you agree. I also look forward to getting to know you, I feel as if that’s the most important part.”

[darexcrissx-blog]

The Start of Something New |F2F| LEARREN

[lilmslea-blog]

darexcrissx:

It was nearly a two hour ride from Darren’s place to the studio to meet up for a brand new collaboration. The traffic had been awful all week, and he was in the middle of all of it. He was looking forward to this new partnership, though. And he was open to working with different people. His own career took off only a couple years ago, but he had created quite the following. His manager told him his new potential partner was someone who had her own career going; that the two of them hadn’t met before, but hopefully this would be the start of a new partnership.

Lea had never spent a day in the last couple decades not singing. From the time she somewhat accidentally landed her first Broadway role at age 8 she knew that acting and singing was everything to her and as she got older that never changed. Moving to LA had originally been for acting purposes, singing was one of the things she had never forgotten. So she got herself a record deal and from there on out her life was more amazing than ever. “Hi, I’m sorry I’m late.” Lea said as she walked into a meeting room with her manager and a new collaborator she had been hearing about. “You must be Darren!” She grinned as she walked up to him excitedly. “I must say that I am a huge fan. I’m excited to be doing this.

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Lea Michele × Darren Criss