TikToker shares secrets he learned as an awards show seat-filler

A TikTok user is going viral after sharing the backstage secrets he learned working as an awards show “seat filler”. Diego Pineda, a 23-year-old living in Los Angeles, worked as a seat filler at the 2019 People’s Choice Awards. For those who aren’t familiar, seat fillers are basically extras brought in to take up space at high profile events — like award shows, plays or movie premieres. According to Pineda, his role was to take the spot of a celebrity after they accepted their award and left the event. The TikToker claimed he was “not allowed” to interact with any of the “real” guests, even if he was sitting right next to them. He also learned that — at least for some awards shows — the winners would know that they’ve won in advance. Pineda said he saw celebrities arrive just in time to get up and give their speech. Then they’d often exit the venue to do press. Overall, Pineda seemed to feel really positively about his experience. He said the “coolest” thing about the night was being close to celebrities he’d grown up watching on TV and in movies