I was a seat filler at the 94th Academy Awards — and I'd do it again in a heartbeat

• I attended the 94th Academy Awards Ceremony as a seat filler this year and had an amazing experience.
• Seat fillers keep the crowd full as guests go in and out of the audience.

I attended the 94th annual Academy Awards Ceremony — though I am not affiliated with the nominated movies or one of their guests. Instead, I managed to snag another coveted role: seat filler.

When I applied to be a seat filler at this year's Oscars award show, I had no idea how momentous the occasion would be.

I sat among industry professionals and witnessed historical moments — including the moment when the first openly queer woman of color won an Oscar.

I was connected to the seat filler opportunity through the HBCU in LA Internship Program — which connects students at Historically Black Colleges and Universities to entertainment internships in Los Angeles.

Seat fillers are responsible for holding seats for the guests when they mingle at the bar or run to the restroom. It's the seat fillers that help keep the audience full and free of gaps for the television audience at home.

According to Refinery 29, there are roughly 300 per year, and those who want to become one must typically have some sort of affiliation with ABC or The Academy before filling out an application.

It was our job to blend in with the highly-respected attendees, which is why I spent almost $800 preparing for the occasion.

Here's a play-by-play of my experience as a first-time seat filler at the 94th Academy Awards.

Getting ready

The show doesn't start until 5 p.m. but seat fillers have to be at the venue for check-in by 10:15 a.m. This meant it was going to be an early morning.

I woke up at 6 a.m. local time to prepare for a 7 a.m. makeup session. The session ended just after 8:30 a.m., and I already had my hair done the day before and a manicure done the week before, though my hair needed some freshening up.

I had a 30-minute drive to get to the location where seat fillers checked in, later to be shuttled to the event. I told myself I'd be out the door by 9 a.m. so I could grab a quick breakfast on the way to the event, but things didn't go as planned.

I left my apartment around 9:15 a.m. to head to the seat filler meeting spot but realized around 9:30 a.m. that I didn't have my parking pass.

I drove back home to find that my printer wasn't working and from there I struggled to find somewhere to print the pass.

I ended up printing out my parking pass at a UPS store in Hollywood and was 20 minutes late. Luckily, I checked in and was able to catch the last shuttle to the seat filler orientation and luncheon. It was about a 10-minute ride to The Dolby Theatre — where the luncheon and award show took place.

Seat filler luncheon

At the luncheon, where we dined on our choice of chicken, beef, or a vegetarian option, we were given instructions on our roles during the show.

The show organizers and coordinators were extremely kind and informative. Their preparation helped me feel more confident about my role throughout the show.

Throughout the luncheon, we were able to mingle and take pictures until about 3 p.m. local time.

During that time, I connected with some people I knew and made friends with others. Everyone I talked to was in good spirits and excited about the show.

Inside the Dolby Theatre

We made it into the theatre by 3:40 p.m. and most of us were visibly excited.

We were scattered throughout the house seats, but most of us did not remain in the same seats we started in.

During commercial breaks when the guests left the theatre to drink, chat, or use the restroom, seat fillers were directed to fill in their seats. This made for very busy, active commercial breaks.

During times when guests were in their seats and there was an overflow of seat fillers, the remainder were told to line up in the halls outside of the theater.

I had to exit the theater for about 30 minutes — missing the "Encanto" and Megan Thee Stallion performance of "We Don't Talk About Bruno." Besides that half hour, I was able to watch the rest of the show, including when Will Smith slapped Chris Rock.

Everything during the show felt surreal. Seat fillers aren't supposed to chat with celebrities, but I was star-struck just by being in the presence of Beyoncé, Zendaya, Jill Scott, and others.

After the show

We were given swag bags and shuttled back to our cars when the event came to a close.

My friends and I tried finding an after-party or event following the show, to no avail.

Some of my friends in the HBCU in LA program and I ended up going to Yardhouse to eat, catch up, and reflect on the show.

I was exhausted by the time we finished our food and made it back to my apartment around 2 a.m.

As far as I'm aware, I wasn't in direct view of any of the cameras for a brief TV moment, but the experience was nonetheless unforgettable. I hope to do it all over again next year.