Parties You Will Never Get Into

There is more to the 2008 Teen Choice Awards than meets the eye. A day before the ceremonies at the Gibson Amphitheatre in Universal Studios, the show’s pre-party honored a less-than-famous set.

On August 2, 2008, Tinseltown’s teen circuit took a backseat to far more obscure contemporaries in the Do Something Awards Pre-Party for Teen Choice. Formerly called the BR!CK Awards, the Do Something Awards, which is older than the show itself, has recognized young non-celebrities who have made a difference in their communities.

“Too Little Too Late” singer JoJo hosted the plush pre-party, which named the awards’ nine nominees. As determined by voting on the Internet, these do-gooders took home $10,000 for their efforts. The nominees, who were no older than 25, included 16-year old Dallas Jessup, a martial artist teaching self-defense to girls; and 18-year old Zander Srodes, who works for the conservation of sea turtles.

At the pre-party venue, Hollywood hotspot Level 3, the youngsters got to rub elbows with The Hills starlets Lauren Conrad and Lo Bosworth, former ‘N Sync member JC Chasez, House’s Olivia Wilde, Saved by the Bell’s Elizabeth Berkeley, girl band Danity Kane, and Cole and Dylan Sprouse from The Suite Life. The youngsters also watched Lil’ Mama, Jesse McCartney, Varsity Fan Club, and some of America’s Best Dance Crews perform.

During the Teen Choice Award ceremonies, actress Scarlett Johansson awarded 19-year old Chad Bullock with a Teen Choice surfboard and $100,000 in grant.

Chad Bullock hails from Durham, North Carolina. Since his grandfather died of a smoking-related disease, Bullock has vowed to discourage Americans from smoking. At one point, he mobilized 15,000 youngsters to rid Durham Bulls Athletic Park of smokers.

Pre-party attendee and TV Female Reality Star awardee Lauren Conrad she gave her award to Pat Pedraja, a nominee battling leukemia. She also stocked an iPod Touch with her favorite songs and gave the gadget to Pedraja.

Pedraja talked to Conrad during the pre-party. The teenager was nominated for his work driving across the US in search of bone marrow donors.

Around 32 million votes were cast in this year’s Teen Choice Awards, the bulk of which went to the sensational Jonas Brothers, Disney pop princess Miley Cyrus, and risqué teen soap Gossip Girl.