Alden Richards detailed the interaction that transpired between him and Hollywood actor Tom Cruise in South Korea.
Alden was invited earlier this month to the premiere of Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning in Seoul.
In an interview with PeopleAsia, the actor relayed that it was initially uncertain if he would be able to interact with Tom.
"Definitely we asked Paramount Pictures Philippines if we would be able to get the chance for a meet and greet with of course the one and only, Mr. Tom Cruise. [They said], 'Sorry Alden, hindi kami sure kung makaka-picture ka or if you will get the chance to talk to Tom,'" he recalled.
Despite the uncertainty, Alden was already grateful for the opportunity to attend the premiere. "Sabi ko okay lang pero sana meron pero it was more than enough for me to be invited to Seoul and to see them in person," he said.
The actor remarked that the Mission: Impossible star has been his inspiration growing up. "Tom Cruise has been my childhood idol, hero, inspiration for a lot of things," he stated.
To his surprise, Alden was later informed that he would, in fact, get the chance to speak with Tom. "We were actually surprised that we would be having the chance to meet him and the instructions were you can only ask two questions from Tom. Hinuli po ako sa pila."
Instead of asking questions, Alden chose to deliver a heartfelt message.
"I told myself I am not going to ask any questions to him, I'm just gonna tell him my story in one minute and 30 seconds. I wanted it to be brief, I wanted it to be short because I didn't want to waste his time," he said.
Alden shared what he told the Hollywood star: "I told him, 'Hi Tom, my name is Alden Richards. I'm an actor from the Philippines and you have inspired me a lot with your work.' Because of you, 'yun sinabi ko 'yung about not having stunt doubles and sabi ko, 'I've seen all of of your films: from Mission films, to Jack Reacher, to Top Gun, to Top Gun: Maverick.' He was just saying wow, wow, over and over again."
He also expressed his gratitude to the actor: "I told him na, 'Thank you for your work. Thank you for the inspiration you've given a lot of people, most especially me.' And then [I said], 'I hope I can work with you soon,' and then that's when he hugged me."
Alden went on: "Then after that parang [he said], 'Come on let's take a photo and you have to take care of yourself...' He told me that he has his own fighter jet."
Alden relayed that Tom is also the reason why he is currently studying in an aviation school.