Have you met any celebrities?

[nicola]

I am quite curious as to how many of you have met any celebrites (including Hayley).

Did you talk to them? Did you get their autograph? What was your impression of them? Did you get a photogrpah? If Hayley is one of them, keep the story short! I know how much you would love to write an essay about how great she was! Lol! Chances are, we have already read of your experience.

I live in Borehamwood. Hometown to Elstree Studios. I won't go into everything that is filmed here but I have served/seen many celebrities whilst working in retail.

That aside, I have only ever really met two.

First person I met was Hayley at 'Loose Lips' in September 2003. Simon, Shirley and Keith were also there. I was far too shy to talk to her. But her live piece was so beautiful. She also seemed quite shy. She was polite and talkative to Keith and co. I just waited for an autograph which she gave and I went off on my way thanking her veru quietly and wishing I didn't exist. My friend, Steve, meanwhile wanted to ask her out (this was before anyone had even heard of Hayley in the UK so I guess he didn't realise how out of his depth he was lol).

I guess whilst I was there I also met Melinda Messenger. She was hosting the show. An ex-page 3 girl. Didn't really speak to her. But she was very short and she trod on my Hayley CD to which she immediately apologised. The other host was a man who appears every morning on GMTV to talk about soaps/television programmes that are to appear on television later that evening. I can't remember his name for the life of me. 'Richard' seems to spring out, but...

My meeting with Becky Jane Taylor was quite similar. I met her during an interval at the Classic Response 2006 at the Royal Albert Hall. I was once again far too shy and it took ten minutes for my Dad to convince me to go up to her (she was, after all, chatting to family and friends in a remote place of the hall; I didn't want to disturb). I gave her my programme and asked her to autograph her picture. She didn't recognise her own picture and commented and it was awful. She was kind and polite and looked gorgeous in a beautiful gown. I said her performance was really good (don't remember the exact words). She swfitly turned back to her family, as I swiftly turned back to my Dad wanted not to exist. Again. I'm shy, what can I say.

[postscript]

Interesting thread Nicola. Which reminds me of several parts left unfinished in a thread or two elsewhere, but perhaps I can cut and tail them here! Maybe!

First, in my young days your age and younger I was just as tongue-tied as you at the thought of meeting celebrities although i would have loved to have met Hayley Mills but would have been totally speechless and standing staring gawping at her had I had that opportunity.

But later in life, even when dealing with them regularly, I never bothered with autographs. It was a passing moment in life to which I thrilled at the time but for some reason kept it as a private moment. It was 'our' Hayley that made me a devoted fan in the full meaning of that expression and I really don't know why as a specific, only for a diverse set of reasons.

Timing was one. When I first heard that voice and that song (Pokarakare Ana) I was enraptured like so many. I had another year of dark tunnel ahead of me (nothing that we don't all suffer at one or other times of our lives but mine happened one after the other over a four-year period) so I wasn't able to follow her on her 'Pure' tour.until i saw her at The Palladium' and began my wander around her concerts as a break from a difficult time.

It was her talent, her youth, her openness but above all her freedom to develop her creativity as she would. All these things, together with the timing for me when I was re-opening myself to a new view on life, helped to re-awaken my own lost creativity.

Straight-jacketed into uniformity of standard career expectations my partial release was acting. This is a name that is now lost to time, except for oldies like me and some younger people and others very keen on horse-riding. The renowned BBC commentator for the 'Horse Of The Year' Show and all things equestrian in the days when I was a teenager was Dorian Williams.

Dorian Williams lived on the outskirts of the next town in a large manor house like Gawsworth Hall, except that this was Victorian and somewhat larger. To help stop the place falling down he did a variety of things including hosting open-air Shakespeare Festivals, ultimately reaching the size of Gawsworth Hall's 1,100 audience for Hayley, but running for two weeks, with a different play each week. I arrived for auditions, having heard about his need for crowd somewhat late, so I had a private meeting with him.

I arrived early and was invited to wander the grounds in the mean time. I reached a very large circular bed that had been freshly dug and neatly tilled and was wondering what might be planted there when the 'great' man arrived.

I was already in awe of the place having, at the age of 12, cycled from my home town and up the half-mile straight tree and laurel hedge-lined drive, impressed that as an appointed visitor I was entitled to use the front door. So I didn't like to presume he was actually heading for me, as I had expected to be summoned by his butler when he was ready for me. I therefore carried on walking, ending up with even more of the (as I later discovered) dahlia bed between us.

Realising this was likely to go on for some time, Dorian stood still and called across, 'Aren't you Peter?'
'Yes', says I.
'Well, I'm Dorian Williams and I'm trying to talk to you'.
In my embarrassment I did what seemed logical at the time, as you don't keep celebrities waiting, I walked straight towards him across the flower bed.

'Hello,' says I, shaking his hand. 'I would like a part in one of your plays, please and I was hoping I might attract your attention.'
'Yes,' said Dorian, dryly, towering above me and seeing over my head my footprints straight across his freshly dug dahlia bed. 'Rest assured you have done that. I shall be remembering you for at least a few days'
I beamed back at him, hopefully.
Peter S.

[roger]

Hi Nicola,

I have met a few so briefly that a mere "hello" hardly counts. The first one with whom I had a lengthy conversation was the percussionist Evelyn Glennie. That was after her appearance some years ago in the Queen Elizabeth Hall in London. She was still relatively unknown at the time and seemed delighted that anyone should make the effort to get backstage to see her. She was absolutely delightful and very natural.

I met Katherine Jenkins for the second time when she appeared as Amici Forever's support at the Fairfield Hall in Croydon. She looked at me and said "Oh, hi" in such a way that I questioned if she remembered me (from our first meeting over a year earlier). She thought for a moment before saying, "Of course I do, it's Roger"!

I met Judith Durham and the Seekers on numerous occasions (because I used to run a fan club for them). They were all very friendly and great fun.

And then, of course, there is Hayley who I have met so many times that enough has probably already been said!

Perhaps they haven't reached celebrity status just yet but that did not diminish my pleasure when I met All Angels on Saturday.

Roger

[Natasha]

Hmm... the first celebrity I met was Charlotte Church at her concert in Lincoln Center, Avery Fisher Hall. She was really, very sweet!! She looked right at me, actually I think she bent down and asked, "What's your name?" Ok, so that was my first case of being star-struck, lol.

Next was Hayley at Joe's Pub and Bryant's Park. And afterwards just hearing from Steven and Roger that she actually remembers me, and getting her reply in the thread on her official forums... that has all been so amazing!! So thanks Hayley!

Now my third one doesn't really count since I didn't actually meet him, but I did get to talk to Billy Gilman on the radio, which was really, VERY awesome! Not to mention that I got teased basically the rest of the day, and Crystal still brings it up, haha.

Other than that I've met a couple Adventist 'celebrites' like TV evanaglists Doug Bachelor and Mark Finley. Singer Jennifer LaMountain and Scott Micheal Bennett. Jennifer was especially a really lovely person!

The last ones don't really count as celebrites I guess but I was still pretty honored and shy about meeting... DaddyTom, Alena, and Steven!! They might not be real celebrites but meeting them was just an amazing experience for me!

Hugs everyone,
Your Tashi

[Caitlin]

Let's see I've met Minnie Mouse, Mickey Mouse, Goofy and Jasmine. I remember meeting Jasmine at breakfast at Disney World and then she invited me to ride on her elephant with her during the parade! Big deal for a four year-old.

But in all seriousness I've only met a few celebrities. The first was Mark Valley who happened to be the father of my friend Sherri. Some of his credits include ER and CSI. You can read more here: www.imdb.com/name/nm0885090/

The next person I met was Hayley. I met her for the first time in 2004 when she toured the US with the Boston Pops. Oh what a glorious evening! After we met Hayley and chatted for a bit (as I was getting my CD signed and a picture taken) my friends and I left. Little did we know that we went the wrong way so we had to pass by again. Whoops. I met Hayley again in Feb. 2006 when she was with Il Divo.

Last year on Fridays we had master classes. So we got to take class from many many people. One of them I remember was Barry Lather who got his big break choreographing for Janet Jackson. He's done films for/with Usher, Half Time Shows (football) and even choreographed the Miss America pagent!

Last year the premier of 'A Prairie Home Companion: the Movie' took place a few blocks from my school. The parade to the theatre were much of the filming took place started across the street from my school. Well, during the day many of the stars were running around: Meyrl Streep, and Lindsay Lohan among them. I didn't meet Meryl Streep but I did see her on my way to class. That day for lunch I went down to the cafe on the first floor of the building where our school is and stood in line. Well guess who was in front of me...Lindsay! I didn't say anything, or ask for a picture or an autograph though. It was enough to be standing behind her, and watch the chef's reaction when he realized who he was cooking for!

<3 Caite

[kmsmith8]

This is a great question. The answers so far have been interesting to read through.

I haven’t really met anybody that is really famous (just a bunch of B class celebrities). And, most unfortunately, I haven’t met Hayley yet. I am still trying to find time to fly to one of her concerts (or if I get lucky she will be in the Chicago area when I am in the area.)

The first celebrity that I met was Steve Gatlin. I was young at the time (around 13 years old). I didn’t know who he was so I wasn’t all that impressed (my parents loved meeting him.)

The next set of celebrities that I met were a bunch of soap opera stars (I met the cast of the Broadway Musical Titanic as part of a school field trip. I was young then to—maybe 14 years old.) I didn’t watch soap operas (and still don’t) so I didn’t really know who they were. But my teacher was freaking out (hands waving and tears going down her cheeks); this was by far more entertaining than the celebrities.

Not sure if this one counts, but one of the members of Blink 182 (the band has since broken up) zoomed by me in a car after one of their concerts. Instead of quietly slipping out of the back of the concert venue he decided to drive by the front of the venue. I don’t really like this band (I went to the concert because my friend wanted to go), but I would have to say that the person that was driving the car was lucky to successfully maneuver himself out of all of the screaming girls.

I’m not sure how recognizable this band is internationally, but I have met all of the members of the band Lifehouse.

For those of you that live in the United States, remember the Sierra Mist commercials? I have met Michael Ian Black (the person that is in them, he was also on the television show Ed before it went off the air.)

For those that are familiar with the Disney Channel, I have met Christy Carlson Romano.

I didn’t introduce myself to these celebrities, but I was within a few feet of them when they were in Indianapolis for the 2005 Indy 500. They include: Tony Danza, Montel Williams, Patrick Dempsey (yes, he is as hot in real life as he is in Grey’s Anatonomy), and a few other smaller names.

Now I just need to meet Hayley…

[Joe]

Hi all,

I've also got to meet Mickey and Minnie Mouse It was a big deal for me too...as I was 23 !

I suppose the biggest celebrity I every met and had a conversation with was Allister MacGillivray. I met him at intermission during a standing-room only performance of The Cottars. During this time I also met Allister's wife Beverly.

As a musician, Allister has toured with The Clancy Brothers, Tommy Makem, and John Allan Cameron.

Among the dozens of songs Allister has written, the most popular are "Song For The Mira", "Away From The Roll Of The Sea" and "Here's To Song". His works were recorded by Anne Murray, Frank Patterson, Phil Coulter, John McDermott, The Barra MacNeils and others. Also he has arranged choral pieces of his works.

Allister is also an accomplished author; with assistance from his wife, Beverly, he compiled and published several books.

His most recent years have seen Allister direct a series films on the Cape Breton style of traditional Scottish fiddle playing. In 1997, Allister was awarded Honorary Doctorate of Letters from The University College of Cape Breton.

Last but certainly not least I have met Roseanne and Jimmy MacKenzie. This sister-and-brother duo comprised the other half of The Cottars until a few months ago. Roseanne has joined John McDermott's tour for a while. She also performed with the Ronan Tynan and the Irish Tenors.

Jimmy has been in ill health recently but is improving. He and sister Roseanne will form a band called The MacKenzie Project later this year.

[fusilier23]

I have a few:

Cecilia Bartoli, Italian mezzo, at Carnegie Hall, hawking a new CD. The encounter probably lasted only about 10 seconds.

Daniel Rodriguez, American cop-turned-tenor, twice, the first time is kinda a story unto itself.

Ben Heppner, Canadian heldentenor, twice.

John McDermott, Canadian tenor, twice, once solo, once with Anthony Kearns and Finbar Wright.

Katherine Jenkins, twice.

Hayley takes the cake, though, six times.

[postscript]

Well Kmsmith8, that almost runs like the script of Being There and some amusing anecdotes regaled. Thank you for that. Keep an eye on the Schedule board to see if Hayley will be in Chicago or elsewhere near you when touring with CW. As you can guess from the wonderful camaraderie with her and Steve at Cadogan, she is worth the wait and she won't disappoint. She is a wonderful experience.

As for breezing around celebs, well, that's something like my tales to come!
Peter S.

[stevemacdonald]

In 1994 I met Oscar winning actress Shirley MacLaine at a party and we spent about an hour together talking.

Ten years later I met Hayley on several occasions in New York City after concerts. I was too starstruck to make intelligent conversation so I kept it very brief and simply got things autographed with minimal chit-chat.

Now the funny thing is I should have been totally starstruck by a major Hollywood actress who kindly made time to chat with me, but I was not. Instead I was weak at the knees in the brief presence of a young singer whose ravishing voice was still somewhat unknown to the wider world. Go figure.

[postscript]

stevemacdonald said:

In 1994 I met Oscar winning actress Shirley MacLaine at a party and we spent about an hour together talking.

Ten years later I met Hayley on several occasions in New York City after concerts. I was too starstruck to make intelligent conversation so I kept it very brief and simply got things autographed with minimal chit-chat.

Now the funny thing is I should have been totally starstruck by a major Hollywood actress who kindly made time to chat with me, but I was not. Instead I was weak at the knees in the brief presence of a young singer whose ravishing voice was still somewhat unknown to the wider world. Go figure.

OMG--never used that before! I must be getting 'with it'! Another one star-struck by Hayley. Why is it? She's so down to earth, natural and normal I wouldn't be surprised if she didn't feel at least surprised if not perhaps even hurt that people should be in such awe of her. Perhaps it is her youth with such extraordinary maturity, a highly intelligent head on a superbly attractive frame and THAT voice! As I will gradually reveal on this thread, I've been bumping into personalities for one reason or another all my life and 'never really noticed' them! But Hayley always leaves me dumbstruck.

Peter S.

[roger]

Oops, my apologies for not mentioning him the first time around but I met John McDermott a couple of times when he was on a UK tour with the Seekers. He took a photo of me with the group and, for reasons known only to himself, he stood on a table to take it. Not sure why - he must be at least 6ft 6in!

Roger

[Richard]

Hello everybody!

I've met quite a few celebrities in recent years, mostly well-known TV actors and actresses who are patrons or friends of Trinity Hospice in Clapham which I support. They include Lesley Joseph, Polly James, Richard Briers, Prunella Scales and one of the cast of Eastenders whose name escapes me. I can't say I'm starstruck with any of them!

I used to support an Irish singer called Mary Duff who appears mainly with Daniel O'Donnell, and I met him several times, which probably explains why I don't follow her any more!

I met Katherine Jenkins when she supported Hayley at the London Palladium. I also had the pleasure of meeting All Angels at Cadogan Hall last Saturday, and they are four rising stars to watch, but Hayley is definitely my all-time favourite celebrity! i.postimg.cc/9fYxy370/smilie-big-grin.gif

Best Wishes,

Richard

[fusilier23]

I'll admit, I was VERY star-struck with Hayley the first time out, Tashi thought I was going to faint after Hayley kissed me, and even more so with Katherine Jenkins, due to her model-level looks, in fact I stumbled over my words telling her that I had seen many pictures of her that were all beautiful, but seeing her in person took things to a whole other level. Katherine just laughed and said thank you, I guess she gets comments like that all the time.

Oh, lest I forget to mention him, I also met Russell Watson in his one appearance in NYC in a very long time. I have my fingers crossed that he gets back here in 2007. Lest I also forget, though they aren't celebrities - yet - I have met Natasha and her sister Crystal, Claire, Holly, and Kristyn, all of whom are wonderful people.

[nicola]

Thanks to everyone for replying! It's really interesting to read all of your answers.

I'm not sure if I am "star-struck" when I meet celebrities. I am kind of one to realise they are just normal people and would probably think you silly by going all weird on them. I am just naturally shy though, and find going up to a complete stranger and asking for their autograph just an awful experience. Lol! I want to meet them, get close to them, and have their autograph, but I find it really difficult and uncomfortable. I suffer from social phobia a bit.

Now, if I met Sarah Brightman... that might be a completely different story. Probably the only person in the world I would be 'star-struck' about. I think I would make such a fool of myself I dread the day that I may have a chance to meet her. Though I doubt it, she doesn't really come to this country, her home, lol.

Oh, lest I forget to mention him, I also met Russell Watson in his one appearance in NYC in a very long time.

How lucky you are! There are so many reports saying that he is not a very good person, but I won't believe them until I get to see for myself. I'm quite a fan of Mr. Watson.

Perhaps due to a generation gap I haven't heard of most of the people you have all listed. Reast assured KM, I have heard of Lifehouse and of course, Crystal, Billy Gilman.

Who would you all LIKE to meet?
I don't particularly want to meet anyone... because of the reasons above. Meeting Emma Shapplin would be nice though. As for a list of who I would like to see performing live... that would go on forever. I really want to see Cantamus again though (gold olympiic winning girl choir)