While our little South Jersey shore towns are packing up for the summer, guess who rolls in? Oprah Winfrey. Rumor has it, she owns one heck of a beach house on one of the islands. :) That's right. Oprah gave a speech and donated a huge chuck of cash only five short minutes from my home. Her fiance, Stedman Graham, grew up in Middle Township, New Jersey. He was a local high school basketball star and continues to stay very active in his hometown. Oprah and Stedman visit once a summer and a bunch of locals know the famous duo personally.
Okay, did I attend Oprah's speech? No. Why? Because I freak out when I spot celebrities in the flesh. Last Spring, while interviewing the USA Softball team, I literally shook like a Tickle Me Elmo doll. A few years ago when I found myself two feet away from Yankees pitcher, Mariano Rivera, I almost threw up. Yes, I'm a freak.
Rumor has it Anne Hathaway was also in town over the holiday. And I swore I saw Richard Gere in a coffee house during the month of July. Did I talk to him? Of course not. I left.:) But, in my defense, I'm pretty sure it wasn't the real Richard.
Did anyone ever meet a celebrity? What was your reaction? If you never met a celebrity face-to-face, who would you want to meet? Me, Derek Jeter. But I'd probably pass out. :)
Screwball News: The amazing Beth interviewed me about characters, Double Dare, and deserted islands. Check out Beth's Blog and the fun interview here. :) Thanks, Beth!
Have a great day, everyone!! :)
22 comments:
Ooh! Having Lady O in town is a big deal! :)
LOL on being celebrity phobic. I met Cesar Romero when I was a kid and then turned and asked my mom, who was that? Yeah, I know you're asking the same thing. He was best known as the Joker on the original Batman, but did a lot of other things as well.
Teri
Hi, Jessica! It's very exciting. :)
Hi, Teri! That's so much better when you don't know who it is. :) I'm going to google Cesar. Cool name. :)
Hmmm... I met Donovan and Worf. Can't remember who else.
What fun!
I've seen celebrities walking around the city and I stare at them looking to see where they go.
One time I saw Spike Lee and gave him the look that said "I know who you are and you know that I know who you are, but I won't yell your name".
I remember seeing Tino Martinez and I just had the biggest grin on my face.
I'm with you on passing out when adnd if I meet Derek Jeter.
As a former NYC flight attendant, I met and served TONS of celebrities--and other than checking them out briefly, I didn't really get that excited--but I definitely learned who's naughty and nice!
Met Derek Jeter-- but never met Ms. O- would love to though!
Hi, PJ! At first I thought you met Donovan McNabb, the Eagle's quarterback. So I googled.. The Star Trek guys. Did you freak? :)
Hi, Dru! I would do that too - stare, but not actually approach. :) I did that to Alfonso Soriano before he was big. You saw Tino! Lucky. :)
Hi, Alyson! I'm emailing you right now.. I want the scoop.. Is DJ naughty?? :)
It was actually Donovan the hippie singer from the 60s. Sunshine Superman. But yeah, Worf was all Star Trek!
Hi, PJ! LOL.. Oh, I remember his songs.. Did he sing the song, Mellow Yellow, too? :)
Exactly! And Sunshine Superman!
Wynton Marsalis visited my school. He gave us excellent advice (I still use it today in my writing). He was easy to talk to.
I talk to anyone!!! Once on a plane we were sitting near a famous basketball player, my friend was too nervous to speak...so I did the dirtywork of asking for the autograph.
Another friend had a collection of set lists from concerts. When you collect set lists you meat people - tech people, manager people, and sometimes even band people and 'the stars'
She met tons of people 'before' they became well known.
Who would I like to meet? Those guys on NPR's CAR TALK. They crack me up!!!
Hey Keri thanks for the link
Andre 3000 comes into the bookstore I work at every few months. He's nice and everyone leaves him alone to shop and Bruce Springsteen came in one weekend, he was left in peace as well.
I'd like to meet Rafeal Nadel. He has nice game, hussle and looks good in his shorts.
A long time ago when I lived in Tucson, Arizona I used to go to a lot of celebrity tennis tournaments. Back then they had next to no security so you could pretty much go chat up any and all the celebs. And I did. *g* Or at least I got their autographs. I was too shy to do much chatting up. But I also got pictures! :)
I met Jerry Garcia once, only I had no idea. I was bartending, and he came in between lunch and dinner for a meal before he had his concert that evening at the arena nearby. I served him and gabbed (I gabbed a lot, made me a decent bartender, lol) until one of my co-workers came over and said, "Don't you KNOW WHO THAT IS???"
Um. No. Not a Grateful Dead fan.
Jerry probably just thought I was being cool. Ha.
Hi, Angela! I wish I could be more like you! :) How exciting. :)
Hi, Doret! I would love to meet Bruce. He makes this New Jerseyan proud. Is your store in New Jersey? :)
Hi, Tori! Sounds like a blast. :) Who did you meet?
Hi, Marianne! There are people that would have a stroke if they met Jerry Garcia. What a great story. :)
I didn't know Oprah has a house at the Jersey shore! I know Bruce lives in Rumson, grew up in Freehold... I carried his HS graduation picture in my wallet for years. (I know it's dorky, but I am a Jersey girl all the way!) I also didn't know Oprah was engaged. She has sworn off marriage for-EVER. I think this is more surprising to me than her owning any piece of real estate.
Shaking like a Tickle Me Elmo?! Love the expression!
Hi, Sheri! It's not dorky at all. As a fellow Jersey girl, I completely understand. :) I thought they were engaged. I might be mistaken. Maybe they're only partners then.. Hope I didn't start any rumors.
Hi, Barrie! Thanks. My daughter loves hers. :)
Atlanta, I think Springsteen was in town to record an album
i met dixie carter and nearly fell all over myself. i was so excited i just leaned over and hugged her. didn't ask. just hugged her. :)
wouldn't hug oprah though. me no likey the oprah.
Let's see... my favorite was Richard Dean Anderson. This was back in the Dark Ages when he was on General Hospital. Oddly, he's the only one I can remember off the top of my head, though I know there were plenty of others. *g*
Hi, Doret! Interesting. :)
Hi, Virginia! Neither does my hubby. I thought he was the only one. :)
Hi, Tori! :) Sounds like fun.
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