Meeting Celebrities (aka "Looking Like a Fool")

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Today I read this post by Jon Acuff on the Stuff Christians Like blog, about meeting Michael W. Smith in an airplane. It made me laugh out loud, because I have a knack for meeting famous people and then looking like a total idiot.  Here are a few of the people I have had a pleasure meeting, along with a few stories of how I completely embarrassed myself:

- Kevin Costner.  Kevin was the first celebrity I remember meeting.  My family was on vacation in Mammoth and he and his family were sitting at the table next to us.  My dad and my dad's friend Joe leaned over and started talking to him, and he was very courteous to us.  We even got a picture with him after dinner.

- Bryan Duncan. As a teenager I was obsessed with Bryan Duncan and wrote him fan letters frequently.  I have a picture of me in Yosemite at around age 13 wearing a neon pink shirt that said "Bryan D!" I chased him down at Jesus Northwest as a young teenager and overwhelmed him with my valley-girl-esque banter:  "Bryan!  It's me, Jaimie!  Do you remember me???  I write you letters all the time and I have even gotten your postcards!  Do you need any backup singers?  I've been writing songs; do you want to see any of them?"  He was a nice guy.

-Dr. Phil and Robin Mcgraw.  About 7 years ago I was on the Dr. Phil show as part of a series called "Booty Camp."  I was on the show 3 times, and only got to meet him the second we were on the air and he was talking with me.  He had been rather harsh on the person before me, so during the commercial break I whispered, "Please be nice to me!"  He had a field day with that, and told everyone on air that I had said that during the break!  He was nice after all.  I also spent a whole day with Robin getting a makeover (with the other 3 girls chosen to be on the show). She is super sweet and I was too nervous to say much to her!

-Chuck Smith.  Chuck Smith is a pastor of a gigantic church in Costa Mesa.  I saw him in line at a coffee shop and said, "Hi Pastor Chuck!  You may not remember me, but my name is Jaimie and my dad used to work for you!"  He asked about my dad, said he remembered him, and then took a bite out of his ice cream cone.  There was an awkward silence and he probably saw me staring at his ice cream because he asked me, "Do you want a bite of my ice cream?"  (I was thinking, "Um, Chuck Smith just asked me if I want a bite of his ice cream!!!!")  Without even thinking, I replied, "Sure!" and he tilted it toward me.   The answer is YES, I took a bite like a total moron!  So embarrassing.

- Christy Nockels.  I stood in a long line at the MOPS convention to get a CD signed by Christy Nockels.  My palms got sweaty as I waited.  When it came to my turn, I had no idea what to say to her.  "Um, hi!  Does your mouth hurt from smiling so much?  Mine would!  I was wondering if you could sign this for my best friend?  She is your biggest fan.  I bought this CD for her."  (Not me, mind you, I'm not your biggest fan - I bought it for her because she is your biggest fan!).  I went on, "My husband is a worship leader, just like you! He writes songs too.  They haven't been published yet, but I just think it would be so fun to travel all over and do worship!"  Awkward silence.  Polite nods from Christy.  "Um, okay, nice meeting you!"  Yeah, I'm classy.  I know.

-Twila Paris.  Poor lady.  When I was about 16 I gave her a side hug and accidentally put my whole hand on her breast.  I violated Twila Paris!  I was mortified but she acted like she didn't notice.

When Martin and I met Michael W. Smith and Amy Grant, he asked me to snap a picture of them. I was so excited that I did it too fast, and got one shot when both of them were blinking.  We didn't realize it until the film was developed.  Another classic Jaimie moment!

So, if you're with me and we see a celebrity, just RUN.  I won't be offended.  In fact, make me run away with you so I won't further embarrass myself.  Leave me a comment and let me know if you've ever met a celebrity too!