Over the years I’ve met a lot of celebrities, and they’re not always the easiest people to deal with. In fact, I’ve had some downright horrible experiences with people I looked on as idols. So last week, when I realized what I’d be doing and who I’d be photographing, I went in with a detached professional attitude.
Which I dropped as soon as Donny & Marie stepped on stage. As you know, I’d met and photographed Donny before; but this was different. I was photographing both the show and the exclusive after show party. Plus, Marie was there. The show was a mash up of childhood hits and all time favourites. Their energy, ease and adlibbing were second to none.
Colm Wilkinson was there too, with his lovely wife Deidre, and they welcomed me so warmly, I had to keep reminding myself that this was the Colm Wilkinson.
Though it was an intimate party, Marie & Donny both tirelessly worked the crowd. Everyone reminisced and relayed anecdotes of the roles the Osmonds played in their lives. Pros to the core, Marie and Donny took it all in stride, giving everyone their individual focus, despite being exhausted.
At one point I noticed Donny was stuck with a woman who would not let him go. She kept going on about Justin Bieber, and how he’s “living Donny’s life now.” How they’re “both exactly the same”. I stepped in and said “But Donny’s better.” He laughed, gave my arm a squeeze and quickly moved on.
At the end of the night Donny hugged me and thanked me for my work. He thanked me. How wonderful was that? And would my 5-year-old self, the one who used to beg her mom to stay up late so she could watch their show, have ever believed it?
Hugh Jackman’s also in town and I was supposed to photograph him as well, but it got cancelled. I’ll tell you why next week. They still sent me to see his show, which was equally fabulous. I’d say the title role in Kate & Leopold comes closest to what he’s like as a song & dance man on stage.
If that wasn’t enough, I was then sent on assignment to photograph what turned out to be one of the greatest concerts I’ve ever seen. Given by some of my favourite performers, it was truly electrifying: Martin Short (I call him Marty now), 30 Rock’s Jane Krakowski (who’s shoes I was coveting), Raul Esparza (who I’d never heard but now have a musical theatre crush on), Broadway royalty Audra McDonald & Brian Stokes Mitchell, conducted by Marvin Hamlish (the Marvin Hamlish).
Robin Duke, whom I adore was there cheering on Marty. I actually know nothing about her except that she’s made me laugh pretty much my whole life. And backstage I learned that Audra has a potty mouth, Brian’s a runner, Marty… is Marty, Raul was wearing one of my dad’s suits, and if you trip like an idiot over Jane’s luggage, she will catch you.
So now Carrie Fisher’s coming to town. For so many of us, we’ve grown up with her not just as an icon, but as an action figure as well. What will she be like? Who knows, but I do have a pair of tickets for her show Wishful Drinking, to give away.
If you’re going to be in Toronto August 20th, leave me a comment letting me know who your idol was growing up and why, or your best Princess Leia story. Your comment is your entry to the contest.
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This is hard there were so many, Loved Donny and Marie ..and of course I wanted to be one of Charlies Angels..My cousin and I would fight over which one we were !!
Childhood heros…….Charlie’s Angels! Each show enabled a young girl to imagine being one of the three angels. They showed how smart girls can be and how to run in heels!!
Growing up, my idols were always strong, confident women. (My exact opposite, especially during that time.) From a young age there were two fictional characters who made a really big impression on my budding woman-hood. Wonder Woman; the ultimate feminist, and of course, Princess Leia, who was not a traditional “Princess”. In a male-dominated galaxy (far, far away) she refused to be pushed around by anyone – even Darth Vader. And she was willing to risk everything for a good cause. That has always resonated with me. I even have proof in the form of a Polaroid photo (my profile pic!) of me dressed as Princess Leia for Halloween 1983!
My idol growing up was Oprah. I think she’s fabulous! In terms of a musical idol though I have to say Beyonce! I just love her and think she’s such an inspiration for girls!
My idol was Donny Osmond…who i got to see in a concert and run down to the stage and kiss at the ripe old age of 11.
Not to date myself but growing up I wanted to be Princess Leia and one Halloween my Mum got us all dressed up brother and sister team as Luke and Leia! however my buns kept falling down and my dress was kinda sloppy on me so people thought we were Luke Skywalker and a sad ghost !
I always looked up to Wayne Gretzky…I played hockey and loved the way her was a team player, he always smiled and never got involved int he “garbage” side of hockey.
S’alright? S’alright! My favourite still is Jack Benny. He pushed the envelope sometimes, but never at anyone else’s expense. Don’t get me wrong, I love rude humour -I mean I wrote a song called “Why Are Disney Princesses All Such Whores”, but I think on the most part really good clean humour is so much cleverer.
I confess, when Shaun was on Oprah this year and started belting out the old tunes on the piano, I *may* have swooned a bit.
You are sooo much cooler than me (Cosmo-eques shot not withstanding)! My only autographed celeb photo was from Tony Dow who played Wally on Leave it to Beaver…
Loved the osmonds when I was growing up & still LIke Donny – to my kids chagrin 🙂
I was head over heels for Bobby Vinton. I was probably only 4 or 5, but I can distinctly remember the purple LP with his photo on it! My mother loves to tell and re-tell the story about how I would beg her to replay “Roses are Red” (as I was yet too small to work the record player myself) and how I told EVERYONE that I was going to marry him.
I now know where my precocious five year gets it from!
My idol growing up was John Denver – his music always inspired me and today still brings a smile to my face – favourite of among many “Sweet Surrender” as it would be a “sweet Surrender” of a victory to win. 🙂
My first crush was Han Solo – I was 5 and totally in love with him. Couldn’t figure out at the time (and I was like 5) why Leia would want to hang with the wimpy Luke Skywalker instead of the exciting Han. For Halloween that year I dressed up as Princess Leia and my Mom made this truly dreadful wig but I loved the costume.
I saw the HBO special of Wishful Drinking and it was hilarious and raw and would love to see it live.
Growing up I loved Debbie Reynolds, she seemed to me such a warm lady that I always admired. Last week I had the pleasure of watching a fabulous interview with Debbie and Carrie who I know will be a hoot in Wishful Drinking! They were both so down to earth and friendly and Carrie is a hoot!
my idol was donny osmond, I too loved those purple socks
My idol growing up was Lindsay Wagner – The Bionic Woman, had the doll, lunch box, everything ! Even wrote her a letter and got back a signed picture which I still have to this day ! I still think she’s great !
My parents couldn’t keep me in bed (even if it was a school night, and I’m showing my age!) when Señor Wences came on the TV. As much as his humour I loved his kind and gentle manner; there was never anything mean-spirited about his jokes. He died in 1999 and I’ve often wished I had written him that letter of appreciation. Muchisimas gracias, Señor Wences.
My Idol growing up was Roberta Bondar, Canada’s first female astronaut; an amazing accomplishment for Canada and women everywhere! She was proof that women can excel in what was once the male-dominated domain of space exploration.
My idol growing up was Debbie Reynolds..not only was she a talented dancer, singer and actress, but she was pretty cute to boot. Debbie was also a role model as she was a girl scout (like our girl guides) well into her teens.
My idol growing up and still is Audrey Hepburn. Love her style, her Presence, her poise and how classy she was.
Tina Turner was my idol because of her strength and talent.
When I was really young, my idol was probably Debbie Gibson LOL. By my late teens, it was Martha Henry 🙂
My idol growing up was Shirley Temple, I alway wanted to dance and sing like her.
Love this post 🙂 Shaun Cassidy was my absolute fav crush. I thought he was the cutest thing ever. Donny would have been a close second. Went to see in in TO in Joseph. He was amazing!
Loved Donny , but David Cassidy was a close second!
I liked Donny Osmond we both liked purple!
i hope you’re not going to have a bad hugh jackman story! i’ll cry!
i don’t know if he was my idol but robert wagner was the only celebrity i wrote to who sent me an autographed picture! i still have it. he’s lying down with no shirt on, facing the camera with his chin resting on his hands! it makes me scream with laughter considering this is what i got when i was 9 years old! 🙂
You live the coolest life, lady… wowza. Excellent!!