Most people who know me know how largely unimpressed with all things "Celebrity" that I am. Please refer to several earlier posts if you enjoy angry rants about the rich, famous, and egomanaical. Today, I was thinking about the fact that I have actually met a lot of celebrities from all walks...movies, television, sports, music, and theater (Well, not
exactly theater, I am from Las Vegas and I have met Bambi and Bambi Junior.
Plus Frank Marino who does a dead
on Joan Rivers! That counts, right?)
Redd Foxx: I met him at the Boulevard Mall in Las Vegas when I was in about 6th grade. I knew him from Sanford and Son NOT from his raunchy XXX rated comedy. So it was no wonder that looking back, he gave me an odd greeting. I asked him for his autograph, which he graciously gave, and then handed me 5 bucks and told me to go buy a small bone for my dog. Me: "Mom! Redd Foxx gave me 5 bucks!" Mom: *dodgy glance at crazy old man*
Ozzy Osbourne: Backstage, Diary of a Madman Tour, I think....some of the 80s are blurry. Ozzy: "Mmfgmldphngfd!" Me: "OMGsh! Totally!! I love you Ozzy!!!" Sigh. Stupid teenager.
Red Hot Chili PeppersAnthony Kiedis and Flea: At Paradise Alley in Las Vegas. I was there with some (rowdy) friends from a local band and as we walked through the parking lot, all of the band gentlemen were acquainted. They began to have a friendly pool ball chucking exchange. (I don't get boys. At. All.) Anthony noticed me as I deftly dodged a cue ball, and he practically squealed, "YOU'RE GODIVA!" I told him I was, and it turns out several of the band guys and crew were huge wrestling fans. He asked me if I could Airplane Spin him. Being that he is about 5'5" and weighs about a buck o five, I assured him I could. Wait for it...."SPIN ME!! GODIVA SPIN ME!" I spun him. Right in the parking lot. He ran away, thrilled, and told me to wait here. He comes back with Flea, who is a more rabid fan than Anthony. Flea tells me he and the drum roadie have a wrestling match planned on the front lawn at Caesars for the next morning AND would I show him some moves?!!! (ONLY IN LAS VEGAS!) Hell to the yeah I will, Flea! So we adjourned to a VIP room at PA and I put Flea in a figure 4 leg lock. (This is a legit and painful wrestling move, non-fans, so please do not read anything R-rated into this exchange.)
Several years later, a good friend of mine, Tony, went to LA to audition for the Chili Peppers. So did a lot of guitar players. Anthony looks at his intake form, info, etc. and says, "You're from Las Vegas?! Do you know
Godiva?!" My friend almost fell over in the How-random-can-you-be-catagory.
Paul Anka: Lived next door to him for a couple of years. This one really doesn't count because I only met his dog. I threw her treats almost daily as my private entrance to the house overlooked her dog run.
Jim Dandy: I only include this because it is wierd. He is some guy from some hippie-esque 70s rock band called Black Oak Arkansas. I didn't know who he was, even when he sang me their "famous" song. He didn't care we totally laughed. I'll be more impressed if any of you know who he is, than by the actual him.
Known Godiva fans: Bruce Jenner. Mt. Fiji met him once at a benefit and he went right over to her and asked her if Godiva was here. I wasn't, but apparantly, the Olympian made a big fuss over his love for me. Look out Kris Jenner! Woohoo! Kim and Chloe could be my semi-step kids!!
Brian "Boz" Bosworth, Seattle Seahawks. Sent "His People" up to me in La Dome in Hollywood to let me know "The Boz" wanted to meet me at his table. I told said "People" that Boz was welcome to join me, but Godiva would not be summoned by an American football player. Boz joined me briefly, to tell me he was a fan and hang out for a bit. Sweet, really, once the "entorauge" nonsense was disabled.
I actually have lots of celebrity stuff...between growing up in Las Vegas and being a quasi-television personality (reality TV before its time) and living in LA, I've met lots of famous and infamous. Apparently, I told a serious Mafia Don in Little Italy in New York, that I wouldn't wash my feet in the swill of the champagne that he offered to purchase. Oops.
I won't include it all lest you think that I am IMPRESSED by them. Still not....except one encounter...The only time one, (or 2 or 3) of them took my breath away......
Sammy Davis Jr., Liza Minelli, and Joey Ramone: I was invited to be a guest at the Jerry Lewis Telethon in New York with Sammy Davis Jr. I was in line with Fiji to sign in, find dressing rooms, etc., when someone taps me on the shoulder and asks me if I know where she is supposed to sign in. I turn around...it's LIZA FREAKING MINELLI. Yeah. Pick up your stupid gaping jaw "Godiva". I'm sure I said something completely idiotic to her. I have NO idea. I resume the check in process, kicking myself for being such an uncool douche, while behind me I hear, "It's Godiva! No seriously, it's HER!" I turn around, ready to restore my battered faith in my own cool by interacting with an obviously enamoured fan....and it's Joey Ramone. Lurching over me like a 6'7" Rock and Roll Cousin It. Coolest. Rock STAR. Ever. I ignored him and almost barfed. (I was still reeling from Liza with a Z, and JOEY RAMONE shuffles up??? AND he loves me?!) I can't even describe how completely freaked out I was when one of the Rat Pack, Mr. Las Vegas, SAMMY! comes in to my dressing room to welcome me. I had pulled myself together a bit in anticipation of meeting him, but I confess to being less than smooth.
OMGsh Dawn, what a poseur of a Diva you are! You can't even stand your own in a room with Las Vegas AND Punk Rock royalty. (In my defense, WHO puts those two together???) Luckily, I had bought into my own mystique by the end of the taping (the Ramones did "Sedated" live, yes they did.) and was able to have a normal convo with Joey. He was shy and sweet. And a Godiva fan. For those of you keeping track...this makes me officially, and forever...cool.
So, unimpressed though I may be by celebrity in general, I smile at my brushes with greatness. Maybe one or two of them smiled at their brushes with me.
just Dawn
