If you're like me then you probably have at least a few celebrities you dream of meeting in person. Do you ever see your favorite celeb doing an interview and think to yourself, "I bet they are just as awesome in real life"? I know I do. Everyone's favorite celebrity varies but for me, singer/songwriter Kelly Clarkson is my number 1 favorite. I have been following Kelly's music career since her very first audition on American Idol back in 2002. The moment I heard her voice I was completely hooked. Something about the tone and power of Kelly's voice sends shivers down my spine. After she was crowned the winner of the inaugural season of AI, Kelly embarked on a rigorous press tour and I was able to watch her true personality reveal itself via many tv and radio interviews. I was so impressed with her ability to be authentically herself and to keep her head on straight in light of her new found stardom. 15 years later and Kelly Clarkson is still just as humble and down to earth as she has always been even after accumulating countless awards and accolades not the least of which being 3 Grammy Awards.
Throughout the past 15 years I have been lucky enough to meet Kelly Clarkson on not one but two occasions! The first time was on May 4th, 2009 at the House of Blues in Boston, MA. This was a one time only show sponsored at the time by T-Mobile and featured Kelly Clarkson and a relatively unknown Lady Gaga (who I am also a massive fan of). My friend and I arrived at the venue several hours early to secure our spot near the stage in the general admission standing only floor section. As we were anxiously awaiting Lady G to hit the stage, we were enjoying the sights and sounds including a large drop down screen over the stage that featured various trivia facts, t-mobile ads and eventually a text to win contest. The directions were simple: text the word BACKSTAGE to a certain number to win a meet and greet with Kelly Clarkson the very same night before she hit the stage to play her set. Of course I whipped out my phone and promptly sent my text entry and proceeded to put my phone back in my pocket. About 25 minutes later I felt my phone vibrating in my pocket alerting me to a new text message. The text I received read as follows: "You Have Been Selected! Please show this message to the nearest House of Blues representative." In all honesty I thought it was a joke that my friend was playing on me. Once she convinced me it wasn't her and that we really did win this meet and greet contest, the excitement began to build. Was this for real?? Was I really going to meet my favorite singer??? It was!!!
We were then led back stage and up stairs. We were told that Kelly would be ready in about 10 minutes to meet us and to enjoy Lady Gaga's set from our vantage point which was basically above the stage in the wings. This in itself was an incredibly cool experience! Once Lady Gaga finished her encore song (Just Dance in case you were wondering) we were led down a long corridor and told to wait outside a small room. While we were waiting, a myriad of people wearing press passes (Rolling Stone Magazine, CW Boston, Boston Globe, Providence Journal, etc) walked past us and we knew that we were officially in the backstage press area which felt super "exclusive". Then I could hear Kelly's voice just beyond the doorway we were waiting outside of, thanking the press people and letting her people know she was ready to meet the contest winners. I don't think I've ever been so excited in my life! After about 5 more minutes, a HofB staff member led us into a small room where Kelly and a photographer were waiting.
We walked in and Kelly greeted us so warmly with big hugs and a huge smile. She was so gracious and thankful to us for being fans and we chatted for about 5 minutes. Kelly asked us if we had seen her perform live in the past (which I had several times of course, though this show was my friend's first), what our favorite songs were and where we were from. After taking several pictures Kelly thanked us for our support and instructed the HofB staff member to escort us to the front of the floor crowd so that we could be front and center for her performance. I was so blown away by her "realness". She was exactly the person I perceived her to be, kind, well spoken and genuine. Needless to say, the show was amazing and Kelly interacted with my friend and I throughout her whole show. What an unbelievable experience to say the least.
The second time I met Kelly Clarkson was just this past October 2016 in NYC. She had recently released a children's book that originated as story and lullaby for her daughter River and was doing a Q & A session and book signing at the Barnes and Noble in SoHo. So naturally I had to take the day off of work and hop a train into Manhattan to secure my spot at the book signing. To make a long story short I'll just say that once again Kelly Clarkson did not disappoint. Though this meet and greet was a bit more rushed seeing as she made a point of individually signing each attendees' (about 40 in total) book she was still so gracious and kind.
So in conclusion, I have to say that both occasions confirmed what I already knew about Kelly Clarkson. She is a wonderful and talented person and has not let fame go to her head. I hope to meet her again in the future and I will forever be a huge fan.
Have you been lucky enough to meet your favorite celebrity??? I'd to hear your story and see your pics!
Happy Steeming! Peace, Jill :)