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ShutYoMouth

About7monthsafterattendingWhitney’sconcertinChicagoandinterviewingMonica,Ireceivedaphonecallthatwouldsendmeonsuchacelebrityadventurethatitcanonlybedescribedinthreewords—shutyomouth!“Q?”saidamalevoiceontheotherendofthephone.“Thisisshe.”Isaidtryingtomakeoutwhocouldbecallingmeatwork.Theyhadtoknowmewelltorefertomebynickname.“WhoamIspeakingto?”Iaskedpolitely.“ThisisStan.Howareyoudear?”Ahugegrinimmediatelycameovermyface.StanwaseditorinchiefofTheAtlantaVoice.

MeandStanWashington

Hewasalsooneofthefirstpeopletogivemeapayingjobintheentertainmentindustry.“Stanthemanwiththemasterplan.”Iexcitedlyreplied.“Howareyoudoing?”“I’mverygood,thankyouQ.”Hesaid.“I’vecalledtoaskifyouarefreetomorrow?”“Tomorrow.”Isaidpuzzledbysuchaquestion.“Why?”Iasked.“BecauseIneedyoutogotoNewYorktomorrow.”“NewYork?”Isaidevenmoreconfused.“Forwhat?”Iasked.“IwantyoutointerviewSamuelL.Jacksonfor

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JohnSingleton’snewmovieShaft.”Hesaid.“What?Areyoureallyforreal—meinterviewSamJackson?”“YesI’mforreal.”Stansaidtickledovermyexcitement.“Andyoustillhaven’tansweredmyquestionyet.Areyoufreetomorrow?”“Yes.”Isaidinahighpitchscreech.ThensuddenlyrealizinghowmuchnoiseIwasmakingloweredmyvoicetoabitofawhisperandsaid.“StanIamsothere.IjustneedtotellmybossthatIneedtotakethedayoff.”“Great.”Hesaid.“Apublicistwillcallyoulatertodaywithallofyourhotelandtransportationdetails.”ClearlyIwasinthematrixbecausenoneofthisseemedreal.Explainhowoneminuteyoucanbehavinganormalboringworkday,andthenthenextdaybeofftointerviewSamuelL.Jackson.AsmuchasIwantedtostayinlalalandoverthisdivinesetofcircumstances,Ididn’thavethetime.Inlessthan24hoursIhadtogetmyacttogether.WhenItoldmybossexactlywhyIneededFridayoffsheletmegohomeearlytoprepare.Nice,right!Ican’trememberwhyIdidn’tjustplaysick.IthinkIwasjustwaytooexcitedtolie.AssoonasImadeithomefromwork,IranaroundlikeamadpersonlookingforeverythingIwouldneedtotakefortheweekend.Bythetimethepublicistcalledwithallofmytraveldetails,mypackingwasnearlycomplete.ThenextmorningIwasonthefirstflightouttoNewYorkCity.Fromliftofftolanding,mycuprunnethoverwithexcitementandanticipation.Thestrangerwhosatnexttomeduringtheflighthadtoenduremebouncingoffofwalls.WhentheplanefinallylandedIenteredtheairportterminalandheadedstraightforbaggageclaim.BythetimeIarrived,mydriverwasattheairportwaitingforme.ThecarridetothehotelgavemegoosebumpsbecauseIknewinashortwhileIwouldbeonamoviesetwithSamuelL.Jackson.WhenthedriverfinallypulleduptothehotelIlookedoutthewindowwithdrippingawe.ItwasoneofthoseswankyManhattanhotelsthatonlytherichcouldafford.IhadnotlivedthislargesincemyMTVexperience.“Thissureisabeautifulhotel.”Isaidtotheguyontheelevatorwhowascarryingmybags.“Ohyes.”Hesaiddelightfully.“It’soneofthebest.Manyofthebigcelebritiesstayhere.”“Really?”Iaskedwithstar-struckeyes.“Ohyeah.Everybodycomesthroughhere.”“EvenWhitneyHouston?”Iaskedasifshewastheonlycelebritystandard.“EvenWhitney.”Iaskedasifshewastheonlycelebritystandard.“EvenWhitney.”Hesaidconfirmingmytourist-likeresponses.“Infact,Ithink

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thismaybeoneofherfavorites.Ihaveseenherstayhereafewtimesbefore.”NowayIamstayinginahotelthatWhitneyhasstayed,Ithought.“IamfromtheMidwest.”Isaidwhiletryingtogathermysensesafterhearingthis.“Whichmeansthisisnoteverydayformeatall.”“Icouldn’ttell.”Hesaidwithabashfulgrin.Webothhadtolaughatthatone.Iguessmyconsciouseffortstodrasticallydownplaysomeofmyobviousshockdidnotwork.“Well,Ireallyhopeyouenjoyyourstayhere.”Hesaidasweexitedtheelevatortothefloorofmyroom.“Andtakeadvantageofallwegottooffer.Yoursuiteisstockedwitheverything—soliveitup.”“Thankyousomuch.”Isaid.Whenheopenedthedoortothehotelsuite,Icouldn’tbelieveIwouldbeactuallystayinghere.AsIlookedaroundIthoughtthisisunbelievable.Icouldnothaveimaginedhavingamini–bar,stereosystem,Jacuzzibathtub,toiletseatwarmerandfaxmachineallatmyimmediatedisposal.Everythingwassobeautifullydecorated.Ihadneverexperiencedsuchluxuryinsideoneroom.Infact,thishotelroomwasbiggerthanmyfirstapartment.Ihadtotakeaseatonthesofajusttoabsorbthebeautyandgrandeurofitall.Oncethebellboyputdownmybags,Ireachedinmywalletandgavehimamodesttipbeforeheleft.AfterheclosedthedoorIbegantosettleinandunpackmythings.Afterwards,IheadeddowntothelobbyandimmediatelyfoundmyselfstandingwithasmallgroupofmagazinejournalistsandfreelancewriterswhowerealsoheretodointerviewsonthesetofShaft.Weallintroducedourselvesandmadegeneralsmalltalkuntilthepublicistarrivedtotakeustothefilmlocation.Duringourwait,Sean,ajournalistfromCleveland,andIendedupreallyhittingitoff.Wejokedandlaughedfromthemomentwemet.Afteraboutfifteenminutesofwaitingthepublicistrandowntheitinerary.Onceshefinishedshedirectedeveryonetoboardthevanthatwasoutsidewaiting.AssoonaswemadeittothefilminglocationinHarlemweweretoldthattheschedulehadbeenpushedbackandwewouldhavetowaittodotheinterviews.IwassohappytobetherethatIdidn’tcareiftheywantedustowaitallnight.Themoreseasonedjournalistshowever,werenotallhappywiththereportedtimedelay.Afewotherscomplainedthatthiswasnottheironlystorytocover.TheywerefromlocalNewYorkpublicationssoafterthirtyminutesofwaitingtheyleftinagruff.Thoseofuswhostayeddidn’treallyhaveanyotheroption.Wehadflowninfromdifferentstatesspecificallytocoverthisstory.Duringourwait,thepublicistinvitedustoeatlunchbecauseshewasunsureofhowlongthewaitwouldbe.Igladlytookheruponthe

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offerandmademywaytoanothertableoffreefood.Itneverfails,whereverthereisentertainment,thereisalwaysfood.Oncewefinishedeating,SeanandImadethemostofourtimebyplayingcards,andswappingstoriesinanareaforbackgroundactorsandproductionstafftoresideinbetweenscenes.Whenitwasclosertothetimeoftheinterviews,thepublicistledusontotheactualmoviesetwherewehadtheopportunitytoobserveactorSamuelL.Jacksonupcloseandpersonal.TowitnessjustoneofthescenesfromShaftgavemeanewrespectforfilmmaking.Theslowpaceoffilmingthesamescenesoverandoverfromdifferentangles,dayinanddayout,justseemedsogruelingtome.Theyreallyhavetolovethis,Ithought.Whenwefinallydidtheinterviews,Ilearnedthatinordertogetmyquestionsin,Ihadtoreallybeassertive.Beingtheonlyfemalejournalist,Icouldeithergetlostintheshuffleorstandout.Ichosetostandoutandjumpedintoaskasmanyquestionsaspossible.Theinterviewstooknearlyanhourtocomplete.Whentheywereover,ItookaphotowithDirector,JohnSingleton.

MeandJohnSingleton

Soonaftertheflasheswentoff,hequicklyfoundhiswaybacktothecameraandthedirector’schair.Itwasobviousthathispassionwasnotdoingpressinterviews.Whenwefinallyleftandwasinroutebacktothehotel,Isighedwithafeelingofultimatecompletion.Whatwaseven

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moreincredibletomewasthatmyworkwasdoneandIstillhadtwomoredaystospendinNewYorkCity.Thatwasagiftinitself.AssoonasIgotbacktomyhotelroom,IcalledmyfriendEv,whoistheproducerIhadmetthroughmyMTVexperiencewithWhitney.ShenowworkedforTheQueenLatifahShow.

MeandEvolynn

WhenshefoundoutIwasinNewYork,sheinvitedmetoacelebritybasketballgameaftermyinterviewswerefinished.QueenLatifahwashostingthegameasafundraisertoraisemoneyforacharityshefounded.AfterItookdowntheaddresstowhereshewas,IhungupanddecidedtomakeonemorephonecallbeforeItookacabtomeether.ThiscallwastoRobyn,Whitney’sfriendandemployee.ThelasttimeIsawRobynwasbackstageatWhitney’sconcertinChicagoandshesaidifIwaseverinNewYorktogiveheracall.NowthatIwasactuallyinNewYork,weweregoingtosee.Thephonerings.“Hello.”Saidawoman’svoiceontheotherend,“HicanIspeaktoRobyn?”Iasked.“ThisisRobyn.”Shesaid.“HiRobyn.ThisisQuencieThomasfromSpringfield,IL.Howareyou?”“Heygirl.”Shesaidinafriendlyyetsurprisingvoice.“Howareyoudoing?”“I’mgreat.”Ireplied.“That’sgood.”Shesaid.“ThereasonIamcallingyouisbecauseyousaidwheneverIcometoNewYorktogiveyouacall.Wellhootie-hoo.HereIam.So,tellme,what’sgoingon?It’sonyou.”Shelaughedandasked“WhyareyouinNewYork?”Icouldn’twaittoanswerthisquestion.“TodointerviewsforthenewShaftmovie.Ijustfinishedinterviewing

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JohnSingletonupinHarlem.”“Getout.”Shesaidwithundeniableshock.“Iknow,Iknow.”Isaidstillindisbeliefmyself.“IfIwasn’tthereIwouldn’thavebelievediteither.”“Whereareyoustaying?”Sheasked.“TheRhigaRoyale.”“You’rekidding,right?”“No.Why?”Iasked.“Me,Whitney,andthewholecampwillbeatthathoteltomorrow?”Shesaid.“Youlying.”Iscreamed.“I’mdeadserious.”Shesaid.“WhitneyissingingfortheRoyJonesJr.fight.”“DoyouthinkIcansayhitoWhitneywhenyouguyscome?”Iaskedhopingtohearyes,butpreparedforhertosayno.“Ohyeah.”Shesaidtomysurprise.“Really!”Isaidinsheerjoy.“Shewouldlovetosayhitoyou.Justcallmearoundthistimetomorrow.”“OkayRobyn.You’renotgoingtoplaymeareyou?”Isaidinsecurely.“Girl,you’vegotmynumber.HowamIgoingtoplayyou?”Sheasked.Shehadapoint,butIstillhadtoask.AfterwehungupIstaredoffintospace.OutofallthehotelsinNewYork,andoutalloftheweekendsinayear,whatwerethechancesofmestayinginthesamehotelthatWhitneywasstaying–inthesameweekend?ThereisnowayIcouldhaveeverplannedorpredictedsuchamagnificentcoincidence.Lessthan24hoursago,Ididn’tevenknowIwouldevenbeinNewYork.Sometimesyoujustdon’tknowhowthingswillunfolduntiltheydo.Myheadwasspinninginamazement.WhenIfinallysnappedoutofmyowndaze,IthankedGod,thenmademywaydownstairstothelobbytotakeacabtowheremyfriendwaswaitingforme.OnceIgottoheroffice,wehungoutforalittlewhileandthenmadeourwaytoQueenLatifah’sbasketballgame.Wemusthavelosttrackoftimebecausebythetimewemadeittothegame,itwaspracticallyover.Peoplewerefilingoutofthegymwhenwearrived.Ifmyfriendhadnotworkedfortheshowitwouldhavebeenawastedtrip.Withherbeingaproducer,therewasstilltimelefttoeat,drink,andbemerry.Asweweavedourwaythroughthecrowd,Icouldn’tbelievemyeyes.IsawRobyn.Eventhoughwehadtalkedearlier,neitherofusmentionedthatwewouldbeattendingthecelebritybasketballgamelateronthatnight.IfoundoutlaterthatshehadplayedinQueenLatifah’sAllStarbasketballgame.WhenRobynsawmehereyescouldnothidehowshockedshewastoseeme.Iwasshockedtoo.Afterweexchangedsurprisedhellos,RobynaskedmewhodidIcometothegamewith?WhenItoldherIhadcomewithoneofQueenLatifah’sshowproducersshetoldmetofollowhertotheVIProom.Afterclimbingafewstairstogettothedooroftheafterparty,itsuddenlydawnedonmethatIdid

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notcometothegamewithRobyn,butwithmyfriendEv.Ihadgottencarriedawayinexcitementandhadtoquicklyregroup.IturnedtoRobynandtoldherIwouldbebackinafewminutes.WhenImadeitbackdownthestairsandopenedthedoor,therewaitingformeontheothersidewasEvandafewofherco-workers.Whentheysawmetheybothbegantosmile.“HowisshelettingusintotheVIPparty?”Ev’sco-workerjokinglysaid.“Iknow!”Evsaidsmiling.“Isn’tshesupposedtobemyguest?”WealllaughedandthenmadeourwaytotheVIPareatogether.ThefirstthingIdidonceweenteredtheroomwasmakemybeelinetothetablefilledwithsoulfood.AsIwaswolfingdownmymeallikeaprofessionalfootballplayer,QueenLatifahwalkedin.Shewasbouncingwithenergy.WhenIsawher,myeyesgrewtwicetheirsize.ItouchedEv’sarmandsaid.“Theresheis.Theresheis.YougottaintroducemetotheQueen.”Andthatshedid.“Dana(DanaOwensisQueenLatifah’srealname),Evsaid,“ThisisQ,afriendofmine.Shereallywantedtomeetyou.”AsQueenLatifahsmiledandshookmyhandshelookeddownandsaidplayfully.“No,youdidn’tgetcollardgreenjuiceonmyhands.”OhmyGod!Ithought.DidIforgettowipemyhandsbeforeIshookhers?Letmesee,yepshewasright.Ihadaplatefilledwithcollardgreens,cornbreadandroast.IwassoeagertoeatandgreetatthesametimethatIhadnotevennoticedmyhands.Idefinitelyhadtocleanthisup,literally.AssoonasQueenLatifahdisappearedtogreetotherfansandfriends,Itookcareofbusiness,whichwastofinisheating.Soonafter,Iwasreadyformysecondchanceatafirstimpression.ThistimeImadesurethatbothofmyhandswerethoroughlycleaned.Ok,nowitisreallytimetomeetQueenLatifahIsaidtomyself.Inmostcases,youdon’tgetasecondchancetomakeafirstimpression,butitjustsohappenedthatthiswasmyluckynight.SinceIknewtwopeoplewhowereconnectedtoQueenLatifah,Istillhadashotatmakingitright.IwalkedovertoRobynandasked,“DoyouthinkyoucanhelpmegetapicturewithQueenLatifah?”“Isthatallyouwant?”sheasked.“Comewithme.”Robynsaidgettingupfromthetable.IfollowedcloselybehindherwithoutanyideawhattoreallyexpectfromQueenLatifahthissecondtimearound.MylogicwastogreetherwiththesameamountofenergythatIdidthefirsttime,minusthecollardgreen-juicedhands.AfterRobynre-introducedmetoQueenLatifah,sheaskedifIcouldgetaphotowithher.Iwaiteduncomfortablyforherreaction.ButtherewasnoneedforthatbecausewhatIreceivedfromQueenLatifahwassomuchlove.Shemusthavegraciouslyforgivenme

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forourearlierencounter.LikeIsaid,itwasmyluckynight.Shemusthavenoticedmyhandswerenowclean.RightbeforeRobyntookthepictureIfeltsorelievedthatIbrokeintooneofLatifah’sclassichip-hopanthemsentitled“Unity.”Latifahlaughedandsaid,“Girl,you’recrazy.Youremindmeoneofmyfriends.”AcomfortinglinethatIhadheardbefore.

MeandQueenLatifah

Latifahwasascoolinpersonasshewasontelevision.Ihungoutalittlelongeraftermyphoto-opt,andthenEvandIrodebacktoManhattan.Ididn’tmakeitbacktomyhotelroomuntiltheweehoursinthemorning.AperfectNewYorknight.Thenextday,Isleptdeepintotheafternoon.IwassuperexcitedthatIwouldgettoseeWhitneylateron.Duringthehoursleadinguptoseeingher,IdecidedtopeoplewatchdownstairsinthelobbyofthehotelwithSean,thejournalistwhoIhadbeenonthesetwiththedaybefore.Heassuredmethatwewereboundtospotsomefamousfacesandadvisedmetobringmycameradowntothelobbywithme.Whenwebothmadeitdownstairs,wefoundtwochairsandwaitedtoseestarsgoby.Icouldn’tbelieveallofthecelebritieswesawcomingandgoing.Afteraboutanhourweupgradedfromthelobbytoatableinthehotelbar.Assoonwesatdowntotalk,Ispottedaguywrappedupinaminkcoat.IhadaperfectviewformwhereIwassittingatthetable.Iknewexactlywhoitwas.“That’ssingerGeraldLevert,”IsaidtoSean

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whowasseatedwithhisbacktowardsthelobby.“Thatishim.”Hesaidturningaroundtosee.“Watchthis.”Hesaidwithaslygrin.IwatchedasSeanwalkedrightuptoGerald.Theysmiledandshookhandsliketheykneweachother.Iguessthat’swhathemeantby‘Watchthis.’Aftertheytalkedforafewminutes,theybothwalkedovertothetablewhereIwassittingat.Weendeduptalkingandlaughinglikeweallwereoldfriends.Well,theyreallywere,butIjustactedlikeIwastoo.Whenacomfortablebreakintheconversationarrived,ItookoutmycameraandpolitelyaskedGeraldifIcouldtakeapicturewithhim.Beforehecouldevengetoutayes,Ifoundmyselfallsnuggledupclosetohissoftwarmfurcoatforthepose.Hefeltlikeabigoleteddybear.

MeandGeraldLevert

Afterwards,GeraldbidusfarewellandSeanandImovedbacktositinthelobby.Obviouslythereweremorefamousfacestobeseenandweweredeterminednottoletonegetbyus.Itwasfunhavingapartnerincrime.Ourthinkingtomovebacktothelobbywasrightontime.Justaswesteppedoutofthehotelbarandintothehotellobby,BobbyBrownwalkedthroughthedoor.WhenBobbysawmehesmiledandsaidverydramatically,“It’sthenumberonefan.”Iwassothrilledthatheknewme.ItgavememorehopethatWhitneywouldrememberme.Iwasalwayssoparanoidthatshewouldn’t.AfterBobbygreetedmewithahug.Iasked,“Where’smygirlat?”“She’supstairsgettingready,”hesaid.“Forthefight.”Ireplied,sohappythatIknewwhytheywerehere.“Yeah.”Hesaid.“She’swaitingformetocomebackfromshopping.I’mgoingtotellheryouaredownhere.”TohearBobbysaythatmademe

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feellikewehadbeenfriendsforyears.Whenhefinallyleft,Seanturnedtomeandsaid,“IguessIamnottheonlyonewhoknowsfamouspeople.”

MeandBobbyBrown

BeforewecouldevendiscusshowIknewBobby,rappersMethodManandRedManwalkedinthelobby.Seannudgedmeoutofmythoughtandsaid,“MethodManismyguy.IloveWu-TangClan.Idefinitelywantaphotowithhim.”“Goaskhimthen.”Isaid.“It’slameforaguytoaskanotherguyforapicture.”Hesaid.“Howisitlameifthatiswhoyoulike?”Iasked.‘You’rejustscaredtoask’Ithoughttomyself.“Here,watchmeaskMethodManforapicture.”ThiswasprobablySean’splanallalong,butitdidn’tbothermebecauseIwantedapicturetoo.IwalkedrightuptoMethodManandasked.“WasupMeth?Doyouthinkitispossibleforafantogetaphotowithyou?”“Yeahthat’scool.”Hesaid.WhileSeantookthepicture,Isaid.“Whenwe’refinished,doyouthinkyoucouldalsotakeaphotowithmyfriend?“Noproblem.”Hesaid.

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MeandMethodMan

OncewetookourphotosandwalkedawayfromMethodMan,IturnedtoSeanandsaidlikesomeone’smother,“Nowtellme.Howhardwasthat?”“You’reright.You’reright.”Heconceded.“Thanks.Ireallyappreciatedthat.”“You’rewelcome.”Isaid.Aswecontinuedtositinthelobbyofthehotel,therevolvingdoorswunginonecelebrityafteranother.Thishotelwaspoppin,butwhenIglancedatmywatchIsawthatitwasgettingclosetothetimeIneededtocheckinwithRobynaboutsayinghitoWhitney,soItookashortbreakandheadedbacktomyroomtomakethecall.WhenIspoketohershesaid,“Nowisnotagoodtime.Everythingisabitcrazyrightnow.”MyheartsunkbecauseIjustknewthismeantIwouldnotgettoseeWhitney.“Callbackinanhour.Youcancomeupandmeetwithherthen.”“Okay.”Isaidwithabigsighofrelief.WhenIreturnedbacktothelobby,Seanasked,“Ibetyoudidn’tthinkIknewGeraldLevert?”“You’reright,Ididn’t.”Isaid.“JustlikeIbetyoudon’tknowIknowWhitneyHouston.”“Right.”Hesaidburstingintolaughter.“IknowyouknowWhitneyHoustonbuttherealquestionis,doesWhitneyHoustonknowyou?”DidhenotjustseeBobbyBrowngivemelove?“Um….”Isaidcaughtoffguard.“IthinksheknowsexactlywhoIam.”Isaid.“No,wait,”withalittlemoreconfidence.“IknowsheknowswhoIam.ApparentlyBobbyBrownknowingmeisnotenoughproofforyou.”“Yeah,yeah”Seansaidjokingly.“WhenandifWhitneyHoustonseesyou,shewilljustwalkrightby.”Hesaidjokingly.“Sheain’tgoneshowyounolove.”Hewasdefinitelyplayingonallmyinsecurities.“Whitneyisnotlikethat.”I

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saiddefensively.“Youwillsee.”Hesmiled,hunchedhisshoulders,lookedaroundandsaid,“Uhn-uh,I’mwaiting.”Hisjokingdrovemecrazy.WhatifWhitneydidjustwalkbyme?Ithought.ButbeforeIcouldnurturethatnegativityanyfurther,BobbyBrownhadreturnedtothelobbywithasmallentourage,whichincludedRobyn.IguessIdidn’tneedtocallRobynbacknow.Assoonastheybothsawme,theycameovertowhereSeanandIweresitting.YoushouldhaveseenhowshockedSeanwastoseethemwalkovertous.Hetriednottoshowit,butitwasalloverhisface.HewasevenmoreshockedwhenheheardBobbytellRobyn,“Nipisgoingtofreakoutwhensheseesher.”Robynsaid“Yep.Shesureis.”ThiswasWhitney’shusbandandbestfriendtalkingabouthowWhitneywasgoingtobehappytoseeme.ThiswasalltheproofIneededthatWhitneywouldrememberme.AbouttwentyminutesintotalkingandlaughingwithBobbyandRobyn,wewereinterruptedbysoundsfromtherestoftheirentouragegettingofftheelevator.Whentheyfinallymadetheirwayaroundthecornertowherewewere,IjumpedbehindRobynlikeIwasplayingagrownupversionofhideandseek.JustwhenIthoughtIwouldseeWhitney,IjumpedoutfromthesideofRobynlikeIwasinaBroadwayshowandsaid“HeyWhitney!”WhenWhitneysawthatitwasme,shewalkedtowardsourdirectionputtingonehandoverhermouth.Shethenbegantochantlikewewereatahighschoolfootballgame.“QT,QT,QT!”shesaidinanenergeticvoice.Iwasflooredbythelevelofloveandenthusiasmshewasgivingme.IstartedwalkingtowardsWhitneywithmyarmsstretchedoutforabighug.Whenweembraced,IhuggedhertightlikeyoudoyourgrandmotherduringThanksgiving.Whitneyalwaysgavethebesthugs.AssoonaswereleasedIsaid,“Whitneydidyougetmystuff?”ItisalwaysoneofthefirstthingsIwanttoknow.“Ohthelittlepictureyousent?”Shesaiddescribingthesizeofitwithherrighthandandmakingkissingnoisesintheair.Isenthera3x5pictureframethatsaid“It’sraininghugsandkisses”featuringapicofsheandBobbiKristinamakingkissyfacestogether.“YesIgotit.It’sonthenightstandnexttomybed.ItoldyouIgetallyourstuff,”shesaid.Iwassostar-struckbutIhiditwell.“CanItakeaphotowithyouWhitney?”“Suredarling.”ThiswasthefirsttimethatIhadtakenmyeyesoffWhitneytolookatSean.WhenIaskedhimtotakethephotoofmeandWhitney,IcouldtellthathewasstunnedbyWhitney’sreactiontome.Quitefrankly,Iwastoo.

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MeandWhitney

BasedonmylasttwoencounterswithherIshouldn’thavebeen,butwhenitcametoWhitney,Ialwaysletmyinsecuritygetthebestofme.AndSean’sjokingdidn’thelpmuch.ToseeSean’sreactiontohowwonderfulWhitneytreatedmewasdefinitelysweetrevenge.Itshouldhavebeenenoughforme,butIwantedtotakeitastepfurther.BeforewetookthepictureIturnedtoWhitneyandsaid,“Whitneyyouseethatguy?”pointingatSean.“Yes?”shesaidinaquestionliketone.“Well,hehasbeengoingonandonabouthowyouweregoingtodissmewhenyoucamedownstairs.Heclaimedthatyouwouldjustwalkrightby.”“What!”Shesaidrightoncueasifwehadrehearsedit.“Ohno.Thisismybabyrighthere.”“See.Itoldyou.”Isaidlikeaneight-yearoldbrat.SeansmiledwithnoticeableembarrassmentandIlovedeveryminuteofit.Afterhetookourpicture,Isaid“Whitney,MTVtoldmethatitwasyouwhoactuallychosemefortheshow.“YesIdid,”Whitneysaid.“Whatmadeyouchoseme?”Iasked.Whitneylookedatmedeadinmyeye,grabbedmychinandsaid“Becauseyouwerethebestest!”Ifeltsowarminsideafterhearingthat.Whitneyhadnoideahowmuchthatmeanttome.WethentookagroupphototogetherwithBobbyandRobyn.IfelthonoredtobeinapicwithWhitneyandthepeopleshelovedsomuch.

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MewithWhitney,BobbyandRobyn

Whitneystayedinthelobbyforabouttwentyorthirtyminutesafterthat,andthensheandherentouragedisappearedheadedstraighttoRadioCityMusicHalltodowhatshedidbest—sing!WatchWhitney’sperformancefromthatnighthere:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FJwla40gfU4IwasexhaustedaftermyWhitneyencounter.Thehoursofanticipationleadinguptoseeingherhadtakenupmostofmyenergy.ThiswasoneofthemostunexpectedweekendsIhadeverexperienced.TheonlythingbetterthanmeetingWhitneyHoustonforme,wasmeetingheragain.IhadthebesttimeinNewYork.Itwasonegreatthingafteranother.WhenIwentbacktomyroom,Ididn’thavetogotosleeptodreambecauseIfeltlikeIhadbeendreamingallweekendwithmyeyeswideopen.Ihavehadsomeprettygreatweekendsinmylife,butnoneasunexpectedandmemorableasthisonewas.Withinthecourseof12months,IhadexperiencedthreeencounterswithWhitneyHoustonandallofthemwereasurprise.Thisweekendtaughtmetoalwaysbepreparedfortheunexpected.EvenwhenIhadnoclueIwouldgetthephonecallthatwouldsendmetoNewYork,Iwasready.Outofallthefreelancewriters,StanhadavailabletosendtoNewYorkrightthereinAtlanta,GA,hechoseme,

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wholived500milesawaytocovertheassignment.Althoughmyjobfocusedonyouthandnotjournalism,Istillfoundawaytoweaveinmymediabackgroundintomyjob.So,whenitwastimetoputthoseskillsintoactiononabiggerplatformatamomentsnotice—Iwasready.Beinnovativerightwhereyouare.Demandthebestfromyourselfevenifwhatyouaredoingseemstobesmallorinsignificant.Ifyoudon’t,youaretakingachanceofnotbeingpreparedwhenagreateropportunityknocks.Youmayneverbeabletopredictwhensomethinggreatisrightaroundthecornerforyou,butyoucanbepreparedwhenithappens.Don’tgetready.Stayready.