Every once in a while, as I'm scrolling through social media, someone will pose the question, "If you could sit and have a conversation with any famous person, who would it be?" I can think of about 50 people on the spot who'd I like to talk with and get to know. There are actors, authors, comedians, educators, and artists who all have expertise and/or qualities that I admire. I thought that if I broke this down into many categories, I could list more people and not feel like I was cheating. Here are the top five living celebrities that I'd love to meet . Side note: This is an "in no particular order" list as I do not necessarily want to speak with one person more than another.
5. Tim Gunn - If you are unfamiliar with Tim Gunn, he is an artist, an author, a television personality, a fashion guru, and an all around wonderful person. He is my Yoda. I was first introduced to him by watching Project Runway. He is the mentor for the designers on the show. I fell in love with Tim Gunn right away! While watching him mentor the designers, his sincerity and genuine care for them spoke to me. As a teacher, I admire the way that he can be kind and critical at the same time and how the designers respect his feedback. As time has gone on, I have become a true blue Tim Gunn fan, reading all of his books and following all of his social media sites. Some people who know me might think this is odd because I am probably one of the least fashionable people on this planet we call Earth, but it's not his fashion expertise that makes me love him so much. It is the characteristics listed above as well as his vast knowledge of the arts and his fabulous vocabulary. Okay, so technically, I HAVE met Tim Gunn. In 2012, he came to Austin for a promotional event. KPT and I were able to meet him and take photos with him. He is as sincere and kind in person as he is on television. He spoke directly to KPT, who has a great interest in fashion and design, and answered her questions. I mostly stood there and tried to keep myself together without turning into a blubbery mess. We talked to him for about five minutes, but greedy me, that's not enough. I want a real sit-down with the man. I want to ask him 100 questions about his genius. Take notes. And maybe get a little help with my fashion sense as a bonus.
4. Steve Martin - I tried to remember the first time I saw Steve Martin in something. It was probably when he was the insolent waiter in The Muppet Movie (1979), but I was definitely too young to truly appreciate his genius. It wasn't until I was an adolescent that I started catching his movies on television, edited versions of course since we didn't have cable. Roxanne, All of Me, and Three Amigos were my favorites. I got it. This is a funny guy. I like funny guys. But then, when I was 15 years old, I saw L.A. Story. If you haven't' seen it, it is a remarkable film. It was a different funny than I was used to and I liked it! I noticed that Steve Martin had written the script. After that, I found out he'd written the scripts for other films too. This guy writes? Oh wow! Then I read that he had studied Philosophy and English poetry in college. He's a brainiac? Oh my goodness! When I became an adult, I started listening to and watching his stand-up. Wait, what? He's a musician too?? Oh merciful Heavens! Here we are in the 21st century with a real, in living color Renaissance man! The guy can do anything! Needless to say, I am continually impressed by the mind and talent of Steve Martin. I've read his novels, I own his albums, and I have seen all of his films. This past year, I read Martin Short's autobiography, I Must Say: My Life as a Humble Comedy Legend and I learned that on top of everything else, Steve Martin is a good friend. To be able to talk with him for awhile would be a dream come true. I'd love to know what inspires him. I want to sing a song while he plays his banjo. Maybe he could give me my first banjo lesson while he's at it.
3. Mayim Bialik - From the time I was 13 to the time I was 18, I did not miss an episode of the television show Blossom. In my mind, the show might as well have been written about me. I was quirky, friendly, happy-go-lucky, and smart, just like her. Because of Blossom, I owned about 20 different hats with giant flowers on the front and wore them to school regularly. I went through my teenage years right alongside her. This made me a fan of Mayim Bialik for life. After the show ended, she went to college. She went to college and earned a PhD in neuroscience! She became a scientist!! This woman is wicked smart! She is now an author and is the founder of Grok Nation (www.groknation.com). She speaks out for her beliefs, such as being an Orthodox Jew, veganism, and attachment parenting, She also takes a stand for people with mental health disorders. It was a sweet surprise when Mayim Bialik showed up on The Big Bang Theory! I couldn't have been more thrilled! She definitely has not lost her acting chops and unlike many child actors, she didn't ever go down a dark path of life. As a parent of a daughter who loves both science and acting, I wish there were more role models like Mayim Bialik for her to aspire to be like. It would be an honor to sit and have a long talk with this exceptional lady. There would be some fangirl moments, but mostly I'd want to talk with her about being a mom, being a scientist, and being a strong advocate for your beliefs. I just hope I could keep up.
2. Michael J. Fox - Through this post, it is becoming clear that I like to watch television, always have. I promise that I did read books and I did play outside as a kid. My childhood was well-rounded. (Thanks Mom!) That being said, another show that I never missed was Family Ties. I was six years old when Michael J. Fox entered my life. I didn't understand the complexities of a crush, but I knew that I thought he was so handsome. Right up there with Christopher Reeve and his Superman curl. To this day, I tell people that Alex P. Keaton was my first crush. And if Alex P. Keaton was my first crush, then Marty McFly was my second. Back to the Future is and will always be my favorite movie of all time. But as much as I love Michael J. Fox for his talent and downright cuteness, it is his bravery that makes me want to speak with him. When he announced in 1998 that he had Parkinson's Disease, my heart broke for him and for his family. At the time, I knew very little about the disease. Well, it took this diagnosis for me to get my research on. I learned everything that I could about the disease, about its treatment, and about possible cures. I became a supporter of the Michael J. Fox Foundation, a nonprofit organization that is trying to find a cure for Parkinson's Disease. He has been very open about his journey fighting Parkinson's, especially in his books, Lucky Man and Always Looking Up. His attitude remains positive and he can find humor in something that others could perceive as tragedy. He stays strong. As a person who struggles with depression and anxiety, being brave is something that does not come easily for me. I would like to speak with him in person about what keeps him going. I would really like to give him a giant hug. Maybe if I do that, some of that bravery might rub off.
1. RuPaul Charles a.k.a RuPaul the Queen of All Drag Queens - I discovered RuPaul as an adult. Before 1995, I don't think I even knew what a drag queen was. Then I saw To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything, Julie Newmar when I was 19 years old. The original draw to the movie for me was Patrick Swayze. No self-respecting Texas girl missed a Patrick Swayze movie. But, I digress. To Wong Foo opened my eyes to the wonderful world of drag. Ru did make an appearance in the movie, but I was too new to this world to know who she was. For awhile the love of drag lay dormant inside me. There was really no way for me to get a drag queen fix. I was too naive to even know there was such a thing as a drag show, and I'm sure any copy of Paris is Burning that might have found its way into my rural Texas hometown had been set ablaze. Enter 2009. Logo aired the first season of RuPaul's Drag Race. I was hooked! Who is this RuPaul? I have to know. Again, it's time to get my research on. I read everything I could find about her. What an amazing creature indeed! When I started to dive in and learn more about RuPaul, it is her messages of positivity, of kindness, and of bravery that continues to inspire me. 2009 was also the year I divorced from my first husband. I could use all the posivitiy I could get. I have followed her on her Drag Race journey and have loved every minute of it! In her books she talks about overcoming adversity and prejudice. She advocates for acceptance, this includes accepting yourself. She talks about never taking yourself too seriously. Oh, how I wish I could sit and talk with RuPaul! A life-changing moment (and dream) for me would be if I could get him to laugh. If you've never heard his laugh, you're really missing out. It's one of his most fabulous features. More than getting him to laugh, I'd want to personally thank him. Thank him for the laughter through tears many a night when I can't sleep. Thank him for teaching me to love myself and for being a daily inspiration in my life. I want to listen to him tell stories, to give me a little tough love, and then to tell me, "Now , you better work," before he sends to sashay away.
