When a celebrity in person really underwhelms you

[Anonymous]

I wasn't actually there but have a lovely Paul McCartney story - my nanny was out with my DD and another nanny and her charge. They bumped into Paul McCartney in a deli and the babies were being adorable together and he asked their names. The other little girl was called Michelle - her nanny said this and he started to sing "Michelle, ma belle..."

[Anonymous]

Sad about the Steve Martin story, I always liked him and thought he seemed like he'd be great in person. Obviously he's a very good actor!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I lived on the Upper West Side in Manhattan in the 90s and used to run into celebrities all the time, some of them fairly often. Christopher Reeve was my neighbor. He was dating Dana back then and I used to see them all the time in the neighborhood and also at Sarabeth's Kitchen, a popular brunch spot back then. I remember him being very tall and very shy. Both were lovely.

Was he handsome in person? Was he someone you would notice even if he wasn’t famous? I’m curious. I saw Superman as an adult again, and I
Hadn’t noticed as a child how handsome he was!

Yes. He was very handsome in person and definitely noticeable. His eyes were like none I've seen before or since.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Saw Nicolette Sheridan in Hawaii 15 years ago. She complimented me on my perfume. I didn’t even recognise her. She had so much sun damage and looks awful without make up.

^^I bet you really underwhelm in person too...what a snot you are for judging a person that was kind to you.

[Anonymous]

I've met Speaker Pelosi and most of her team, and they are charming and friendly: she's petite, but I wouldn't call her short. She looks much younger than her actual age.

My husband's law school graduation speaker was Rev. Jesse Jackson, who was struggling mightily with a recent fracture and was clearly not himself. It was so disappointing, mainly because so many had anticipated this great speech and storied speaker and everything was flat. It was a time I truly wished for do-overs.

I'll never forget seeing Bill Clinton while he was shopping for the holidays during his first term. Iwas in my late 20's. It was at Georgetown Mall and was of course a staged photo op, but the sheer charisma surrounding him...his smile radiated across the Mall, literally. I saw him again over 20 years later, and that same presence was "there," again, even when I was at a considerable difference. Both situations illuminated what a magnetic presence can "feel" like, and I could imagine how that same presence could be very disruptive even as it could channel a lot of good works.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I've met Speaker Pelosi and most of her team, and they are charming and friendly: she's petite, but I wouldn't call her short. She looks much younger than her actual age.

My husband's law school graduation speaker was Rev. Jesse Jackson, who was struggling mightily with a recent fracture and was clearly not himself. It was so disappointing, mainly because so many had anticipated this great speech and storied speaker and everything was flat. It was a time I truly wished for do-overs.

I'll never forget seeing Bill Clinton while he was shopping for the holidays during his first term. Iwas in my late 20's. It was at Georgetown Mall and was of course a staged photo op, but the sheer charisma surrounding him...his smile radiated across the Mall, literally. I saw him again over 20 years later, and that same presence was "there," again, even when I was at a considerable difference. Both situations illuminated what a magnetic presence can "feel" like, and I could imagine how that same presence could be very disruptive even as it could channel a lot of good works.

I have heard this about him and the charisma several times over the last couple of decades. You are definitely not alone in picking up on it.

[Anonymous]

Here’s my hodge podge:

Kofi Annan: Calm, quiet, a gentleman.

Shemar Moore: Flirtatious, gorgeous smile, obviously very self-assured.

Bob Barker: So kind and friendly. Genuine.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I've met Speaker Pelosi and most of her team, and they are charming and friendly: she's petite, but I wouldn't call her short. She looks much younger than her actual age.

My husband's law school graduation speaker was Rev. Jesse Jackson, who was struggling mightily with a recent fracture and was clearly not himself. It was so disappointing, mainly because so many had anticipated this great speech and storied speaker and everything was flat. It was a time I truly wished for do-overs.

I'll never forget seeing Bill Clinton while he was shopping for the holidays during his first term. Iwas in my late 20's. It was at Georgetown Mall and was of course a staged photo op, but the sheer charisma surrounding him...his smile radiated across the Mall, literally. I saw him again over 20 years later, and that same presence was "there," again, even when I was at a considerable difference. Both situations illuminated what a magnetic presence can "feel" like, and I could imagine how that same presence could be very disruptive even as it could channel a lot of good works.

I've seen Rev Jackson multiple times and it's always underwhelming, like he's high on something and quite aloof. Not sure why he's hyped so much.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I wasn't actually there but have a lovely Paul McCartney story - my nanny was out with my DD and another nanny and her charge. They bumped into Paul McCartney in a deli and the babies were being adorable together and he asked their names. The other little girl was called Michelle - her nanny said this and he started to sing "Michelle, ma belle..."

Adorable!

I am a complete Beatles wacko, so that doesn't surprise me. From everything I've heard, Paul is a sweetie who *still* doesn't seem sick of people coming up and talking to him.

I have a sort of Paul story. I went to one of his shows and brought a sign and my uke (since I had floor seats, so he could see me). I held up my sign, which said "George inspired me to play the uke" with my uke. Well, actually, the guy next to me held them up because I'm short. Paul said "Oh I see that sign! 'George inspired me to play the uke.' Cool!"

It was my 5 seconds of fame.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I see many celebs just because of where I live (not LA). Paul McCartney is an awful cyclist, actually bike rider...he almost ran over my kid and was yelling sorry while looking back and almost hit a lamp post. He's a very nice man and supports the community

Alec Baldwin at beach in winter, stepping out of limo with disheveled shorts and dresses shoes, dragging a towel on ground like Linus. Maybe 'lil drunk from previous night. Also, gives generously to community

Billy Joel in a local shop. Scrappy and short but pleasant

Christie Brinkley singing and walk-skipping happily down a local street alone. Thought maybe she was being filmed...nope

I'm not a star struck type (BUT LOVE) Nathan Lane who was in Starbucks. We were the only people there very early morn. I adored him in Birdcage and I so desperately wanted to do my Oscar winning lines. I do Agador Spartacus better than Hank Azaria. I couldn't do it! I didn't even say hello. I wanted him to be animated and friendly but he wasn't. He did crack a smile so there's that.

Lily Tomlin - a million years ago I was part of the opening of a famous Times Square hotel. She was a frequent guest. Exactly as you might imagine. Her voice, full length fur, toy dog in her arms and so incredibly sweet and friendly.

Met many others at hotel, but I've overstated my welcome here ; )

These are fun! I actually really adored the Christie Brinkley story. She always does look so sweet and happy. Maybe her character on parks and rec was very true to life.

[Anonymous]

What fun to grow up as a Michelle with the story “well, Paul McCartney sang ‘Michelle, ma belle’ to me”.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I've met Speaker Pelosi and most of her team, and they are charming and friendly: she's petite, but I wouldn't call her short. She looks much younger than her actual age.

My husband's law school graduation speaker was Rev. Jesse Jackson, who was struggling mightily with a recent fracture and was clearly not himself. It was so disappointing, mainly because so many had anticipated this great speech and storied speaker and everything was flat. It was a time I truly wished for do-overs.

I'll never forget seeing Bill Clinton while he was shopping for the holidays during his first term. Iwas in my late 20's. It was at Georgetown Mall and was of course a staged photo op, but the sheer charisma surrounding him...his smile radiated across the Mall, literally. I saw him again over 20 years later, and that same presence was "there," again, even when I was at a considerable difference. Both situations illuminated what a magnetic presence can "feel" like, and I could imagine how that same presence could be very disruptive even as it could channel a lot of good works.

Agreed; Clinton came to my campus and I was part of a small audience. The charisma is real.

And I also had some Christopher Reeve sightings in NYC and I agree on him, too. So handsome.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What fun to grow up as a Michelle with the story “well, Paul McCartney sang ‘Michelle, ma belle’ to me”.

Right? My name is Michelle. I wish I'd been so lucky!

[Anonymous]

These are fascinating - thank you all. Sadly I have no celebrity encounter stories to share. Keep them coming!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I've met Speaker Pelosi and most of her team, and they are charming and friendly: she's petite, but I wouldn't call her short. She looks much younger than her actual age.

My husband's law school graduation speaker was Rev. Jesse Jackson, who was struggling mightily with a recent fracture and was clearly not himself. It was so disappointing, mainly because so many had anticipated this great speech and storied speaker and everything was flat. It was a time I truly wished for do-overs.

I'll never forget seeing Bill Clinton while he was shopping for the holidays during his first term. Iwas in my late 20's. It was at Georgetown Mall and was of course a staged photo op, but the sheer charisma surrounding him...his smile radiated across the Mall, literally. I saw him again over 20 years later, and that same presence was "there," again, even when I was at a considerable difference. Both situations illuminated what a magnetic presence can "feel" like, and I could imagine how that same presence could be very disruptive even as it could channel a lot of good works.

Agreed; Clinton came to my campus and I was part of a small audience. The charisma is real.

And I also had some Christopher Reeve sightings in NYC and I agree on him, too. So handsome.

My mom helped organize an event that Christopher Reeve attended. She was running around and accidentally knocked one of the wires connecting something he needed. His aide was able to reconnect it, but he looked terrified and she was mortified.