It's no secret to anyone who knows me that most people think I remind them of Bette Midler, whether looks, personality or general outrageousness, it's been that way as long as I can remember. On the plane to Vegas yesterday, three people stopped me to tell me I look like her, at the hotel, it never stops and so I have always used it as part of my opening shtick in my speeches. Well, the dream has come true!
In my ballsiest move EVER, I got the only photo of the evening...of me and Bette:-)
I am at Caesar's Palace in Las Vegas as I write this and a guest of my dear friends from Westport, CT, Evi and Jay Allen. My best friends, Kathy and Tony flew in as well and my date was Dave Hanlon, former CEO of Caesar's, Trump, Rio, Resorts International and now an in demand casino consultant...Dave and I go waaaaaaaay back. Bette was honored last night as the 2009 Woman of the Year by the Nevada Ballet Theatre at the annual Black and White Ball. Yes, I "had" to buy a gown...and shoes...and jewelry...and I must admit it was very exciting to get that dressed up to attend a Ball, I don't go to many:-)
We had a long cocktail hour where they showed off the silent auction items and oh, the 7 week old King Charles Spaniel was beyond adorable and of course, so was the Cartier necklace, ahem. Restraint, yes, restraint!. Dinner and festivities in the main ballroom then Bette came after her show, accepted her award, gave her usual funny, diva type speech and I was so starstruck it's hard to believe. I knew this was it, my one opportunity and since when do I let opportunities go by?
It was all over, she was leaving the stage with her bodyguard or manager and the whole Ball committee. I gave Kathy my camera and said follow me. I walked up on stage like I belonged, past the gatekeeper, the committee was saying goodbye and dropping out one at a time till I caught her in a long dark hallway as she walked briskly ahead of me. I said "Bette", she turned and looked at me, I said, "could I have a picture with you?", she oh so sweetly, said "of course", turned, put her arm around me and I looked at her and said, "people say I look like you, do you think so", she said', "no, you're much prettier". Kathy took the photo on my new camera that never works, she was so nervous, we both knew it was my moment of a lifetime. It was so dark, she didn't think she got it as we fumbled to try again, her manager pulled her away. We did get it but dark so you know we'll be photo shopping the heck out of it.
It was one of my all time highlight moments. I have been a fan since she started in NY decades ago, I have been to every concert, even opening night in Vegas, I have every CD, I have always related to her persona, her flamboyance, her style, I used her song, The Wind Beneath My Wings as my acceptance speech when I was named Fitness Business Person of the Year in 1989 as I was known as the Bette Midler of Fitness.
I can't stop smiling...how divine!
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