LeeAnn Meets Michael 
Written here is the account of my most thrilling, fun-filled adventure to date! On June 18, 1997, several friends and I went to the Arrowhead Pond of Anaheim to see Lord of the Dance. The show was wonderful beyond words. The lighting, gorgeous music and stage design beautifully complimented the dancers and trasported me into the haunting, thrilling, powerful mythical story. My heart danced through the entire performance! The troupe was in perfect precision and performed with an electric energy. Michael Flatley was pure joy, no other words offer a fit description. My only disappointment was that it had to end!Thanks to Zammi and other friends from the Lord of the Dance ‘Visitors Book’ whose own wonderful accounts of meeting Michael Flatley inspiried me, my adventure was far from over yet! After the show, my friend Marisol and I went to the back-stage entrance to wait for Michael and the dancers and hopefully get an autograph and say thank you for such a wonderful performance. When we arrived, there were only two other people waiting. The guard told the four of us "Sorry, he’s not stopping tonite." We felt devastated of course, but I remembered what all my " VB Family" had posted before: "Be patient - don’t give up!", which I related to our fellow fans, but they got discouraged and and left, leaving only my friend and I to wait for the next half-hour. "Would he stop for only two people?", we wondered. Well, eventually, several more came for a total of nine people. It was a small, but fun and friendly crowd and we talked and laughed and shared our thoughts on the show. About an hour and fifteen minutes later…..
A black limo came up the driveway, slowed down and stopped right in front of us. It was Michael Flatley! He had changed into jeans and a t-shirt and his curly hair was all wet and slicked back. The first thing he said to our little crowd was "Sorry it took so long guys", he’d obviously just gotten out of the shower. (I, of course, could have died happy right there with that little thought ;-)! He proceeded to sign autographs leaning out the window and was very kind. He was obviously in a hurry however, a helicopter wating, with the limo full of people and he looked very tired on top of it all, but he stopped anyway, was gracious, with such a gentle way about him and a beautiful smile for everyone.
Several people asked him specific questions about dancers. At one point, a man asked him "What happened to _____?" ( A woman’s name I can’t remember) And Michael smiled and said "Oh yes, we were just talking about her tonite!" Then he turned to the woman who was sitting beside him in the limo and said "Weren’t we just talking about her?" And several people joined in the conversation. I, of course, hadn’t a clue! Then several people got autographs, and asked him questions and got pictures. He seemed calm, focused and was very open and approachable and obviously enjoying himself!
And then there was me, trying unsuccessfully not to let all my nervous energy show, "OBVIOUS BIG CRUSH" written all over my face! (Egads!) :-) I was among the last to go up to talk to him. It was obviously my turn, in fact the body guard standing next to me said "Go on…" I stood there briefly, trying to remember what it was I was going to say to him! I closed my eyes tight for a second, wondering if this was really happening …. When I opened my eyes, he was looking at me, imitating me scrunching up my eyes with a big bemused grin on his face. I went up to him and said something like "Hi, it’s an honor to meet you" (which wasn’t what I had planned), and handed him my program, which he signed (copy below).
Then (and I hadn’t planned this either!) I leaned over and asked him "Do you think I could possibly get a kiss?" And he smiled and said "Of course you can, come here…" He put his finger under my chin and while I was expecting to kiss him on the cheek, he never turned his head so I ended up kissing him on the mouth ;-) . I really don’t remember what I did next except stand there , but I do remember saying "Thank You" and he said "Of course, your an angel girl, too sweet."
I think the blonde woman is MF's administrative assistant, Emma. I stood back a moment and enjoyed watching him interact with the crowd for a few more seconds. Wow! It just seemed like every person he connected with, young to old he gave all his good energy and undivided attention to. That kiss I had asked for was very sweet, and kindly given, and for that memory I am very greatful! Then suddenly it was time for him to go and he waved to the crowd and said "Bye Guys", thanked us, drove a ways to a waiting helicopter and flew away!! I guess what sums this encounter up best for me is a quote I once heard from Maya Angelou, who said "I am a human being, and that which is also human cannot be foreign to me." I just thought he saw the joy in all of us and very much enjoyed giving it back! I’m glad I got the opportunity to at least try and say thank you for a creation that has brought me so much joy.
Oh yeah, after the next night's performance, a friend took some pictures (note the black t-shirt that next night….) and some guy in the crowd (25+ that night!) asked MF "Michael, do you ever get tired of kissing all these women?" And MF replied "If there’s one thing I never get tired of, it’s kissin’ " (Big laugh from the crowd over that one :-) Good news ladies, no lip fatigue in the near future!
If you want to read more about LeeAnn's adventures, she went out to see MF again and got some great shots of MF and the supporting cast: LeeAnn's Story Part 2
©LeeAnn Gorne Do NOT reproduce on any other sites. LeeAnn to thank her for sharing her pictures and "MM".
to the History Room.
