"The names Alexis Blair, everyone calls me Lexie though. . . or Lex. I think my friends make it their mission to see how much they can shorten my name. One day someone is going to call me 'L'," I told them with a laugh. I realize I was rambling. I didn't know what was wrong with me. I'm usually never nervous. Of course I had never met the devastingly handsome Kevin Richardson before or the rest of the Backstreet Boys either.
"Aaahh so the new makeup girl has wit. That's refreshing. The last one seemed almost suicidal," he said as he stretched out his hand. I shook it and flashed him a quick smile.
"I hope that's not why I'm replacing her," I said.
"Oh no! She got a job that didn't involve touring. I don't think she like to travel too much. I believe she's doing makeup for commercials or somethin'," he laughed. "I'm Kevin by the way. This is AJ, Howie, Brian and the one over there engrossed in the TV is Nick," he said pointing them out as if I didn't already know who they were. Then he turned his attention toward the guys saying,
"Guys this is our new makeup girl, Alexis Blair." There was that term again, 'makeup girl'.
"Uuuhh Kevin, just to get a few things straight. . . First, I'm not a 'makeup girl' I'm a stylist or makeup artist. Second, I'm not a 'girl' hon, I'm a woman," I said to him.
"I stand corrected," Kevin said with a slight smirk.
I turned to the others and said, "Hi, I can't wait to start working with each of you. I plan to keep you all looking good and maybe even feeling good," I said winking at AJ who was obviously sizing me up.
"I like her," AJ said.
"You would," Howie said.
"You don't like me Howie?" I asked as if I was on the verge of tears. Howie looked almost ashamed of his remark. I decided to push it a little by making my lower lip tremble a little more noticably.
"I'm sorry. I didn't mean it the way it came out. I was just saying. . . I mean I do like you," he said.
"Oh I'm so pleased," I said flashing a bright smile. AJ stiffled his laughter. "So where do I set up so we can get you boys looking H-O-T. . . HOT. Lemme tell ya. . . right now if your fans saw you they'd run screamin' from the room."
"First we're not 'boys' we're men," Kevin said imitating me.
"Manly men," Brian replied standing and pushing out his chest in a 'manly' manner.
"Cute. . . very cute," I laughed. "Anyway, where do I set up so I can do you manly men's hair and makeup."
"Touche'," Brian replied. Howie stepped forward.
"I'll show you where to set up," he offered taking one of my makeup cases. At that moment I knew I was going to love this job.
It was an early morning in New York City and I was there to keep the Backstreet Boys looking good for their round of interviews. Starting with the Today show and then working their way through the usual New York City TV blitz to announce and promote their new album. It was also my first day on the job. I had styled other celebrities before but no one I had harboured an affection for like the Backstreet Boys.
"So who's gonna hop into my chair first?" I asked once I was all set up. I turned to look at them. Suddenly everyone seemed busy with something else. I looked around the room and my eyes fell on Nick who was still engrossed in the TV.
"Hey Nicky Boy I haven't talked to you yet. Why don'tcha hop up into my chair and we can get to know each other a little better," I said winking at him.
"Maybe later. Why don't you do someone else right now," he said without even looking at me.
"I don't wanna do someone else. . . I wanna do you," I said pouting.
"Hey Lexie, you can do me, now," AJ said jokingly.
"I'll get to you later sweetie," I said blowing him a kiss.
"Come on Nick whaddaya say?"
"Look, I don't want to go first ok! So pick someone else," he exclaimed standing and moving past me.
"Ok. . . uuuhhh who wants to go first?" Clearly I hadn't made the great impression on Nick that I did on the other guys.
