'A Very Special Fan'

International pop superstar Melissa Williams has performed for thousands on her current tour with 2Ge+her, but yesterday in Jersey City she captured the rapt attention of a very special audience of one.

Kelly of Kearny, NJ, one of the singer's biggest fans, got a chance to meet her idol up close and personal at the radio station KTU-103.5 FM studio in a Newport office building on Washington Boulevard.

"I'm excited, but I'm nervous too," 12-year-old Kelly said moments before meeting Williams. "I've listened "Make you mine" so much, I know all the words."

While Kelly was not treated to a concert yesterday - she, her mother Gabrielle and a friend will be seeing Melissa perform tonight at the PNC Bank Arts Center in Holmdel - she did get two autographs, several pictures with the singer and even an original copy of the sheet music Melissa used to perform the song "Make you mine" on "Donnie & Marie."

If it seems Kelly got special treatment from her favorite singer, it's because the young Lincoln School student has shown courage and grace unmatched by most people her age.

In August 1998, Kelly was diagnosed with cancer. She had a tumor removed from her brain, followed by six weeks of radiation treatment and more than a year of chemotherapy.

But today, cancer free, Kelly is scheduled to return to school after a two-year absence, eager to show her classmates, her family and most of all herself that she can get on with her life.

Kelly seemed well on her way to that yesterday as she sat in a 16th-floor conference room - virtually jumping out of her seat with excitement - along with about 20 other squirming pre-teen fans.

Most of these kids got to sit in on the 18-year-old pop star's KTU interview because they were winners of a radio contest. Kelly got her chance when an executive from Williams's record label read about her battle with cancer in The Jersey Journal this spring.

Jersey City native Tony Monte, vice president of crossover promotion for JIVE records who now lives in Secaucus, said he was touched by Kelly's story and so was Williams.

"My mom saw (the story) and showed it to me, so I told Melissa and she asked to meet her (Kelly)," Monte said. "She was very moved by it."

Kelly and her favorite star took inspiration from one another when they met face to face yesterday.

While the pop star walked through the studio bathed in a flood of flashing lights from dozens of cameras, answering questions and promoting her upcoming album, "Melissa Williams," she became most reflective when talking of Kelly.

"What really blows me over is that I do have kids whose wish is to meet me and that means more to me than winning any Awards and selling any records," Williams said.

"To help that young lady and to know that you're really making a difference in somebody's life means everything to me."

In addition to the autographs and the personal chats yesterday, Kelly will meet the star again tonight before the concert at the PNC Bank Arts Center.

Melissa is in the midst of a U.S. tour that will continue well into December. She hit the airwaves yesterday to talk about fame, her musical influences and her place in the current pop music pantheon.

But for Kelly, her priority is to enjoy Melissa's music tonight with her mother and her best friend, Kim.

Gabrielle Lopes told the story of when Monte called Kelly and offered her two tickets to the Holmdel show: one for her, one for her mother. Kelly, thinking of the friend who has supported her throughout her long illness and recovery, never missed a beat, asking for an extra ticket for Kim.

"I thought, 'Oh my God, she is so bold,' " Kelly's mom said. "But you know what? She has to be."