As many of you may have read on twitter or facebook, I won the opportunity to meet Lady GaGa this weekend. It was all that I had hoped it would be. GaGa is a beautiful person on the inside and out, and I'm so thankful I was blessed with the chance to meet her.
Over a month ago, I read that the Lupus Alliance of Ameria's Queens/Long Island affiliate was raffling off two tickets to see Lady GaGa perform at Nassau Coliseum in Uniondale, NY (Long Island) and along with it, the winner would get to meet GaGa after the concert for a photo op. I bought my tickets and hoped for the best. One month later, I received a phone call that I had won.
What I did not realize is that the concert would be the Saturday before Easter... not exactly the most opportune weekend. Not only would I be missing Easter with my family, but my nephew was getting baptized and my sister-in-law was getting confirmed into the Catholic church. I called her to tell her about my opportunity and she immediately insisted I go meet GaGa. My brother was equally supportive, insisting only that I try to make it back for Easter.
I got to New York Friday night after a cancelled flight bumped me to an earlier flight only to risk waiting in Houston for 6 hours if I could not fly standby on earlier flights. Lucky for me... I landed in Houston around 3:35pm, ran to the next terminal and quickly was informed that I had been cleared for standby. As soon as I ran up to the gate, they asked if I was Madeline, handed me my ticket and boarded the plane.
Friday night I got situated at my friend's apartment and then went to a near restaurant/bar called Beauty and Essex. My date to the concert worked there and managed to get me some drinks comped. (A few hours before I got to the restaurant, GaGa's boyrfriend had been eating there with all of his friends... I've been wanting to meet him for sometime because I'm a huge fan of his blog - drunkdiet.com.) After a while, my friend arrived with her sister and we caught up on lost time.
The next morning I woke up early. I was so excited I couldn't sleep. I got ready for brunch and went shopping. Time flew and before I knew it, it was time to get ready for the concert.
My friend Jason and I had discussed what we planned on wearing... only to change our minds at the last minute without informing one another. When we met up at the train station, we were both wearing black pants and a white and black blazer. It made for perfectly coordinated pictures.
We rode the train to Uniondale and were so excited. We got to the concert and just kept looking at each other saying... "We are going to meet GaGa in X hours." The concert came and went. It was just as amazing as usual. When the song Paparazzi came on my heart started pounding. Earlier that day I received a text from Lady GaGa's team telling me that when I heard Paparazzi to head to Gate 20 where they would escort us back stage.
We went there... we were obviously the most excited. I had a little song and dance hour. I told the lady my name and she directed us downstairs. We waited at the bottom of the stairwell until more people joined us... then we were taken through double doors and directed to stand inside the yellow box... so we'd be out of people's ways.
We listed to the last song, Born This Way, from backstage. After the concert was over, we saw all the male dancers come backstage. We were standing right in fornt of their dressing room. HOTTIES! We were also next to the VIP lounge, so I got to see GaGa's dad from afar, her mother (who is adorable and looks just like her), Justin Tranter (lead singer of Semi Precious Weapons), and Breedlove (the best cabaret singer of all time). I also saw Lady GaGa's best friend from childhood - who is surprisingly normal.
Jason and I were the last ones of our group to be herded towards the hallway where we waited in line for our photo op. We waited for just a few minutes while we watched her talk to other kids and take pictures with them. Then it was Jason's turn. He was really nervous and became very soft spoken. I had told him to tell her he worked at Beauty and Essex because he told me she had frequented it in the past. (The night after her concert in February... when I was down the street.) She asked about his manager and gave him a high five. Maybe she'll request Jason as her waiter next time because she thought he was adorable.
Then it was my turn. I surprisingly kept my cool. I didn't cry. I didn't shake. I wasn't even feeling sick to my stomach. I was just excited and my standing heart rate increased somewhat. I walked up and the first thing I said (which was obvious) was that I had a lot of shit and apologized.
First, I gave her a letter that I had written her in case our meeting was very brief. When I handed it to her, she was so sincere in telling me that she would read it... repeating that several times. She even skimmed it while I was there with her. I told her that in the letter... I was pretty sure I asked for a job at some point. I then told her I was in law school and was planning on moving to NYC to finish my 3rd year and pursue a career in music. To this she responded that she just may need more people and lawyers after her next album came out. To which I told her I would work for free.
Then I gave her the tea cup and saucer I had painted for her. I had painted her tattoo onto the plate, but it had unfortunately broken on my way to NYC. I apologized and told her I was going to glue it but... and before I could finish she insisted I not worry. "We'll glue it, don't worry we'll glue it." (While giving her these items, her mother was telling Jason how amazing she thought the cup and plate were - so detailed.)
After giving her the plate and cup, I gave her a pocket Jesus. In a recent GaGavision article, a man protesting her concert gave her a "Get out of hell free card." RUDE. So I told her, the next time some ass hole tries to give her one of those cards, to tell him that she doesn't need it because she has Jesus... and then pull out the pocket Jesus. She LOVED pocket Jesus. She turned to show her mother the small figurine. She managed to get him out of the box while I was going on and on about the many more things I had.
Then I looked around... "I know I'm not allowed to do this, but I snuck it in." I pulled out a mini Jameson bottle and gave it to her. "I know it's your favorite and I've always wanted to have a glass with you." She took it and what she said next I found hilarious... She told me she was going to save it for after Oprah. Is that real life? For GaGa... it is.
At this point, GaGa's team was laughing because I was obviously not close to being finished. I heard some repeat me... "and"... because I continued between everything say... "And I have..."
"And this is my license plate..." I told her I had taken it off my car, and was hoping she would sign it. She expressed disbelief that it was in fact my license plate but I reassured her. She signed it and asked my name so she could customize it.
After she signed the plate, I told her that I was missing my nephew's baptizing in order to meet her. So I asked if she would sign a baptism card for him for his baby book. Everyone responded with an "awww..." and then some laughed. At this point, GaGa turned to those around her (more specifically her mother) and was like... "see... I don't get why people think I don't like Jesus. I talk about him throughout my show. I'm going to signt his card 'Happy Jesus'." And she did... it reads Lewy, Happy Jesus. Born This Way. Lady GaGa.
Finally, I informed her of my tattoo. I lifted up my shirt and asked if she would sign it in the event i could find a tattoo parlor open late enough to tattoo over it. She had me move so she could sign it in just the right spot... I jokingly requested she try to sign it a place that wouldn't be as tender as others. This part was slightly awkward because I may have revealed lower boob so she could sign where she wanted to. Truth be told, she picked the ideal spot and I think it will make a nice addition in the event it is still there tomorrow when I can find an open tattoo parlor in Norman.
Then it was time for our photo op. The professional photographer took our picture. In the picture, GaGa has pocket Jesus resting in the palm of her hand. Afterwards I asked the photographer to check to see if I had a double chin. GaGa laughed and told me I'd be surprised how often people will request to switch sides in order that they be on their good side. Then I realized I had just taken the picture on my bad side, but the photographer assured me it was a good one. I thanked GaGa, hugged her, and went on my way.
She could not have been more polite. Even though I was there longer than any of he previous attendees, I was not rushed away. It will be a night I will remember the rest of my life.
I've yet to receive a copy of the picture that I took with GaGa. But as soon as I get the email about it, I will be quick to post it.
I know I'll meet GaGa again in the future... (if anyone hears about any more auctions/raffles/competitions, do send the details my way.) And who knows,... maybe my luck will continue and she'll use my contact info I gave in the letter I wrote and offer me a job.
I got back to NYC around 2:00am. I went to bed for just under 2 hours only to wake up, get in a car and catch my flight. I made it to OKC before 11:00am and was able to drive to Enid to spend the remainder of Easter with my family.
Baby Lewy loved his card and plans on taking it to his first show and tell in elementary school.
