This post is the intellectual property of Jennifer Silverman. Posts, columns, and articles, etc. may only be reprinted with the express written consent of the author. The author’s byline, bio, and copyright notice must be retained in their entirety. Please click here to refer to blog disclaimers. Or, if you wish to reprint or feature a post, please click here to complete the contact form. A version of this piece was published in Florida's oldest weekly newspaper, The News Leader.
BY JENNIFER SILVERMAN
“You should never meet your heroes.”
Such statements are designed to shield us from disappointment. Unfortunately, disappointment is a fact of life.
Sometimes though, it's well-worth risking disappointment to experience something extraordinary.
From a young age, I had two heroes - EGOT winner, Whoopi Goldberg and famous psychic, Sylvia Browne. (Yes, I acknowledge they’re a peculiar duo.)
Even though I understood that a kid from Kentucky would most likely never get to meet her role models, on some level, I believed I would. Strangely enough, many moons after setting my adolescent intention, meet them both I did, and disappointed I was not.
My lovely, tear-filled encounter with Whoopi is a post for another day. Today, I’m reminiscing about meeting Sylvia Browne.
As a tween, I vividly remember channel surfing and landing on an episode of The Montel Williams Show featuring Sylvia Browne. I was immediately hooked.
I was fascinated by Sylvia’s encounters with the great beyond and delighted in her wit and spunk.
Eventually, I moved to Manhattan for fashion school. When my senior year of college rolled around, so did my final internship. Once again, I happened upon The Montel Williams Show - this time in the form of a posting for TV production interns.
When I later informed my college advisors that I was turning down a highly sought-after internship at Chanel to instead work on The Montel Williams Show, they were incredulous.
Despite their objections, I just couldn’t pass up the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. After all, what were the odds? So, I became a TV production intern.
After several months of filming non-Sylvia episodes, Sylvia’s tape day finally arrived. There we both were – in the same place at the same time.
I did my best to respect her space, but giddily delivered her lunch and steamed her show outfits. When she made her way to the set, she turned and winked at me - much to my elation.
Sylvia’s tape day sped by, and even though a producer had promised to formally introduce me to Sylvia at the appropriate time, Sylvia’s car arrived before I had my moment with her. My heart dropped when I realized I had lost my opportunity. After all those years, I had come so far and was so close.
A couple weeks later the series had wrapped, as it was Montel’s final season. Somehow, I had the studio to myself.
I noticed that the Hollywood star style sign bearing Sylvia’s name was still adorning her dressing room door. Knowing that the studio would soon be turned over to a new talk show, I decided to take the sign – tangible proof of an unprecedented adventure.
After the internship came to a close, I returned to Kentucky for a visit. While enjoying some R&R in the Bluegrass State, I serendipitously received an email that an additional stop had been added to Sylvia’s speaking tour. That stop was Louisville, Kentucky.
I immediately reached out to Montel’s assistant to officially request a few minutes with Sylvia. The powers that be made the arrangements for me.
After the lecture, Sylvia’s staff seemed suspicious when I began to approach her. Suddenly, I heard Sylvia’s husky voice utter, “it’s okay, I know her.”
In that moment, I was brought to the front of Sylvia’s miles-long autograph line. Sylvia gave me a hug and said, “I knew you would be back.”
She giggled when she saw the star I had snatched from her dressing room door and signed it for me.
Finally, I had my moment with Sylvia, and I could not have been more thrilled.
Despite the unlikelihood of the “never meet your heroes” belief system, I somehow beat the odds. Not only did I meet my childhood role models, but they could not have been kinder to me.
I’m so glad I took the risk.
I don’t quite know how it all happened, but I do know that I’ll never forget those full-circle moments when dreams and reality magically collided.
Wait up! It looks like you’ve reached the end of the road on this particular blog post. You might be wondering where to go from here. May I suggest some delightful destinations, conveniently located on CuriousColumist.com?
THE BLOG MECCA – You’re on a reading roll. Why stop here? More quirky commentary on all sorts of subjects is just a click away.
THE CURIOUS COLUMNIST SHOP – Retail therapy is legit, therapy. Shop all The Curious Columnist’s picks - from bargain beauty buys to luxe home décor. These curated online shopping recommendations have something for everyone.
THE SUBSCRIBE BOX – Typically, most of us avoid being boxed in like the plague. Fortunately, this box is all about broadening horizons – no confinement in this castle of curiosity. (Simply give the link a click and then scroll down - it's the scenic route.)
THE CONTACT FORM – Sometimes, we have a hankering to drop a line. Maybe you work for Oprah Daily and are looking to hire an unconventional freelance lifestyle writer – hint, hint. (Hey, a girl can dream.) Maybe a burning question is beckoning you to buzz. Maybe you have a craving to comment. Regardless, feel free to get in touch.
Thanks again for stopping by!