A Trip to the Theatre...WAIT...is that GWEN STEFANI!?!?

I had planned on writing a post about seeing The Book of Mormon at the Pantages in Hollywood on my latest trip to California.  Then something much bigger happened that night. 

I suppose I should explain for those who may not understand the gravity of this event in my life.  Anyone who knows me well is aware that I am a HUGE No Doubt fan and I have always wanted to meet Gwen Stefani.  I have been a fan since the Tragic Kingdom I was in seventh grade (a few...ahem...years ago) and my love for them has not waned to this day.  I love their new music, and I even enjoyed Gwen’s solo stints although I prefer the sound of the band as a whole.  I have seen No Doubt in concert six times (total of eight if you include Gwen’s solo tours) and I still intend to see them many more times in the future.  They are the most incredible band and really must be seen live in concert to appreciate their talent (if you doubt me, check out this live acoustic version of Running from the Rock Steady Live Tour).  I have a tendency to force my friends to watch the DVDs of the live shows and I also have a No Doubt shelf in my room and a couple of autographed posters thanks to my good friend Jonathan who has some connections.  All of that said, an opportunity had not presented itself (despite a near-miss in Salt Lake many years ago that I don't want to talk about) for me to meet Gwen-until now.

Album Cover from No Doubt

This story actually begins two weeks before my vacation to Southern California for my birthday in January.  As a birthday gift to myself, I decided to finally get the tattoo I have wanted for many years.  I knew I wanted a tattoo on my right ankle and I have debated what to get but for a long time I thought something No Doubt-related would suit me.  Then it dawned on me that I could really just keep it simple.  I referred to the original No Doubt logo on their first album, which was self-titled and I realized that is what I wanted and was exactly the shade of blue I wanted as well (my favorite color).  I asked my niece Kalli to draw up what it would look like if we took away some of the other colors and just left it blue and black and it was PERFECT!  NO DOUBT!

My Tattoo after healing

Two weeks later I went to Los Angeles, excited to wear shorts in the warm sun and show off my tattoo everywhere I went.  Upon arriving in L.A., my friend Jonathan and I went to a performance of Cirque du Soleil - TOTEM in Santa Monica that Thursday evening.  I was irritated to find out through Twitter and Facebook that Gwen Stefani had ventured out to see TOTEM just a few days earlier!  No fair!!! She took pictures with fans and tweeted about it and I could do nothing but wish we had been there.  While seated in the venue, I joked, "oh well, maybe she'll be at the Pantages tomorrow night and we'll just get to see her there."  Then we continued with the show and our plans throughout the following day and I thought nothing of it.  Little did I know what I had just put out into the Universe.

We had dinner and drinks and a lovely time the following day and then settled in to our seats at the Pantages in Hollywood for The Book of Mormon.  During intermission we were chatting with some of our fellow audience members seated near us when I saw someone walk down the aisle with platinum blonde hair.  I noticed heads turning but I thought nothing of it.  We were in Hollywood after all and surely it was some celebrity, a common occurrence.  The people sitting next to us then said, "Oh that's Gwen Stefani!"  And my head exploded.  WHAT!?  I hesitated-I really worry about being obnoxious in this sort of situation and I wasn't sure how I felt about approaching her.  We were limited on time as intermission was surely ending soon and I suddenly became very nervous.  My head clouded up and I became frozen to  my seat.  Jonathan wouldn't stand for it, knowing how important this was for me, and he insisted that we go to her seat and say something to her.  As he walked down the aisle, I followed but could barely control my legs as they carried me right down the aisle towards the front of the auditorium.

Gwen and me-a little blurry

As Jonathan approached the second row, I saw Gwen and her husband (Bush front man Gavin Rossdale) seated and waiting for the show to resume.  Jonathan said, "hey Gwen" as if they were old friends and she looked up kindly while I stood there, stunned and feeling my mouth dry out as if it was full of sand.  I felt as though I was no longer in my own body.  She looked JUST as you would expect her to and I was simply not mentally prepared for this moment.  I stammered but managed to say, "I am such a huge fan, I love you so much, I have seen you in concert 8 times-Oh! I have to show you my tattoo!!!" and bent down to pull up my pant leg and show her my ankle.  She was so sweet about it and said she "I love it!" as she pulled out her cell phone and asked if she could take a picture.  YES!  She struggled to take a picture in the dark seating area and gave up when she could not get it to work.  I was hyperventilating and I just kept telling her what a huge fan I am and how I am sorry for being obnoxious and bugging them.  I said, "oh I feel like I'm going to die" and she responded without missing a beat, "Don't die!" 

I am just proud of myself for not passing out at that point or wetting my pants or something equally embarrassing.  The sound of her voice alone was enough to put me into a daze.

Jonathan asked if we could take some pictures with her and she quickly and graciously made her way back into the aisle to indulge us.  We had very little time but we managed to get a picture of just me with her (a little blurry) and one of me and her and Jonathan. The best part about all of this is that she really could not have been nicer.  I imagine it must be annoying to have people bugging you all the time but she was kind and friendly.

Gwen (looking gorgeous as always), me, and Jonathan

We thanked her again and I again apologized (unnecessarily) for bothering them and we returned to our seats.  I thought I might cry, but I held it together and simply allowed myself to take in the moment.  Our fellow audience members in close proximity were congratulating me and asking to see my tattoo and they were just as excited as I was!  As the show began I remained in a daze and I was grateful I had already seen the show because there was no way I could pay attention.  The memories are a little blurry and I was slightly embarrassed about how I reacted and spoke to her, but I will never forget that moment.  The number one person in this world I have ever wanted to meet and I had the opportunity to just walk up and speak (stammer) to her.  

As we left the theater that evening I insisted that Jonathan wait for me to post the pictures on Facebook and I immediately sent a text message to my sister Mel who I knew would freak out too.  Once we reached the car I turned to Jonathan and I said, "I can die now."