Fashion Cares 2006!

Back stage with Pamela Anderson, Dan and Dean Cates from Dsquared2, and the President of MAC Cosmetics



David Connolly (choreographer) and I



Jody Watley's girls










Wow! What a night. Our call time for Fashion Cares was 1:30pm to rehearse from 2-3pm. We got on the stage and ran through the number a couple times but Jodi Watley wasn't there yet. We heard she was running late because she missed her plane. We hung around for awhile until Jodi arrived. David introduced us to her and she was super nice. He told her that she could change anything she wanted but she loved everything and kept it that way. You just never know how it will go. Sometimes people can be divas so I'm really glad she was cool. She loved everything and even thanked us. Later we did a dress run of the whole show (without her) and also started into hair and makeup. There were tons of makeup artists there and at least 10 different hair salons to make everyone up. Once the show started it seemed to go by pretty quickly. Pamela Anderson and Dean and Dan Cates from Dsquared2 (Fashion Designers) kicked off the night. As usual Pam left right after she did her intro. She came back stage where everyone was waiting to get a good shot of her then zoomed away on her golf cart. The band The Philosopher Kings played a short set, Divine Brown sang, The National Ballet of Canada performed, an amazing group called Hangtime did an amazing piece with silks, and 2 men balancing off each other (ya have to see it to understand!). Of course Jodi Watley performed her remix of "I'm Lookin' For A New Love" with her 11 female back up dancers and yours truly, but the highlight of the night was Jennifer Halladay! She sung "I'm Telling You" and brought down the house. She still has an AMAZING voice and managed to touch everyone backstage and in the audience. Truly inspiring. Keep checking their site www.fashioncares.com for a video of the show. It will probably take them a couple weeks but check back and have a look. It will also air on Fashion TV eventually.

They said that this (20th anniversary year) will mark the last time it is to be done. I really hope not. It would be such a shame if that happened. They raise so much money for AIDS every year through this event...I can't imagine it not happening. Hopefully someone picks it up. David Connolly did the choreography (and Faye Ru assisted), as usual it was a blast to work with him. He makes everyone feel so relaxed while pumping them up to do an awesome job. He's so supportive and so kind. I just love working with him. The girls I got to dance with were super nice too. That always helps. I had a great time (as usual)! It felt so great to be back on the stage again. I really miss it. I'm praying that something comes along soon. It's like a drug...it's addicting. I just love performing, there is nothing like it. Right before I went on stage I just took a moment to enjoy that feeling I get right before I go on. Your adrenalin is pumping, mixed in with some nerves and excitement. It's such a rush. I can't get enough!

Well that's all for now. Until next time...