Okay, I HAVE to share this story. Because I still can’t believe it actually happened.
Regular readers of this blog know that I spoke at BEA a few years back, and Julianne Moore was the emcee. It was, honestly, one of the best days of my life. I was terrified to get up in front of so many industry people, and terrified in general, but I did it and it was freaking awesome. As was Julianne Moore, who was just as nice and down to earth as she could be, both there and when I saw her a couple of months later at the National Book Festival.
Okay. So now, fast forward to last night. My husband and I are watching The Night of Too Many Stars on Comedy Central, a telethon to raise money for autism research. They have celebrities manning the phones, the way they do at those events sometimes, but when I called to pledge I figured there was no chance in I’d actually get to talk to anyone. I mean, I was just going to give my money and be done with it. But after I pledged, the woman asked if I wanted to be put in the queue to possibly talk to a celeb. She also said it was not guaranteed I’d be connected to anyone, and if I got cut off, that was that. Fine, fine. I was just watching Amy Poehler and Tina Fey. So I sit on hold a minute or two, and then, I hear, “Hi, this is Julianne Moore!”
And I just DIE. I’m so in shock I say, “Hey, Julianne, it’s Sarah Dessen, we met at BEA a few years back.” And SHE says, “Oh, my God! It’s someone I know! Hello, Sarah! How are you?” I can see her on TV, sitting between Tom Hanks and Andy Cohen from Bravo. (!!!) I was freaking out. We chatted for a moment about books (she’s got a new one coming out in the spring) and being on the phone bank (she said she was glad to get connected to someone who knew who she was: I’m like, who doesn’t know Julianne Freaking Moore?) And then we said bye and I hung up and just stared, goggle-eyed, at my husband. It was just SO crazy. Weird enough to get through the celeb phone bank, even WEIRDER that the one who answers is someone I have met and who remembers me? I mean SHUT THE FRONT DOOR! (as she said in The Kids Are All Right).
And that, friends, is my new Julianne Moore story. I am telling it here so I can maybe get it out of my system. So far I have shared it also with Will, who works with my husband, and just about anyone else I have crossed paths with. I mean, how can you NOT?
Have a great day, everyone!
AMAZING!!!
Hold up. Sarah Dessen and Julianne Moore are friends? How does the world allow this kind of awesome to exist?
That’s awesome! I wouldn’t be surprised if you guys crossed paths again in the future.
Haha. That’s awesome!
That is so awesome! Love this story.
Thank you, Sarah, for this story !
O EM GEE Sarah. How much fun is that?
I had a similar experience a few years ago when I was answering phones at a local Make A Wish telethon. Josh Grobin was helping our event out by donating some tickets to one of his shows, and somehow I ended up talking to him on the phone! I was telling everyone about it for days. Apparently, I am still telling people about it. So freaking cool when stuff like that happens.
HA!! Apparently y’all are meant to be friends! It must be fate!
Oh, that sounds amazing! Like really, how couldn’t you show that awesome news with everyone??
Anyway’s Happy Halloween! (It’s not to early to say it!!! I’m very excited for Halloween)
That is so cool!
That is so awesome!!!
Sarah –
I found your blog site, because I did not get a job that I applied for and one of my dear friends, provided me with this quote of yours: “I don’t believe in failure, because simply by saying you’ve failed, you’ve admitted you attempted. And anyone who attempts is not a failure. Those who truly fail in my eyes are the ones who never try at all. The ones who sit on the couch and whine and moan and wait for the world to change for them.” ― Sarah Dessen, Keeping the Moon.
Since I have not “heard” of you, I was curious and looked you up. That then led me to your blog and your post about Julianne Moore.
My mother, when she was pregnant with me in the late 1950s, used to be a huge fan of As The World Turns. And…true to form, I followed watching that show many years later and for a bit even after I got married. And…for a time, Julianne Moore played Franny Hughes on the show. I loved her in the role and have been very impressed with her movie career.
I just about died laughing with the comment, “Shut the Front Door….” which my pedicurist always says to me…it must be the lingo….that moms say to kids these days….
Anyhoo….I had to thank you for making me smile. While I know that everything happens for a reason, it still “hurts” just a bit to think you did your best and still failed at not getting the job. The good news….I do have a great job and for now….it will have to do.
I will have to start reading some of your books….they look to be amazing!!
Thanks for letting me share!!
Peggy DaValt