Celeb Stories: Tim Gunn

Photo courtesy of Tim Gunn's Facebook fan page

In case you were wondering if Tea Leoni was the only celeb I have encountered in my New York life, have no fear! There are more, one of my favorite of which was with Tim Gunn.  Allow me to set the scene:  It was a normal lunch hour on a work day so I made my way to Cafe Duke in Times Square (their tuna melt flatbread sandwiches are delish...mmm yummers!).  I hopped in the sandwich line, and after ordering my food, noticed a group of young professional girls whispering to each other and staring toward the salad line.  My celeb-radar turned on, my eyebrows raised, and my dilated pupils scanned the line to find the object of the girls' gaze (think Spidey senses).  In less than .0025 seconds I spotted him: the debonaire Tim Gunn of Project Runway.  

Immediately my heart began to beat hard and fast (such is my normal reaction upon an anticipated interaction with anyone of even remote fame, especially if their name is Tim). I began thinking of what I would say. Would I say anything? Should I even go say hi to Tim or would that annoy him? Everyone else was just whispering about him around him, but nobody was actually talking to him.  Once I finally talked myself into approaching Tim, I remembered my outfit and questioned whether it was Tim Gunn-worthy. He was a dapper fashionisto, and I was wearing just some plane-Jane in my accountant-type business casual garb.  But there was hope yet! I was wearing a new purple winter coat I had just purchased.  It was one of my snazziest wardrobe components, so it would have to be my salvation.  That settled it. I was going to say hello.

The scene. Photo courtesy of midtownlunch.wordpress.com

I marched myself and my tuna melt sandwich over to Tim. He was facing away from me, so to get his attention I gently rested my hand on his arm and said, "Tim?" as if I were a dear old friend who he hadn't seen in years.  Tim turned toward me with a quizzical brow in full effect. "Hi, I'm Jenny, I just wanted to say hi and I love watching you on Project Runway."  He couldn't have been more gracious to my cheesy intro: "Oh hiii!" he said, turning his confused look into a smile. "Thank you so much for saying hi. You know, I hope the show goes on this season."  Me: "What do you mean? What's going on? Or are you not allowed to talk about it?"  Tim: (chuckle) "Oh I'm allowed to talk about it. Basically there's some sort of lawsuit over the rights of the show so hopefully it all works out."  Me: "Oh wow, i didn't even know.  Well I hope everything works out too.  Good luck and nice meeting you!"

And that was it. He was so super sweet I couldn't believe it.  I mean, I should have believed it. He seemed fabulous in more ways than one on the tele.  All in all, it was probably my most rewarding encounter with a public entertainment figure, because I actually talked to him, which I haven't ever done before. I always end up getting scared and nervous, but this was a big moment for me, and makes me happy thinking back on it :) I only wished I had asked him more questions or asked if we could meet up for coffee so I could pick his brain about his career and the show.  Oh well, my moment was had, and it was a good one. 

Have you ever had to work up the courage to talk to someone you were nervous to speak to? How did it turn out for you? Please share!