Meeting George Clooney

One woman's panic over meeting the sexiest man alive

Wendy Webb

When I learned I was going to be one of the few writers in town who would get to meet George Clooney at the recent Leatherheads press conference, I did what any seasoned, experienced journalist would do. I panicked. Then I emailed my friend Sarah in Chicago to gloat.

To: Sarahgale

From: Wendywebb

Subject: My fabulous life

Which movie star will I be meeting on Monday, you ask? Mr. George Clooney, that’s who. Oh yes, my friend. Read it and weep. In a few short days, I will be basking in the glow of the Sexiest Man Alive.

To: Wendywebb

From: Sarahgale

Subject: I hate you

I think my subject line says it all.

To: Sarahgale

From: Wendywebb

Subject: My hair

My hair is a disgrace. I can’t meet Mr. George Clooney looking like a 1960s folk singer with unfortunate bangs. I need an update. I want the Kelly Ripa look.

To: Wendywebb

From: Sarahgale

Subject: Re: My hair

Your hair always looks great. The more important question is, what does one wear to meet the biggest movie star in the world? I know you’re going to try to drape yourself in velvet again and you must remember: Just say no.

To: Sarahgale

From: Wendywebb

Subject: Poor fashion choices

I have just come from the mall where I was drawn to the velvet but instead I spent an appalling amount of money on a new “chunky knit” sweater and jeans. I got home, put them on and realized (a.) the outfit makes me look like a cross between Annie Oakley and Emmylou Harris and (b.) I have the exact same pair of jeans in my closet. I’m just going to wear my velvet, er, suede blazer.

From: Sarahgale

To: Wendywebb

Subject: Basic black

I recommend wearing black, along with several slimming devices underneath. One word, my friend: Spanx.

To: Sarahgale

From: Wendywebb

Subject: Do they make Spanx for the jowl and neck area?

I need to know immediately. As I was getting my hair cut today, I realized that I have gained roughly 25 pounds, all strangely enough in the neck and jowl area, which is difficult to disguise.

From: Sarahgale

To: Wendywebb

Subject: Re: Spanx

Just thrust out your chin and pull your neck up from your shoulders when you

talk. It will take ten pounds off the jowls.

To: Sarahgale

From: Wendywebb

Subject: Talk?!

I interviewed Stephanie Powers once and she hated my questions so much she hung up on me in a fit of disgust. So what am I going to ask him? What if he hates my question?

To: Wendywebb

From: Sarahgale

Subject: Questions

You are going to stand up to ask your question, go totally blank, burst into a fit of nervous laughter and somehow manage to fall down.

From: Wendywebb

To: Sarahgale

Subject: Re: Questions

I was laughing about this with my hair stylist, Justin Paul, and he predicted George Clooney would say to me: “That’s the worst question I’ve ever heard. Now get out.” You don’t think he’ll do that, do you?

From: Sarahgale

To: Wendywebb

Subject: Re: Re: Questions

No. I think he’s going to admire your swanlike neck and whisper to Renee Zellwegger what a nice jowl area you have.

So, what really happened? He didn’t hate my question because I didn’t get the chance to ask one. But I did get to talk to both George and Renee after the press conference. Renee was wonderfully nice and I suspect she saw our magazine at the Sheraton. And Mr. George Clooney? He slid up to me, put his arm around my waist and said: “Well. Hello there.” I have no idea what I said in response but it made him laugh. We chatted for a bit, I shook his hand and that was that. Days of sheer panic for 20 seconds with George Clooney.

But what a grand 20 seconds they were.