I’ve talked about it. I’ve joked about it. In my classic MySpace blog, I talked about her here and here and here and here. I made it sound like a fantasy. But now the fantasy has become a reality. A dream has come true.

I, André Meadows, have finally come face-to-face… with Raven-Symoné!

It all started with an innocent trip to Jerry’s Deli in Studio City. Me and a number of my improv buddies go there after rehearsals. That night, there were a few people in the group that, for various reasons, needed to let off some steam. Jerry’s serves alcohol. I think you know what happened next.

(Not me, of course. If you know me personally, you know that the only things I’ve drunk my entire life is one fruity shot and a sip - literally, a sip - of a Kaluha mudslide.)

So some of us decided to stick around a little longer after eating to let some of those folks sober up a bit. It was getting late and I was just on the verge of leaving. And then, she walked in…

She was wearing a black jumpsuit and a baseball cap, her hair either short or tucked into the cap. She had a female friend with her.

And she, Raven-Symoné, was gorgeous. The most pretty eyes you’ve ever seen. A beautiful smile. And a laugh that filled the room, save for one other loud laugher (thumbs pointing to self at this point).

But as pretty as she is, I’ve always considered Raven-Symoné a “black nerd.”

If you’ve ever seen her Disney Channel series, she is goofy as get out, and you have to admire a beautiful woman who will still pratfall, play wacky characters, and not be worried how she looks in the process (which is still amazing, in my book).

She’s a strong advocate for curvy girls in Hollywood and how to make your body work for you. Love that! If I’m ever in a room with her, America Ferrera, and Jennifer Hudson, I would seriously pass out from the fine!

She also is a hardcore entrepreneur, producing series, movies, fashion lines, and all kinds of money-making entities. She’s like a little female Byron Allen in training.

Oh, and she did a cameo in the movie version of The Little Rascals. Don’t get much nerdier than that.

Now I have to say I was just getting to the point where celebrities didn’t make me all googly-legs, because they’re people, too. But this, ladies and gentlemen, was Raven-Symoné! Cosby Show Raven. That’s So Raven Raven. That’s What Little Girls Are Made Of rap song Raven! There was no way I could ever see myself working up the nerve to talk to her.

But I had to. Some people wait a lifetime for a moment like this, right Kelly Clarkson?

So I decided, after suggestions from people at my table, to buy her food. I asked the waiter to give me their check and I will pay for it.

The waiter gave me a check. But I’m still questioning if it was hers. It had items like “Mexican salad” and “cups of vegetables” on it, and looking on their table, I saw none of that.

The waiter looked like he was kind of flirting, too, so this could have been his… um, what’s the word… oh yes, d!¢k move! No matter. Maybe it was their check. If not, whosever check that was, you’re welcome.

It was getting late. The place was clearing out. The drunks were eating their eggs. And Raven was still there. I had to make my move.

I swallowed my fear (and possibly the salivia readily built up in my mouth for the past half-hour) and made my move. I slowly crept to the table and proceeded to tell her how much of a fan I was of hers. She thanked me.

Oh my God, I’m talking to Raven-Symoné!

Now, this is where I decided to play “The Obscure Game” with her.

Seeing that my brain is completely engulfed with pop culture (Sorry, all that calculus I learned in high school and college… gone! Some nerd I am!), I always like to mention a work the celeb has done that most other people wouldn’t. It’s my way of either showing I’m a true fan and not just the same drones mentioning the same project over and over… or that I’m a glorified stalker.

So I mentioned her last album, This is My Time, which I honestly do recommend. It’s nice to hear a woman use her voice for good instead of just talking about doing it with so dude or over-emphasizing the word “umbrella.”

So I told her that her album was one of my faves. She was simultaneously shocked and impressed. I guess the album didn’t do all that well (yet Now 47 or whatever is #1, you make me sick, consumers) and that she didn’t think anybody bought it. She said it in a joking matter, but then tagged it at the end of not being sarcastic. You know me, I always admire a little self-deprecating.

And then she noticed my shirt.

You see, I was taking photos with my improv group earlier that evening. They wanted me to wear a shirt showing off my personality, so I wore the Goonies shirt you may have seen in my first three vlogs (and if you haven’t seen them, you’re going to make me cry unless you do).

So she actually said she liked my shirt! I hope she was being sincere and not making fun. Whatever, I’m telling this story, it was totally sincere! What woman wouldn’t like a Goonies shirt, right ladies?

Do ladies even read my blogs?

Afterwards, she paid a bill for something (further proving my waiter d!¢k move theory), I said my good-bye, and walked back to my own table with a huge smile on my face.

I talked to Raven-Symoné! I mentioned we would cross paths several times, and in the rare moments where prayer and Hollywood magic merged together, it happened.

Now I feel a new confidence within myself. If I can talk to Raven-Symoné, why can’t I talk to any other girl out there, do any audition, stand up to any gangsta (ok, let’s not go crazy…)

And even though the fun mystery about meeting this wonderful woman is now gone, it is replaced by a new memory of luck, confidence, and a beautiful celebrity who seems very nice.

Thank you Raven-Symoné for making such great work, being so kind, complimenting my shirt, and not making me feel dumb for talking to you since you have no idea who I am… yet.

Yet, I say? Is it possible she will come to know who I truly am? Well, I’ll put it like this. Go to youtube.com/ravensymonepresents and check out who’s subscriber #4 on her list. I rest my case.

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This entry was posted on Thursday, November 15th, 2007 at 11:30 pm and is filed under ANDRE BLOGS. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.