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Home · Celebrity

ESSENCE Readers Meet Their Favorite Celebrities

We spend countless hours being inspired by our favorite celebrities, so nothing beats meeting them in person and finding out they're really amazing! We reached out to ESSENCE readers and asked them to tell us about that "OMG!" moment when they met their favorite star.

By Yolanda Sangweni · November 18, 2012October 28, 2020
01
Jenni J. Met Idris Elba

Jenni will never forget the swoon-worthy moment she ran into Idris Elba. “I was running to the ladies room, and he was coming out of the men’s room. I stopped and smiled, and he asked my name,” she writes.

Courtesy of Subject
02
Kelley O. Met Vanessa Williams

Kelley describes meeting Vanessa Williams as one of the “highlights” of her life. “After I asked her for a picture, I said: “I’m a Williams, too! We could be related!” she writes.

Courtesy of Subject
03
Cherise Met Brandy

Cherise loved meeting Brandy at a performance in Washington D.C. “My long lost sister,” she writes.

Courtesy of Subject
04
Rasheda S. Met Trey Songz

Rasheda (left) and her BFF Cacia got in backstage at a Trey Songz concert. “Trey was really nice, and very flirtatious,” she writes. Everyone who knows me knows that I love Trey Songz and Usher Raymond. I am so blessed to have met both of them.”

Courtesy of Subject
05
Lisa-Marie Met Beyonce

“My idol and I at her first fragrance launch,” writes Lisa-Marie B. after meeting Beyonce in New York City.

Courtesy of Subject
06
Lakaiya and Miatta Met Usher

“We met Usher four years ago at the Warner Theater in Washington D.C.,” writes LaKaiya (right). “As you can tell this was the most exciting day in our lives.”

Courtesy of Subject
07
LTanya Met Bobby Brown

“I’ve been a fan for 30 years so to actually get a photo with [Bobby Brown] was beyond measure,” writes LTanya, who met the singer at a recent New Edition concert.

Courtesy of Subject
08
Yinette S. Met John Legend

“We are just ordinary people…except he’s so not ordinary,” writes Yinette about her encounter with John Legend.

Courtesy of Subject
09
Mona Met Michael Ealy

“Michael was a total sweetheart,” writes Mona. “I met him at Kevin Hart’s birthday party, and even though it was extremely crowded, he took the time to take a picture with me.”

Courtesy of Subject
10
Richelle L. Met El DeBarge

“El held his heart and said: ‘All this love is waiting for you,'” writes Richelle L.

Courtesy of Subject
11
Roquelle P Met Kim Cole

“I went to an event at Natural Resources Salon, in Houston, and Kim Coles was the host,” writes Roquelle P. “She was so sweet; we even chatted about fashion, style, and individuality for a bit!”

Courtesy of Subject
12
Latrice T. Met Mikki Taylor

Air Force Officer Latrice T. was elated to meet ESSENCE editor-at-large Mikki Taylor at the Essence Music Festival. She writes:
“I pull up in front of my annual Essence Fest stay with my girlfriends, and the beautiful, humble, talented Mrs. Mikki Taylor is entering the antique shop next door…I jump out. I scream. I’m in groupie mode and shock at same time. It was an honor and privilege to meet his style maven.”

Courtesy of Subject
13
Kinesha B. Met Queen Latifah

“I was in a senior in high school at Florida School for the Deaf and Blind when I met Queen Latifah at the Superbowl in 2010,” writes Kinesha B. “It was one of the greatest moments of my life.”

Courtesy of Subject
14
Destiny J. Met J. Cole

“I met J. Cole after his concert in Columbus, Ohio. He’s an amazing artist — best concert I’ve ever been to.”

Courtesy of Subject
15
Amma M. Met Ledisi

“Ledisi is sweet, and very beautiful,” writes Amma M. “She complimented my bag and bracelets, and then she signed my book. It was a quick meeting but very memorable.”

Courtesy of Subject
16
Jacque M. met Michelle Williams

“She was so sweet and humble,” writes Jacque. “She actually wanted the clutch that she’s holding, which I made. She named it: ‘No Weapon Formed Against Me.’ It was a fun moment! I love her!”

Courtesy of Subject
17
Sumetra R. met CeCe Winans

“I had an opportunity to meet the beautiful CeCe Winans at a women’s conference in Houston, Texas,” writes Sumetra R.

Courtesy of Subject
18
Stephanie met Biz Markie

“I met Biz Markie at the 2012 Essence Festival,” writes Stephanie M. “He was very nice.”

Courtesy of Subject
19
Ziara Met Usher

Ziara S. met Usher at the National Civil Rights Museum! “He’s one of the most humble and down to earth people I’ve ever met!” she writes.

Courtesy of Subject
20
Valencia Met KRS-One

“The bridge is over! The bridge is over!” writes Valencia, quoting one of the legendary rapper’s famous hits.

Courtesy of Subject
21
Nika Met LL Cool J

“I met LL Cool J in 2008 at the ESSENCE Music Festival,” writes Nika. “I will never forget that moment.”

Courtesy of Subject
22
Janielle Met Elle Varner

Youth advisor Janielle (left) and her mentee were thrilled to meet Elle Varner at a youth awards dinner in Houston, Texas.

Courtesy of Subject
23
Essence G. Met Meagan Good

“I met Meagan Good on the red carpet at Black Girls Rock! We briefly chatted about the importance of preserving your body and seeking God’s voice!” shares Essence G.

Courtesy of Subject
24
Monica Met Sugar Ray Leonard

“I was visiting Las Vegas for my 40th birthday,” writes Monica. “I was having breakfast at the Mirage and the waiter sits Sugar Ray Leonard at the table in front of me! OMG!”

Courtesy of Subject
25
Danielle S. Met Susan L. Taylor

Danielle and her adorable daughter were thrilled to meet former ESSENCE editor-in-chief Susan L. Taylor in Lebanon, Illinois.

Courtesy of Subject
26
Teresa A. Met Bill Bellamy

Teresa was elated to meet comedian Bill Bellamy at President Obama’s inauguration in 2009.

Courtesy of Subject
27
Melanie B. Met Denise Vasi

“I met Denise Vasi walking along Bourbon Street during the 2012 Essence Music Fest,” writes Melanie. “Funny thing is she didn’t think anyone was going to recognize her.”

Courtesy of Subject
28
Leshan F. Met Garcelle Beauvais

Leshan met the gorgeous  Garcelle Beauvais at a charity event in Miami.

Courtesy of Subject
29
Tania J. Met Lance Gross

“I met Lance Gross at a charity event focused on empowering young Black girls to make a difference in the world,” writes Tania. “That made him even more delicious!”

Courtesy of Subject
30
Angie C Met Eric Roberson

Angie met the singer while out celebrating her 30th birthday. “He was awesome and gracious!” she writes.

Courtesy of Subject
31
Nicole Met Mary Mary

“I met Mary Mary at the ESSENCE Music Festival and it was a dream come true!  I’ve been in love with them since ‘Shackles’ came out over a decade ago and I know every one of their songs by heart. They were so warm and friendly. I felt like the third ‘Mary!'”

32
Theresa Met Jill Scott

Theresa (right) and her co-worker Helen are all smiles during a red carpet moment with Jill Scott.

Courtesy of Subject
33
Mercedes Met Tyrese

Mercedes couldn’t help but get up close to all that chocolate, otherwise known as Tyrese.

Courtesy of Subject
34
Pam M. Met Tank

“Hanging out Tank in Atlanta, GA,” writes Pam M.

Courtesy of Subject
35
Talitha Met Keyshia Cole

Talitha showed off her best “Kool-Aid smile” when she met Keyshia Cole.

Courtesy of Subject
36
Myeisha Met Stevie Wonder

Myeisha couldn’t believe her luck when she got to meet legendary singer Stevie Wonder.

Courtesy of Subject
37
Lashon D. Met Dwyane Wade

Lashon D. is all smiles after meeting NBA superstar Dwyane Wade at one of his Wade’s World charity weekend.

Courtesy of Subject
38
Jalinda Met Faith Evans

Jalinda was one happy camper after her encounter with Faith Evans.

Courtesy of Subject
39
Donte B. Met Angela Simmons

Donte B. was thrilled to run into Angela Simmons in NYC.

Courtesy of Subject
40
Stephanie P and DMC of Run-DMC

“It was very exciting to meet and work with one of the greatest, most humble hip hop artist of our time!” writes Stephanie P., who worked on a commercial with the hip hop icon.

Courtesy of Subject
41
Corey B. Met Marsha Ambrosius

“I met the beautiful Marsha Ambrosius at the airport in Philly…in all her natural glory,” writes Corey B.

Courtesy of Subject
42
Ari C. Met Jesse Williams

Ari C. ran into former Law and Order star Jesse Williams while celebrating her birthday in Jamaica.

Courtesy of Subject
43
Rasheda S. Met Rasheeda

“Rasheeda was so nice and humble!” writes Rasheda S about meeting Love and Hip Hop Atlanta star Rasheeda.

Courtesy of Subject
44
Marsha B. Met Anthony Hamilton

“Anthony and his wife (left) were extremely pleasant. Such an inspiring couple,” writes Marsha B,” after meeting the singer in North Carolina.

Courtesy of Subject
45
Carolyn V. Met Al B. Sure

“Our meeting was truly God-incidence,” writes Carolyn after meeting Al B. Sure in his hometown of Mt. Vernon, NY.

Courtesy of Subject
46
Natasha S. Met LisaRaye McCoy

“I felt like I was talking to a friend that I have known for years,” writes Natasha.

Courtesy of Subject
47
Pam Met Miguel

Pam never forgets meeting Miguel at the airport during her first solo trip to Miami.

Courtesy of Subject
48
Rhonda D. Met Mike Epps

“I boarded a plane and that’s when I saw [Mike] sitting at a window seat,” writes Rhonda. “He is a really sweet and down-to-earth person.”

Courtesy of Subject
49
Joyce B. Met Terry McMillan

“[Terry] was joking while my friend was taking this picture because she was taking so long,” writes Joyce B. “Even in the picture she’s saying, “Come on now, take the picture…I gotta get me something to eat!”

Courtesy of Subject
50
Sallie M. Met Eric Benet

“What a night,” writes Sallie M. after meeting Eric Benet in St. Louis. “I got to meet one of my music icons.”

Courtesy of Subject
51
Nicole P. Met Terrell Owens

“[Terrell] is one of the friendliest celebrities I’ve met,” writes Nicole.

Courtesy of Subject
52
Rachelle Met Jennifer Williams

Rachelle strikes a pose during an encounter with Basketball Wives star Jennifer Williams in NYC.

Courtesy of Subject
53
Dana R. Met RL from NEXT

“[RL] was very nice,” writes Dana. “He bought our team a pizza and bowled a great game to help our team to be in the top three.”

Courtesy of Subject
54
Tiaa B. Met Common

Essence reader Tiaa B. met the sexy rapper in Columbia, South Carolina.

Courtesy of Subject
55
Tequila H. Met Sean Blakemore

“I passed Mr. Blakemore and his wife at the ESSENCE Music Festival and yelled: ‘Hey, that’s Shawn from General Hospital,” writes Tequila. “He smiled and gave me a friendly wave.”

Courtesy of Subject
56
Sametta T. Met Isaac Carree

Sametta T. met gospel singer/songwriter Issac Carree after a Mary Mary concert in Charleston, SC.

Courtesy of Subject

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