On November 15, 1997, my good friend Janel Spiegel, met Mariah! It was definetely the day of her life! Here you will find her amazing story plus a few scans! Hope you enjoy and thanks Janel for letting me use your story and pictures! I really appreciate it tons!. DO NOT TAKE THIS WITHOUT PERMISSION.
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JANEL'S STORY!
JANEL MEETS MARIAH CAREY IN NEW YORK CITY
By: Janel Spiegel
I am a teen, almost 20, and get tutored at home. Almost ten years ago, I fell rollerskating and broke my hip and also have vascular necrosis; also, arthritis in my back.
A couple of years ago, I met the people at 'Dream Come True'. My dream was to meet Mariah Carey.
For a few years I kept an eye out for where Mariah would be performing or appearing on a talk show.
I had watched 'Saturday Night Live' November 8, 1997 and at the end of the show, they announced that Mariah Carey was going to appear the following week.
On November 13, we came home to find a message on the answering machine that I should not make plans for Saturday night. I was going to meet Mariah Carey while she's taping 'Saturday Night Live'...the GREATEST day in my whole life.
Saturday morning I woke up and got ready to go to New York City. I had bought Mariah a big white Christmas Teddy Bear with a Christmas ornament engraved "To Mariah. Love, Janel." I also bought a butterfly pin to hook on the bear's bow.
At 9 AM a long navy blue limo pulled up in front of my house and we were off to New York.
Our driver took us on a tour of New York and the Statue Of Liberty, the Ed Sullivan Theater, the church where Mariah was married, Tower Records and Radio City Music Hall. We went to the broadway play "The King And I" and ate at a New York Deli. We also had dinner at the Hard Rock Cafe and saw where "MTV Live" is filmed at in Times Square, among other things.
At about 6:45 we arrived at NBC Studios and waited in line for a short while until NBC representatives escorted us to the studio. Then we met George Mendez (he was so cool!) who seated us directly in front of the stag where Mariah would be singing.
The show started at about 7 PM. We watched the whole dress rehersal. Clair Danes hosted the show.
When Mariah came out she was wearing a beatiful marroon dress and her famous stiletto shoes! She sang "Butterfly" first and then came out again with her band and five background singers. She then sang "My All" from the "Butterfly" album.
After they finished the taping, George Mendez took us the Green Room and I got the bear out and waited.
George was waiting in the hall and said "Here She Comes!" I was in shock when Mariah and her assistants came in the room, I started to cry and said "It's you....It's really you!" Mariah hugged me and said, "It's me!" She's really pretty in person and is really kind. She tok the teddy bear and hugged me and said it was her first Christmas present this year. She pulled her chair up right next to me and we talked for a long time and took pictures. She also signed a few things I had broght along. Then she asked me if I had they new "Cosmopolitan" with her on the cover. When I told her I didn't, she sent her assistant to the dressing room and she gave me her copy.
She asked for my address and phone number and promised to send me a "Butterfly" poster. Mariah said she hopes to see me again and see all my scrapbooks. She will never know how grateful I am to her and the Mariah Fan Club. Also, all the "Dream Come True" people.
To all the "Dream Come True" kids...don't ever give up on your dream. I know I did for a while, but they made it happen. I am eternally grateful.
SCANS:
Click each picture for larger scan!
Janel has appeared in numerous magazines including "Teen", "Star", "In Sytle", "BB", "Mariah Carey Official Fan Club Newsletter", "Mariah Rulz Forever Club Newsletter" and even more!! Janel is very proud of meeting Mariah and she's showing it! You've probably seen her with Mariah in some magazine! He! HE! Anyway, here are scans of just 2 of Janel's magazine appearances. The first is from "Star" magazine and the other is from "Teen"!
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