Celebrity Encounter: Meeting Tori Spelling

The day we came back from our mini Spring Break adventure, actress Tori Spelling did a book signing for her newest book, CelebraTORI.  The kids obviously don’t know who she is, but you might remember her from Beverly Hills, 90210 fame, or more recently, her reality show with her husband, Dean McDermott, and her three (and soon-to-be-four) kids.  I’ve been to this bookstore several times over the years to meet various authors (Jamie Oliver, Sara Moulton, and Suze Orman, among others)  It’s a small place in suburbia, but they must have an awesome booker, because they get some pretty big names.  They said they have only had to turn crowds away once … for the Kardashians.  Even though I definitely watch my fair share of reality tv, I thought the fact that the Kardashian sisters had the biggest crowd out of all the luminaries that have appeared was a pretty sad commentary.

The day we met Tori was an 18-hour press day for her, starting with interviews on several morning shows, and ending with an 11 pm appearance on Bravo’s Watch What Happens Live.  Although it’s her “job,” that’s a long day for anyone, let alone someone who is pregnant.  I admire the fact that although she could rest on the fame and fortune her dad (the late Aaron Spelling) built, she has worked to make a name and career path for herself over the years.  Starting with 90210, she has had a reality show with her husband and kids, just released her fifth book, and has a new craft competition show coming to TLC.  Poising to be the Martha Stewart of this generation, she was amazingly giving to her fans at the book signing.  She started signing 15 minutes before the scheduled start time, and gave each fan as much time as they needed.  She posed for picture after picture, and held conversations with everyone.  Although the kids don’t watch her show, there was one episode where Tori and Dean bought chickens to keep at their house, and they watched that one with me.  When they mentioned that episode to her, she turned right to the page in the book with her chicken pictured on it, and introduced Nick and Madeline to Coco.

We ended up being in line for about an hour before it was our turn. After we left, we grabbed a bite to eat nearby, and when we were done with dinner, she was still there, signing away.

This woman was wearing a shirt that said “Donna Martin Graduates,” which Tori loved and signed. The guy on the left was one of two security team members with Tori, along with three assistants.

This guy was a bit of a superfan. He gave her a huge stack of photographs to sign, has gone to all her book signings, even flying in from Canada for this one. He was in the “stand by” line for tickets for Tori’s taping of The View earlier that morning, and tweeted that he wasn’t able to get in. Tori saw his tweet and got him in.

It made for a unique little bit of fun for the kids, and if nothing else, they got the opportunity to meet a celebrity that was kind and gracious, which is never a bad thing.

As for the book?  It’s pretty gorgeous.  Beautiful photographs, doable recipes and crafts, and great tips for planning your next party, whether it be for two or two hundred.

Alright folks, I’m off till Monday.  Whether you’re celebrating Easter, Passover, or just an ordinary weekend, have an awesome one.

xoxo

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