While Scotty McCreery was busy being crowned the winner of the tenth season of American Idol last night, I was standing five feet away from the one and only American Idol in my heart: Kelly Clarkson.
Last night, my BFF/worst nightmare Jon of Ali’s Blog, Alex N. of Headphone Infatuation, Alex G. of general amazingness and I all had the great pleasure of attending the Confide + Conquer Benefit Concert at the Highline Ballroom in NYC.
The concert was sponsored by Tupperware’s Chains of Confidence, a womens empowerment organization, with all proceeds of the night going toward the Boys & Girls Clubs in America. So naturally, I showed up with a BIG OL’ GROUP OF GAYS.
When we arrived, the boys and I ooh’ed and aah’ed at the general gorgeousness of the place. Pink light-box tables! Sparkly tees for sale (which you can buy here)! And–WAIT. OPEN BAR.
I HAD A LOT OF FREE DRINKS, OKAY? Don’t judge me.
After scoping out a table in the front row, PopWrap‘s Jarrett (who is lovely, by the way) made his way down to the front of the stage and informed us that both Ashanti and Gabourey Sidibe were hanging out in the VIP section. And though my initial response with four drinks under my belt was to stand on our pretty pink light table and serenade the two of them with Ashanti’s “Foolish,” something/someone restrained me from doing so. Then again, I did tweet this gem:
ASHANTI IS SO GLAMOROUS
And so, the delicious complimentary drinks (they tasted like cake or something!) kept coming, and the tweets grew less and less intelligible. And then, the announcement: Kelly Clarkson was about to hit the stage! OH MY GOD. And so, we all scrambled/moved one foot away from our table straight to the front row of the stage.
And just as quickly, Clarkson appeared, walking in barefoot as Kelly Clarkson would do with her bootleg jeans and a sparkly black Confide + Conquer tee, launching straight into a fiercely energetic rendition of “Miss Independent.”
Kelegendary went on to perform 12 songs (!), including “Walk Away,” “How I Feel,” “Since U Been Gone,” “My Life Would Suck Without You,” and even a cover of the White Stripes‘ “7 Nation Army.”
Between songs, Clarkson chatted up the already eager audience with some nice words about the Chains of Confidence organization, offering up a few encouraging words about being a lady in today’s world and spreading the love and light (“Sometimes it’s just nice to hear someone say, ‘Hey, you’re hot!'”). She also offered up the best quote of the night: “For the last time, I’m not a lesbian.”
It’s a grin that says both “I’ve had a few” and “I’ve just experienced Kelegendary.”
Given that I’d never actually seen Miss Kelly perform live in front of my eyes (I know, I don’t how I haven’t yet either), there were many a moment to cherish for me: I laughed. I cried. I forgot where I was. It was all just so glorious! I’ve gone hard for Kelly since her first audition on American Idol in 2002. To see her now–almost ten years later, with a voice as cutting and pitch-perfect as ever (and so, so incredible to experience live!) as when I first saw her? Oh, I can’t. I simply can’t. THE SHEER EMOTIONS!
Truly, the girl was on fire. FIYAH! But when is she not? Ladies and gentlemen, your true American Idol.
N THEN WE TOTES STALKED HER TOUR BUS N GOT A BLURRY PIC WITH HURR. Photo credit: @AlexNagorski
I would like to thank all of the organizers at the wonderful Confide + Conquer event and the members of Chains of Confidence, as well as Jon, Alex N. and Alex G. for accompanying me on this truly magical night. A moment like this, indeed.
For more information on Chains of Confidence, check out their official Facebook page. (And make sure to “Like” their Facebook page–every “like” is a dollar donated to the Boys & Girls Clubs of America!)
