Meryl at the Champions of Life Benefit Gala
May 1st 2018

Last edited by CEK40 (5/02/2018 10:59 am)

iamvalc: One of my favorite stores to shop is kith - we wanted to create something that would be found there. It started with a sample nicolevolynetsmade me to feel out the response from all of you. After all it’s you guys that have always defined what wearvalentinnicole means as a brand. We listen and we create! Thank you for always supporting me on stage and off. We love your feedback - feel free to email us with requests and ideas of what we can continue to make for you!
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val@valentinnyc.com for ideas
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Jenna’s IG Story: 5.1.18 

 

Lunch time...
Have a wonderful afternoon everyone.
Will check in later on today.
HUGS

tangodancer208 wrote:

Just thought I'd check in.   I wanted to join you during the show, but just didn't make it online.   So many of the athletes were better than I thought.   I think/hope Jenna & Adam will win it all.  DWM is certainly promoting them (her as a former "Swayer" rather than as Val's GF.  Artem and Sharna are also former Swayers).  

I didn't think Tonya was a good as the judges made her out to be, but she wasn't bad.   Hopefully, she'll be able to listen to Sasha.   I don't care for her, but she's not as bad (personality-wise) as I feared she would be.  However, she just can't change her personality.   I think it's a bit of a shame that she's still being punished for what she did, whatever her attitude.   If she had been sentenced to prison, she would have been done with the punishment long ago.   She's someone who was never able to rise above her circumstances.

I took my sister and nephew to see the VMP tour in Chicago.  It was wonderful.  There was a huge crowd at the M&G.   We didn't want to hang around (and my experience has always been that you get less time at the end of the line because they are hurrying to finish) and wait, so we were in the first third or so of people.   I actually paid for the backstage VIP upgrade pass for myself.   So I was going to let my sister & nephew enjoy the M&G.   Val spotted me as they were coming in and said hi.  

When it was time to go back to the photo area, I went first and hugged all 3.   I said I had brought my big sister and nephew (nephew is only 5 years younger than me) to see the show.   My sis is 16 years older than me.  I just stepped to the side.   As I knew they would, both guys made a huge fuss over my sister.  She was beside herself.   My nephew got hugs, too.   They were both thrilled.   They each got an individual shot, and then Maks made me come back for a group shot which I've posted below.

They went to a nearby cafe to hang out while I did the backstage pass.  It was interesting, and I might do it again, but not in a place like Chicago.   I can see from the online photo site that in some places there was only one person.   In Chicago, we were 7.   And one guy was REALLY obnoxious.   He kept saying how much the M&G/backstage was like Julianne & Derek's.   Yikes!

We got to chat with them, got selfies with everyone, they took individual photos with each person and the 3 of them.  Val started to ask where everyone was from, and then he looked at me and said, "I know where you're from."  He asked where my husband was.   I wasn't going to fight for attention with the others, so I just sat back and watched.   I know Maks noticed that.   I didn't want to behave like a fan because I'm now a student of theirs.   

One person had a gift for Shai.   I did what I did during Sway.   I made individual thank you cards (with some form of a M&G pic or a dance lesson pic or a Sway pic) for everyone in the cast.   Obviously, Maks & Val got long notes, but every dancer got a complimentary card.   I gave them all to Maks, and reminded him that I had done that for Sway because I thought that all the dancers should be recognized.   Then they led us back to the lobby.

The show was excellent, and I really enjoyed it.  My sis & nephew were thrilled beyond belief.   They left immediately after the show for the 60 mn drive home, and I spent the night, taking the train home the next morning.   If it had been about 10 degrees warmer and not windy, I would have gone back and waited at the buses.   They are always parked in the street right beside the theater, but it was too cold.  

t

Tango...so good to hear from you, sorry you didn't make it with us on Monday night but hopefully you will be able to on another Monday. I agree with your comments on the show and also that Jenna and Adam could possibly win, they seem like a fan favorite.  

What a wonderful time you and your sister and nephew must have had.  I am glad you all enjoyed the show and got to see Maks, Val and Peta!  What a fun picture.  

So do you have any dance classes coming up anytime soon?  I know you enjoy them.  

Hope you will be able to visit us and chat soon.  
HUGS