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| Fantasia Wows Crowd at Macy's in Atlanta |
| 9/21/04 by Pollie |
| Fantasia made a guest appearance at Macy's in the Lenox Mall, Atlanta, Georgia on Monday, September 20. This was her first appearance as the spokesmodel for the American Rag clothing line. |
| I had major traffic (Atlanta as usual) getting to the mall and arrived at Macy's at 5pm. I ran (in my high heels) into the store's executive offices to pick up my VIP badge and was seated in the 2nd row of chairs surrounding the stage at 5:10 pm. The crowd was so thick that all you could see was a sea of smiling faces (moms, dads, grannies, aunties, uncles, teens, babies, and employees). Everyone was waiting on our darling Fantasia. As I sat down and caught my breath, I pinched myself because I was actually there. Then I said a silent prayer for her strength, health, talent, joy, peace and everything that she needs, because this is just the beginning folks. The crowd's enthusiasm reminded me of the old newsclips of people screaming for the Beatles. I don't believe that Macy's had any idea that they would have this kind of response. The MC teased us unmercifully with a couple of cute singing groups and then a fashion show with models on the catwalk wearing American Rag outfits. The clothes that Tasia designed are very cute and definitely show off her flair for style. The Mistress of Ceremonies returned and asked, "Who can bobo?" She selected a sweet girl about 12 yrs old to show us how she does the bobo. Suddenly, from the rear of the stage, out comes FANTASIA and the crowd lost it's Fantasia loving mind!!!! Including me. Fantasia was actually there--smiling--and she bobo'd with the girl!! The audience stood and cheered, and some of us (yours truly) cried. She was so loving and gave this little girl the biggest hug and kiss. Fantasia genuinely exudes love and sincerity from deep inside. Well, don't you know that the kids and their Moms started pushing their pictures, cd's, dollar bills and shirts into Fantasia's hands for autographs. I so wanted to touch her but I stood back and just watched her gracefully receive the love from the children and give it back. I felt something wet on my hand, looked down and saw it was my tears. I wanted an autograph but saw all these precious kids, so I stood back and just watched Fantasia give of herself. She signed everything they handed her. I thought for a minute that I would get trampled, but I was frozen in that spot, with my gaze fixed on sweet 'Tasia. I did get a chance to touch her,briefly. It was electric!! I did not want to let her go, but I knew that there would be another day that she and I would talk, laugh and hug. So I let go. It was so awesome to see her fans reach for her and how she hugged them, allowed them to take pictures and gave unconditional love to them. Then, finally, we got to hear her sing. They had to pull her away to sing, and she SANG! She and the audience sang "I Believe" and she cried. It was just like the night she won AI, with tears of joy everywhere. She posed with as many of the children as she could, she high fived parents and blew kisses -- never mind that the people working with her tried to pull her away. Fantasia tried to stop the clock,and for a brief amount of time, she did. I think I was holding my breath. The bodyguards kept asking her to stop. Shucks, Fantasia--loving, playful Fantasia--paid no attention to their pleas and kept on loving her adoring fans. Alas, (sigh) her people pulled her from the stage! I started to breathe again. I could see her body leaving but her heart was still there and reluctantly followed her off stage. Her anointing had filled the entire space and before she was pulled away Fantasia urged the kids not to let anyone steal their dreams or tell them they couldn't make it. She reminded them that many people attempted to discourage her but she didn't let them and now she, Fantasia, was living her dream. Why? Because she believed in miracles. Then, she blessed the audience with the blessings of God. She acknowledged God as her source and shared her faith in Him with everyone there. I was so blessed to be there; to see her, to hear her, and to witness the power of her walking in her anointing. Breathtaking! I didn't have a camera with me but I probably would not have been able to take any pictures anyway. The police and the bodyguards tried to slip Fantasia out of the store through a rear door but the crowd of her fans ran to catch one last glimpse of her. At one point, I was concerned, because I did not want her to get hurt. But her bodyguards and agents kept moving until they had sprinted out of the door and got her into the car. It got pretty wild when the fans swarmed around the car and the driver was unable to pull off. I am so grateful that she was not injured and I pray that she never feels any fear from the fan frenzy. As far as crowd adoration, I don't think we have seen anything yet, but yesterday it was evident that the people love her. I said another silent prayer for her traveling grace. I prayed that she will always be loving and gracious and that she will always stay tender hearted, patient, and have a sense of humor. Her charisma is infectious. But it ended too soon and she was (poof) GONE. I watched police motorcade escort her car through the heavy traffic of the Buckhead area and all I could see were red tail lights. (sniff) I sat back down and just smiled and wiped my eyes. I thank God that He loves Fantasia and that she loves Him. I thank Him for gracing me with the opportunity to be so close. I suddenly snapped back to reality, jumped up, rushed to my car and pushed the gas pedal to go to my business appointment. When I arrived in Decatur, I had to fix my makeup and take my VIP pass off my neck before getting out of the car. I was pulling myself together because after all I had told this client that I had a very important meeting...(LOL) I did! Ah man see y'all I am crying again, I knew I couldn't do this without crying like a baby. I thank God for all of you and the love you have for our beloved Fantasia. There is an angel among us and her name is Fantasia. |