Nora Zaouit, a 26-year-old French-Moroccan music influencer, has always dreamed of making it big in the entertainment industry. Her love for singing and dancing, inspired by her celebrity crush Zac Efron, has propelled her to success in the online w...
Landing at JFK Airport, I was filled with excitement and a touch of nervousness. This was it—the moment I had been dreaming of. As I walked through the bustling terminal, I spotted a man holding a sign with my name on it: "Nora Zaouit." He was an older gentleman with a kind smile, dressed impeccably in a black suit.
"Ms. Zaouit?" he asked as I approached.
"Yes, that's me," I replied, smiling.
"Welcome to New York. I'm Joe, your chauffeur for your stay here," he said warmly, extending his hand.
I shook his hand, feeling a bit more at ease. Joe took my luggage and led me to a sleek black limousine waiting outside. As we drove through the city, he handed me an envelope. "These are the details for tomorrow," he explained. "It includes your performance time at 7 pm and when the hairdresser and makeup artist will be at your dressing room at 6 pm."
I opened the envelope, scanning the meticulously organized schedule. Everything was planned down to the minute. Joe dropped me off at the hotel, and I spent the rest of the day rehearsing in my room. I played my song on repeat, tweaking and refining my performance. My thoughts kept drifting to Zac Efron, wondering if I would really get to meet him.
The next morning, I called Niall and all my friends—Leila, Sabrina, and Ali—on a conference call to help calm my nerves. Their familiar voices filled the room, offering words of encouragement and support.
"You're going to rock it, Nora," Leila said. "Just be yourself."
"You've got this," Sabrina added. "We're all so proud of you."
Ali chimed in with his usual optimism. "You're a star, Nora. Go out there and shine."
Niall's calming presence was a steadying force. "Just remember why you're here and how far you've come. This is your moment," he said.
Their words meant the world to me. I thanked them and ended the call, feeling more confident.
At 3 pm, I took a long shower, letting the hot water soothe my nerves. I then slipped into my dress: a stunning strapless gown with glittering, gilded floral details at the bodice that transitioned into a goddess-like pleated skirt. The sheer fabric layers and gilded leaf motif on the cuffs gave me an ethereal look. The chiffon "wings" attached to my arms added a dramatic flair whenever I moved. A long scarf around my neck trailed behind me like a regal train. I wore my hair in a slicked-back bun with a side part, added diamond statement earrings, and finished the look with an understated cat-eye and berry lip.
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A few minutes before 5 pm, I took one last look in the mirror. The phone rang, and the receptionist informed me that Joe was waiting. I took a deep breath, grabbed my clutch, and headed downstairs.
Joe greeted me with a smile and opened the limo door. "You look absolutely stunning, Ms. Zaouit."
"Thank you, Joe," I said, feeling my cheeks flush with a mix of excitement and nerves.
We arrived at the red carpet, and the flash of cameras was blinding. Joe helped me out of the limo, and I was immediately surrounded by photographers and reporters. I posed for pictures, answered a few questions, and then, out of the corner of my eye, I saw him—Zac Efron. He was further down the carpet, looking as dashing as ever, taking pictures and smiling for the cameras. My heart skipped a beat.
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As I walked down the red carpet, the paparazzi snapped countless photos. I caught a glimpse of Zac again, this time closer. Our eyes met for a brief moment, and I felt a rush of adrenaline. The surrealism of the moment was overwhelming. I had dreamt of this for so long, and now it was happening.
Entering the venue, I was quickly ushered backstage by a technician. "Ms. Zaouit, we need to get you ready. You'll be the first to perform."
I nodded and followed her to my dressing room. The hairdresser, stylist, and makeup artist were already there, and they quickly went to work, making final adjustments to my look. As they finished, I felt a wave of stage fright wash over me.
"You're going to be amazing," the stylist said, giving me a reassuring smile.
I tried to smile back but my nerves were getting the best of me. I closed my eyes and took deep breaths, thinking about Zac and how he had inspired me. The thought of him gave me the courage I needed.
As the final preparations were made, I knew this was my moment. I was ready to take the stage and perform my heart out.
