As I waited backstage to finally start this tour, the crowd chanted as lights turned down. As always, I dressed in black from head to toe, never breaking my wardrobe trademark. Makeup popped for the moment and I would dance on stage in heels. Soon, feeling badass had turned out to be quite an understatement this evening.
As I snapped along, lively music played as I waited for the official cue. My small curls had bounced with joy that I almost couldn't understand this evening. I was here, reaching the point that my childhood manifested. I tried not to cry in these wings. Not yet at least. It was only time to focus on my own concert this time.
And then, it happened.
Once those opening rhythms stopped I marched into darkness onstage. Cheering exploded in all directions. Chanting still rumbled under my heels. I'd absorb every moment, waiting for another musical cue. I couldn't help smiling as time moved.
Aligned dancers then equaled my dark wardrobe and stood right behind me in complete silence. As their heads bowed, these loomed yet exciting chords built anticipation. Of course, my very first song of the night would begin this way.
As my back faced this crowd and one spotlight illuminated center stage, I turned all the back around. My left eye then winked towards that loving front row. People cheered out loud and had greeted my presence happily. No better feeling.
"New York!" My voice yelled into this microphone. Last week, I sold Madison Square Garden. If it wasn't for last minute checks with this iconic venue, I would've celebrated. Still, seeing this crowd was worth not painting the town red yet.
After counting in my dancers, music kicked in and we all shuffled in those heels together. I still gripped my microphone waiting for my cue to finally start singing. As this setlist planned, I'd perform my own cover of "You're The One" by D-Train.
The crowd partied all night along.
_____
Two hours and several outfit changes later, I bowed to end my show. Before I could even walk off for good and soon watch these spotlights turn off, this crowd screamed all over again. I didn't know what to think until my curls whipped towards the right. I gaped, elated and overwhelmed over who surprised me right now.
Prince had walked out from backstage.
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Without another thought, he ran towards my synthesizer and zoned himself in, playing chords of "Ain't Nobody" by Chaka Khan. Of course, this audience lost their minds once more. I loved this song, just like countless others who respected music.
Just when I planned to meet his cues and sing along, he'd directed the band all alone, nodding between glances towards me. Seconds later, I stepped back from my microphone and listened as he turned this song into a jam session. I covered my mouth, shocked. Drama before meant nothing on this stage and he knew it.
"I'm so proud of you." By the time Prince walked away from that synthesizer, he'd looped his arm around my shoulder and whispered gently for a moment. I couldn't help smiling once more. Again, there was still no better feeling in the world now.
"Thank you." I grinned back. We waved towards the crowd once more and headed back to the wings. Spotlights followed along with our shadows as we left the stage together. Like I've said, drama still wasn't welcomed here and I wouldn't fuss at all.
____
Backstage swarmed with people, even after midnight. I soon felt as though Prince had celebrated my birthday or something. Everyone from Jerome to Denise arrived and surprised me. Even Andre had stopped whining and raved about my gig.
"I invited Mike too, but he told me that something came up." Prince cornered us just to hear himself speak back here. I hadn't really looked around for Michael all evening because of the show, but I tried to ease Prince's own disappointment.
"Thanks, but don't worry. I've got quite some time to go before this tour ends. Michael could visit the show at some point." I told Prince. He'd genuinely understood me and nodded, leaning to kiss my cheek. Leaving me, he chatted with Andre. I stayed in the corner, noticing my surroundings. My heart still thumped.
Venue photographers noticed Denise before we both finally said goodbye to each other. Even her two sisters had surprised me with flowers and rocked gorgeous outfits, matching my dark aesthetics from the concert. Cameras adored them.
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Yet, everything paused when someone else entered this already crowded room. A pin could've dropped now and still no one would notice. I gaped, soon whispering towards Prince and Andre nearby. Even Morris and Jerome traded glances together.
Michael.
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"Why is everybody so quiet?" Michael questioned with his Gary accent. I didn't know what to think, but greeted him before everyone could start staring again. I hadn't expected Mike to arrive this late, especially since Prince and I talked earlier.
"Don't mind them. Thank you for coming." I brushed off everyone else after hugging Michael. As we caught up on the phone, Michael told me about filming some project in New York. I could only imagine what Jackson created here.
"No problem. I was hiding in the audience, though." Mike soon laughed, offering his famous smile back towards just moments later. At least he wasn't spending most of the time around others. We all knew that gatherings just weren't his favorite.
"Glad you enjoyed the show. Sorry if it's noisy in here." I glanced around and everyone had finally started chatting again. At least Michael and I weren't left with complete silence anymore. Prince still talked near Andre. I smiled, reassuring.
"It doesn't bother me that much." Grinning, Michael sweeped my comment under the rug so to speak, but we caught up after as the room continued spinning with activity who knew that so many celebrities would show up tonight. My album release party last year didn't come close, even though I sold out this opening night.
All the while, Prince noticed me across this room and winke in the corner.
