New York is a breeding ground for creativity, diversity, passion, and so much more. However, it is also a common gathering place for the rich and famous, or, in my case, every celebrity crush or music mogul I’ve had since I was seven. From Joe Jonas, to Zayn Malik, to Sam Smith and Marcus Mumford, everyone who is anyone has graced the streets of Manhattan with their presence at some point in their well-respected careers. And, if by the grace of God, you are among the lucky few who passes one of these beings while casually strolling the streets of the city, it is important to acknowledge the typical stages of emotion you will undoubtedly feel in the aftermath. These stages are a crucial part of life for anyone who calls New York home, and therefore I believe it is necessary to address them now, so you know what to expect if this magical burden ever falls on you. They are as follows:
1. The “Is that Adam Levine with his mom across Houston St., or am I just seeing a mirage” stage.
2. The coming into view and realizing: “Yeah, no, that totally is who I think it is walking completely into my field of vision” stage.
3. The “How do I play it off like I’m totally not fazed by this multi-platinum, grammy-winning, stud muffin of a man who is getting closer and closer to me” stage.
4. The “Oh, I know, I’m going to look down at my phone casually and pretend things like this happen to me every day” stage.
5. The “Shit! I need to get a picture of him, but now it’s only going to be of his backside goddamn it” stage.
6. The “Why didn’t I say anything to him? Should I turn around and tell him I love his work, or that I think he’s so talented, or that I love his work, or that I love him, or all of the above?” stage.
7. The “No, he’s with his mom, he’s just trying to be a normal person and not be bothered by fangirls like me” stage.
8. The “Let me text every single one of my friends and blow their minds with this minor victory in my life as I smile uncontrollably while still shaking from the complete non-interactive passing we just had” stage.
9. The “Now I’m really sad cause there he was, and there I was, and I have thought about the interaction I would have with this beautiful man since the beginning of time and now it’s over” stage.
10. And finally, the “I knew I should’ve worn makeup today” stage
It is very important to keep in mind that this sort of reaction is a totally normal, teenage response to have when something as monumental as this occurs. Celebrities, in all of their glory, may or may not have been sent down from heaven to grace us normal folks with their beauty, talent, and charisma. So don’t be afraid of the overwhelming flood of emotion that comes along with being in the presence of such greatness, if ever you find yourself there! ;)
