Time 100

When I found out I was catering the Time 100 most influential people party, I flipped through a copy of the magazine. I thought to myself, it's too much to hope for Michelle or Brad- but just give me one or two minor celebs and I will be happy.

Then I arrived at the Time party to find out that secret service was there because Michelle Obama was the guest of honor. We all had to wear catering security badges. I got my assignment and found out that my partner table was the VIP (and I mean V-I-P with emphasis) table. So they took the four waiters aside and gave us golden apples to pin on our uniforms. This signified to the secret service that we were allowed to approach the table with Michelle. Any other waiters were not allowed past the golden apple zone. That golden apple is now one of my treasured mementos :)

The evening just got better from there. While I was manning coat check, OPRAH strolled in with Gale and Baraba Walters and went over to hug Diane Sawyer. The photogs went wild and I just stared in awe. Oprah was also at the VIP table apparently with Lorne Micheals (who I never saw). After her I saw Tavis Smiley, Whoopi Goldberg, Joy Behar, Dan Barber, the Twitter Guys, Somaly Mam, JJ Abrams and Suze Orman (at my table).

But then...MICHELLE OBAMA arrives looking stunning in a tight fitting black gown with a black satin corset and long dangly necklaces. She gave an amazing speech about giving back to one's community and was gracious and very compelling. Love!
Michelle and Oprah on gawker. This was my view if I turned my back to the stage.

But then...A.R. RAHMAN (also at the VIP table) comes on stage- which is literally five feet from me- and performs two songs! Amazing. 

Then they did spotlight toasts and Oprah spoke, and STELLA MCCARTNEY spoke, and the Twitter guys tweeted. Stella brought LIV TYLER AND KATE HUDSON as her girl posse and they spent the night playing with each other's hair and rocking dagger like stilettos. (Liv in lacy black and Louboutin, Kate in all white with gold heels). 

But then...freakin' JIMMY FALLON runs onto the stage with his guitar and hilariously roasts the guests. He said that Michelle was in a new comic book fighting her arch nemesis- sleeves :) 

But then...JOHN LEGEND took the stage with a full band to end the evening with a four song set. Amazing! His girlfriend was there and didn't pay attention most of the time he was singing but I sure did and so did Whoopi who was mouthing the words to some of the songs. 

Amazing night and I got paid to attend!

check out the red carpet video from time.com  time 100 red carpet