Shaun's Sayings: May 2007 Archives

Jordin Sparks is living her dream. She came into our studio, after being crowned the new American Idol a mere 12 hours before. She was operating on 2 hours of sleep but, still elated from her journey of beating out hundreds of thousands of hopefuls.

When I met her, I sensed that there was something about her that I liked. Beyond being sweet and charismatic and adorable, she had another "spark" about her.

A sense of Divine Purpose.

She talked about what a whirlwind the last several months had been, how she had been dreaming of this day since she was 12-years-old and watching Kelly Clarkson win. She gave a heartfelt message to her parents whom she said had sacrificed so much for her. And then she sang, "This is My Now" - the song that really sealed her win on the show.

"I complained that I had no shoes, until I saw a man who had no feet".

At this moment, I cannot remember where I first read this. But, this evening, it came to mind quickly.

I had just finished doing my last interview on the dance floor of "Dancing With the Stars". The finale was this evening and it was a reunion with many of the past celebrity performers coming back to be a part of the celebration of the new champion.

It had been a long day and I was tired. I wanted to get off my feet for I had been standing in heels for a large part of the day.

I had just finished interviewing Heather Mills - a woman who has been an inspiration to so many because she took on the challenge of dancing before the country with an artificial leg.

As we concluded our interview, a man was pushing a wheelchair towards Heather. In the chair was a little girl about 8 years old. Head partially shaven. One leg.

I know this topic has nothing to do with entertainment news or celebrities, but it is a story that's close to my heart, and I wanted to share it with the readers of AccesHollywood.com today.

My pastor told a story in church that I think we should all remember when we are doubting ourselves or feel that our past mistakes make us unworthy of having God's blessings.

He took out a 20-dollar bill, held it up and asked the congregation who wanted it. As expected, dozens and dozens of people gleefully raised their hands, some shouting, "I do, I do!"

Our pastor then said, "I can't guarantee where this money has been. As you can see, it's not a new bill. It's been around a long time. It could have been used to buy drugs. It may have been used to purchase stolen goods, or even a lap dance. It's old and a little dirty."

Then, he held it up again and said, "Who still wants this 20-dollar bill?"

I think the most beautiful thing about a woman is being self-confident. Being able to walk into a room as if you own it. For me, Jane Fonda IS that woman.

She sashayed into our junket room just as self-confident as she has always been. Never mind that the airline just lost her luggage full of clothes that she was going to wear doing a round of interviews promoting her new film, "Georgia Rule" co-starring Lindsay Lohan and Felicity Huffman.

She still looked good. All 69 years of her.

I asked her if she gave the airline a piece of her mind. In true Jane Fonda fashion, she said, "No, I was so tired, I didn't have enough mind to give them."

Jane plays a small town mom struggling to keep everyone together as terrible family secrets slowly reveal themselves. She's candid and says she knows first-hand about family dysfunction.

The conversation eventually turns to the reported bad behavior of Lindsay Lohan during filming on the set. Jane says she offered Lindsay emotional support but says the young starlet wasn't in a place where she wanted it, so Jane didn't push.