I cannot agree more with Times Talks tag line: The brightest stars. The smartest conversations. Because we just saw a very bright star, Damian Lewis, in a very smart conversation with NY Times Culture reporter and new Carpetbagger Cara Buckley at Directors Guild Theater in New York City. In case you missed it, you can find the conversation in its entirety here and my review of the evening here.
The conversation covered a wide range of topics. Damian had a lot to say and what he had to say had such substance that I know we will go back and dig into this Times Talks over and over again in the future. But this very post is all about how a seemingly sad moment turns into a HAPPY moment in an instant thanks to one wonderful person: Damian Lewis.
Times Talks usually has a 10-15 min Q&A with the audience at the end of the conversation and so, me being me, I have all my questions written up and ready to go a few days before the event. And I guess I am a little bit enamored with my questions — especially one which I want to ask so the response could help me frame a blog post that I am planning soon — that when Paige, a great fan that I met earlier on Facebook and met in person in the line at Times Talks, asks me if I would share my questions with her, I just say: “No.” 😀
I am so sorry, Paige. Believe me, I am generally a very sharing person but I am so protective of my questions at that moment probably because I REALLY want to ask at least one of them to Damian.
Not too fast, Damianista! We find out they build the Q&A not on questions from the audience in the theater but on those from the fans on Facebook and Twitter. Fair enough. I am not angry. I am sad. For myself. But I am extremely happy for my two partners, Jania Jania and Tbkwrm, whose questions Cara Buckley asks Damian and gets FUN answers!
The event ends. And as we are standing and applauding…
…an idea hits me: If I can’t ask my questions here in the Q&A could it be possible to ask them to Damian now? And, Paige, whom you see standing next to me, writes about what happens next in her wonderful blog post on Maximum Tuneage:
“After it ended, Damianista approached the stage to talk with him while the rest of us hung back and watched. And she said one thing and another and he nodded and she said another and another.”
“And then … “Paige’ll do it.” And I said, “I don’t know what it is, but Paige’ll do it! At that point, I went up to them at the stage. Bless her heart, Damianista introduced me as a “big fan.” I think then I tilted my head, so he could see I was wearing my Life cap (the title being on the back of the hat). Damian extended his hand, saying, “Hi, Paige, thank you for coming.” I think I got a two-handed shake on that.
Anyway, I found out that the “it” was a quick video they wanted me to shoot for the anniversary of Damianista’s blog. It was arranged that she would go to the lobby and be taken to Damian from there. Great! Except for the fact that she disappeared in the throng of the exiting crowd and I couldn’t find her again.”
This is exactly what happens! Damian says YES to a little interview even though he is pressed for time. Thank you! THANK YOU! And I disappear quickly because before I could even reach the lobby, Damian’s publicist finds me and takes me to a hall full of fire extinguishing equipment 😀 Damian asks about how my job is going and how life is going and he is very kind to ask after my husband, too. Ha! I tell Damian: “He is on a plane. But he knew you would ask after him. And he said ‘if Damian asks, tell him I say hi!'” Damian knows Lewisto and I do everything together. And Lewisto made him laugh hard on a few occasions — especially when he told Damian that I broke up with Kevin Costner for Damian — that I don’t think there is any way Damian could forget him 🙂 And at this point Damian’s publicist Stephanie, a genuinely very nice person, reminds us we don’t really have time. But it’s all Damian to blame, I was supposed to ask the questions 🙂
And so we do Fan Fun Talks and talk Billions and Our Kind of Traitor. ENJOY!
Damianista,, I watched 2 times, your interview with Damien, it’s so wonderful,, it is a treat merçi beaucoup
sorry,its DAMIAN,et no Damien!!!!
She’s French! It’s Damien in French. An honest mistake. Being Marya, I have the same problem, not in France, but in Germany… Maria. Ugh. Love, Marya
Thank you so much, Monique! I had my questions written up and ready but everything happened so quickly that I am very happy and a bit pleasantly surprised that I was able to keep calm and ask questions well. And special thanks go to Damian’s publicist for filming us – she did a great job!
You’re like me, I guess, not too shy, you have the courage to forge ahead! Damian seems to surround himself with people so friendly that he, like his publicist!
I’m really happy for you, this is the reward of your great work, and Damian showed you that he appreciatedyou, for all you did for him, and he is smart enough to know he needs people as dedicated as you!
he thanks you, in the kindest way!!
Monique
I think it has to do with culture. I have been living in the US for the last 20 years – I came immediately after college – but I am first and foremost a Mediterranean. So I cannot keep calm 😀 And yes I am not really shy. Thank you so much, Monique, for your very kinds words. They sometimes say, and we even heard Damian saying it once or twice, that it can be risky to meet your idols because they can disappoint you. In our case, we are extremely EXTREMELY lucky! Again thanks so much for your kind words and for being such a loyal fan. Much love to France!
you have not been disappointed, the first time you met Damian, that shows it in your posts! I know that Sammy was not disappointed, either!
And I know I will not be!
But, please,is Damian as beautiful in real than on his photos? His irresistible smile, his eyes as beautiful, and his hair a magnificent color? Tell us please!!
too I am Mediterranean, my city Nimes, is 40 km from the mediterranean,I love my region, and I read in an Damian’ interview , he loved the South of France! He told that when he was very young, he played guitar on the Riviera!
France, and even me, you send, our love
Oh then we have one more thing in common: Being Mediterranean. So you completely understand me! We just can’t keep calm. Naturally excited human beings! 🙂
I can easily say Damian is a very VERY charming man. And yes he is certainly as good looking as in his pictures. He has no airs or attitude. Beautiful person inside and out.
Hello, Damianista,
I have been instructed by Marketing at The New York Times Company to please ask you to remove the New York Times TimesTalks newsletter template. We did not approve of the use of the art. Please feel free to email me if you have further questions.
Thank you,
Jackson C.
Thanks for your message. I am removing it now. And I just want to take this opportunity to thank you guys for an unforgettable evening at Times Talks!
Thank you, we appreciate it.
Of course!
Loved the interview! It was so sweet to finally put a voice into my head for you. I am not sure-am I the only contributor that hasn’t had the pleasure of meeting you in person?
Great questions! Great answers-what an exciting post for the blog. 🙂
Thank you! It was so much FUN <3
Ha! The voice is important, isn't it? It adds to the human being that you try to get to know better! Hope I have made a good impression 😀
I have met JaniaJania and Lady Trader. I have not met Tbkwrm or you in person, but I feel like I have known you guys forever. I know neither of you has visited NYC so we should really correct this in the near future!
Oh we can call this "our moment" for the blog, or as JaniaJania loves to call it: Chapter 3 😀