My Encounter --->>>

The date was May 4th, 2001. It was at the Glendale Galleria in Glendale, California where it took place. I had arrived early to witness what it would be like to be at this event since our mall never displays anything like this. As early as 6 pm, the show started soon enough. A couple of opening acts who won a contest from KIIS FM (a radio station nearby) sang for the really anxious audience. I was so eager to see Joy perform and as the time drew closer, I knew that today was worth the trip.

The first act was a singer named Toya and she did a good job entertaining the crowd I must say. However, my specific purpose was obviously to meet the lady of the show, ms. Enriquez. It was weird but somehow, I bumped into Helen (Joy's mother) as she was passing out folders and posters. She seemed very friendly and proceeded to hand me a folder and a poster. As the show kept progressing, a little girl hollered from my left "Oh my god, it's Joy!" I hadn't even noticed but she apparently came through the rear exit of the shopping area. My first impressions of Joy as she walked past a somewhat large crowd was that she was indeed the lively, free spirited individual whom I've heard of.

Now, Joy was with her younger brother Joshua and she quickly crept into a little white tent on the far right of the stage area, so far that many people didn't even noticed her. Ah, but not I, for you see, I saw her from a distance and I knew I had to go for it. I made my runs to the tent but alas the horrid, yet stubborn individuals called "mall security" stopped me at my tracks. "Wait, I just wanted to meet Joy, please," I exclaimed. He then said "Sorry, this is only for family and friends". Oh the anticipation drew me more and more to meeting her more than ever now!

Toya performed her latest single "I Do" and as she sang, I (along with a couple of others) saw Joy dancing so viviously to the beats of the Saint Louis native. I can tell from that point in time, she was very energetic and eager (like myself) to see the crowd. As Toya finally finished, Joy vanished admist the crowd but then I saw Tiffany! She wore a black dress and was openly greeted by friends and executives from BMG. I didn't know what to expect since now Joy was about to hit the stage.

The cosmoGIRL mcee announced the next performer and the crowd knew who it was just by the reaction from the fans below. The dancers quickly jumped onto the stage and started their routine and from my point of view, I could clearly see Joy as she got them into the song "I Can't Believe". It is very upbeat and did get the audience into the feel of what Joy is about. She sang marvelously and her voice meshed with the harmonies of the song. Now, witnessing this live, one can imagine what it is like to see your favorite singer up close. Luckly for me, I got to see her REALLY close.

The song ended and Joy shouts out "this is my current single and I hope you guys request this one". The people where I was standing at, heartily approved to the very urban beats and dancable lyrics. One guy even said as I stood there "wow, this is really a good song". Joy kept on with her dance routine and as she progressed, Joy really displayed showmanship which I'm sure by now, the star search judges all came to know. She really gets into the song and what I enjoyed about it was the fact that she acknowledges everyone in the crowd. Joy took a fan book from some little girl and she held it long enough so that everyone could see it. Of course she gave it back. Closing the song, Joy invited this cute little girl onto the stage and she sang the last verse of "tell me how you feel". I thought that was so entertaining.

Finally, Joy caught a breather and the next song was her upcoming single "Shake Up The Party". This song (in my opinion) really shows what she can do. Not only does she get emotionally into the song, Joy also takes the dance routine to a whole 'nother level. Her dancers also have different movements to this song because this is the song that I think will break her into the mainstream pop radio. There's this one verse where she sings "Now when I'm holding you close and I'm tasting your lips" where she just stops in mid song and does a really cute dance number. What I mean is that she does the merenge version of a dance but also she spices it up with the contemporary movements.

The song ends but Joy wasn't finished. She then turns to the crowd and hollers "Now, after you heard me perform, I want all of you guys to go out there and request my current single and get me on the radio! I want to thank all of you guys who have supported me so far but there will be more to come. My album hits stores July 19th so make sure you pick that up! Thanks you guys were great!" Joy then retreats to the crowd again only this time, greeted with fans who couldn't wait to take pics and get her autograph. From my vantage point, she looked exhausted! Yet, like the generous person she is, did not turn her adoring fans down. I thought to myself, this is the chance I've been waiting for all day so I have to go for it!

Joy returned to the little white tent and I followed closely behind. A flock of people along with myself, went there to catch a glimpse of the soon to be diva. Now, in my case, I just wanted something signed. The night before, my little cousin Tiffany had asked me to get something signed for her as well. So with that said, I would not leave without an autograph. As I patiently waited in a line, the security guard informs the people that the autograph signing will commence at 8 pm. As much as I like waiting for an eternity, I had noticed some fans got to go through the barriers of protection named "security" just by simply asking Tiffany (no, not my cousin, Joy's sister haha). I thought to myself "wouldn't it be great if I could somehow manage to sneek past the security guards and quickly get something signed heh heh".

But as fate would have it, something better approached. Helen was standing 2 feet away and I knew that this was a very good day indeed! I quickly tapped her shoulder and said "excuse me, but are you Joy's mother by any chance?" She then spoke in a very soft voice "Why yes and you are?" This is the part where I just explained to her that my mom taped a couple of the star search appearances with Joy on them and that I have a website on her daughter. I also threw in, for the sake of conversation, that I love Joy's music and I'm dying to meet her today. Then, the miracle of connection took place and next thing I knew, I'm on my way past those guards. Helen, introduced me to Tiffany and then right next to her was Joy.

Joy's radiant outfit couldn't match her smile as she said "Hey, how are you?" She had on a "happy" attire with really pretty orange colors. Tiffany jumped in and said "My mom tells me you have a site on Joy, what is it called?" I told her the name and she goes "Ooooh! We saw that site. It's an amazing site and you are the one who made it?!?" Without hesistation, I replied "Yes". I was sort of embarrassed that I forgot my camera since I was so late for class in the morning that I didn't think of it until the last moment. Tiffany, the nice person that she is, took my pic with Joy! As she did that, Joy asked "So what's your name?" I replied with "Glenn" and with her exhuberant tone of voice proclaims "It's very nice to meet ya!" I told her all about the story of how I formed a site, how my little cousin adores her, and how I thought she will be a huge success in the future. My reward, autographs and the one picture her sister took.

Tiffany, also indicated that she would send the picture via mail so she had me fill out her notepad with my home address and contact information. As I was doing this, I couldn't help but to glance at Joy. She was ... there! The person, whom at 6 pm, I wanted to see was standing in front of me. I didn't know if I was dreaming or if I am awake lost in a dream. I just can't put the words together and describe how I felt that very moment. I got hugs from Joy and let me just say, it's not everyday you hug a soon to be star now! She says to me "thank you sweetie, I really appreciate your kind words and I hope to hear from you soon!" I said some encourging words to her in return and thanked Tiffany for her kindness and of course, Helen who is the very person that made it all happen. I guess it is true of what Joy says "Dreams do come true". I know that mine did.

A special thank you goes out to the Enriquez's. The nicest people in the world. I love y'all! And Joy, thank you because without you, this site would cease to exist. You will be a big star like I told you and like that star, you will shine! I will look foward to seeing you "everyday when you come around my way".

Yours Truly,

Glenn*
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These are the stuff I got signed. I'm still waiting on the pic with Joy from Tiffany so you better believe when I get that, everyone will see it! Oh and as a favor, please don't place these particuliar pictures on other sites. These are mine and so just be considerate about certain pics okay? Thanks :) (click on the thumbnail to view the whole pic)


* this is the poster which she signed


* this is the one for my cousin Tiffany (who loves Joy more and more now haha)