 Read this as introduction to the story, it is an interview Gloria had on her way back to Miami to the Miami Herald journalist Lydia Martin. GLORIA CAUSES COMMOTION (by Lydia Martin) You can't accuse homegirl Gloria Estefan of not representin.' She went on the Today show's Summer Concert Series Friday in a tight black T-shirt emblazoned with "Cuba B.C." As in, before Castro. "I see so much Cuba stuff out there, I wanted to celebrate the Cuba when everybody was happy, not just the tourists," Estefan said when her plane landed back in Miami Friday night. One guy in the crowd outside Manhattan's NBC studios got the feel of a lifetime when Estefan, plugging her new CD, Gloria Estefan Greatest Hits, Volume II, invited him onto the stage. German Javier Navarro of Chicago grabbed at Gloria, but she was cool with it. She kind of knows him-he's a member of Gloria Estefan internet fan club called Conga List. "I hear it looks like he grabbed my crotch in the pictures - but for the record, that didn't happen," said Estefan. "He just got excited. He's a hardcore fan. I talked to him afterward and he told me he had been there since 3 p.m. the day before jut to get that spot." But the T-shirt caused the biggest commotion of the morning. By mid-afternoon Friday, Estefan Enterprises in Miami Beach was flooded with phone calls and e-mails. "Everybody want a shirt," said company vice president Jorge Plasencia. Alas, it's one of a kind. It was Estefan's idea, executed by rising Miami stylist Mario Vergel. But not to worry - the Estefan machine is on it. Soon there will be Cuba B.C. souvenir shirts, promises Plasencia. A PROMISE IS A DEBT! Since few days ago we can buy that famous t-shirt on Gloria's Official Website. All proceeds will go to the Gloria Estefan Foundation. www.gloriaestefan.com THE STORY (by German) On Friday 6/1/01 at the Today Show, I reached an experience beyond my expectations. A very joyous event hard to express in words. I will try my very best to give you all the details of my experience...but I will tell you this much, it felt like a dream and that when I woke up I only remembered parts of it. It was early AM and I was lined up with all the Conga DIVA's as well as my Conga members. I was interacting with the Conga DIVA's, as well as others in the crowd. Including Emilio who was being interviewed by a Today show reporter. The rehearsal was in process and we were all excited. Emilio spent a few minutes with the crowd and saw some familiar faces. I remember asking Emilio, "Emilio we have been up all night, wheres the Cuban Coffee or where can I find it?" Emilio laughed and replied "I don't think we can find it anywhere around here." When Gloria came out ready to perform the live performance, Tony stood right in front of us, pointed at me and asked Gloria...."is he the one?" she nodded "YES." Tony then mentioned to me...."Gloria wants you to join her on stage" I was speechless and had to have Tony repeat that to me. I was shocked, I figured the dance was to take place with the first song which was Everlasting Love. The minute Gloria started performing, I made an attempt to jump over but Tony held me back. I'm now glad he did and I can understand why now. Both songs are very different and I can relate more to 'OYE'. After her first song was over....Gloria said "Oye" which meant she wanted me to jump over for that song. She looked at my direction and stated it...I was not sure if she was speaking to Tony or me. My heart was racing, I now knew when to jump over the railing and the pressure was on. She then performed Out of Nowhere and during that performance I can only remember my heart pounding and pounding faster and faster by the minute. Specially after the song was ending, I knew it was a once in a life time opportunity and I could not pass up this offer. The pressure was now on. I was glad to have all the encouragement and support from the DIVA's beside me. Without them I would not have had the courage. I remember even telling Timber over in the VIP section....I called him on his cell phone, they were all excited for me. Oye then begins...I don't even recall waiting for the go ahead from Tony or if there was ever a signal for the go ahead. I just remembered saying to myself "I have to do it for myself and the fans" and I then jumped over. I could not let Gloria down or the crowd. After making the jump, I got closer and closer to the DIVA. I was getting into the rhythm of the song but could not help being stunned and filled with emotions at the same time. My emotions were going to kick in and I was probably going to lose the rhythm and stay in shock. But I remember the phrase of encouragement that kept me going...."shake it for me baby." That was an energy boost for me. When she grabbed my shirt and pushed me towards her....I knew the four 'OYE' beats were coming up I immediately came up with my own dance by taking four jumps backwards. Gloria laughed at my jumps, she had just mentioned right before "this was not planned I promise you." After that when she starts singing....'hey boy I see you looking' I figured I was going to act out the song and she started cracking up. She almost laughed instead of singing. It was hard for to sing and not laugh at the same time. Right before she notions at me to 'come on over' I had already started to approach cuz I knew that was coming. She laughed AGAIN....it seemed so natural. I then gave her a kiss. I knew the lyrics and when she said " I know that I want you and I want this night to last" I reacted like any guy that Gloria would have said that to...I grabbed my chest, did a Heavens What I Feel expression and dropped to my knees!!! As I raised up, Gloria laughs again and says...."I picked a WILD one" The controversial moment then comes to others but not to Gloria or myself...we both knew there was no controversy to begin with but as Gloria would say "here comes the rumors" When Gloria says "then now a little closer, just hold me tighter and you'll be doing fine" as you can see in the video...Gloria took my hand and wrapped it around her waist. It was a motion that went with the lyrics. In no way was I squeezing or grabbing anything. Due to the height and my long arms it seems it had gone way below than what it should have been. I was never out of line and Gloria knew it. Gloria was still enjoying the moment and I think which is why she kept me to the end of the song. We kept going with the lyrics of the song and having a wonderful time. I was so excited, I now realize watching the video she wanted me to continue the end of the chorus before going to the fans, but I was in Gloria heaven and did not notice. Gloria then took me to the crowd and we all waved to the fans and it felt so nice. Only an artist like Gloria would make you feel comfortable in front of your friends. She knew the DIVA's and Conga were on one side, which she tried to get my attention by pointing up. I was to much into the song and out of it. She went the extra mile and said "lets take a picture, look your camera" and we posed and laughed with joy. At that point I felt maybe I should just stay around the crowd, but she was such a sweetheart (like always) when she said "lets do the runway!" I'm so proud I strutted with my DIVA on the catwalk. After that we danced the song some more, and I knew my other DIVA member Timber was in the VIP section next to the catwalk. You then notice Gloria and I waving to his camera. I love the part when she says....."Come es" and I ended up doing a duet with Gloria...."No quiero parar" "No quiero parar" "No quiero parar" "No quiero parar" and YES that was my real voice!!! LOL! Once the show ended, for those of you at home that did not see cuz it was not aired....Gloria gave me a hug, I was filled with emotions and I gave Gloria a big hug back. I felt like I was going to explode with emotions and felt so natural for me to lift her up while she was hugging me and spin her around once. After that she said to the crowd..."thats what a fan would do for you". I thanked her a lot and I stepped down to the group. After I jumped back in the crowd, she called me over and I jumped back over and Gloria gave me a hug and kiss, and thanked me so much. As she was doing that she placed a silver bracelet on my hand, she placed it on my wrist herself. I felt overwhelmed and honored and kept saying "thank you so much, thank you so much, I have been here since 3pm for this spot" After I went back to the DIVA's...a press reporter came to me and brought to my attention that pictures had been taken. She wanted to know my name and location to go with pictures that were to posted to the AP press. My DIVA members and everyone around was very excited, I was speechless and the moment did not hit me for days. Maybe I'm still in heaven....lol! On the way back....fans were stopping me for autographs, and I was recognized as the dancer with Gloria on stage. We got back to the room right before my performance was aired. It was tape delayed and we watched from our DIVA headquarters and it was a moment to be treasured and remembered forever. AFTER 15 DAYS (by Jaime) I just got off work at South Beach Stone Crabs on Lincoln Road. This was around 5:30 pm (Saturday June 16th). I was sitting at the bar inside. I was drinking a soda and smoking a cigarette. I just happened to look up and outside through the window and I saw someone that looked like Emilio. I was like trying to focus to make sure. I looked a second time and it sure was him (Out of Nowhere). I then looked a little closer and saw Emily. Right now I was thinking "this can't be happening"...LOL. I was then looking franticaly (lol) to find Gloria and there she was...As adorable as ever. She was wearing a black halter top, black tight pants that came down to mid-calf and black heels. Her hair was up in a ponytail...She really looked "caliente". After I noticed Gloria, I immediately went up to her and said "hi". She said "hi". I told her that "The Conga Divas" (me included) saw her in NYC at the Today Show. I told her that she made German a happy man. She said that she had a lot of fun dancing with German. I then asked her if she would talk to someone on my cell phone. Gloria was so willing to talk. I knew exactly who I was going to call.......GERMAN!!!!!!!!!and when I told her who I was calling...she said "oh sure". You can get the phone conversation from German..He posted it already....I don't know what was said so you will have to read German's post....:) After THE phone conversation I felt like I had to leave Gloria and the family alone so they could eat in peace...I ran down the street to get a camera in hopes that after they ate I could get some pictures. After Gloria, Emilio, and Emily ate, I went back to their table and asked if I could get a few pictures...Gloria said "sure" without hesitation. I got a pic of me and Gloria, me and Emilio, and me, Gloria, Emily, and Emilio. I told Gloria that she is such an inspiration to me. She looked right into my eyes and said "thank you, that means a lot to me". THE CONVERSATION (by German) An unforgettable moment occurred today while visiting San Francisco. I was having lunch when my cell phone rang. RING, RING, RING.....Caller Id displays Jamie in Miami. I picked up and right away he mentioned he had a SURPRISE for me! He passed his phone to a female voice. IT WAS GLORIA ESTEFAN !!! This is what was said during our conversation....I will try to recall most of it, but honestly I was to stunned and speechless that I don't recall most of the conversation and the order of it. German Hello? Gloria I heard your famous now! German (with attitude) Who's this? Gloria You don't remember who I'am? German (with more attitude) Who's this? Gloria You danced with me on stage, did you forget? German OH MY GOD!!!! Gloria!!! Gloria laughs German I was trying to get a hold of you to talk to you about my experience, so I left Lilly a voice mail, so she could pass the message to you. I was very eager to talk to you. I left her a message. Did you get the message? Gloria Oh really? I haven't spoken to Lilly in the past week or so. Gloria I heard your getting a lot of phone calls and attention. German YES, and on the Internet to! Gloria laughs German I was so excited to be up on stage and thrilled, it was such an honor. Thank you so much. Gloria Like I mentioned before you deserved it for being there since 3pm and you were great by the way. German Did I OFFEND you in anyway when I was dancing with you on stage, honestly I was going along with the song. Gloria In NO way did you OFFEND me, I was glad we danced together. It turned out great. German I'm here in San Francisco with two other DIVA's...(I was to speechless to get the pronunciation of there names, I remember pointing to them with excitement and they said there names) Timber and Angel-Max are here. Gloria...Oh your in the West Coast, tell them I said hi. Are you visiting or on vacation? German I'm a flight attendant. Gloria Oh! German Thank you so much for the unforgettable moment. Gloria Take Care....Bye! German Bye! Honestly there was much more that was said, and I'm trying to recall most of it. I was actually overwhelmed with excitement and shocked emotions. |