YVETTE NICOLE BROWN

The Beverly Hilton

Beverly Hills, CA

May 8, 2024

Photo credit: Yvette Nicole Brown

Famous people often get a bad rap for being self-absorbed, but Emmy-nominated actress Yvette Nicole Brown is a perfect example of how this is not always the case. Celebrities are people just like the rest of us and can be surprisingly real and compassionate.

“Family first,” she says. 

I was invited to a swanky conference at the Beverly Hilton. This top-notch event provided three days of outstanding panel discussions between global leaders, various experts, and innovative thinkers. The night before, I was perusing the schedule and was pleasantly surprised when I saw that, actress, Yvette Nicole Brown was scheduled to speak on one of the panels I was interested in. I met Ms. Brown way, way back in 2005 when I asked Linda Hamilton to take my picture. The three of us are in that photo together.

The session she was participating in was about the value of sympathetic caregiving. Ten years ago, she bowed out of her hit TV series Community to care for her dad. She moved him across the country and into her home where she became his full-time, loving caregiver.

I attended the discussion and when it was over, I walked up to talk to her. She was all smiles and said hello. “That was a great talk,” I said. Then, “This is a little different, but…” She interrupted, “Is this about a picture?” I said, “Yeah!” She continued, “You want me to take a picture of you, right?” Surprised, I said, “Yeah!”

"I was just looking at your website today," she said. "Then I saw you in the audience and thought, I know that girl. I know that girl. How do I know her?? Oh! It’s that same girl from the picture.” 

Amazing! I certainly didn’t expect that she would be prepared to meet me. And because I figured I’d have to refresh her memory, I brought a copy of that picture with Linda Hamilton. I handed it to her. She said, “This is so cool! I remember this day and that Linda loved this idea, and then we called you over to sit with us. Man, that was 20 years ago. That was for the movie The Kid & I.” I said, “YES!!!” I was so thrilled with this dream scenario, I kissed her hand. She said, “I love this idea, I was looking at your website this morning and saw the pictures by Harrison Ford and Calista Flockhart… He did this." She covered her face to mimic what he had done in Calista’s photo. 

Surprised and flattered, I said, “It’s so cool that you were looking at my site!” I had also brought the picture she took. I said, “This is the photo you took 20 years ago, but there is no real story to go with it. I was hoping you’d take a new one.” She said, “Of course! I’d love to!!” 

We both paused for a second wondering how we could manage this since she was on the stage and I was standing two feet below her. I would have gone up to her but I think she saw my cane and, being the caring caregiver that she is, she said, “I’ll come down there.” She stepped down to be at my height and I happily handed her my camera. She took a photo of me alone and another picture of us together.

She was so kind and genuine. I was incredibly grateful that she recognized me and was enthusiastic about refreshing her entry. This couldn't have gone any better. Thanks so much for the new photos, Miss Yvette. Most of these unplanned run-ins that I have with celebrities are quite fun. But this far exceeded my expectations. I appreciate you and our dream encounter. 

This is the photo she took 20 years ago.