How to arrange celebrity contact?

July 28, 2006 3:37 PM

How to arrange contact with a famous singer for a very deserving young woman?

Okay, so I know this must sound like movie-of-the-week type of territory, but what the hell... I have a relative, wheelchair-bound with multiple sclerosis, spina bifida and (long story short) a long history of related health problems - she wasn't supposed to make it past about four years old, and now she's 20. Unfortunately, many of these problems have been catching up with her lately; she's about to go back into hospital, and, well, without getting into details here, she's not quite knocking at death's door (thank god) but all of us in her family are worried about how much longer she has.

So here's the thing: there's a singer, Delta Goodrem, that she really is the world's biggest fan of... she knows every note she's ever recorded by heart, has her room plastered with Delta posters and books and stuff, loves her more than pretty much anything on earth. And, yep, I would desperately love to be able to arrange it for Delta to be able to contact her in some way - if not through an in-person visit (we're in Ireland), then at least a phone call or something.

I know someone like Delta Goodrem can't be on the unreachable level of someone like Britney or Madonna, so this has to be doable. But more importantly, you can't imagine what a dream come true this would be for her - and there *really* is no more deserving soul on this planet to have someone like this happen to. She's endured more than most of us could ever comprehend, and if ever there was a type of person you couldn't help but fall in love with the instant you meet her, she's it - she's as sweet and incredible as they come.

So... what are my chances, and how could I go about making something like this happen? Who could I contact? (Just in case, if anyone reading this is in a direct position to make this happen and needs proof or more info, I've set up a dummy e-mail account at [e-mail])

Thank you so much...

posted by anonymous to Human Relations (15 answers total)

Could you contact the Public Relations department of Delta's record label?
posted by chippie at 3:47 PM on July 28, 2006

Yeah, have you tried talking to her label (looks like Sony/BMG Australia)? You might also want to see if she uses someone else as an agent/promoter for shows. I don't think this is as unrealistic as you might fear it. Good luck!
posted by Ignatius J. Reilly at 3:50 PM on July 28, 2006

Apparently her manager is named Jo Grogan from Modest! Entertainment. It shouldn't be too hard to track down a phone number for them.
Here is what I think is there website.
Maybe you could find out if this singer is coming to your area any time soon. You might also want to be aware that at events like this there may be some media .
posted by grex at 4:09 PM on July 28, 2006

Try contacting the Make a Wish Foundation of Ireland. I know 20 isn't technically a "child" but it might still be withing their age bracket.
posted by necessitas at 4:17 PM on July 28, 2006

Are you in Australia?
posted by stupidsexyFlanders at 4:52 PM on July 28, 2006

I ask because if you are, it might be easy to arrange this through an entertainment journalist, who all work closely with and have lots of contacts in management and PR groups. If you're not, it might be harder to find someone on a first-name basis with the person you need to get to.

This is going to be all about networking and friend-of-a-friend connections. Best of luck -- this is the kind of thing that in a perfect world artists would make time for. Little effort, huge payoff.
posted by stupidsexyFlanders at 4:56 PM on July 28, 2006

Delta used to be on the Aussie soap "Neighbours" a few years back, so you could also try contating the production company Grundy and the casting company Jan Russ. The production company link has some contact addresses and phone numbers and the casting company website has an email address link that might be a start. Good luck!
posted by cyniczny at 6:06 PM on July 28, 2006

She has an official website, this page has the details of her current management.
posted by b33j at 6:23 PM on July 28, 2006

In line with what stupidsexyFlanders said, try commercial radio stations (like the Austereo network or dmg radio) near where she lives. Tell them her story. They might be able to help.
The Starlight Foundation of Australia might also be able to help (if she's in Australia that is).
posted by cholly at 7:04 PM on July 28, 2006

Sorry, just saw the "we're in Ireland" comment...

Although, come to think of it, I recall reading in some trashy gossip magazine not too long ago that Delta was relocating to the UK or something. Maybe that could help you in your efforts.

Good Luck.
posted by cholly at 7:06 PM on July 28, 2006

have you tried contacting oprah? i'm not kidding. this is the kind of thing she does every once in a while, as I understand it.
posted by shmegegge at 7:44 PM on July 28, 2006

Wikipedia seems to think she is in London recording her latest album at the moment, which may be helpful just in terms of distance. Good luck, I hope you manage to arrange it.
posted by greycap at 2:42 AM on July 29, 2006

If Delta Goodrem is still with that Brian McFadden fellow -- who I'm sure pops home to Donaghmede from time to time -- then it shouldn't be too much of a stretch for her to visit, logistically speaking.

I'm sure you're also aware that Goodrem herself was diagnosed with cancer a few years ago, so she could surely identify. Her Wikipedia entry has information about her current status, and her charitable work.
posted by macdara at 11:27 AM on July 29, 2006 [1 favorite]

Nothing to add, but I'd love to see a follow-up to this and hear what happened!

(mefi needs "ask mefi followup tags" or something)
posted by drstein at 1:44 PM on July 29, 2006

also looking to hear if anyone got in touch with you... I forwarded this thread to my brother-in-law, an executive at a major US label, to see what he could do and apparently he contacted Delta or her agent.
posted by kaytrem at 6:51 PM on August 23, 2006