This quote would be one of Elizabeth's Taylor mainstay lines when she was raising awareness of money for AMFAR. AMFAR(American Foundation for Aids Research) was a huge pet project of Liz's for Aids. The first time I heard her make this quote was attached to the line'. "It's not a gay agenda, It's a human agenda". I was invited by one of my friends to attend this gala event. My friend Mike Ruiz who at that time was a huge runway model and would later become an A list photographer, was a model for the fashion portion. I watched as Liz stood on milk crates at the podium. A legendary star of the old Hollywood Contract system. A beautiful and talented actress in so many ways.
Here is Liz from that event:
But thats not how Liz wanted to be remembered. This is how you make an entrance in Hollywood.
Liz's entrance into Rome as Cleopatra: Stay with it, this entrance was 10 minutes. Grab your popcorn, enjoy!!!
My very first moment with Liz was before I moved to Hollywood. I was an Interior Designer then and had access to many of the showrooms that would donate to my first Aids fundraisers.
There would be many to follow but this was one was at an Aerobic studio that I had invested in and we had sent Liz an invitation and she sent me handwritten letter thanking me for my $64, 000 that we raised.
This would be the beginning of my Liz friendship!
Here are some of the images that I think Liz would want you to remember her as:
Later I would run into her at Paramount or another Amfar event here or there.
I was in charge of a special event tribute for Liz at Paramount., mainly in charge of the green room where she would get ready and eat before the presentation.
When she was leaving there was a very small can of hairspray and I asked if she wanted it, she said no. I told her I was going to give it to my Mom. Liz loved that and she asked if she could sign it.
My Mom was so thrilled to get that.
Liz was all about the real moments that you would connect with on so many levels. She was iconic in getting Aids research off the ground.
She got involved with the cause after her friend Rock Hudson passed. The first major star to pass from AIds.
Liz was the ultimate Hollywood star. Glamorous, talented, kind and incredibly smart. She even made Divorce glamorous. Married eight times twice to Richard Burton who was the real love of her life. She married so many lifestyles but came back to Richard in the end. Burton gave her a 68 carat diamond ring that had been worn by Princess Grace. Liz loved her jewels.
An agent friend of mine was at her mansion in Bel Air before Liz passed and called me to tell me Liz let him try on her massive diamond.. That was hilarious. Liz was very much a Hollywood Royal but would share her world with all of us.
My idea for this weeks blog on Liz came to me while I was writing "The Angel Wears Prada", my next week blog insert.
While I was researching, the answer was blaring and asking "What about Liz". It brought back so many memories that shaped my life.
That first AMFAR event was the night I decided to become a writer. Liz is all about Live-Live-Live, because she did just that. I am sure my Mom and Liz have become great friends and I am sure they are laughing at this blog as I write but cheering me on.
Liz was responsible for the advice to be "True to You". Be who you are! There is nothing more powerful. Liz also added, "You might as well look good while you do it".
Thanks Liz. I am trying! Cheers.
I could not walk away and not share my favorite scene. Liz brought us so many Hollywood epic movies and if you want know Hollywood. IMDB that list and grab your snacks, "It's is going to be a bumpy night"
I leave you with "Who is Afraid of Virginia Wolf"?
And a little traveling music to remember Liz
"Live Live Live Liz Taylor"