Show Me Yours: Stephanie Peltier

Elton John. He’s my all-time favorite singer. After a concert, I approached his assistant, who was getting in the car with him. I said, “I’ve been a fan for years and all I want is an autograph. How can I get one?” And [the assistant] mailed it to me later.

Céline Dion. This was back when probably nobody recognized her. She was the warm-up for Michael Bolton, and I liked her song. She got out of her limo. She had red Velcro rollers in her hair and no makeup on. … I just asked, “Could I take your picture?” and she started posing.

Joan Rivers. I used to write to her. I got letters back from her written on a typewriter on her letterhead, and she’d sign [them].

Liza Minnelli. I met her at the Superdome when they had a concert. We saw her limousine pull into the Superdome. We followed the limo to the hotel and ran out of the car. I asked for her autograph, and she signed it.

Patrick Swayze. He was staying at the Natchez Eola [Hotel]. He was eating [at the restaurant] and the waitress asked, “Do y’all wanna bring him his gumbo?” … We waited for him to finish eating, and he signed his picture.

Whitney Houston. I shared the elevator with her. … The only nice hotel downtown back then was the Capital House. I forget how I found out she was staying there. We just happened to get in the elevator, and then she walked in with two guys. I’m like, “Oh my god! There she is.” She was nice.

Ava Gardner. I didn’t know who [Gardner] was, but we had found out Don Johnson was staying at the Holiday Inn in Gonzales. My friend and I drove over there and were waiting around. These older ladies said, “That’s Ava Gardner’s room right there.” I said, “I’m not scared,” so I walked up and knocked on her door. This lady is sitting on her bed with cold cream on her face, and I said, “Hey, can you sign your autograph?” She said, “Of course.”

Dolly Parton. I went to her concert in New Orleans, and she went up on her bus. I asked for her autograph. She said, “Well, you better come up here and get it.”

Bob Hope. Longest I ever waited for an autograph was eight hours. They were filming at Aquacade at the New Orleans World Fair in 1984 with Brooke Shields, David Letterman, Bob Hope, Mr. T and John Ritter. I got all of them. It was worth it.