Bill Clinton is one of THE most famous people in the world. Up there with Muhammad Ali. Can I tell you how excited I was to land this gig? This was the first time (and three to follow) that I have had Secret Service clearance. Per request, I sent all my pertinent info, to be checked by the Secret Service. The suspense was killing me! Did they know about my nightlife activities in Barcelona? What about the time I…

I called my good friend Al Lewis, columnist for The Wall Street Journal and told him how nervous I was. He reassured me, and told me that even Bill Clinton himself said he “didn’t inhale”. I did wind up passing Secret Service clearance and was issued my credentials, and directions where to go and who to report to on that day. Can I tell you that I cleaned every nook and cranny of my makeup kit, and even bought a new shirt for that day. Yes, I was more than thrilled. But, as a professional, I have to act like this is “just another client”. No asking for autographs, and snapping iPhone pics. You constantly hear imitations and spoofs of Clinton on television shows like Saturday Night Live and even Family guy had a Bill Clinton episode. His voice is ingrained into our mass consciousness. But, when the REAL guy walked into the room, and I heard that voice, I must say, it was almost surreal. He sat down in the makeup chair and asked me “Are you going to operate on me?”, and I went to work. Quickly. Bill Clinton doesn’t have a lot of time to spend in makeup, he is busy and had a full schedule of events and interviews planned throughout the day for The Clinton Global Initiative 2011 in Chicago. We chit chatted briefly, he was very personable and easy to work with. When the interview started, all the production people were asked to leave the room. The only person allowed to stay, other than the camera man, was me, the makeup artist :) You never know what makeup emergency could happen. So, I did get to stay and listen to his interview with Al Hunt for Bloomberg TV. Clinton had no cue cards and no pre-interview. He spoke randomly, and I couldn’t help but notice how truly brilliant he is. I also couldn’t help snapping a little photo! At the time, I thought this was a once in a lifetime opportunity. Little did I know, I would be asked to do Bill Clinton’s makeup for a second time in 2013. But, that’s another post.