Family photoA teenage pop fan who was let down when a long wished-for meet and greet with her idol fell through at the last minute has been given a second chance.
Lilly, 14, from Warwickshire, had tickets for the American singer Melanie Martinez’ Cardiff gig last month and had hoped to meet her idol afterward.
Her mother, who set up the meet and greet for Lilly, said the disappointment had “really knocked” her daughter.
But management for Martinez – whose songs include Teacher’s Pet and Play Date – have now offered Lilly a new meet and greet as well as VIP merchandise.
The charity Emmett’s Genies, which supports the families of children with critical or life-limiting conditions, last year got Lilly some Melanie Martinez merchandise.
Emmett’s Genies had been working with Lilly’s brother George, who has a congenital heart condition.
The 10-year-old wanted to fulfil a dream for his sister, Emmett’s Genies said, and the charity tried to get her a VIP experience.
“I purchased Lilly [some] Melanie Martinez merchandise at full price and that was her present. Sadly I couldn’t fulfil a bigger experience,” a spokeswoman for the small charity said.
Getty ImagesAfter buying tickets for the Cardiff gig, Rachel said she organised the meet and greet with the singer’s manager through a contact who had a successful meeting before.
At the gig, Lilly was given four pieces of merchandise by the star’s manager.
But the singer unexpectedly appeared on stage 10 minutes early and the manager never came back, Lilly’s mother said.
Family photoLilly, who struggles with anxiety, is currently being home schooled after being bullied.
Rachel said of the cancelled meet and greet: “It was terrible because she stood there, waiting, fully expecting it.
Lilly had been excited about meeting someone she had looked up to for years, she said, and the let down had left her more worried that things would not go her way.
After writing to Martinez’ manager, Rachel was promised a new meet and greet when the singer is next in the UK.
She will also be given some new VIP merchandise.
The new offer of a meet and greet has “helped Lilly massively”, Rachel said.
“It has especially helped her understand it was a bit of a mishap this time,” she said.
Family photo“She is a huge fan. She collects everything and anything that Melanie brings out,” Rachel said.
The singer was bullied herself for having a gap between her front teeth, and some of her lyrics really resonate with Lilly, she added.
“It gives her comfort in a way, to know that even though Melanie was bullied and put down, there’s a ‘look at her now’ sort of thing,” Rachel said.
Despite the experience, she said Lilly remains a huge fan.
This article was originally published at www.bbc.com
