SHALIMAR MADRIGAL: The Arena Angel
Behind the scenes, Shalimar Madrigal runs a large part of the operations of the Valley's largest music venue, getting a chance to hang out with some of the biggest names in music.
Through her career, Madrigal said her confidence has gotten a healthy boost from a few stars, but none meant more to her than when she shared a dinner with Maná lead singer Fhey Olvera after a trade show years ago while she was working for Hermes Music.
"It was totally normal. No crowd, no fans, just a normal thing, which makes it all the more amazing," said Madrigal, who describes the band as "my version of the Beatles."
The two had gone as part of a group, but Olvera requested a table for just the two of them, unbeknownst that he was talking to a longtime fan who once bypassed security after one of the band's show at South Padre Island so she could jump on him and steal a kiss "like a total groupie." Madrigal also opted to leave the story of her dedication out of the conversation.
After going back to her hotel room and jumping on her bed in glee, Madrigal remembers feeling proud that she had attracted a star with her natural wit and charm.
"I felt like Cinderella," she said. "Be yourself, go about your life, be who you are and do what you do; great things will happen."
All About SHALIMAR MADRIGAL
ROLE Marketing director of Dodge Arena
AGE 29
HOMETOWN McAllen
STATUS In a relationship
ONLINE www.dodgearena.com
GRADUATED McAllen High School, 1997/Emerson College in Boston
ZODIAC SIGN Scorpio
Song stuck in your head right now?
"Poker Face" by Lady Gaga
If a guy girl had these three albums, I would fall in love with them immediately
Billy Joel's Greatest Hits, Mana's Revolucion de Amor and Prince's Greatest Hits
Who is your celebrity crush?
Tie. Fher, the lead singer of Mana "because he is a sensitive soul" and Dave Navarro "because he looks like a kinky mofo."
What are five products you use to look hot?
Wonderbra, Christian Dior Addict perfume, stilettos ("They mangle my feet, and my toes are deformed. But God love them."), fundamentals from Victoria's Secret and Maybelline mascara.
Were you always hot? What did you look like as a kid?
I was short, chubby, and perpetually tan because my parents made me swim. So I was dark, had extremely curly hair and then the best part - the icing on the cake - was the braces and the glasses. And top that off with long shirts in bright colors, with matching bows and Keds in every color. But there's safety in numbers because my best friend Lisa dressed just like me.
What's the best rumor you've heard about yourself?
They're all sexual and all awful.
Which Valley restaurant would you take a first date to?
I wouldn't take him. I believe in gender roles. I don't take him, he takes me. I'm not one of these feminists that burned her bra in the ‘60s. I like being a girl. And this is one of the few perks.
What's the worst date you ever had?
Haha. The one where the bastard wanted me to pay for the drinks.
- HOT OR NOT
>> British or Spanish accent - Spanish
>> Brown or blue eyes - Blue eyes
>> Good body or pretty face? How bad is the body? I can do chubby, but I can't do obese. That just means you don't care about yourself. I can't deal with an ugly face. I don't want troll babies.
>> bubble bath together or night of dancing? Bubble baths
>> Skinny or muscular? Muscular
>> Beer or cocktails? Cocktails
>> ‘80s or ‘90s - ‘80s
>> London or Tokyo - London
>> Sunlight or moonlight - Moonlight
>> Adam Lambert or Kris Allen? Kris Allen
- SPILL IN THE BLANKS
The reason I broke up with my last boy/girlfriend is ______________________________.
He's a commitment-phobe and a drunk with issues.
My secret turn-on is ____________________________.
I love a great bum in a nice tight pair of jeans and I love hot guitar players.
I would pose in Playboy for $________.
That's a hard one. Are my goodies for sale? No, they're priceless they can't be bought.
