Page 132 of Sing For Me

QM:That you now have.

[Cheers]

RF:That I’m lucky enough to have now—

[Cheers]

RF:I think my career would have looked like that. I would have loved to sell out those stadiums. Party backstage and all that. [laughs]

QM:Oh yes, we’ve all heard about the parties.

RF:Right. Well, I think that would have been incredible. But that’s not me. And I don’t think I would have been true to myself had I gone that route. Because for me…for me, singing is about connecting with each and every one of you. You can do that in stadiums but…I want to see you all. You know? I want to be able to home in on a face in the crowd and tell them,this one’s for you.

[Applause, cheering]

QM:Your music really lends itself to that “stool on the stage” kind of setting too, doesn’t it?

RF:It does. And that’s very purposeful. But also, Queenie, I have another reason for keeping things intimate. It’s because I don’t want to stray too far from home.

QM:And why’s that? [lifts brows]

[Cheers]

RF:Because of love.

QM:Oh, I could faint. For anyone who doesn’t know, Reese is talking about her partner Eli. It’s Eli, right?

RF:Yes, Eli.

[Audience ahhs]

QM:Tell us about Eli, would you? We don’t know much about him.

RF:Yes, he stays out of the public eye for the most part. I won’t share too much because of that, but I will say he’s the love of my life, and he’s the reason I’m singing.

QM:Well, we like him!

RF:You’d love him, Queenie. I admit, I miss him terribly! I haven’t seen him in two weeks since this tour took me to Europe to visit family. But now that I’m back stateside, I’m going to see him in a couple of days.

QM:Aw. Well, Reese, rumor has it you have a little surprise you wanted to share.

RF:I do. I’m a big fan of your show, Queenie, so I thought I’d share with you first, that we’re planning another tour next spring—this one on the west coast.

[Audience screams; sustained applause. Reese Franco stands, clapping.]

QM:What amazing news. And I understand it’ll be your last tour for a little bit so you can spend a bit of time at home making… or should I sayconceivinga new album?

RF:[blushes] Yes.

QM:Okay, but are you ready to be more excited?

RF:What?

QM:Eli, come on out here!

[Audience cheers as Eli Kelly steps out from backstage; Reese Franco jumps up…microphone cuts out]

— end of excerpt —

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