A MAKE-UP artist who told Hollywood star Hugh Jackman his film The Greatest Showman changed her life is organising a fashion show and promise auction to raise funds for a charity dedicated to preventing young suicide.
Lisa Harris from Drybrook told the actor and singer during one of his recent live shows the hit movie had stopped her being self-conscious about her appearance.
During his second song he noticed a top hat fascinator she had made for the occasion and was wearing, and pointed to it and said “I like it!”
Later, he asked if the mum-of-three wanted to talk to him and said “Come on then!” and Lisa stepped forward with phone in hand.
“He said ‘Oh, you want a selfie?’ My reply was ‘Oh can I?. But I want to tell you something. The Greatest Showman changed my life. It taught me that I don’t need to hide anymore.’
“He gave me a hug and kissed me and took my phone,” said Lisa.
He took a selfie for her, before Lisa cheekily asked if she could have a photo of him kissing her, and the star obliged again.
Lisa, who runs her own business, Magnificent Make-Up, said she was moved to tears by his performance of You Will Be Found from the musical Dear Evan Hansen.
“It’s a beautiful song, but it got to me because it’s not always true,” she explained.
“The lyrics are: ‘Even when the dark comes crashing through, when you need a friend to carry you and when you’re broken on the ground, you will be found.’
“One of the reasons the song affects me so much is because a few months back there was a story of a young man of 19 from Ross-on-Wye who took his own life because he couldn’t cope with life’s pressures.
“He was living away from home, in university and no-one picked up on the fact he was struggling.
“This has had a huge impact on me, as I know how it feels to feel so alone and desperate. I have suffered from anxiety and depression for a long time and have had suicidal thoughts many times, but I’ve always managed to get through it.
“Having three sons aged 19, 21 and 22, I can’t imagine the pain the parents and siblings must go through after losing a child in this way.
“That’s why I have decided to organise a fashion show followed by an auction of donated wedding and other special occasion clothing as well as an auction of promises on September 8 – to support the Papyrus charity.
“I don’t have a venue as yet and would really appreciate a local business offering one at a reduced price,” she added.
Prior to the fashion show, some of the outfits will be modelled at a photo shoot at Grosmont Castle.
To publicise her fund-raising activities, Lisa will also be turning up in fancy dress at Nuffield Gym, Gloucester on August 13 before tackling a 25-length sponsored swim – fully-clothed.
Meanwhile, she is looking for donations of special occasion dresses, unique outfits, shoes and accessories for men or women, items for the promise auction and also local businesses to sponsor the event.
Lisa can be contacted by phone on 07724 163579, via email at [email protected] and through www.justgiving.com/fundraising/lisajharris