Jennifer Rodd What Fame Means To Me

What Fame Means To Me by Jennifer Rodd

"I was in sixth grade when Fame started and I became a big fan. Each week I couldn't wait for the show and I'd even watch the repeats. I was visually impaired and have blind since 1991 and growing up as a teenager I didn't have any friends. I'd watch Fame and wish for a friend like Doris. I'd watch the show and think how fun it would be to act, sing, and travel like they did. In high school I took drama and in the 1990's I got the chance to sing with a few community choirs and travel.

During the 80's I had all the Fame cassettes. In 1985 the cast of Fame came to Washington, D.C. and I got to see them in concert. I still have the cover of the program with their signatures. I also have pictures of the 1984 cast and one of Debbie Allen and Gene Anthony Ray. I even had a button made that says "I Love Fame". I believe I still have it.

I didn't get the internet until 2009 but before I did my dad was teaching me how to use it and I emailed Valerie Landsburg. She emailed me back. Doris is my favorite character. She had the same middle name as I do and her favorite color was purple which is mine."