Oh, She Says That to Everybody

New York Times, January 6 2005

Often, when reporting on model-laden events like the Muscular Dystrophy Association's Muscle Team fund-raiser at Chelsea Piers on Tuesday night, readers write in asking: "How might I meet one of those gorgeous models myself?"

Normally, we do not concern ourselves with such requests from such superficial people. We're doing a deeply superficial column here, we figure, and that should be enough.

Still, we happened to see SCOTT STAPP, the lead singer of Creed, sitting close to Miss New York U.S.A., JACLYN NESHEIWAT, at the charity dinner. They had that new-couple thing going on: They sat close to each other, smiling, whispering. He wore a black suit by ARMANI; she wore a peach chiffon minidress. Less astute reporters might not have recognized her, but trained observers that we are, we sensed she was a beauty contest winner when we saw the "Miss New York U.S.A." silver and white sash across her bust line.

How did a post-grunge guy from Tallahassee meet a Miss New York U.S.A.? "We were both out trying to hail a cab in South Beach," Mr. Stapp said. "I was trying to be a gentleman and let her take the cab. We struck up a conversation."

Mr. Stapp has left Creed. Will he keep the music Christian faith-based?

"A lot of people thought we were," said Mr. Stapp, who contributed to "The Passion of the Christ: Songs," an album of music inspired by the MEL GIBSON film. "That was a misconception. We weren't a Christian band. I just deal with a few spiritual issues in my song."

The talk turned to fans. Mr. Stapp mentions JANET JACKSON.

"She knew all my lyrics and started quoting them to me," he said. "That was very, very interesting. She actually told me she thought I was a prophet. That was weird. That was kind of shocking."

Later, when she stepped away from her table, Ms. Nesheiwat told us that Mr. Stapp was her guest but felt badly that he was coming to the event empty-handed. So he stopped the limo at the SAM ASH store near Times Square, bought a FENDER Stratocaster, and signed it. It sold that evening for $3,500.