My Top Five Girl Crushes

There’s a moment in the television show The Mindy Project, when Mindy’s best friend Gwen says she has a “girl crush” on Tina Fey, and Mindy responds in her usual deadpan style that she “hates it” when people say “girl crush.” She tells Gwen, “Just say ‘crush.’ No one's going to think you're a lesbian."

"Girl crush." It kind of feels like this, but there's absolutely no kissing.

 
I don’t know where the term “girl crush” originated, but the first time I was introduced to the concept of a crush of a non-sexual nature was during that hilarious episode of Seinfeld where Elaine and Jerry discuss whether George has a “crush” on a character named Tony. Jerry tells Elaine “I mean, every time I see him, it's Tony this, Tony that. George is like a school girl around him.” 

Later at the diner George hangs on Tony’s every word, does what Tony does (Tony puts his baseball cap on backwards, George puts his cap on backwards), and declares his affinity for whatever Tony likes. (For example, Tony likes rock climbing, and George says he likes rock climbing). Funny.

For me, a girl crush means I'd love to be in the position to say, "Hey!" How about we chat over a cup of coffee?" Or better yet, "Could I follow you around all day? I think you're cool." 

So, here goes, my Top Five Girl Crushes.

#5. Yunjin Kim, actress, best known from the Lost television series. My oldest son, Christian, and I had started watching reruns of the show, and I told him “I don’t know what it is about this woman, but I could look at her all day.” She is beautiful, to be sure, but there’s some other quality about her that just draws you in. Rumor has it that she’ll be returning to ABC this summer to star in another television series. I’ll be certain to check it out.

#4. Sabrina Soto, interior designer of The High-Low Project on HGTV. Sabrina is super talented and has a sense of humor I can appreciate. She’s got the tiniest bit of edge, which I like, but still seems really nice. Once, she had the task of trying to figure out how to incorporate a fraternity paddle into her design, and as she looked quizzically at the paddle the owner asked, “Haven’t you ever seen a fraternity paddle?” Smiling, Soto replied, with just the slightest hint of superiority, “No, I’m not a joiner.” Finally! Someone else as baffled as I am why any grown person would want to be part of a fraternity/sorority! We could be sisters, Sabrina! (Although clearly not sorority sisters.)
 
#3. Sade, singer. Seriously, is there anyone, anywhere as cool as Sade? Still gorgeous in her fifties, and her singing voice remains superb. Years ago, my mother remarked that she thought Sade was a good songwriter, but she couldn’t sing. What!? Sade’s low, smoky voice is the bomb. (Can I still say that?) Sade also proves that you don’t have to be everywhere all the time to be a superstar. She comes out every few years, does her thing, and then goes back to her “normal” life, leaving her fans satisfied until the next go round. My cousins and I saw her in concert twice last year, and I probably could have seen her again, except I wasn’t sure I could take more of John Legend (Sade’s opening act), who also has a wonderful voice (and is a cutie—loved him on Duets!), but whose music overall just doesn’t grab me like Sade’s. Just one cup, Sade? Pretty please?
 
# 2. Jill Scott, singer. Here we have another cool lady, but she’s cool in a completely different way. While Sade is a mystery, Scott is the here-I-am-heart-on-my-sleeve-sista-girl-from-the-hood. What a phenomenal talent. Love her poetry, love her voice, love her spirit, love her stage presence, love her smile. She’s confirmation that you do not have to be a size six to feel comfortable in your own skin. Jill, we both sang Treble Clef with Mr. Murphy in high school (in different years, but still)! I’m sure we could find things to gab about!
 
#1. And of course, Tina Fey, writer, actress, and producer. Who doesn’t like Tina Fey? This woman is crazy funny and clever. You only have to watch one episode of 30 Rock to know that. My message to Tina—Yo! We’re both from Philly, and we’re both May babies! Let’s talk!
 
So there you have it. I’m surrounded by amazing women in my actual life, so I have a couple of “girl crushes” on some “real” women, but I wouldn’t embarrass them by naming names.
 
What about you? Any girl/boy crushes? Spill it!