The Power of Voice by Denise Woods

Author:Denise Woods
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: HarperOne
Published: 2020-12-03T00:00:00+00:00

Brunch in Brentwood

When I first met James Michael Marshall at a Hollywood party in Brentwood, his accent seemed to define him. He had neither clarity nor dexterity in his speech, which in no way reflected the multitalented man he was or the highly accomplished gentleman he would soon become.

It was hard not to notice him when I first walked through the gated compound, past the lush flowering gardenias, roses, and bougainvillea, and into a palatial estate with a pool, tennis courts, and a basketball court. Tall and handsome, with the most elegant mannerisms, James was the long-term partner of a fabulously wealthy member of the Hollywood elite. It was immediately evident that James was “the host with the most” as he worked the party, offering drinks and exchanging witticisms with an array of artists and politicians and the who’s who of Hollywood.

There was a lot of money and influence at that lavish garden party, but it was not the standard, elitist, “I’ve got more money than you do” crowd that you often get in this industry town. The other party guests seemed open and passionate about the arts, and they were all clearly fond of the affable and welcoming man of the house.

But when I overheard James’s voice, my brain made the screeching sound of a turntable needle sliding off a record. This sophisticated bon vivant had a voice, speech, and cadence that just didn’t fit, like a man wearing an impeccably tailored suit with basketball shoes (although I realize that is the fashion these days). James’s voice had a distinct nasal quality, and his tendency to hang on to vowel sounds slightly longer than usual made it even more apparent. He spoke with what some call a “Kentucky twang.” His voice did not match the urbane way in which he carried himself. In fact, it was a distraction. Sounding one way and looking another can be quite interesting until your listeners become less engaged with what you’re saying and more intrigued by how you’re saying it.

As gracious, accepting, and inclusive as these folks clearly were, I was all too aware that Hollywood can be a tough town where people get sized up in a heartbeat. Hearing James brought me back to my own sense of trepidation when a friend invited me to Elton John’s legendary Oscar party. Searching for just the right outfit can sometimes be a daunting task for an introvert who would much rather spend a Sunday evening in workout clothes watching a good Netflix movie. While I’m not one to splash out on fancy designer outfits, I decided that this one time I would splurge on a classy jewel-speckled sheer black silk scarf from Saks Fifth Avenue. I arrived alone on the red carpet. I knew virtually no one at one of Hollywood’s most celebrated events, but in less than an hour, I had latched on to a group of men and women with varied backgrounds and fascinating stories to tell. At one point I found myself at the center of the conversation and really enjoyed it.

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