About That Time I Forgot My Name In Front Of Joni Mitchell
🌟Career Coaching: What one awkward moment taught me about visibility, confidence and the power of 15 seconds.
I once stood face-to-face with Joni Mitchell.
Yes, the Joni Mitchell. I was on tour with Laurie Anderson at the time, and we’d been invited to a gathering in Los Angeles—one of those jaw-dropping, high-ceilinged living rooms where legends casually sip wine and talk about art like it’s weather.
She smiled, extended her hand and said, “Hi, I’m Joni.”
And I—career professional, calm under pressure, well-versed in stagecraft—stood there completely blank.
Just blank.
I knew I needed to speak. I really wanted to introduce myself. But my brain short-circuited and all I managed to get out was a super embarrassing giggle. I was one beat shy of twirling my hair and blushing like a teenager.
No name. No context. No story.
That moment has haunted me. Not because I expected anything to happen from meeting Joni Mitchell. I wasn’t going to become her back-up singer (although a girl can dream) or her manager. But because I realized that if I couldn’t say my own name to someone I simply admired (okay, idolized; I’d been a huge fan since the sixth grade), how was I ever going to navigate an industry that is fueled by self-promotion and big personalities?
Why Clarity Beats Charisma
In the entertainment industry, we fantasize about being discovered. The perfect conversation. The casual introduction that turns into a job offer. The magical “connection” moment that catapults a career or funds a multi-million dollar creative project.
But here’s what actually happens most of the time: you get fifteen seconds or so. At an industry mixer. After a screening or preview. While passing an industry elite on the way to the bar during a Broadway intermission.
Fifteen seconds to shape an impression that sticks. Not a pitch. Not a performance. Just an introduction.
And what’s the one thing most people skip?
Their full name.
They say, “I’m Jess.” Or “I’m Mike.” Or “I’m Alex.” Which is fine, except there are thousands of Jesses, Mikes and Alexes in the entertainment world.
Your name is your brand, and if people can’t remember it, they can’t refer you, recommend you or reach out later.
Broadway titan Paul Libin once joked with me that he always mentions his first and last name to everyone when he shakes hands, whether they are new acquaintances or long-time colleagues…and this habit extends to his wife.
The Tiny Script That Opens Big Doors
Think of your elevator pitch like a great scene: tight, clear, memorable.
It only needs three parts:
Your full name. Say it clearly. Even if you’re wearing a name tag. Even if you feel a little awkward. Especially then.
Your job title or the job title you want. No need to apologize for where you are in your professional journey. Just because you’re currently churning out content for social media doesn’t mean you can’t say “I’m a feature editor” (assuming you have those skills). If you’re just getting started? “I’m a producer in training.”
One thing you’re working on or curious about. One sentence. That’s it. Something real, something human. “I’m currently developing a short about my dad’s obsession with Elvis.” Or “I’m learning Unreal Engine in case it takes over production design.”
Imagine if I’d had the presence of mind to say, “Hi Joni, I’m Julie Crosby, and I’m a currently Laurie Anderson’s tour manager. I’d love to turn “Both Sides Now” into an immersive cinematic experience.” That’s it. Would it have changed the course of my career? Probably not.
But it would have changed how I saw myself.
Confidence Is a Muscle. Start With Your Name.
Most people don’t lose opportunities because they’re not talented enough.
They lose them because they don’t own their voice in the smallest, most crucial moments.
If you’re serious about advancing your creative career, don’t wait for someone to “discover” you. Make yourself discoverable. Say your full name. Claim your creative identity. Share what lights you up. Make a brief encounter meaningful.
Rehearse a few scenarios before you walk out the door and into a situation where industry folks are lurking. Have more than one intro in your back pocket that you’re comfortable pulling out depending on who you meet.
Because, hey, you never know when Joni Mitchell might walk into the room. And just for the record, I’d still like to turn “Both Sides Now” into an immersive cinematic experience.
And I would love to write it! -Melissa Bell, playwright, LADY CAPULET, Joni Mitchell fan!