Divine Miss M does H-Town: Bette Midler reveals biggest mistake, fave flick & passion for green

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Divine Miss M does H-Town: Bette Midler reveals biggest mistake, fave flick & passion for green
BY SHELBY HODGE 5.4.14 | 9:33 am

Monsour Taghdisi, left, Bette Midler and Henry Richardson at the Brilliant Lecture Series dinner. Photo by Yolanda Smith
Monsour Taghdisi, left, Bette Midler and Henry Richardson at the Brilliant Lecture Series dinner. Photo by Yolanda Smith

Whether on stage at Wortham Theater Center, being interviewed for the Brilliant Lecture Series, or dining late-night with patrons, Bette Midler shows that it’s possible to be a mega-star and a mega-nice gal as well.

They loved her at the Wortham where she was interviewed by Roula of 104.1 KRBE‘s Roula & Ryan Show. And the 100 lucky folks who got to dine with Midler after the interview loved her even more. Just ask dinner hosts Monsour Taghdisi and Henry Richardson and Marcus Sloan and Shannon Hall.

Scott Brogan, Bette Midler, center, and Lynn Wyatt in the VIP room at Wortham Theater Center. Photo by Yolanda Smith
Scott Brogan, Bette Midler, center, and Lynn Wyatt in the VIP room at Wortham Theater Center. Photo by Yolanda Smith

The foursome welcomed guests to the dinner at The Houston Club in its new digs atop One Shell Plaza. The star changed from a green bejeweled caftan that she wore on stage to a silvery caftan confection for the dinner. As is tradition with the female guests of the Brilliant Lecture Series, she wore jewels from series sponsor Tenenbaum Classic Jewelry. And, of couse, Tenenbaum honchos Tony Bradfield and Kevin Black were on hand to visit with the star.

Joining the dinner scene were Brilliant Lecture Series chair emeritus Lynn Wyatt and founding director Scott Brogan.

A few observations from Midler both on stage and off:

* The First Wives Club was her favorite film.

* Her biggest mistake was turning down the lead role in Sister Act. The film was a major success and made Whoopi Goldberg a load of cash.

* She refuses to read anything about herself on-line. (Alas, she’ll never see this post.)

* Her passion is the New York Restoration Project, which she founded, that works to create and restore parks and community gardens.

* Just before leaving the dinner, she said to Taghdisi, “Mr. Monsour, don’t let them build anymore parking lots in this beautiful city of yours.”

Marcos Sloan, left, Bette Midler and Shannon Hall at the Brilliant Lecture Series dinner. Photo by Yolanda Smith
Marcos Sloan, left, Bette Midler and Shannon Hall at the Brilliant Lecture Series dinner. Photo by Yolanda Smith
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