Courtesy of Kevin Mazur

As I state below, tomorrow I'll have a full report on the outside and inside of Madonna's Truth or Dare fragrance launch at Macy's. But first things first—here is THE picture! I could not be happier with it.

I have asked Madonna's publicist—the wonderful Liz Rosenberg—for a photo op on a few occasions. She's known about me since Encyclopedia Madonnica, has kindly referred MTV and others to me when they were in need of a "Madonna expert" and has been an all-around doll. But it's never been the right moment. Feeling this could be my last chance for a long time (rehearsals, touring), I tried again and she "promised to try" (and it didn't "feel like a lie"). All I had to do was hang out on the carpet.

I love this shot—Liz looks like my guardian angel

When it came time, Madonna approached and I shook her hand and said it was nice to see her again. The photographer was directing her to stand on my left. Remember that I was behind the barricade up to my waist with bright lights behind me. Madonna didn't skip a beat, saying, "Not in that light." My heart sank—I thought she might be about to nix the whole thing, which would have been crushing since I could see how happy she'd been during all her previous carpet interviews. The photographer tried to say it was good light (he could flash it out) but she said playfully (but seriously), "I'm not stupid."

Then she said the words any Madonna fan longs to hear: "No, you come to me."

I wasn't sure what to do—am I going to get shot?—but I hopped up on the step stool used by one of the photographers, popped over the barricade and greeted the only woman for me on the red (well, black) carpet. Flashes went off as I placed my hand on her back and I hoped against hope that I wasn't having a bad anything day.

Mega-watt smile: "What makes you so lucky?" (I don't know!) Courtesy of Gregory Pace

When it was over, she turned to me and asked flirtatiously, "What makes you so lucky?" I said, "Ask Liz...but I've loved you for a...a long time." She smiled, cocked her head coyly, gave me a fabulous "good going, stranger"-type look with her cat eyes and cooed, "Okay." Then it was over and I dashed to the tent.

Courtesy of Jorman Graterol

The inside of Madonna's Truth or Dare fragrance launch was also amazing. She was hilarious and game for almost anything (no to the question from one boy asking to sing for her, but a big yes for my buddy Frank Orlik—seen above—who wanted her to sign his arm and give him a hug). She ended thinks with a heartfelt thank you to her loyal fans that was quite sweet.

I'll have a full report tomorrow with red-carpet video.