Jessica Alba's My Guardian Angel

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Jessica Alba's My Guardian Angel
April 10, 2008



Jessica Alba played invisible superhero Sue Storm in two Fantastic Four movies. But she didn't disappear when a young fan with a serious heart problem wanted to spend some special time with her — and the Hollywood beauty became a real-life hero in the process!

Alina Kent, a 9-year-old native of Stockbridge, Ga., suffers from mitral valve regurgitation, a potentially deadly condition in which the heart's mitral valve doesn't close properly, causing blood to flow backward into the organ, which can lead to heart failure.

Last summer, on her daughter's behalf, Alina's mom, Vina Kent, contacted Kids Wish Network, a charitable organization dedicated to bringing joy to seriously ill children between the ages of 3 and 18 by helping to grant their greatest wishes. For little Alina, who wants to be an actress, that meant getting the chance to meet her idol, Jessica Alba.

"I wanted to meet Jessica because I really look up to her," Alina tells Star. "I like all her movies, and I think she is a very talented person." Thanks to the help of Kids Wish Network — and Jessica's graciousness — eight months later, Alina's wish came true!

On March 27, Alina and Vina boarded a jet and headed to Los Angeles. "It was my first time in California — and my first time flying!" Alina reveals. After she and her mom were put up at the posh Sunset Marquis hotel in West Hollywood, they were driven to L.A.'s Estilo Salon, where Alina and Jessica, 26, were to meet for the first time. Says Alina: "I didn't know what to expect — but I thought she would be very nice."

Alina was right on the money! "I was so excited when I first saw her, I was jumping up and down all over the place," she says. "Jessica was so sweet! She was everything I thought she'd be and more. I was very nervous when we started talking, but I wanted to be polite and give her everything in the world, just like she was giving to me!"



Alina and Jessica spent hours at the salon getting makeovers together. "She even asked me to help with her hair and makeup," raves Alina. "We talked about movies and acting. And we were silly, too. Because I have to drink a lot of water, we had a water drinking contest!"

After their makeovers, they went on a shopping spree together at Juicy Couture, where they each got special necklaces. Alina describes hers as "a J next to half a golden heart. [Jessica has the other half.] When you put them together, it says 'friendship.' She was like the big sister I've always wanted!"

The glow of her special day with Jessica won't be fading anytime soon for Alina. "My wish coordinator told me I was so lucky because most celebrities will answer a few questions and give you an autograph — but I got to spend a whole day with Jessica," she says.

"I don't get to eat chocolate or go on roller coasters, so there's not too much excitement in my life. But I was a ball of excitement when I met her. I felt really good about myself that day, like a normal kid with no heart condition. Jessica was like my guardian angel!"

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