I was supposed to get my hair straightened with Martha at Richard Joseph's hair salon, a ritual I didn’t think would turn into a life-altering day. But as fate would have it, my hair appointment was magically moved up, leaving me with extra time. So, I texted my friend, Dangilo, a celebrity entertainment producer, to see if he was around for a quick catch-up. Usually, he's a ghost—rarely in his office—but, oddly enough, he invited me over.
Leslie Juvin-Acker Hear's A Spirit's Silent Plea
When I arrived at Dangilo's office, we were soon immersed in the usual talk about his hectic celebrity event planning schedule. But then, something unexpected happened. A spirit—a man—walked through the corner wall of the office, gesturing to me, desperately trying to communicate like he was playing a ghostly game of charades. He wanted to show me how he died: a slow draining of energy, like the life was literally slipping from his grasp. It was overwhelming, but I tried to ignore it.
Dangilo and I stepped outside to feed my parking meter, and that’s when he asked me, "Can you do me a favor? My friend died under mysterious circumstances. Would you officiate at his celebration of life?"
In that moment, I understood that I was being called—both by Dangilo and by the spirit who had just made his presence known. Life works in mysterious ways, and as a life coach, I've learned to embrace these serendipitous moments. So, naturally, I agreed.
Grief, Healing, and Messages from Beyond
I met with Joe’s devastated partner soon after. He was in the middle of a painful legal battle with Joe’s ex-husband and family, adding layers of heartbreak to his grief. When he came to my home, we sat for hours, talking. I counseled him through his sorrow, and even passed on messages from Joe’s spirit—messages about how he could take control of his life again, and how the pain didn’t have to define him forever. Whether he was ready to take that advice, I couldn't be sure, but I felt hopeful for him.
The Eulogy at Urban Mo’s
Finally, the day of the celebration came. I arrived at Urban Mo's bar, a famous gay venue in town, with my husband and two children. The bar was packed with brunch-goers—an eclectic crowd of hungry, thirsty, and fabulous LGBTQ+ patrons. But the mood was bittersweet, with everyone aware of the loss they had gathered to commemorate.
I delivered my eulogy, knowing that Joe’s spirit was in the room, watching over us. I reminded everyone of Joe's struggles and the importance of reaching out for help. Joe had died by suicide, a fact that was often brushed under the rug. But his spirit didn’t want this to remain hidden—he wanted everyone in that room to know that it’s okay to seek help, that they shouldn’t let the world’s hate consume them. Joe had realized this too late, but he didn’t want anyone else to make the same mistake.
After my speech, two iconic drag queens performed in Joe’s honor, including a famous RuPaul’s Drag Race AllStar. It was a beautiful, emotional send-off that felt fitting for someone who had been a star of the gay nightlife scene.
A Spirit's Final Goodbye To Leslie Juvin-Acker
Weeks after the celebration, I felt Joe’s presence again. This time, though, it was different. He was at peace. “I feel like a snake who has shed its skin. Thank you,” his spirit told me before he moved on.
And with that, Joe flew free, leaving me with yet another incredible, humbling story to add to the collection of experiences that make up my life as a celebrity life coach.
This was just another day in my world, where life, death, and everything in between often meet in the most unexpected places.
Article Summary
In this first-person account, Leslie Juvin-Acker, a celebrity life coach is unexpectedly asked to deliver the eulogy for a well-known gay nightlife star who died by suicide. The request came from the entertainment producer Dangilo, following a chance meeting. Leslie, already sensing the presence of the star’s spirit, agreed to officiate the celebration of life. After counseling the star’s grieving partner, the coach gave an emotional eulogy at Urban Mo’s, a famous gay bar, where drag queens, including a RuPaul’s Drag Race AllStar, performed in tribute. Leslie Juvin-Acker shared the star’s message of seeking help and overcoming hate, eventually helping the spirit find peace.
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