Youngster meets Spice idol

Chance encounter in Vancouver store

An upclose brush with Girl Power left an Edmonton youngster shaking with disbelief after she met her idol.

Cassandra Dominelli could barely tumble the words out of her mouth fast enough yesterday as she described running into pop sensation Posh of Spice Girls fame while shopping in Vancouver.

"She's really nice. She's my favorite in the whole wide world, no one else," gushed the exuberant nine-year-old. "It's probably the most exciting thing that will ever happen to me in my child life."

While there was plenty to say after the encounter, when she came face to face with Posh all she could do was stare.

"I still can't really believe it," squealed Cassandra, who flew home from Vancouver last night. "I couldn't talk. I was about to faint."

The trip was a birthday present from her cousin, Christina Dominelli, 22, who also bought a concert ticket for older sister, Melissa. At 14 years of age, she likes the group but to a lesser degree than Cassandra.

Before Tuesday's concert, the group spent a few hours shopping along Robson Street. Lady luck was with the huge fan when she returned to a shop to buy a dress.

In the store was Posh, whose real name is Victoria Adams, with a dresser and guard. The speechless group watched the dark-haired powerhouse leave Shanghai City without buying anything. Christina stayed to pay for the dress, but asked her friend, Rich Kim to take the two girls and follow the singer for an autograph.

"Rich says, 'I know you don't like to get bothered a lot but this girl's like your No. 1 fan,' " recounted the breathless youngster.

"And she said, 'Oh you want my autograph?' " said Cassandra imitating a British accent.

"She was hyperventilating," recalled Christina. "It's ironic of all the people, this kid from Edmonton meets her favorite star. She eats, sleeps and breathes Posh."

Afterward, the cousin and starstruck niece headed into a store across the street where they again ran into Posh.

"When she came out of her change room to leave she smiled at me," explained Cassandra. "There wasn't many people in the store and people didn't recognize her."

The youngster plans to frame the concert tickets and the autographed piece of paper that reads, "Love Victoria." The two sisters will share the memento.