OCCUPATION: Event Planner (& heir to the Palermo fortune)
LANGUAGES: fluent in Italian, English, Spanish & French. Knows some conversational Portuguese
GLASSES/CONTACTS: Both
TATTOOS/PIERCINGS: 2 tattoos ("Chi vive vede molto, chi viaggia vede di più" in cursive, inner right bicep, & praying hands w/ rosary, left pec) ; 0 piercings
ALLERGIES: Seasonal allergies
OTHER HEALTH ISSUES/DISORDERS: Anxiety disorder; former drinking problem & former drug use problem
ASTROLOGICAL SIGN: Aquarius
CHINESE ZODIAC: Ox
HOGWARTS HOUSE: Slytherin
FAITH/RELIGION/PHILOSOPHY: raised Roman Catholic; current Omnist
NEGATIVE TRAITS (3): Defensive, self-indulgent, vain
PET(S): 1 dog; Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
HOBBIES & ACTIVITIES:
Spending time with friends/family
Traveling
Exploring entertainment spots (bars, clubs, restaurants, lounges, music venues, etc.)
Singing
Exercising/Cardio
Fencing
Boxing
Bar-hopping (former)
Wine-tasting (former)
LIKES/FAVORITES:
color– Orange and purple
foods/cuisine– Italian
movie genres– Comedies
flower– Roses
snacks– taralli, gelato, & flaming hot Cheetos
music genres– 80′s & 90′s hits/top 40
season– Summer & Autumn
book genre– N/A
animal– Horses
candy– Chocolate
quote– “Remember just because you hit bottom doesn’t mean you have to stay there." --Robert Downey Jr.
-BIOGRAPHY-
[drug use, alcohol & violence cw/tw]
Born in Milan, Italy--his father’s hometown and the city where his parents met in their youth--Aldrich Palermo was the one and only biological child his parents had. The pregnancy and labor created lifelong complications that no longer allowed his mother, Rebecca, to carry or birth anymore children. They knew they wanted more children and, after Aldrich, they adopted all of the children they had thereafter. Aldrich being the eldest was the only one to spend all of his formative years in Milan, studying languages, mathematics, sciences & extracirriculars at the best schools his parent’s money had to offer. As Aldrich approached his early adult years the family moved to Los Angeles, but Aldrich accepted his admission to Stanford University where he studied Business Management & Entrepreneurship. But he was often taking single night and overnight trips to San Francisco with friends when his partying & clubbing escalated exponentially, or close to it.
While Aldrich enjoyed his partying and getting to know people in ‘the city by the Bay’, (which greatly lent to how he currently has so many connections with his event planning), he started to party hard. Heavy drinking, some drug usage became commonplace, making him reckless but the life of the party at pretty much every event he went to. His Palermo name became known around some of the circles he hung out with and sometimes it went to his head. One night in his mid-20s, his partying went too far. Having overdone it with everything he’d consumed that night, and Aldrich left himself virtually defenseless to strangers at the party he attended. Said strangers took advantage by mugging the young heir. He was founder much later, beaten, unconscious and without most of his belongings.
His family had to do damage control to make sure it was dealt with as quietly but forcefully as possible. Aldrich was admitted to the hospital for over 1 week for his injuries and thanks to his father’s connections, he was able to avoid media attention. The experience, along with the heavy reprimand from his parents had been the wake-up call Aldrich needed. While he knew he could not commit to absolute sobriety, he's been turning his life around from that moment on. After a semester-long hiatus, he finished his undergrad, eventually went on to acquire his masters all the while establishing and growing a [really] successful career of his independent event planning business. And although he has made a massive turnaround and appears to have “it all” to nearly everyone on the outside, secretly, he’s constantly fighting the demons of his past and of his own making. Aldrich has not forgiven himself for all he’d cost himself, the stress he put upon his family, and nearly losing his own life. Admittedly he still drinks, and sometimes, he'll smoke medicinal marijuana for his anxiety (a disorder that stated with him after his hospital stint) but he goes through a regular internal battle not to overdo it ever again.
Today, Aldrich is continuing to do what he can to move forward with his life. It’s now included his interest in sharing his life with someone special. He doesn’t quite trust himself to meet people “the old fashioned way” of at a bar, for instance. He’s decided he’s too old for clubbing now, and internet dating is something he simply refuses to engage in. In true, somewhat extreme Aldrich fashion, this led to him deciding to go for Ship-Wrecked.
Oh, I have the hardest time letting go of clothes. I finally got rid of all my vests from the aughts. Then Gen Z decided they were cute and in again. Happens every time!
That's a real bummer that your days off don't match. I know the struggle, so I'm sure you take advantage of any free time you have together.
Oh dio the younger generation is so bizarre with fashion, trying to claim some trends as newly their own when they aren't new at all. I still don't understand Gen Z's opinion on side parts vs. middle part hairstyles.
Yes, unfortunately. I thought you might understand that well enough though. But I am working on balancing it better. My schedule is a little more flexible than Riley's in that there's times I can trust my team to run an event without me being there for most or all of it.
That's very true. It's why I have so many clothes shoved into my closet. I try to mix up my power suits when I am at the capitol, but that's very different from my normal fashion. Do your days off match his most of the time? Or do they differ a lot because of events?
It's wonderful, isn't it? Do you have a hard time letting go of garments or are you fairly routine with changing out clothes from your wardrobe? Most of the time, my days off don't match his, for exactly the reason that you said. Most of the time, people choose weekend dates for fundraisers, weddings, awards ceremonies and other celebrations. Those are commonly my busiest days, which are commonly his days off.
It seems like you earned the title with ease! You make fashion seem so effortless! I’ll spend plenty of time with her, even if she’s working a bit. I’ll just hang around and try to only distract her a little bit 😂
Grazie! I do love the fun of fashion and looking good as often as possible. That saying of "When you look good, you feel good" is something I really love. Haha I bet she'll love that. I do that when my days off don't align with Riley's.
Thank you! Quite the compliment coming from you - one of the most fashionable people I know. Oh goodness, you don't have to do that. I'm sure he'll just naturally have a more relaxed summer because he'll want to spent time with his kids.
Why thank you, I feel honoured! Oh I know I don't but I would if you wanted the time with il tuo tesoro. But I'm sure you're right about that, especially with him officially being their papà.
You and Riley looked like you were having as much fun as you did at your own wedding! Oh, thank you so much. I'm trying, even when it's not easy. I haven't talked to DJ about it yet, but I hope we can take a trip over the summer.
We were close to that much fun, I would say! And you and DJ both looked equal parts carefree and stunning, which I love to see. If I have to, I'll bug Xavier on your behalf to opt for an easygoing Summer so she'll have a mild Summer in turn, and then you both can go where the wind takes you. Or the car or plane, train...
Oh, they just should never have been married to begin with. And while I'm glad he's alive, they shouldn't have had my brother to try to save their marriage. It literally never works.
You're so sweet to do that! I absolutely do have some more business cards. I got some new ones printed not too long ago with an updated photo and a QR code that links directly to my website with my portfolio and booking information.
Oh no. That's true from what I've seen and heard. Babies certainly don't fix anything. I don't think I've asked before but are you and your brother close?
It's my pleasure! You're so talented and deserve to have as many clients as you can handle. That way when you get your big break, all of those married couples can brag to their friends that you serenaded them at their weddings. The update to your business cards is excellent! QR codes are the way to go these days.
It was great! And going to Jade and Rodrigo's wedding last week was also amazing. They killed it with the theme, and the entertainment on top of it!? I loved it. I think I've been getting better at balancing life, too.
Agreed! It was a magnificent wedding and the music was fun. I even danced more than I usually do at weddings! The two of them looked so very in love, as they should. I'm very happy to hear that for you! You deserve having more of that balance for yourself. Are you going to get to do anything fun and adventurous over the summer?
Chaotic and tense? That's great news! I wonder if we're going to be at any of the some weddings these upcoming seasons. I'll have to look through to check the details for the ones I'm helping with for planning and/or coordinating. It's always a joy hearing you sing!
That's putting it mildly haha. I hope we are at the same weddings coming up! You're always good about putting me on your list of recommended vendors, too. The number of times I've been told 'I got your name from Aldrich Palermo!' It makes me smile every time.
You're welcome to tell me about it if you want to. I will always gladly name drop you if a couple is wanting a live performer at their wedding. And if they don't offer that information on their own, I'm always happy to suggest it and follow up with, "I happen to know a very talented singer for you to consider." I'm very glad that our professions allow us to network so well! And speaking of that, do you have more of your business cards? I'm running low.
Now that my hangover is over, whoever has footage of me dancing the Lambada with Xavier needs to show me so I can someday show my kids that my hips don't lie. Also, sorry Fletcher. And sorry Xavier. And sorry to the Dave and Busters Parking lot that had to witness whatever chaos ensued. I don't remember any of it but I know there's footage somewhere! I was blasted. Also, I have a pocket full of carrot sticks and three peanuts in my shoe. Anyone? Can anyone explain this to me!?
Also, my work week has ended! I AM GETTING MARRIED THIS WEEK!
You were hilarious to watch the other night. You don't owe me any apologies for that entertainment, but I'll gladly send you a copy of the videos I had taken.
As for the carrot sticks and peanuts, I'm fairly sure that's how you and Xavier were paying each other for your dance-off winnings.
I'm very excited for your upcoming wedding by the way!
I had parents who shouldn't have been together and stayed together too long. You can imagine how things were in my house haha. I'm booked and busy for the spring! And I'm even booking some for the summer already. I feel incredibly lucky!
Chaotic and tense? That's great news! I wonder if we're going to be at any of the some weddings these upcoming seasons. I'll have to look through to check the details for the ones I'm helping with for planning and/or coordinating. It's always a joy hearing you sing!
