ON THE LITE SIDE - A Heart Warming Story, 9/11 Teens

"Justin Bieber's Pal President Obama Introduces Him To 9/11 Teens" by Billy Johnson Jr, YaHoo Music Blogs 6/27/2011

Justin Bieber is right. It's best to keep an optimistic outlook and to "never say never."

Justin fan Payton Wall's dream came true last week when she met the teen idol, the result of a favor from President Barack Obama who promised to facilitate an introduction to the pop star after receiving a 1,500-word email from the teen, whose father died on 9/11.

Payton said Justin's documentary "Never Say Never" helped her cope with the loss of her dad, Glen James Wall, who was a Cantor Fitzgerald executive who worked in the twin towers. Payton, her sister Ashley, and her friend Madison Robertson -- whose father Donny Robertson also worked for Cantor Fitzgerald and died on 9/11 -- met Justin last week during the pop star's stop at Macy's in New York's Herald Square to promote his new fragrance, Someday.

"It was so cool. I couldn't even believe it," Payton told the New York Post. "He said, 'Hi.' He was asking us about the perfume and if we were wearing it."

"He was really nice and is so cute," Ashley said. "He didn't even look real."

Payton was surprised when Obama replied to her email. "I never thought he'd respond," she told the Post in May. "I was so shocked when the White House called! It was all a dream come true." Payton had previously sent a message to Justin via Twitter and also letters to Hollywood executives to no avail.

Payton said Justin's life story, as chronicled in "Never Say Never," made her want to share her own hardships. "We were so amazed by his story and how he never said never," she said. "It inspired us to believe in ourselves and share our story to encourage others."

Obama received Payton's letter the day after Osama Bin Laden had been killed. Moved by Payton's personal story, Obama invited the teen, her mother, and sister to the Ground Zero ceremony in May.

When meeting Obama in person, Payton again inquired about meeting Justin, and the president said he would help.

Payton said she didn't just write the letter in hopes of meeting the "Baby" singer. "I did it to honor my father," she said. "My father is the reason that we all came together today. I miss and love him and don't go a day without thinking about him."