A snapshot of Matthew Perry and Athenna Crosby, the individual the ‘Friends’ icon referred to as “my Number 1 Girl,” enjoying a meal the Friday preceding his unexpected death.
Athenna Crosby, a well-known face in entertainment reporting, has shared poignant details about her last meeting with Matthew Perry, a mere day before the world lost him.
Crosby, a 25-year-old actress and model, was spotted with Perry at the swanky Hotel Bel-Air. Speaking about that evening, she reminisced with TMZ, painting a picture of a Matthew Perry who was buzzing with life. He was talking animatedly about upcoming events and plans, she mentioned.
“He was absolutely radiant that evening,” she remarked. Highlighting the nature of their relationship, she emphasized that their dinner wasn’t romantic in nature. Their paths had crossed a few months prior through common friends, and they had since become close pals.
The entertainment world was shaken when news broke of Perry’s untimely death at his LA residence, following what appeared to be a tragic drowning. Perry, 54, is eternally etched in fans’ hearts for his unforgettable portrayal of Chandler Bing in the iconic series ‘Friends’.
Upon his passing, Crosby was among the many who took to social media, sharing heartfelt memories. In her Instagram Story, she posted an endearing picture of Perry, captioning it, “You’ll always be remembered, dear friend.”
Diving deeper into her bond with Perry, Crosby shared, “It wasn’t my intention to discuss this, but let me say, knowing Matthew was an honor. His passing shattered me, but I believed going public wasn’t right. The spotlight should be on him and his remarkable journey. He was a person who cherished his privacy, a trait I deeply respected during our friendship. It’s heart-wrenching to think I was among the last few to converse with him.”
Adding to her tribute, she posted a timeless black-and-white video, revealing a personal note from Perry in his 2022 memoir – ‘Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing’. It affectionately read, “To the Number 1 girl.”
Crosby, touched by his words, voiced her admiration for his book and urged her followers to cherish it. She added a gentle reminder, “Be compassionate to everyone; we’re all fighting battles.”
In her concluding words, Crosby made a heartfelt plea for people to refrain from any conjecture regarding Perry’s passing. “He was on a journey of redemption and deserved many more chapters,” she lamented. “We’ve indeed lost a star. Rest in tranquillity, Matthew.”
‘Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing’ awaits readers at all major bookstores.
