Mom-to-be Jessica Alba has played a superhero in the movies, but she recently fulfilled little Alina Kent’s wish—to meet the actress. Star magazine reports that nine-year-old Alina, from Stockbridge, Ga., suffers from mitral valve regurgitation, a potentially deadly condition in which the heart’s mitral valve doesn’t close properly, causing blood to flow backward into the organ, which can lead to heart failure. Last summer, her mom Vina contacted Kids Wish Network, a charitable organization dedicated to bringing joy to seriously ill children between the ages of three and 18 by helping to grant their greatest wishes. For little Alina, who wants to be an actress, that meant getting the chance to meet her idol, Jessica.
“I wanted to meet Jessica because I really look up to her,” Alina tells Star. “I like all her movies, and I think she is a very talented person.” Thanks to the help of Kids Wish Network — and Jessica’s graciousness — eight months later, Alina’s wish came true! Last month, Alina and her mom flew to Los Angeles and Alina got to meet with Jessica. “I was so excited when I first saw her, I was jumping up and down all over the place,” she says. “Jessica was so sweet! She was everything I thought she’d be and more. I was very nervous when we started talking, but I wanted to be polite and give her everything in the world, just like she was giving to me!” The two spent the day dishing about acting over makeovers and shopping. The highlight of the day? Jessica and Alina each got a special necklace from Juicy Couture.
Alina describes hers as “a J next to half a golden heart. [Jessica has the other half.] When you put them together, it says ‘friendship.’ She was like the big sister I’ve always wanted!”
