Esther Lenett might not be the Black Eyed Peas' biggest fan, but she's probably their oldest.
At 92, Lenett is a passionate fan of the pop group, and will be at the 1st Mariner Arena tonight to see the Peas live.
Lenett has followed the Peas for years, she said. She especially likes Fergie, who, at 35, is about a third her age.
"First of all, I love music -- any kind -- and I love the beat they have," she said. "Know what I mean? I may be old and aged but I'm young at heart. Even my daughter says, 'Mom, aren't you ever going to grow up?' I say, 'No.' I think young."
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Lenett's daughter, Rena Polun, bought her the tickets and a copy of the Peas' latest album, "The E.N.D.," as a birthday present in March. The family was celebrating at the Cheesecake Factory in Bethesda at the time, and Lenett was giddy with excitement.
"You should have heard her," Polun said. "Everybody in the restaurant knew before we left. Since March, all I've heard is 'I can't wait until Aug. 10. I can't wait until Aug. 10. I can't wait until Aug. 10.'"
The Black Eyed Peas aren't Lenett's only pop music crush. She saw Tina Turner perform at the Verizon Center in November 2008. Lenett, who lives by herself in Bethesda, follows the musicians on and off stage. She knows (and likes) Fergie's husband, Josh Duhamel, she said. The only question left is, what will she wear to tonight's show?
"I said, 'You don't go to these things dressed in heels and sequins,'" said Polun, who is taking Lenett to the show. "If you want to wear jeans, fine. I don't know if she owns jeans or not, but she might. She's a real character."
(Baltimore Sun photo by Barbara Haddock Taylor)