Ok, so I naively thought this day would never come, but I have been busted. I mistakenly believed that I could get through my adult life without this being brought up 13 years later, but people are smart and the internet is wide. So after more than a few “Who me? I don’t know what you’re talking about, haha” comment denials, I’m coming clean. My name is Sherry $herdog, and I was on MTV when I was 17. And it was easily the most embarrassing compilation of moments that could ever be edited together.
I’m an over-sharer, so some folks might wonder why I’d try to hide from this video. And to you I’d say: it’s one thing to invite people into your home and share a video that accidentally features your bra laying out on a bedroom chair or an interview where you flail around nervously or admit that you walk around covered in dog fur and cream cheese smears, but it’s a whole different ballgame to say “Let’s take a time machine back to my most awkward moments as a seventeen year old girl being surprised while life-guarding and told she’ll get to interview Eminem for a show called FANatic on MTV – oh look, I have the whole thing on video for you, let’s all sit down and watch it together.” Now excuse me while I giggle uncontrollably for ten minutes. I do that when I’m nervous.
Allow me to spill a few secrets: shows like this are a smidge set up. It’s not to say that I wasn’t completely Marshall Mathers obsessed (I was) but there are certain things you’re highly encouraged to mention so that you come across as the most deserving fan. Things like “I aspire to be a rapper someday.” I’ll pause while you snort whatever you’re drinking out of your nose. It’s true that my best friend Mariam at high school talent shows (we once donned orange puffy vests and belly shirts and parodied the Eminem/Dre duet Forgot About Dre) but it’s a Jersey thing. You had to be there to understand that it was not meant to be taken seriously. So no, I didn’t actually hope I’d be touring the country as a famous female rapper when I grew up.
Of course the show sets up situations too, like us going to the old burger joint where Eminem used to work before the interview…
… but it was pretty cool as a teenager to see some random restaurant and think “he really worked here just a few years ago flipping burgers?” Fun fact: the people I’m serving at that table in the restaurant are the limo driver and one of the production people who carted us around.
Another fun fact is that I hardly knew the girl who surprised me at the pool and came with me on the entire adventure. See, MTV required that the “friend” of the person being featured was 18 or a parent would have to accompany the fan and the friend (which I’m guessing cramped the crew’s style). So when I was going through the whole “you might be a finalist” phase of the process, they asked me about my friends and I gave a list of all my best 17 year old buddies and they sort of heavily suggested that I list someone over the age of 18. So the girl who worked at the front desk at the Marriott (where I was a lifeguard for years, represent) got listed – and she was the friend they picked to surprise me. And yes, it’s still really cool to be in a limo when you’re 17. Especially if you flash the peace sign with your sleeves rolled up.
Here’s where it gets extra embarrassing. At some point in the interview the word “phat” inexplicably slips out of my mouth. I never said that word before and have never said it since. I can only blame the loss of my whole damn mind at the thought of sitting next to a hip-hop star and somehow thinking $herdog could pull off a term like that. And I couldn’t. It rung in my ears for the rest of the interview while I continued to grin like a crazy person and giggle nervously. Although a lot of this experience is what I like to call “retroactively embarrassing” (since at the time it was really cool and I felt really lucky to be chosen), the moment I realized I said “phat” on national television was the moment that I wanted to punch myself in the face.
Then they asked me to rap. Repeatedly. It’s bad. Very very bad. Oh and about the pigtails, I wanted to wear a ponytail and an arm band (yes, an arm band) but the crew gently suggested the pigtails and no arm band. I’m thankful they nixed the arm band but still a little weirded out by the pigtails. So without further ado…
As for how I even got on the show, my friends dared me to send in a tape since I really was a hardcore fan and they thought I had a shot at being chosen. Meanwhile I believed I had zero chance, hence me doing all sorts of ridiculous things that I thought would never be on TV/YouTube (like sitting in a tub full of M&M’s) because I truly believed with every fiber of my being that I would never make the cut.
MTV does a really cruel thing to make you think you weren’t chosen (at least it felt cruel at the time) in order to get that completely surprised ‘surprise shot’ when they sneak up on you. They’re in pretty constant contact with you for a while to collect things like “what you would ask if you were chosen” and “who you would bring as a friend if you were chosen” and then they say you’re a semi-finalist but it’s not a done deal, and then they cut off communication for a few weeks. Total radio silence. So you go from being hopeful that you might get picked to completely and utterly bummed out that you didn’t make the cut after thinking “dude, I might actually get flown to Detroit to meet Eminem.” Which is a pretty cool concept as a 17 year old.
This is of course when you forget about the footage of yourself in a tub of M&Ms and it sounds like it could be The Coolest Thing You’ve Ever Done and not The Most Embarrassing Thing Ever a decade or so later. But I have to admit that as a teenager it was an amazingly fun time. I got to fly somewhere with a camera crew and without my parents, they put us up in a cool hotel, and Marshall was actually a really nice genuine guy (now I’m going to get weird and tell you that he had the best looking hands I’ve ever seen in my life). And he did kiss my neck, which at the time made me believe we would soon be married and we’d go on to have three bouncing babies named Slim, Shady, and Stan (kidding). Dude, I took a picture of my neck after it happened. I’m that girl (can you believe I managed to bag a guy like John? I still can’t).
So I’m extremely grateful for the experience. It just felt like… let’s not all watch it together on video and relive my teenage awkwardness together. But I guess now my “secret past” is out. In summary: it was pretty amazing (it made “the morning announcements” at my high school – haha), but the fact that the footage from a defunct show from over 13 years ago is now somehow on YouTube is something I never imagined. Oh well. The cat phat is out of the bag.
Now you tell me your most embarrassing secrets so we’re even. Go.
Tobi Curtis says
BEST. POST. EVER.
I watched the entire video peeking out with my hands over my face like the embarrassing moments in a Katherine Heigl movie! But still, you were pretty cool for a teenager!
And… now that I know about this obsession, I can’t help but think that John looks a lot like eminem!
YoungHouseLove says
Haha, he is blonde with blue eyes. Maybe I have a type…
xo,
s
Whitney says
I’m sorry $herdog, but it was like watching a movie with your parents that is extremely inappropriate and you start to get all embarrassed and such. I feel for you, but it’s still pretty cool you got to meet him at the time :)
kates0216 says
Holy. Mustard.
I die.
This is beyond amazing. If I could slow clap Sherry for being brave enough to share this, I would. Because this is beyond hilarious. And, I think we all have moments from our previous lives that make us laugh (and cringe). No, I wasn’t a frequent model in my local mall fashion shows. Where on earth did you hear that? (Yes, complete with a stunning collection of puffy jackets, jean shorts, and Blossom hats. HAWT!)
Who would have thought, from aspiring white rapper to famed diy blogger.
I tell ya, if I had a had a dollar for every time I’ve heard that story…
Laurie says
That is AMAZING! I’m so jealous, only because I was NSYNC’s #1 fan (in my book) and when I heard about the show FANatic I became obsessed with becoming the biggest super fan. Then my dreams were dashed when I realized that had already done an NSYNC episode. Seriously, I love of all the Eminem fans they chose a skinny little white girl from NJ! So funny! Ha!
Lauren says
Sherry this is absolutely Brilliant. You should not be embarrassed it’s so great and what an amazing thing to be able to share with your kids/grandkids one day. We all had our cringe worthy awkward teen obsessions. Mine was with Green Day. My friends and I were on our way to their concert and while waiting to get a tram their car pulled up next to us. My friend Beck started yelling and waving and asked if we could have a lift to the concert. So we piled in the people mover and all I could do was stare at my feet and turn the colour of a tomato. It was so exciting and I just wish I would have had the same composure as you at that age and been able to have a conversation with them. Nevermind we live and learn. Ah the memories :) x
YoungHouseLove says
Oh man, that’s amazing though! At least you got a ride with them! Haha. And no one got it on video! That is the lesson. Don’t let anyone video tape you. Ever.
xo,
s
Laurie says
This isn’t my story but it’s pretty funny. A girlfriend of mine was in the supermarket one day by the corn on the cob display. Over walks the quarterback of our national football team to buy some corn and she blurts out “isn’t it great that you can take it all off right here!”
She was talking about the corn husks of course! She’s nervous giggles too!
YoungHouseLove says
Bwahahhahaaha, I love it.
xo,
s
Bernadette says
You’re so cute in the video!
A few years ago I was on Say Yes to the Dress. They made me look like a nut and afterwards I got lots of mean messages from people who watched the show and found me on facebook. The weirdest part is when people recognize me. On my honeymoon (in a foreign country, ten months after the show first aired) a girl stopped me and asked if I was the girl from the show. Talk about embarrassing…
YoungHouseLove says
You’re the THIRD PERSON to mention that show makes you look crazy and edits things all wonky. Who knew???!!!
xo,
s
Bernadette says
I feel better knowing I’m not alone! They film you for about three hours and then they basically cut it up and air the 18 minutes during which you look/act/say your worst in order to build a compelling story line.
Alison says
Oh Sherry. Oh sweet mother of… he broke so many racial boundaries. I’m just going to lay here on the floor and laugh for a while, ok? OK.
YoungHouseLove says
Know that I am lying under the covers slowly dying inside. Haha.
xo,
s
Leah says
hahaha this is totally hilarious! I might come back and watch this clip when I am having a bad day. How can that NOT make you smile? You are exactly the same! (well maybe not exactly) but when you were behind the camera, video taping your brother, it reminded me of you video taping Clara. Anyways, gotta love some old school MTV. Thanks for sharing, it’s not THAT embarrassing ;)
kim says
how very Robin Sparkles of you, Sherry :)
YoungHouseLove says
Haha, I have to youtube that- you’re the third person to mention it! Haha.
xo,
s
Lindsay says
Love the Robin Sparkles referance!
Emily says
Oh. my. god. I die. And totally love you for posting this. Completely made my day. Wow!
Leatitia @ The Sweetest Year says
Sherry, you’re adorable! Thanks for the little behind the scenes explanation, fun to know! We all have stuff like that to be embarrassed about. Being 17 IS about making a fool of yourself. ;)
I was a huge Backstreet Boys fan and once screamed for them on TV and all. So yep!
Jennifer B. says
This was so amazingly horrifying. I loved it and I hope I never see it again. I hope you understand what I mean. Haha!Thanks for getting me out of the 3pm slump. :)
Mollie says
THIS. MADE. MY. DAY. Hahaha, seriously, I had the worst week, and this make it all ok. Keep on with your bad self, $herdog!
Sarah says
This made my day!!!
Heather says
Oh my gosh, I LOVE it! I wanted to be on that show so bad when I was a teenager. Although I wanted to meet The Backstreet Boys, specifically Nick Carter. I remember I had posters of them from Bop & Teen Beat all over my walls, and videotaped myself squealing & spazzing out. Super embarrassing =)
Your video was adorable =)
Amy @ Lovely Nest says
Oh my gosh! This is awesome and you shouldn’t be the least bit embarrassed! You just got to do something all of us dreamed about! I’ll admit being an obsessed *NSYNC fan back in the day. Totally a teenage girl boy band crush with posters plastered all over my walls.
Donelle says
Ha ha ha!! Love it!! You are so natural in front of the camera! No wonder they picked you, Your are so bubbly & happy – Too cute!!
Kirsten says
OMG i think i just peed a little from laughing so hard! thanks for making my day $herdog
Jayne says
This is THE CUTEST thing i’ve ever seen!!
Is it just me or was the handshake/greeting moment a little bit weird? Just saying…lol
Jayne x
YoungHouseLove says
Oh yes, not just a little weird. TOTALLY WEIRD. But any skin contact with him at that moment was EVERYTHING. Haha. I am proud to have put together sentences after that.
xo,
s
Alexis says
One time in high school someone jokingly punched me in the stomach (not even that hard) and I peed myself. Yup… that happened.
YoungHouseLove says
Oh man, this might win.
xo,
s
Bee says
But most importantly, do you still have the apron?
YoungHouseLove says
But of course!
xo
s
Amanda says
OKay, so I get you are embarrassed but I happen to think that is totally awesome! lol. I loved Eminem too!! How awesome is that, that they chose you! (Though I think your English paper sounds better, lol!) Very cool!
Meagan says
Sherry – You’re a total natural on camera! You have got to get a tv show! And please do a rap video intro… kind of like on Kendra :-)
Amanda says
The best news out of this blast-from-the-past? You can officially go by $herdog. No one would deny your street-cred now. :)
YoungHouseLove says
Oh yes, with mad rapping skillz like those, how can you deny me?
xo,
s
T-La says
They should do a follow up episode! You and Eminem now! Also, you totally made phat work into that sentence. Crack up.
Elizabeth says
Sherry, you were such a brave girl. When I was about 8 I was in an “Eyes and Ears” Stranger Danger video that I was I think shown in elementary schools around Michigan. I remember being instantly embarrassed and glad that as a homeschooler I was never going to have to sit in a room while a bunch of my classmates watched me. I would have died if it was say aired before an episode of Wishbone or Ghostwriter or some equally awesome PBS program.
Suzie says
It’s not very often that anything online makes me laugh out loud, but seriously, when you said “phat”, merlot came out of my nose. You were cute as a button, $herdog! Please tell me that you’ll be framing that apron and hanging it in your gorgeous new kitchen. I’m pretty sure you have to, actually. Thanks for sharing this.
jenny says
hahahaha what a priceless experience!!! love it!! you really were lucky to get to live that dream, embarassing though it is :P Do you still have the apron by chance?
YoungHouseLove says
Yup, tucked away safely in a drawer!
xo,
s
holly says
Hilarious!
Robin says
Oh $herdog,
I love you even more now.
Love,
Robdizzle :)
Chloe says
I actually can’t stop laughing. “I’m an aspiring white rapper and I want to be taken seriously”. Hilarious!
Grace Y. says
Just when I thought I couldn’t adore you anymore… this brought me to a whole new level!!!! I LOVE THIS CLIP! I’m the same age as you and was hooked on MTV when I was in HS, too :)
Chrissy Henry says
Oh Sherry, or should I say $herdog… I think I love YHL even more now!!!
MichelleS says
Can I just say how completely jealous I am! I am a 31-year-old high school English teacher who completely and unabashadly loves Eminem and all of his brilliant lyricism…My students are always beside themselves to learn I have seen him in concert twice! That’s an awesome story; thanks for sharing :)
YoungHouseLove says
Wahoo! Another english/writing geek who loves him! It sounds so weird to say that I think he’s a brilliant writer, but he is, right?!
xo,
s
paulzak says
This is FANTASTIC! do you still give the double peace kiss? you should end all your videos with it
YoungHouseLove says
I agree. I have to bring that back.
xo
s
Sara says
“I knew it, Eminem’s a wall leaner. Holding up the building.” Love it. What a cool experience.
Sorry you didn’t get to share it on your own terms (or get to choose to not share it at all). But seriously, it was just endearing and not turtle-worthy!
Saple says
So where did you finally meet up with him, cause his recording studio is around the corner from my house…
YoungHouseLove says
It was at some club with a bouncer outside since he was performing that night. Don’t remember the name though. There was an upstairs part where we did the interview. I was so nervous walking up those stairs.
xo,
s
Saple says
Emerald Theatre?
Katy says
Somehow this does not surprise me at all! :)
Jackie says
Read your blog every day, but this is the best post yet! Made my day!
Alexis says
i was once on the canadian version of MTV (much music) with my all-time favourite boy band – NSYNC! i was picked out of the audience to play basketball with them. i nearly died when JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE patted me on the back! AND….for some reason I was wearing orange overalls. seriously.
YoungHouseLove says
Hahaha- that’s awesome!
xo,
s
Lesley says
Wow Sherry that totally made my day. I NEVER would have guessed you to be an Eminem fan. You seem more like a pop music fan and it makes me like you even more that you like Eminem. I always wondered who would be on those shows and (no offense) think a lot of those people are wackos :) BUT you have made me so happy by sharing this! I now know that there is hope for the youth that end up on these shows. You are so successful and have made a name for yourself all on your own. Too bad it is Vanilla Ice that has his own home TV show now otherwise you would have to have Eminem work on a project for you!
Lesley says
I should also mention that did you ever ask John if he only married you for your mad rap skilz? You know he may have thought if the marketing/blog thing didn’t work out at least he knew you had a fall back career :)
YoungHouseLove says
Haha- I think it’s safe to say that John is a fan of a lot of things about me, but my rap skillz aren’t one of them. Hahaha.
xo,
s
casey says
You want to be taken seriously as a white rapper… (Knee slapping and snorting)>>> This is the most fabulous thing I’ve seen today. Thank you so much for posting it! Love the Jersey accent.. “So Cool”.. My favorite is that you talked about how awesome it was to flip burgers and bus tables… (Snicker, snort… more knee slapping here).. I’m not laughing at you. Your questions were pretty intelligent actually. I’m laughing WITH you… Bless your heart girl!!!
emmarose says
Oh shiiiaaaat that is hella embarrassing for you hahahaha
Alexis says
Oh My Word. I totally remember that show. I know you’re super embarrassed but more than anything else I think it’s cool. You have a very cool time capsule of yourself. it could have been worse, you could have been the FANatic of someone completely lame…
HK says
Sherry, as if we all needed another reason to love you. You’re a riot! Way to be bold and bare your soul.
Elisa says
watching. AGAIN.
Erin says
BEST.THING.EVER.
Olivia says
That is sooo freakin’ hilarious! Since we are sharing…I’d have to say my short moments of fame/embarrassment include: #1. I was about 7 and at a local peach festival in my hometown with my family and the news was there recording a segment about it. The camera men were standing next to the line of people getting peaches and ice cream and they zoomed in on my mom and I while I was throwing a fit YELLING…”I DON’T LIKE PEACHES!!! I DON’T WANT PEACHES IN MY ICE CREAM!!!” LOL!! And yes, it aired on the news that night.
And of course, then there was the time that my 10 year old self wrote a really embarrassing letter and put it, and some trinkets in a bottle (I lived on a lake), and threw it in the water with the crazy idea that it would end up in the ocean and someone would find it. Well, someone did find it months later after I forgot all about it. And they thought it was so “cute” that they turned it in to the newspaper and one day I woke up and my letter was on the FRONT PAGE! Headline: Fisherman’s Mysterious Catch! OMG! I died! My mom thought it was so cute that an old man was so touched by my bottle that she contacted the newspaper and we did a follow up story (also made front page…) about 3 days later…”Fisherman Meets Messenger”.
YoungHouseLove says
Haha- that’s so cute!
xo,
s
TriciaS in Iowa says
I used to watch Fanatic with my kids. We played a game we called Freeze, Freak or Faint and made predictions about What the fan’s reaction would be when they met their star. I recall this episode because we were all Eminem fans. We agreed you were probably a “freeze” and my daughter, who would have been about 9 at the time was predicting you would wet yourself. My personal embarrassing moment? There are several but the most embarrassing was when a former late-night talk show host adopted my hometown as his new American home town (he’s Canadian). They did a big party at the local Moose lodge with a cash bar (problem #1) and started an hour late (problem #2). After a few shots I decided it would be fun to goose the star. I nearly ripped half his bum off when I misjudged my grip. What didn’t register when I snuck up behind him was that he and a few other people, including the Mayor, were the only people on the dance floor. The rest of the crowd was watching. I later wrote him an apology. I suspect someone has video of this somewhere.
YoungHouseLove says
Haha, oh man, that’s a good one. His poor unsuspecting bum just wasn’t ready for a gal like you.
xo,
s