While I was home sick one day I was viewing Ellen’s website and there was an ad for “Submit your bad paid for photo”. Being that I think Ellen is hilarious and love to watch her show when I can, I knew what this segment was about and knew that I had a far better or worse (however you look at it) photo than I have seen on her show. I asked my husband to email me my 3rd grade photo which he coined as “the perfect storm” photo.
I submitted it with 500 words and sent it off. About 3 weeks later while vacationing in San Francisco with my hubby, I received a call from one of their production associates wanting to talk to me and ask some questions. I was freaking out in the hotel room as I called the associate back and left him a message, it was Saturday.
I arrived home late Sunday evening from my trip. Monday around 4pm, while I had a little break between training clients. I received a call back from the production associate who had a few additional questions for me: 1. What did I do for a living, 2. Who was I married to, 3. How many children, their ages and were they living with me, 4. More about the photo, 5. Where I lived, and 6. Would I send a current picture of myself. I tried to find a picture I liked and sent it off. They also wanted to make sure I was a “normal” person.
I went back to training clients for the rest of the evening. Around 8:30pm while watching the Bachelorette with a couple of friends, I received another call saying I was one of the ones chosen by their producers and asked if I could fly out on Wednesday, taping the show on Thursday. Of course I could! I got off the phone jumping and screaming and jumping and screaming!!! I put Ellen on my vision board this year hoping to attend one of her shows, never imagining that I would be ON her show. Needless to say I did not sleep much that night or the rest of the week.
Tuesday was a crazy day trying to figure out what to wear and pack while training, teaching, and rescheduling my clients for the rest of the week and getting a sub to teach my aerobics class. Being that my hubby was still in San Francisco for a conference, I was blessed that one of my long-time friends was able to drop everything and join me. Once we landed in LAX Wednesday night, there was a driver holding a sign with my name on it, who picked up our luggage and brought us to the car. The driver is the one who picks up their celebrity guest, it did make me feel like a celebrity (flight, driver, hotel).
We got up the next morning, went for a run, enjoyed the nice weather, and got ready for the show. They were taping at 2pm as Ellen had to leave right after to get to American Idol. We went down to meet the driver and meet the other two “Bad Paid for Photo” guests who would be on the show with me. They were great! Kind, sweet, funny, smart, etc. We all were from small towns and connected instantly. We rode over to the Warner Brother’s Studio and were brought into a waiting room. Two of her production associates answered questions, explained how it would work and were very friendly. We were given a gift bag with some Ellen items, snacks and beverages while we waited. One of the make-up artists and hair stylists touched us up before we were brought into the audience. There was a lot of dancing before Ellen came out and I was getting very nervous and hot, so I was happy we were first so I could enjoy the rest of the show. When they announced Ellen’s name and she came out, her metallic blue eyes were majestic and you could feel she radiated positive energy and goodness. She went right into our segment and we went down to be on stage. Once I hugged her and went to my spot I wasn’t nervous anymore (all my times on NBC 15 seemed to have helped).
It was so great to watch the others describe and see their photos, totally hilarious. We were blessed to receive Specialized brand bicycles as a gift for being on the show. The time went by so fast, I wanted more time with Ellen. What I love about my photo is it’s so much more than just a bad hair style — it’s the glasses, the teeth, and that darn doily-trimmed dress, hence “the perfect storm” reference my hubby uses. After the show was over we went to the Ellen store and purchased some items, chatted and talked to one of the associates. The associate said my photo was so great/bad (however you look at it) because I fortunately look nothing like the photo anymore (thank goodness). We were driven back to the hotel, said good-bye to everyone and went our own way.
The entire experience was surreal and flew by. I feel extremely blessed to have had the opportunity and to know that I can bring joy and laughter to this world through that ridiculous photo. I hope you laugh hard and often! Laughter is good medicine and it’s FREE!
Shine Brightly,
Ali
