A First For Me.


A

t 3pm on Friday afternoon I got a call. I was on my way for school pick-ups so I pulled over to the side of the road, and pressed ‘answer’.

The call was not one I ever expected, especially not right at that moment. It was a request to see if I would want to appear on the Kerri-anne show. I laughed down the phone line. No way, I immediately responded, I’m way too fat for that. I just wouldn’t be comfortable.


I could hear the disappointment in her voice, at my decline of her offer, and as well for the words I used.
Let me think about it for thirty minutes, I asked and hung up the phone.
I then began to completely freak out. I called Hubby, Ma, my sisters, and my friends. I can’t even remember what I said… I was too busy freaking out. All I know is that they all talked me into it, and I ended up saying yes.

I continued to freak out all weekend, about everything. What I was going to wear. What I was going to say. How could I make myself look thinner. How was I going to make it through.

I thought about calling up and backing out. I wanted to. I tried on fifteen dresses, bought three and will probably return one. I got my hair done. And I got very little sleep, and it wasn’t because of Lacey.
Monday morning arrived and I finally felt excited instead of overwhelmingly nervous. I was excited that it was finally going to be over, and within hours I could finally relax. I was also proud that I was actually going through with it.
I’ve never had a desire to be famous {unlike my Big Sis}. I like being in the background. I like being in the support crew. I don’t watch my wedding video because it makes me cringe, and if I ever I see someone with a video camera I walk in the opposite direction with great speed.
My sisters calmed my nerves as we made the drive to Channel Nine. We laughed the whole way and I didn’t feel nervous at all until we drove in the gates. We told the guard at the boom gate who we were and what show we were coming for. He checked his computer and then asked if I was a model. Hysterics ensued from all of us, and then we continued in.

The morning then went past very quickly. Channel Nine is about 97% less glamourous than I thought it would be. The makeup room is tiny. I arrived with hair and makeup done as not to cause any problems. A quick touch up of both and we were shifted to the green room.
Why this is called a green room still has me puzzled. There isn’t a squidge of green to be seen. Just people and guests lounging around, waiting. No catering, just an instant coffee machine in the corner {and a helicopter in full view outside}.
We were then moved to the waiting area, which is filled with old props, set pieces, sound crew and lots of bits and pieces. We waited, and waited. It was freezing and the nerves started to return. My legs shook and my heart thumped.

{I was amazed that for a television station they have such mediocre TV’s and reception in the green room}
Eventually we were called in, and miked up. I asked if the guy could put the microphone high up because Lacey has a habit of putting her hand down my top, and I feared she’d knock it. You know that will make a really loud bang noise? That’s not great for live TV, he informed with a slight edge of frustration to his voice.
I’m on top of it, I assured him, it’s just another thing to freak out about.
The room was really small and filled with lots of cameras and TV screens. We tried to stay quiet whilst the guest {Dr. Penny} before us finished her segment about flu vaccines.
I sat down and I totally forgot about my posture {darn it}. Kerri-anne gooed and gaaed over Lacey and her outfit, and is truly the loveliest, loveliest person.
The crew called that we had 30 seconds to go, and Kerri-anne continued to chatter away.
And then we went live. I prayed that Lacey would be good. I gave her a dummy just to be sure she didn’t make a scene. And she was an angel. Thankfully.
I tried to stay present and in the moment, for fear that my mouth would work before my brain even had a chance to process. I watched as Professor Catherine Fowler beside me answered her questions with ease, and impatiently wanted my turn to be over.
And before long it passed and it was done. A huge sense of relief came over me, and then pride. I did it. Those that know me well know that being on TV {and live TV for that matter} is so completely out of my comfort zone.
I thanked Kerri-anne, and we then left the set. We were reunited with my excited and supportive sisters who were also bursting with pride for me. You did great, they chimed.
We drove home, and back to normality.
Have you ever been on TV? Is it something you think you could do with ease?
I didn’t get my camera out over the weekend because I was too nervous to function. My sister took these from the green room this morning. I know you’ll forgive me and I’ll definitely make up for it next week.
I’d love to see you what you’ve come up with for Point + Shoot, and the great thing is that I have time to check out every one’s entries today. Yipppeee! xx

38 thoughts on “A First For Me.”

  1. well this is funny. talk about sleep deprivation? I watched The Morning Show patiently for you this morning. On Channel 7.

    I'm still laughing at myself!!!!

    Glad that the stress is now gone for you, wish I could have seen it, sure you were Gorgeous and Lacey too.

  3. You did a great job Chantelle!

    I taped it and watched it back with Isla, who said “wow, what a pretty baby and mama” bless her ♥

    The prospect of being on tv would terrify me to, you did awesome, and looked gorgeous! 🙂

  4. Wow, what an experience my dear! Again, you should be proud of yourself for facing up to a challenge that was so far out of your comfort zone.. I'm sure you passed with flying colours and hope you left on a high!

    I was on the game show Deal or No Deal a few years ago so know what you mean about a TV studio being VERY different to what you imagine… I started that day thinking I was just going to be sitting in the audience as a happy viewer and I remember walking out buzzing with the knowledge that I was going to be on national TV. Although I think I would have reacted the same way as you did if I had of got the call about Kerry Ann tee hee hee.

    When will it air my lovely? Please keep us all posted!

    Have a great week! xo

  5. you did sooo good… and great to see you in real life.. and the hair looked fab. You should be very very proud of urself… and lacey for being the angel that she was… 🙂 You rocked…

  8. Congrats Chantelle!
    I didn't realise you were going to be on….so i've missed it 🙁 Straight away I just googled it…in the hope that I could see the interview with you!! Do you know if it's online anywhere for us to see?
    I'm sure you looked gorgeous! You are a deserving person for attention! Good things come to good people!
    I'm well trained in the concept of sleep deprivation…lol…with a 2yr old who has way toooo much energy & isn't a fan of sleep!
    You are very inspirational Chantelle!
    Claire ;o)

  9. I have never been on TV. I am have always laughed and joked and said I would like to be on ACA or TT, LOL! Well done Chantelle, and now I am off to download snaps…..

  11. I remembered last night, but then this morning completely forgot about turning on the telly to watch you! Damn.

    Glad it went well.

  12. Oh bummer, if I hadn't been hiding from the cyberworld I would have been in the know and I would have watched. Please let us know if we can find it on the internet somewhere. Sounds like you did a wonderful job. I've mostly been one of the folk behind the camera and for that reason, I love being on set, but well done for being so brave to go on live tv 🙂 xx

  13. hi Chantelle Margo here(rowes mum) I wish I had seen it. Did Rowe know!!!!I am positive you did great!!! you are soaring right now!!!! nothing is too hard for you!!! You rock! Hey yeah I was on 'Totally Wild once.I carried on a treat about being overweight and was so nervous…..almost sick. Rowe was with me taking photographs as usual..We were doing a doggy fashion parade 7 dogs, at girlpower magazine headquarters.I designed jackets for all the staffs doggys..It was really funny, the dogs were a little misbehaved so capture me crawling all over floor near catwalk(in video shot) offering treats, what a cak!! lol just thinking about it, embarrassing… trying to hold down my tight jumper with one hand and offer treats with other. Funny now though! Cant wait to see what you tackle next!!! Margo xx

  14. Was watching Kerri-Anne this morning and caught your segment – you looked lovely – your smile in full video is beautiful. I understand the weight thing. I am struggling with it myself but then we get to the point where we never do anything because we are always waiting until we “have lost some weight”. You looked beautiful and Lacey was so sweet – loved the bow in her hair!

  17. Hi Chantelle – I saw you today on KAK without reading this blog post and I thought….gawd istn't that C from the blog I follow. It was great putting a face to a blog friend….you looked and sounded great but I'm afraid Lacey stole your thunder….my goodness she's too cute for words!

    Z xx

  18. I'm so disappointed I missed it! Alas, I am not a morning person – and even worse on public holidays.

    I was on TV once (well technically 'on' twice, filmed on one day) on a kids school game show called Total Recall. I still have it on video and it was whipped out a few years ago to show my husband. I wanted to disappear into the floor, the shame!

    I'm sure your stint was great 🙂

  20. Hi Telle,
    Damn, I missed it! I will scour you-tube later and see if it has been posted 😉
    Yes, have been on TV, on a game show of course, owing to my love of games and game shows. It was Catch Phrase. Set – v unglamorous, make-up and hair room – v unglamorous. I am a stickler for rules and they asked us to come with a variety of outfits as well as hair and make-up NOT done. I knew I shouldn't have listened. I don't think a french roll is really my look. Oh well, I hope baby X loves to watch his mumma when he gets older. Will give him something to giggle at.

  21. you did really well!!! and looked GORGE!

    I've been on tv twice, once on the weakest link and second on The Einstein Factor, twice because I won the first show.

    but it is definitely nerve wracking. As a 'woman of size' I too know this feeling.

    but you were awesome! and lacey was just too cute!

  22. Wow Chantelle! What a great experience for you and how cool that you were asked!! I'm sure you were wonderful (wish I'd seen it!!) 🙂

  24. Wow what a fun opportunity it must be! But it must be very nerve wrecking as well!

    I am happy for you that everything went well!

    Lacey does look really cute in the screen caps!

  25. You were great and looked beautiful. Can I just say I have an insane dose of hair jealousy.
    And Miss Lacey what a spunk!!! She rocked the tutu.

    My boy was lurking around as I watched it and he laughed when you mentioned Lacey slept with you guys. When I asked what he was laughing at he commented that he was glad we weren't the only suckers that share a bed with a little bed hog.

    Well done gorgeous girl

  26. I'd love to read a post on how they tracked u down and contacted u and also how u got into your gig with Practical Parenting.
    I am bummed I missed it, let me known if theres an online link we can all go to and watch u and miss Lacey.
    Congrats and it sounded like lots of fun.

  27. Congratulations! That's awesome. I'm so happy for you that you did something out of your comfort zone. It's so good to challenge ourselves every now and then.

    Unfortunately we don't own a TV to watch it on – but please do tell when it's online somewhere! xx

  32. Wow. I actually saw this, and then stumbled onto your blog through Suger Coat It. Honestly, you did an awesome job. I mean it. I used to host the in-house tv station at a large children's hospital, ,so I was on TV everyday. It is scary stuff and you handled it like a pro.

  33. ahhhh I heard from Liss that you were on today and I don't get to watch KA anymore as the kids rule my tv first thing in the morning!

    you look absolutely gorgeous!!!! Since I've started working on a project for a magazine I've been able to relax a bit more about going into their offices but the first time I was terrified as I imagined everyone would have super huge high heels and be a size 0 and perfect and there are some gorgeous model-esque ladies in there but everyone is so super friendly and lovely and now I feel relaxed!!!!!

    wish I'd seen it,
    Corrie:)

  37. Omg, that's neat & awesome that you were on TV. Is there a way we can watch the video on YouTube or something?

    I've been on TV a few times before. The biggest gig was signing the national anthem in sign language at the football game in front of 60,000 people & on live TV. I was standing on the field next to a famous rapper and I couldn't feel my legs at all!!

  38. So disappointed I missed it but well done! I would have crumbled with nerves but I'm sure you did really well and you both look beautiful xx

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