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.
tracy a says
All I can say is thank you! That was fabulous…not because it was necessarily embarassing, but because it took me straight back to being 17! (hello, you were (err, are–don’t take that wrong) beautiful!!) When I was 10 all I wanted to be when I grew up was the first white female rapper. Yeah, it’s true. I used to call myself “Lil’ Rosie” and rap in my kitchen. That nervous giggle? I’m doing it now!! Congrats on being a superstar!
Kate says
I think it’s really fantastic that you’re sharing this! First up – you lived every teenager’s dream (meeting someone famous!) Secondly – We all evolve and grow. Remembering that fact will make us all more sympathetic to the tweens, teens, and young adults we encounter. :)
Kristan says
Ok, I might have one of the most embarrassing moments ever!
During college I lived in a Catholic dorm — a few elderly nuns also lived there and helped run it.
So I came home to my dorm room after spring break and my boyfriend (whom I’d not seen for 10 days) came over and we “reunited”.
A little while later, as we were cuddling under the covers sans clothing there was a knock at the door. Of course we just ignored it. Shortly thereafter, one of the nus, Sister Anna, walked into the room! She looked like a deer in the headlights (as I’m sure I did as well)! And instead of just walking out, she acted as if nothing was going on and asked where my roommate was and if she had the dorm’s van keys and when she’d be back. “I’ll look for the van keys!! I’ll let you know!!!!” I said pretty forcefully. Sister Anna just kind of stood there in shock and finally said “Ok..thanks” and left the room.
Needless to stay, for the rest of the semester I scanned the common areas and cafeteria before entering every single time in order to bypass Sister Anna.
YoungHouseLove says
Haha, poor Sister Anna! And poor you!
xo,
s
vanessa says
$herdog! I love you x239589 right now! That is so awesome, I literally lol’ed. I was once in a commercial for an Amish restaurant.. Thankfully no one EVER saw it! My sister and I had to sit in a buggy and pretend to be pointing out the scenery!
Amanda Nowak says
:D That was pretty great {in an ‘I know I don’t know you at all, but I feel like I know you better’ sort of way}. :D
Jill says
I loved watching this video. You, Slim Sherry, are just the cutest thing ever. I could also hear your Mommy voice in the way you talked to your little brother “good job”. LOL
Michelle says
THIS.IS.AWESOME! I used to live down the street from Gilberts, I can’t believe I’ve eaten where $herdog worked for a day! :D
Cate says
The only embarassing thing I can think of about me that could ever surface are the hideous (and hilarious) videos that my friends and I filmed of us recreatign Spice Girls dances… or the Hanson ones… *shudder*
Cynthia says
Oh. my. goodness! That was amazing! The whole time I was watching that, I was cringing and dying of embarrassment for you!
What perfect timing though – I was ‘torturing’ my fiance last night with old Eminem songs. He couldn’t believe that I knew all the words. Haha. We should totally tour together – $herdog and C-Money. HAHAHAHA!
YoungHouseLove says
Let’s do it! (I already do that to John anyways)
xo,
s
Kristi says
Honestly, It just makes me like you even more. Nothing to be embarrassed about! We were all young and silly teenagers at one point. We still love you $herdog!
Tricia says
I thought you were cute, Sherry! Lots of us do silly things that we later don’t think were so cool…but boy, did we think we were cool “back in the day.” :)
Love your blog!
Kara says
Hmmm… I think I now know what one of those secret book projects is… a really cool DIY project with that apron. I thought I saw a quick glimpse of something white in the sun room on that last house tour! P.S. – Gotta love who we were at 17. If nothing else, it makes us appreciate who we are now! : ) You were fantastic then, and even more so now!
YoungHouseLove says
Haha- I wish. That apron is tucked away because I get too embarrassed when I see it.
xo,
s
Jennifer says
Sorry about your rap career.
Jeanne says
1. That’s amazing!
2. So happy I ran into your site on stumble upon. Since then, ive randomly realized that many friends (from Richmond to Philly and NYC) also follow you.
3. I also live in Richmond and here’s my embarrassing story: I saw John at Target a few weeks ago and literally (sorta) followed him around and felt like I ran into a celebrity. It was incredibly embarrassing. You two are too though and have pushed my boyfriend and I into doing some DIY projects in our little rental in the museum district. If I see you guys again, I will say hi!
YoungHouseLove says
Haha- that’s hilarious! I’m sure we’ll bump into you again (or John will on his own, hah). Come say hi! I’ll be the girl wearing the pigtails. Just kidding. I hope.
xo,
s
Jessica says
So, my only question is do you know where that apron he signed is?
YoungHouseLove says
Heck yeah I know where it is. I keep that sucker folded up safely in a drawer. Memories.
xo,
s
Tara says
Unconditional love sent your way! I think I’ve only commented one other time on here, but I thought you should know you are loved. Your courage in everything you do in your home and for your family is admirable. I want to be like Sherry when I grow up– haha, and I’m 27. We’re about to buy our first fixer-upper, and start a family after we move (we’ve been married 7 years, finally!) I hope our kids are half as cute as Clara! Anyways, may peace overpower any embarrassment you’re experiencing. Hugs, T$ (T Money is my rapper name, haha)
YoungHouseLove says
Haha, thanks Tara. You guys are all so sweet!
xo,
s
Megan @ Two Live Colorfully says
I cannot believe this is you, Sherry!! It cracks me up! You look exactly the same! So spunky and funny. Thanks for sharing!
Michele Wesdock says
Yes, I’m commenting again because I had to rewatch so I could catch the word “phat.”. I think it flowed very naturally :) Somehow I think KB is really enjoying this, too! You guys HAVE to do a rap version of the next Pinterest challenge..
YoungHouseLove says
Hahahaha, Katie would totally love that.
xo,
s
Lindsay says
My most embarssing moment: At 18, I was a bridesmaid in my brothers wedding. I got really drunk during the limo ride and just happened to throw up on the head table as dinner was being served. Oh, and did I mention that I come from a conservative, non-drinking family. I made my parents so proud that night. :)
YoungHouseLove says
Ouch! That is a total doozie. I feel for you Lindsay!
xo,
s
Christi Gates-Hale says
What a great story! My embarrassing moment was writing into a Q&A section of the TV guide magazine that came with the Sunday paper. I bet my mom a month’s allowance that the guy that played Gilligan on Gilligan’s Island was John Denver. My question was published and well, let’s just say I was in the poor house that month.
Carli says
Ok. To say that I laughed until my cheeks were aching and my eyes were watering profusely is an understatement!! But, now that I’ve regained composure, I have a few things to say:
1. That was awesome. AWESOME.
2. You are a total natural on camera!
3. You are so super brave to share this with all of us.
4. Every single one of us, if given the opportunity to be filmed at 17 on MTV, would have equally as funny footage from our youth. There is just something about that time in our lives that was so awesome, and awkward and adorable all at once. It might be tough to watch yourself ( I know even looking back on photos is painful for me…haha ;), but totally priceless, and entertaining to the nth degree. Way to go Sherry :) :)
Thanks for the laughs.
Tamrah Ryan says
OMG. I have two words for you. Robin Sparkles.
I hope you watch that show and know what I’m talking about. If not, I am probably making no sense right now. Haha.
Anyway, you made me laugh. Hard. But in a good way because I can think back to a million teenage moments from back in the day that make my face turn a million shades of red. And your embarrassing moment is actually very endearing! :)
YoungHouseLove says
Haha, we googled the clip of Robin Sparkles and had a good laugh.
xo,
s
Amy @ ElephantEats says
OMG, this is a.m.a.z.i.n.g :) I can’t believe you were on that show! Thank you so much for sharing, hehe.
Kal says
Oh the laughing! $herdog- you rock my socks girl. I would NEVER have the guts to rock a tub full of m&m’s. This totally made my day :) (also made my gut hurt from the giggling…) If it makes you feel any better, we all did embarrassing stuff at 17. or 12. or 26 You are not alone. ;)
Mary says
When I saw Whippanny, NJ on the screen and then the Marriott swim under indoor/outdoor pool I had to do a double take! Countless birthday parties were attended there. I grew up about 10 minutes away from that hotel. Did you go to WPHS? I always knew you were from NJ, but somehow I missed from exactly where!
YoungHouseLove says
I went to PHHS, but guarded at the Marriott for years with other PHHS kids. My brother and I grew up going to that pool for parties too! Haha.
xo,
s
Monica Forquer says
OMG!! I love this! I think the pigtails were my favorite part :)
ain't no way says
The setting: 7th grade co-ed pays ed class. The scene: LIke a school dance, the boys and girls against both walls. The horror: Realizing that the snickering and pointing from across the gymnasium was at me. The reason: Chubby, awkward, unattractive moi had written a “therapeutic” love note to a cute smaaht-kid (Ilovegoodwillhunting) in my classes, using all the lyrics to Janet Jackson’s “IF” to express my feelings (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=88vv_Qo7h1k).
This note was never meant to be delivered to Object of My Affection. But alas . . . it fell out of my book bag and into the hands of pubescent boys who felt the need to have one preteen emcee read it aloud to the entire boys’ locker room.
Sigh.
And so ensued the laughter, embarrassment, and then . . . the heartbreak – when Object of My Affection sauntered across the polyurethaned hardwoods and informed me that “the next time you have a crush on someone – don’t let him know.”
I think I *may* have gotten over it last week. :)
YoungHouseLove says
Ouch, that was harsh! He wasn’t too smaaaaht if he let you go. Haha. How’s that for cheese? But really, looking back I’m sure he’s not all that and a bag of chips now. Haha. At least I hope not.
xo,
s
MB says
Coming from a suburb just outside the “D” and living just four miles north of the famous eight mile this post totally made my day!
kim says
hahahahaha that’s awesome
kim says
and I’m sorry but that was really cool and still is!
Jennifer says
OMG! You’re totally Robin Sparkles! Let’s go to the mall! Today!
YoungHouseLove says
Haha- John and I googled that to find a clip and died laughing. Hilarious.
xo,
s
Nicole says
Just when I thought I couldn’t like you more $herdog…this is officially awesome!
Nicole
anna says
Wow – you are such a good sport! That was sooo funny! Thank you! My sister and I died laughing. I’m waiting for you to break out something of John interviewing Alanis Morissette now…
Kayla says
wow, this is such a gem. best YHL post ever! your neck kiss from slim shady was so awkward and hilarious.
katie says
Don’t feel bad. We all did embarrassing things in the 90’s. I think you come of great. I remember watching the show all the time. You were cool as a teen, too cool for me to have been friends with. I was friends with the band kids, so John and I would have a better chance of being friends.
YoungHouseLove says
Haha, I was an art kid, so we were basically on the same plane as band kids.
xo,
s
Jeanne Wagner says
This is proof that what is posted on the interwebs never dies. Pause and think about that, y’all.
Loved it, $herdog!! I wonder if they’ll ever do a follow-up video… like, what-are-they-doing-now kind of thing… that would be phat. lol
Kelly says
That. Was. Awesome. Thank you for sharing. Don’t be embarrassed. It was from your past and you were SEVENTEEN. Everyone has something like this in their closet. I wish mine was cool like being on MTV. Mine — Let’s just say (to keep it PG), cute white bathing suit to attract attention, swim class, surprise monthly visitor. You do the math. I was beyond mortified.
;-)
YoungHouseLove says
Oh man, that’s like a scene out of a movie! I’m glad you survived it!
xo,
s
Tiffany says
Thats not embarressing, It’s awesome. not many of us can say we have met a multi-platnium selling artist. By the way wheres the apron now?
YoungHouseLove says
Tucked safely away in a drawer with the FANatic t-shirt and the scrapbook I made about the whole deal. Haha. Such a dork.
xo,
s
katie says
this seriously made my week. in all honesty though, you pull off nerdy in a pretty cool way. that is a compliment.
i just love this so much sherry~!
Alex says
That is amazing. I was beginning to think you were making up all that weirdness just to make all of us crazy non-gorgeous people feel better. But you’re still gorgeous!
Laura McClellan says
That is amazing. Not only that you were on T.V. , but that this video is 90’s fabulous in every way. LOVE it. And the pairing of you and Eminem is pretty outstanding. So glad I had the pleasure of seeing this.
Laura McClellan says
And by “TV” i meant “MTV.” I should really re-read my comments before I post them.
YoungHouseLove says
Haha- I knew what you meant!
xo,
s
Tonya Evans says
Oh Sher Dawg!! My sister & I laughed at this a while ago!!!! It was cute!
Design Thoughts~Kim says
That was Dope ;)…my fav part is where you tell “SLIM” that his video was “phat” ;) Live your truth mama!! I think its an AWESOME experience for a 17 yr old!!
megan says
that. was. ah-mazing. haha, back in the day my aunt would tell me she had a crush on eminem just to get me to admit I like him to her…you did it with pride! ps. John totally has a more handsome eminem look, must be your type! haha – in a good way :) thanks for sharing this
Johanna says
I can’t believe you wrote “bag a guy like John” – i love it, you’re awesome!
Melissa says
This is hands-down the best thing on the internet today. Thank you SO much for sharing! LOVED it.
In an unrelated note, I had a dream that you guys came out to Colorado and stayed the night at our house. I was so nervous about y’all being there and kept saying, “I still want to change this and that.” And our girls were really cute playing together.
Now who’s the FANatic? Haha! Sorry. It’s late. And it’s been a long week. Have a great weekend! :)
YoungHouseLove says
Haha- that’s such a funny dream. I love that our kiddos got along!
xo,
s
Becca says
Sherry. This is freaking fantastic. Holy COW. I LOVE IT :) :)
Kate says
Welp, I got stuck in a tree when I was 17 (yes, 17) and the fire department had to come get me. It took FOREVER for them to get there though (what? A 17 year old high school senior stuck in a tree isn’t top of the fire department’s list of priorities?!) so I had to eat dinner in the tree. All the neighbors came to watch and my sister and brother had a picnic underneath me. My sister tied my dinner up in a napkin and hoisted it up to me.
And, in case you’re wondering if things could get any worse, they showed up with lights blaring and in full fire fighting garb.
Kate says
PS: After reading the above comment, I have to admit I’ve had a dream about you guys too. My husband and I owned a beach house and you guys came to stay and I was SUPER UPTIGHT about our decor not being cute enough. that’s the whole dream. I obviously need a life so badly.
YoungHouseLove says
Oh man, I hate that we made you nervous in your own dream! I promise we’re chill about other people’s decor! Our friends and family have us over all the time and we say “don’t even clean- we’re not looking around! We’re off!” – hahah.
xo,
s
Kate says
PPS: As long as we’re talking about embarrassing yourself in front of celebrities, I just remembered the time that my sister peed her pants in front of 80’s ballad queen Sheena Easton (she was married to a friend of my dad’s for the time). At least you didn’t pee your pants in front of Eminem.
Annnnnnd it’s bed time.
YoungHouseLove says
Haha, this is true. It could always be worse!
xo,
s
YoungHouseLove says
Hahahahah, that’s kind of hilarious! I actually have a pretty funny story about the cops and the police (in NYC, so it was PDNY and FDNY) formally “responding” (aka: lights blaring) to a little snafu at my studio apartment. Mortifying and hilarious.
xo,
s
Bethany Annechino says
I remember this! I suspect I would have fainted if it had been me and he had kissed my neck. Right there onto the table. Ponytails and all.
I like you even more now, Mrs. Math…err… Mrs. Petersik!
Stephanie says
I never thought that I would log onto your website today and that THIS would come up!!! You never know what to expect on Young House Love! I cant believe you have been keeping this from us all along! Thanks for sharring:)
Meghan says
It’s vacation week, so it’s been a pretty great week. THEN I read on this morning’s post that there would be TWO posts today. (Day got better). THEN the second post was THIS!! This is just too good. You couldn’t even make stuff like this up! You’re right, some of the quotes are not that flattering. But the way you handled it and presented it here shows how classy you are- as a grown-up. You know, now that all of those decision making neurons have filled in. You can be proud of this post. What grace.
If there’s anything that embarrassing from my teenage years, I have a traumatic block. I did go to show choir camp. Twice. Yes, in Ohio. I haven’t looked to see if it’s on YouTube. Speaking of embarrassing admissions, did someone have to admit to watching old episodes of FANatic- in 2012- to ask you about this? Oh how I would love a follow up post with exactly how/why people found this and if dreams really came true, a follow up interview with Eminem. He hasn’t been too public lately- perhaps because he’s flipping houses with advice from y’all?!
YoungHouseLove says
Haha, I would love to flip houses with him. The story about it coming out was that I think someone on a forum or a message board somehow found it/watched it and spread the word and then I heard it was on Facebook. Basically around Tuesday of this week I got a bunch of comments and emails saying “is this you?!” and started freaking out. Haha. Picture me muttering “they know… it’s spreading… they’re all finding out somehow!” – pretty funny. Then I just said oh heck with it, I’ll just blog about it and try not to die from embarrassment. Still trying. Haha.
xo,
s