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Busted (My Run In With Eminem)

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.

Fan Interview

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…

Fan Gilberts

… 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.

Fan Limo

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).

Fan Neck

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.

Comments

  1. Amy says

    Yeah, $herdog!

    I’m in a New Kids on the Block video, in all my neon wearing, big hair, braces glory. A bit misty-eyed, screaming and holding a Joey McIntyre sign. At age 13, this was proof at how awesome I was.

    Reply

  2. Jaime Barks says

    Oh my word, that totally made my Friday. So funny that I am leaving my first ever comment. I am taking a moment to pause and say a word of thanks that there are not videos of me at 17 online. Thanks for manning up and putting this out there : )

    Reply

    • Sayward says

      I went to my first (of four) hanson concerts wearing a blue plaid zip up short sleeved shirt with a blue and white winnie the pooh tank top underneath… I was 14 or 15. I was CONVINCED that somehow Taylor or Isaac would glimpse me from the audience because of this outfit and invite me backstage and then we’d get married. Like, I literally confidently expected to be dating either one of them by the end of the night.

    • Erin C. says

      P.S. you were adorable…and especially composed for a 17 year old meeting a superstar!

  8. Meg says

    This isn’t embarrassing… it’s adorable! You were such a little cutiehead! I wouldn’t have pegged you for an Eminem superfan questioning censorship, but then again come to think of it, I too memorized all the lyrics to his first album with my best friend when we were in ninth grade. Ohhh youth :)

    Reply

  9. Rebecca says

    I think I like you 1000 times more now! I love MTV, and this is just HILARIOUS! You sure are $herdog now. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise!

    My embarassing moment is that in 4th grade my friends and I made a Spice Girls video singing a song like we were on TRL or something. It was during a VERY awkward phase of my youth and they showed it for years after. I even got threatened that it would show up on HS Senior video.

    Reply

  10. Nicole says

    $herdog, for the win!

    My boyfriend was once on a high school academic challenge team (Jeopardy-ish) that broadcast on cable & was super fantastic. The question “What fruit does Wisconsin export the most of?” His answer: “CHEESE!” Man loves his cheddar.

    Reply

  11. almk42 says

    Oh, Sherry.

    I cringed from the awkwardness. But then I thought back to when I was 17, and how if someone had given me the chance to do this with Ben Folds, and I would have been all over it. Who am I kidding, I’d still be giggling like a school girl if I got to interview him. I got to sit in the front row at the last concert of his I went to (I think it was my 9th time seeing him) and I was giddy. See, the advantage to having dated my husband since freshman year is that he knows first hand how much of a dork I was (am?). ;)

    Reply

  14. Andrea says

    I remember this!!! I remember thinking to myself, “why is she wearing pigtails to meet eminem?!” hahahahahaha so funny!!!

    Reply

  15. Savannah Smiled says

    This is so awesome! Last year we found out one of my roommate’s boyfriend had been on MTV’s True Life: I’m Graduating High School. We spammed his Facebook with screenshots of the episode. It was so hilarious and he was a good sport too, just like you!

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      Haha, that’s funny. It sounds pretty tame (not one of the more crazy True Life ones like “I have three girlfriends” or something- haah)

      xo,
      s

  16. Nicole says

    & this girl loved Aaron Carter so much (yes…) that she caught his sweaty towel at a concert, took pictures with it, smelled it & hung it over her bed for A Y.E.A.R. Oh my goodness.

    Reply

  17. Marisol says

    I snorted my green tea right onto my desk, loudly, with laughter. My coworkers all turned around and I had to come up with a reason that doesn’t involve me reading a blog and watching a non work related video. I didn’t fare so well and had to come clean…so your moment just caused a minor moment for me! Totally worth it though ;)

    Reply

  19. Lindsey K says

    OH MY GOD that was the greatest thing I’ve seen all week!! hahaha I remember watching that show and high school and thinking those kids were so lucky. Still have your signed apron?! LOL

    Reply

  20. heyruthie says

    OMG. I’ve been a follower of y’all for years, and this is easily one of the funniest posts ever.

    I, also, had a similar experience. When I was 15, I was flown to NYC and was on the Sally Jessie Raphael show, and it was completely embarassing. For several years, strangers would occasionally stop and ask me if I was “that girl.” Each time I thought I was going to finally live it down, they would re-air the old show, and people would start recognizing me again!!! I *never* tell people about it!!

    Reply

  21. VVednesday says

    This is totally hilarious! I remember this show so well. I wanted to send in video of me to meet Dave Grohl of the Foo Fighters, except they’d already done him and I didn’t think I’d stand a chance, so instead I had this idea that maybe if I made a video to meet someone random, like whoever played bass guitar for the Foo Fighters, Dave Grohl would totally show up too, I mean, how could he not? I never tried it, but this totally made me think of that scheme. Can’t wait til Clara’s 17 and you can share this little gem, I bet!

    Reply

  22. Somer says

    HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! I couldn’t stop laughing! You will never say the word phat again and that’s exactly how I feel about saying girl. Like you go girl. Yeah, not for me. You know, I work in the D, I could always go and find his current home and stalk him for you.

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      Haha, he died laughing when he first saw it, then wanted to show all of our friends for kicks, and now has finally come to terms with the fact that it’s better left in the past. Hahaha.

      xo,
      s

  25. Molly says

    OMG!!! I have such a distinct memory of watching this episode with my college roommate (in re-runs) and she was nearly crying with jealousy because she loved him so so so much. But we actually discussed that you seemed normal–definitely normal compared to the other kids on the marathon of Fan-atic we were watching (it makes me cringe to admit to watching a marathon of this show.) You did not nearly as awkward as you think you did!

    Also, please tell me you plan to fill Clara’s new rock-box with M&M’s at some point!

    Reply

  27. Kristin says

    Morris County represent!

    Is that the Hanover Marriott?! One of my best friends in high school was a lifeguard there too. We’re a couple of years older than you but I’m pretty sure she was working at the front desk in 1999 while we were in college.

    Reply

  28. Allison says

    I totally remember this… And it is awesome. Everything about it. I especially love the “Peace MTV” at the end. I participated in a Road Rules casting once. Thankfully that didn’t happen… I can’t even imagine.

    Reply

  29. JennCfrGA says

    Brave!!! You are so brave to put that out on the blogosphere. I’m five years older than you, so I was a major New Kids on the Block-head. Fortunately, the internet nor FANatic was big. If it was, I’d probably be on both medias…and I would be hiding ;) Haha! You go Sherdog!

    Reply

  30. Catharine @ Your Modern Couple says

    Oh man! I too was a huge Eminem fan back in the day.. I never admit to it these days unless it randomly pops up when my iPod is on shuffle, and then I have to explain why I know the words to every song lol

    PS: your Jersey accent was totally phat dog!

    Reply

  31. Emily H says

    SO so so so funny! $herdog, you’re my hero! I could have NEVER done that as a 17 year old! But I have to admit, I didn’t read the whole post, just skipped to the video out of excitement, and was like “Wo!What’s with those pigtails! Oh, the 90s!” Then when I went back and read, it made more sense. Anyways, you made my day… And I’m definitely laughing WITH you!!

    Reply

  32. Kelly says

    Sherdog, you are too hard on yourself! It was a bit awkward, but not nearly as much as I expected from reading the post first. The only truly cringe worthy part was when he said “I wanted to kill her mom” and you giggled. All I can is I’m glad my many awkward teen moments are not captured on video! It would have been way worse than this!

    Reply

  33. Mandy W says

    That was totally awesome! 1 – At least when you’re nervous, you are still adorable with that big smile! Not like some people (not naming names) who find themselves making weird unnatural faces & suddenly having to pee. And 2 – how much did it cost to fill a bathtub with M&M’s? :)

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      Haha, we had to buy like ten bags, but we used towels and other stuff shoved into the tub under them to keep from having to buy a million bags!

      xo,
      s

  34. Caitlin says

    HAHA I totally remember this from when it aired. I love how you’re nervously like “yeah…” when he’s talking about hating Haley’s mom.

    Reply

  35. Amanda says

    Hahahaha, hilarious! If anything, I’d say don’t be embarrassed…you’re famous, haha! I think the best part is towards the end, Eminem has this slightly terrified look on his face as you keep inching your hand closer. Love it!

    Reply

  36. Cara says

    This made me like you even more! Don’t be embarrassed, you were a sweet young girl! I never quite understood the sherdog thing but now I get it…Love it! You are great!

    Reply

  38. maria says

    OMFG THAT WAS YOU! hahahah i am pretty sure I saw this when it aired, as I used to watch FANatic all the time. yay old people!
    PS didn’t your dear husband audition for real world around the same time? i remember reading that somewhere? soul mates :p

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      Haha, yes. And I still think he should have made it! But then he’d probably be married to some hot Real World groupie, so I’m glad I got him instead. Haha.

      xo,
      s

  39. Lisa Riley says

    Too funny! That is the MTV I remember! If that had been me at 17 I would have been so nervous that I would have forgotten to breathe, nevermind speaking or rapping to a celebrity!?! I think you have officially earned the Sherdog nickname! HAHA!

    Reply

  41. Beth says

    Oh my gosh this makes me love you guys even more than I already do.

    My embarrassing celebrity story isn’t documented on film, but when I was 16 I was obsessed with *NSYNC, especially Justin Timberlake (how original of me). At one of their concerts, I was sitting right up front on the aisle, so Justin ended up reaching down and holding my hand at the end of a song. I refused to let anyone touch my hand and wouldn’t wash it until I had gotten home, pressed it in red paint, and made a handprint in the concert program book, in order to preserve the “Justin germs.” Why was I such a creeper?

    Reply

  42. sofie says

    That’s it. I’m calling you slim sherry from now on.

    I wish I had the same confidence at 17. You were really impressive!

    P.S.: Please post the audition video. :)

    Reply

  44. Kim says

    Aww $herdog, don’t be embarrassed! It’s totally cute. I guess this is what happens when you become a celebrity – all your secrets come back to haunt you! Plus, out of all the MTV shows you could have been on, this is probably the least embarrassing. If only John had actually achieved his goal of being on the Real World! Then you’d have a whole season’s worth of embarrassing footage on him!

    Reply

  45. Gena says

    Just wanted to share in your pain as I too am a victim of having my awkward adolescence being broadcast on television in the form of a children’s game show. Bless you for forcing yourself to watch yours.

    Reply

  46. Aimee says

    That is the BEST thing ever! Haha! I, too, was obsessed with Eminem… I was in junior high and would just DIE when the “I Am” video came on MTV.

    Don’t be embarrassed… this shows us ALL an awesome side of you we didn’t know. I personally love your “peace-out kisses” at the end.

    Hilarious!

    Reply

  47. Abby says

    I ABSOLUTELY LOVE THIS! Hahaha. I was on the front page of my small town newspaper in my private school uniform outside a music store in line for the second *NSYNC CD. I don’t think I can ever tell my future husband that…but it’s true. No one should be held accountable for what they do at age 17.

    But seriously? This made my day. Hilarious!

    Reply

  48. Carla Runs The World says

    What I want to know is: Do you still have the apron? And is it secretly framed around somewhere?

    And I used to be convinced that if I applied for the Real World, I would be picked. Luckily I spared myself that embarrassment (from applying and for risk getting picked). So glad youtube and all that fun stuff wasn’t around when I was a teenager…

    Now the apron, where is it?

    Reply

  49. Tina C. says

    That’s pretty funny. :) As a seven-degrees thing, I used to be pretty good friends with Eminem/Marshall Mathers’ half-sister (Sarah Mathers). Although, I’ve lost touch over the last 5 years or so.

    Reply

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