Hey Look Ma, I Made It (On TV!)

When I was younger, I used to think that I wanted to be a famous actress, singer, dancer, and/or model. I took theatre classes as a young girl, but I realized by the time I entered high school that I was too shy. Plain and simple. I was too shy and uncomfortable to be a performer, and thus I would never have Justin Bieber sing at my all-star sweet sixteen party.

However, I knew I loved writing. I've always loved sitting at my computer, being able to tell stories -- and whenever my acting coach had us all sit down in a circle and talk about why we wanted to pursue acting as a career, that was always the reason I gave. "Well I love getting a chance to pretend to be someone else, to escape from my reality and live in a completely different world."

He would later shade me in following acting classes, saying you should want to be an actor for different reasons that I have now forgotten (something along the lines that it's an outlet? An emotional outlet? To release your pent-up feelings of sadness, anger? Alas, my memory is truly shit). So I dramatically made the decision to stop taking acting, singing, and dancing classes and pursue writing classes.

I never quite got rid of those dreams of being in front of the camera, though. I think you always get a little giddy/butterflies in your tummy when you have the opportunity to be on TV! That might just be me being narcissistic but the idea of being on TV has always fascinated me, and this past weekend I've gotten some incredible opportunities!

On Thursday, I got to sit front-row at The View taping where Senator Michael Bennet and Katie Couric stopped by! Unfortunately, I wasn't able to take any pictures of them because there weren't any phones allowed while the show was being taped. Not even during commercial breaks -- but I understand. Here's a picture before the show though, because I got front row!

Another girl and I were moved up to the front from the back, pretty last minute, which was super exciting. Especially because she's from my hometown and now we're friends! ✨

There is no justifiable explanation for this, besides the fact that I wanted to take a screenshot of myself and send it to my parents. I'm in the blue dress!

During the show, I had kind of been hoping to see some of the fiery debates that obviously transpire between three liberals and a conservative, but it was also nice to see them all getting along civilly and sharing different perspectives. It was so insane to see Whoopi Goldberg in the flesh! Someone I grew up idolizing as a child, and then making eye contact with her?! Sunny was super nice and came to say hi to the audience a few times, which I appreciated.

And Meghan McCain gave us free books. Well, obviously not Meghan McCain, but we were all sent home with two books of her choosing, from Ladies Get Lit! The books were "Panic Attack" by Robby Soave and "Where the Crawdads Sing" by Delia Owens, which is getting produced by Reese Witherspoon into a movie! I'll most likely read "Where the Crawdads Sing" first, and hopefully publish a review on Goodreads and the Creative Picks section of my blog -- if I get over this weird reading Slump.

Hey look it's me in front of ABC!

That day, I also went to a live taping of TRL for MTV, where ASAP Ferg performed Wigs with Asian Doll! Bruh, she came out and we were ALL surprised. She looked FIERCE though -- but I can't show you any pics because our phones and belongings were confiscated by Viacom once we walked in the building. And I also must have terrible internet detective skills because I don't know if TRL/MTV uploaded the video from that day yet (if and when it is uploaded, this post will be updated).

Then on Friday, I went to a live taping of Strahan and Sara for "Good Morning America!" Now, I'm not going to lie. I was up super early and a friend of mine was unexpectedly coming to visit for the weekend. I almost called out sick and declined my tickets. I had no fucking idea that KEKE PALMER WAS CO-HOSTING THE SHOW, OKAAAAY. I don't have cable in the apartment I'm staying in this summer. I don't watch morning daytime TV because I'm in college and I have insomnia and I never sleep so when I am asleep I am dead to the world, okaaaaaaay.

Keke Palmer is a true ray of light, an angel of sunshine. She's hilarious, upbeat, and vibrant -- and she cares so much about her fans. During breaks between the show, she would come out to the audiences so we could take pictures with her!

Me and Keke glowing and being all that and a bag of chips. My Queen.

It was so surreal getting a chance to meet her and take a picture with her. When I was growing up, Keke was that girl. She's a childhood idol for a lot of kids of color who wanted the representation of a Black, successful girl killing it in Hollywood. My dad and I would religiously watch Akeelah and the Bee whenever it was on TV -- how many times do you see an interracial young couple being all smart and shit?!! As a mixed Black and Asian women, it was also hilarious that they paralleled my parents. I loved her in Jump-In! with Corbin Bleu (ANOTHER POC ICON WE'RE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER) and True Jackson, VP! To this day, Joyful Noise is one of my favorite, favorite movies.

And I got to tell her that! I got to tell her how much it meant to me to be able to see a person of color on my TV growing up, and we hugged because she got all teary because SHE IS THE MOST CARING PERSON EVER. I don't want to hear anything else about it.

I also got to take a picture with Romeo Miller, ayyy!

My dude, if you're still looking for your Juliet, I'm just saying ... Joy and Juliet have a letter in common.

Let's flash forward to Monday (today), shall we? Because if I thought Friday was the most insane day ever -- let's talk about how I asked Keke Palmer and Kandi Burruss about sexting.

So on Friday evening, I was contacted by a producer for GMA about appearing on the show for a cameo stint to ask Keke and Kandi a question about sex for Girl, Talk! I had my reservations because I come from a very modest family, and as I've explained in my past blogs -- I'm an incredibly private person. I don't talk to anyone about this stuff, but if you wanna tell me all about your dirty deeds, I won't judge. I listen. But I don't talk. So this was very out of my comfort zone. But how could I pass up a chance to be on TV and talk to Keke Palmer?!

I decided my parents must never, ever know about this. Or the rest of my extended family, for that matter. So why not post it on my blog?! ;)

Aka, here's me asking Keke Palmer about sexting.

Haha. Look at me in my naturally awkward state. Also ignore the fact that for five seconds of this video, I don't know how to work technology. No one has any idea of how nervous I was to film this question. Especially because I couldn't wear my contacts, so I had to wear my glasses! Keke didn't recognize me, which is fine -- I would be lying if I said I hadn't hoped she would, but I know she's a busy working woman. Which is why it's still cool I got a selfie with her!

Me and my new BFF Keke (do you think she loves me? is she riding? will she never ever leave from beside me?)

Like oh, my. What a crazy fucking experience. And all thanks to The View, Good Morning America, MTV Show Casting/Lauren Waters Casting, and especially 1iota! Sign up here to get access to free tickets to shows taping in cities like New York and Los Angeles. Be sure to book ahead, so you have time to see some of your favorite shows the next time you're in these cities!

"I'm an actor, but the gag is ... all the drama happens in my real life!" - Keke Palmer, live this morning during Live with Strahan and Sara (I would like to thank you for your service to this country, Miss. Palmer).