Be sure to buy a copy of Love Trips: A Collection of Relationship Stumbles.
I’ve been keeping a secret for a month now. The secret that opened up the door to my being on The Wendy Williams Show. In mid January, I received a call from HARPO. That’s right – the Oprah Winfrey production company. I had applied for a reality show pilot with Iyalna Vanzant on OWN in early January after I saw a casting call tweet. I jumped online and created a quick, funny and truthful anecdote about my life as a single woman.
I am a serial dater. A woman who hardly ever has a second date because I’m picky and have a serious nose fetish (love a long bridge!). If it does move on, I’m in a relationship by the third date. The relationship begins quickly and ends just as rapidly. Or I’m stuck with a stalker.That very day Cynthia Martinez of Fat Girl Escapades also forwarded a tweet from Wendy Williams. The Wendy Williams Show was looking to hook up singles for Valentine’s Day. I saw this as a second opportunity to meet another daytime idol and be on national television to promote my relationship brand and Love Trips: A Collection of Relationship Stumbles.
Flashforward to mid January. I’m on my computer writing my first piece for the Examiner as the New York Modern Love Examiner. My phone rings and I look over the screen. Unknown. I picked up though I rarely do. Something told me it wasn’t my stalker.
“Hello?” I answered, hesitantly.
“Hello, may I please speak with Sujeiry?” The voice responded. She said my name wrong. Surgery. Definitely not my stalker who probably mutters my name in his sleep.
“This is she,” I said, holding my breath.
“Hello! It’s Samantha calling from HARPO!”
My eyes shot out of their sockets. HARPO was calling MEEE?! I thought. I recalled the casting call. Samantha began asking me questions about my dating experiences. She laughed. I rattled on. She pried deeper. I opened up, aware of how television works. They want someone who is vibrant, funny, a little messed up and definitely entertaining.
They wanted me.
For the next week, I spoke to three different producers from HARPO. I created three videos and made plans to film. Suddenly, the show changed directions. They are now looking to work with families.
I wasn’t disappointed. I wanted it, yes, but I knew that the call, the fact that HARPO wanted me, meant something else was brewing. 24 hours later I received a call from The Wendy Williams Show. They wanted me to come into a casting audition. A week later I was in her waiting area. 25 other women surrounded me before we were moved to a conference room. One by one, we answered their questions. Some of us were asked to do a video and others were sent home. It was my turn. I was myself. I dazzled and made the producers and other girls laugh. And I was asked to do a video. A week later, I received the call I knew was coming. They wanted me to be a participant on the Wendy Williams Show dating game airing the week of February 13, 2012.
I jumped for joy, wishing I could do cartwheels like Madonna at the Super Bowl.
So, you see, HARPO may not have worked out but she opened the door to opportunity. I will meet Wendy Williams and will be giving her a copy of my book, Love Trips. I will receive exposure. And maybe I will even win a date with an eligible bachelor. I knew this would happen. I know I have a spark and I am meant for television and radio. Doors are opening and I can’t wait to jump through.
Maybe I’ll even do a cartwheel.
Watch Sujeiry on February 17, 2012 on The Wendy Williams Show! Any tweets during the live show will be appreciated. Use the hashtag #WendyLovesSujeiry. Be sure to buy a copy of Love Trips: A Collection of Relationship Stumbles.
