Dear Diary, I Told The Sherri Show TV Host I Want To Be A Producer—And She Actually Gave Me Advice

Yup, I Talked To The Sherri Show TV Host About Becoming A Producer …

I accidentally, on purpose, told Sherri Shepherd a few days ago, after attending a live taping of the Sherri Show, that I wanted to be a producer. Like, actually said it out loud! To HER. Randomly. Unprompted.

And now I’m spiraling in the cutest, most terrifying way possible. Please send help.

But I guess I should backtrack a little before spiraling out?

So … I’ve been playing with the idea of becoming a producer for a while now!

And not just since I watched Ryan Coogler’s “Sinners” movie three four times in theaters since its release and started daydreaming about how fun it would be to bring more Black stories to life. I mean … even before that!

I’ve known for a while now that I’ve wanted to break into the industry somehow. I just wasn’t sure if I wanted to do that as a writer or as a producer. And at first, I thought movies were the goal—big sets, big moments, big magic.

But lately … TV has also been calling me.

So when Sherri Shepherd asked us (my friend and I) why we attended her show (so she could get the opinion from us “young folks”), I told her that I went to a taping of The Kelly Clarkson Show last year, and LOVED watching everything behind the scenes happen.

And then I told her … I wanted to go to school, to become a Producer.

And boy oh boy, I did NOT expect what happened next!!

When I told Sherri I wanted to produce, she immediately went into “Black woman mentoring” mode.

She turned to me seriously and told me that producing is a REALLY important job—you have to be on top of everything! Which of course made me slightly nervous, so I joked and said “thank god I’m a virgo” because if nothing else … I am a perfectionist who loves making things run smoothly! But the more she told me … the more I realized that producing might actually be the gig for me!

Sherri spent about 10 minutes of her day … just talking to me about how much her Producers meant to her. How they were the ones coming up with all the crazy ideas–like making her dance on TV with Ciara, which was part of her segment that day. And how even if they made a mistake, SHE would be the one blamed for it–reminding me that despite everything Producers do, ultimately it’s her show, and her name on the line.

Nothing I didn’t already know, because again, Virgo here, and she does her homework.

But what truly amazed me was how quickly Sherri turned to listen and give me advice when I mentioned being a producer.

Sherri didn’t just smile and laugh when I mentioned going to school. She also didn’t try to deter me from going. Which is what seems to be everyone’s normal reaction when one says they’d like to go to school for anything film-related.

Instead, she talked to me. She gave me real advice. She took time out of her day to pour into me, and THAT alone was worth it!

Crazy enough … while she was talking to me, I noticed that everyone was just standing around waiting for us to finish. And in true Virgo fashion, I began to panic on the inside. What if I was holding them up? What if they needed Sherri to get ready for something else, and I was throwing them off schedule? Why was I just standing here laughing with this lady who is incredibly busy, like we’re best friends!

But no one made me feel like an inconvenience! No one rushed us, or made a face while waiting. Everyone just watched us talk … and at lunch afterwards, the CEO of Black Leaders Detroit said it was a beautiful moment to witness.

And that meant everything to me.

Here’s part of our conversation …

I won’t lie though … I’m nervous now.

Seeing a real, live talk show behind the scenes gave me a whole new level of respect for the industry and those who work in it. From the camera crew to the production assistants, it’s nonstop coordination. And I could tell, from just watching how SMOOTHLY the Sherri Show runs, that not only is it a lot to manage, but there’s someone working extra hard to make things look so effortless!

So yeah, that may have just turned up the pressure! But that doesn’t mean I can’t do this! It just means I need some real-world experience.

So I listened to everything Sherri had to say. I let her words sink in.

And when I got home …

I applied to the New York Film Academy’s Producing Workshop!

And I’m proud to say, I got in! Of course, I’m going to need a bit of help turning this dream into reality. But I think it’ll come! I have to believe it’ll come!

That moment with Sherri gave me the courage to say yes to myself in a bigger way. So I’m honoring that moment by following through. No more … just talking about it! I’m finally taking actions to DO it. But tuition, travel, and life expenses are real here in NYC. And as a single mom, who has a daughter to pour into, I don’t have much left for myself afterwards. So I’m putting my pride aside, and doing the one thing I hate doing the most–asking for help. I’ve launched a GoFundMe to help me raise the funds I’ll need to pay my NYFA tuition and take this next big step. And if you believe in me, if you’ve ever rooted for me, or if you’ve ever seen a spark of something special in me—I’d really love your help.

Listen … I know, it all sounds surreal, and too good to be true!

I still can’t believe all of this happened. To me! Little ol’ me!

And now I can’t stop thinking about how cool it would be if one day I became an assistant producer for the Sherri Show! Or maybe just shadowing one of her Producers, and learning some more behind the scenes, so one day we can look back at this conversation and talk about how it led to this full-circle moment. Either way, no matter what the future holds … I’m glad I went to that live taping!

Funny story is, we almost didn’t go! I almost missed out on this life-changing moment! But I guess the universe has a funny way of reminding me that I belong here, huh.

So if you can, please donate! And if not, feel free to share it with someone who can! I can’t wait to see where I end up at the end of the year!