Tuesday, June 1, 2010

Another Reality Show for me?


I've been so busy, thankfully, since returning from the "cattle call" auditions for the TV Land show: She's Got The Look, that I hadn't had time to blog about this till now. So, last November, I got an email from the entertainment news reporter for the San Antonio Express News, Jeanne Jakle, suggested that I go to this audition for she felt it had my name written ALL over it. I was so thankful to her for thinking of me and tend to take things like these, things I don't look for myself, as signs, so I looked in to it. Mind you, the ONLY part of this that I did't want because I already got that on SURVIVOR was the "Reality Show" experience. Those who know my story, know that SURVIVOR also was an opportunity that I didn't go after, but that I truly feel, God sent to me at a time where my will was so weak as I was recently divorced found myself having to provide for my children with no financial help from their father. It was a test that I needed to go through so that I could come back and go after my goal, one that I had already started as a Tv Spokesperson for HEB PLus! on "Great Day SA," the cbs morning show in San Antonio. How I was on Survivor shows that it was never my intentino to be on a "Realyt Show" as I went about my experience very much under the radar. I purposely didn't want to become identified as the "whatever" one on Survivor because I knew that would hurt the credibility I was trying to establish as a TV Host. So, my "strategy" was always a long term one not one of 15 minutes of fame. Thankfully, it seems to have worked for me as immediately after my participation on Survivor, I began hosting a show on Telemundo as well as filling in for the Traffic Anchor on the cbs morning news in San Antonio. More importantly, it has given me a venue to give back to others as I'm so very blessed to donate my services as Emcee for charitable events such as: The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, Ovations for the Cure of Ovarian Cancer and the City of Hope. I never get tired of saying, indeed, what a God send it has been for me as it's been the gift that keeps on giving to me and I use it as much as I can to give back to others. Alrighty then, after looking carefully into "Shes' Got the Look," I found it could develop the modeling part of my career, which I've been doing, on and off, for the past 25 yrs. So, off I went to my 1st "cattle call" type audition in Memphis, Tennessee. It was my 1st visit there so lot's of 1st's for me on this trip. After an ALL day, standing in line type wait and very brief 3 minute interview type audition, I received an email telling me that I had made it to the Finals round! Yipee! During my final interview, I saw the faces of the Producer's go from big smiles when they began their interview with a very excited greeting. First question:"Rita, have you ever been on this type of audition before and if so, how far did you make it?" "Kinda, I said, I'd never been on a "cattle call" type audition, but I went through something similar and was picked for the show." "Oh, what show?" they asked. "SURVIVOR FIJI," I replied. I could almost hear the "wah, wah, wah :( debbie downer type sound" as I saw the instant sad expressions on their faces. "Wow, Rita, that's huge!" they said, but it's a conflict of interest w/the newtworks involved:((" Thankfully, I'm a firm believer in that God has a plan for me and indeed He does. As I mentioned in the beginning of this paragraph, I've stayed busy since my return from Memphis with so many wonderful opportunities for my career including being Spokeperson for HSN and doing the World Car Hyundai commericals. In b/t my HSN shows, I'm working on productions for UNIVISION, Freedomdebt.com, The Texas Dept. of Agriculture and the Dept. of Health.
My trip to Memphis, nevertheless, was very worthwhile. I had an AMAZING time, unexpectedly running into one of my dearest friends, Mrs. Suzy Bootz (Mrs. International 2007) and meeting news ones like Michelle Colon-Johson (to my right)
I couldn't leave Memphis w/o a tour which started w/a visit to the famous recording studio where Elvis lay(omgoodness, get your minds out of the gutter!) his 1st track:) "Sun Studios"
as well as saw his gorgeous private jet the "Hound Dog." and the commercial plane he bought his little girl and appropriate named the "Lisa Marie,"
the hotel where he was found dead
(the orignial car he was driving is parked in the very same place he left it) This is where Elvis lived with his mother BEFORE he became the "King" of Rock and Roll and then he bought.. this little ole home..."Graceland,"
Mrs. Priscilla Presley has done an amazing and very intelligent job of decorating the house and turning into another million dollar business for her family...because we all know Elvis Presley didn't leave them enough as it was..LOL. Also went to the Hospital founded by Danny Thomas "St. Jude's," which was a promise Danny made St. Jude if he helped his dream come true of becoming a famous actor/comedian.St. Jude's a very powerful intercessor w/God. He helped my father through a very difficult time in his life:)
Mr. & Mrs. Danny Thomas' final resting place, on the grounds of St. Jude's Hospital
Here's one of the exquisite homes built w/the old school money that was made from the lucrative cotton harvests. They are in an area known as "Cotton Row."
When I was told that I was had made the "Finals" Round for"She's Got the Look," I had to make some copies of some of my modeling photos. Someone told me the "Peabody" Hotel, nearby, had a Fed Ex office in the lobby so I ran over there. I got my copies and also a delightful treat: watch a world famous Red Carpet walk done by ducks!! Yes, you read correctly, duckies! They live like celebrities on the Penthouse of the Peabody Hotel. A couple of times a day, they do their Red Carpet walk to the fountain of the hotel where they, then bathe before going back up to their Penthouse!!
Here I am standing in front of the SPECTACULAR Christmas tree in the lobby of the Peabody Hotel
and now, for the highlight of my visit to Memphis, trying to grab Elvis' butt! LOL

No comments: