This story is about the time Ronee' went to Hollywood to appear on the show, "Star Search". She lost, but she still had a very great time.
Earlier this year, I had something very special happen to me.
I went to Hollywood back in February to be on the show "Star Search", and I had a very good time there. I had auditioned a few weeks prior to the show (auditions were held here in Nashville, where I live), and I passed the audition (much to my--and my family's--surprise)!
I then found out that I had not only passed the audition; I was also going to be on the show, and the "Star Search" people told me to be on the lookout for my packet that I was to bring with me when I went to the place where the show was to be. Kids 8 to 14 years old were auditioning for the show, and some were really good, and I felt all should have gone; but not all of them could. And some were also quite awful (but I didn't say that; I don't tell people they can't sing because for one thing, I am not a critic, and besides, that isn't very nice!).
After I got my packet about a week later, we then got our airline tickets to go to Hollywood (daddy and I went; mommy stayed home with the rest of the kids, but they all said before I left that they would watch me on tv), and we then went shopping for one or two outfits that I could wear on "Star Search".
We then left for Hollywood a few days before I was to be on "Star Search", and by this time, I had butterflies the size of Texas wallowing around in my stomach, I was so nervous. I didn't talk much, because I was afraid that if I opened my mouth, I would throw up.
I was on the Wednesday night show, and I had decided on singing one of my very favorite songs, "Coal Miner's Daughter" by Loretta Lynn, for the show. I knew that song by heart, like the back of my hand, and I would try my best to get through the song as best as I possibly could.
I was wearing a pink-and-black western style shirt with black fringe on the sleeves and front, and black jeans, and dark brown boots, and I had a pink cowboy hat on my head, and I had my hair loose. I also had dangly Texas-shaped earrings in my ears. I looked calm and relaxed on the outside, but inside was an entirely different matter. I was shaking so hard, the fringe on my shirt was in constant motion (or at least, I was SURE it was!), and I could feel my knees shaking inside my boots. But when they called my name and the people applauded, I closed my eyes, and I began to sing.
During the time I was singing, the people clapped a few times, but I was concentrating on getting through the song; and pretty soon, it was all over; and the people were clapping wildly. They seemed to like what I had sung, and I could feel the butterflies leave my stomach and the fear leave my body; and I then relaxed.
That was, until Arsenio Hall (the host) came over and asked the judges for their opinions. (I was sure I was going to be chewed up and spat out; I knew I had messed up, I kept thinking.)
It turned out that all four of the celebrity judges (Naomi Judd, Ben Stein, and Ozzy Osbourne's kid--I don't remember his name--, as well as LeAnn Rimes, who had been on "Star Search" herself when she was eight years old) loved what I had done, and all but Ozzy Osbourne's kid gave me a 5. (Ozzy Osbourne's kid gave me a 4.) I nearly fainted. But I didn't have time to faint, for it was then time for my competitor, a 9-year-old girl from Michigan, to sing; but I didn't get to hear her, as I was now backstage. When she was done, I went back out onto the stage, and we then heard the results.
It turned out that I WON. Amanda (my competitor) had 27 points, but I had 29. I not only won; I was also going to be in the Semi-finals, where I would meet the winner of the next night's show, for a chance to go into the FINALS! (The Semi-finals were the following Wednesday.)
For a week, I sweated it out, between touring Hollywood; but I couldn't really enjoy the sights because my mind was on "Star Search" and the upcoming Semi-finals. I had to choose another song to do for that, and at the time, I had no clue. There were so many different songs I loved besides "Coal Miner's Daughter", and I couldn't decide.
During the Semis, I eventually decided on singing "A Moment Like This" by "American Idol" winner, Kelly Clarkson. I was just as scared the second time as I was the first, and I think my nervousness showed; my voice wobbled a few times, and I was again shaking like a leaf; but I tried my best to get through the song. After I did, I ran backstage, where I then threw up.
I ended up losing; an 11-year-old girl from Atlanta, Georgia, had won. But I was glad it was over: I don't think my stomach could have handled it any longer.
I wasn't unhappy or upset I lost; I was just glad I had the chance to compete, and I wished the winner good luck in the Finals, and I hugged her. I then went backstage, got my stuff, and daddy and I went back to the hotel, where we then crashed until the next day, where we then caught a flight home back to Nashville.
That was my experience on "Star Search." It was fun, but I wouldn't want to do it again; too upsetting for my tummy!
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Reviewed by Robert Blackwell
6/19/2003
Ronee' is always a winner in my heart...as is her creator. {{{{{{{{hugs}}}}}}}}}
Amazing where stars appear isn't it. Enjoyable write....Why aren't you a columnist in a newspaper of magazine for human interest related stories. You do them so well...even when fictional :) ~Trish~ P.s...thanks for the congrats. Appreciated.
This is a wonderful story about Ronee I am glad to hear more about her, keep up the great writing Karen..
God Bless
~Michelle~
Reviewed by Cathy Montgomery
6/18/2003
I enjoyed reading this, too! Great writing, dear friend...
Reviewed by Vesna Perkovic
6/18/2003
Your soul shines through every word you write...your sweetness an gentleness always surfaces....I'm so joyous that you are on this plane...we need ya..LOL
ronee' is a star...and so are you, for writing this
i enjoyed reading about a little girl going for her dreams...just like you are, in your writes...keep writing, and never let anyone stay you from your dreams
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