Nope, I’m not trying out for the show. (Nor am I writing this post so that you will tell me I should . . .) I seriously think that could be a disaster waiting to happen.

However, someone emailed me the link to the Design Star application (they are having one of their open casting calls in Charlotte this year—anyone interested?), and I thought some of the questions were pretty interesting. It’s an in depth, 15-page application, assessing everything from your design skills to how you handle stress.
Here were some of my favorite questions (and my commentary):
If you could choose one person (dead or alive) to design a room for, who would that person be and why would you want to design for them?
Why do I suddenly feel like I’m a Miss America contestant? I always hate these kinds of questions, but I guess I’ll go with the obvious—Jesus. I would say He deserved a better space than he probably had while He was on earth.

What do you wish you were better at, design-wise, and why?
What do you feel most insecure about? Do tell, so we can build a challenge around that very thing, hopefully spurring a nervous breakdown watched by millions!
Have you previously appeared on TV or film?
This question made me laugh. I’ve never shared this little secret with you. Years ago, when they filmed Shallow Hal in Charlotte, my friend Katie and I auditioned for extras. If you watch the first 15 minutes of the movie, I’m in the background of the office scene where Jack Black is talking to some woman. You mostly only see my back and I’m just walking down a hallway, but I still claim it as my 15 minutes of fame :) (Does that count? Ha!)

What do you like most about yourself? What do you like least?
What we really want to know is what is your most unflattering quality, because we are going to edit the heck out of you to make sure it shines through!
What do you do for fun?
Uh. . .Decorate my own house?
Please describe the most stressful time in your life and how you reacted to it.
Once again, we would love to recreate that same situation on camera. (For example, they would put me in the room with someone like Cathy and see how long I would last before I knocked her over the head with a candlestick. . . Anybody else glad to see her go last night?!)

What is your guilty pleasure?
Real Housewives. . . and The Bachelor (I think we all know that.)

Would you be available to leave home for up to 8 weeks, and have little to no contact with your home and business. . . ?
And, THIS is the reason I will not be auditioning for Design Star anytime soon. No wonder Kelly cries every episode. . . .
Okay, after all of that, anybody out there going to give it a shot? Would love to live vicariously through you!











I don't think I could answer half of those questions. I am surprised the didn't ask who you sleept with for the first time!
ReplyDeleteSusan
Ha! Emily you are brilliant, I laughed at it too after being pestered to apply.
ReplyDeleteSeriously? Leave my family, home, blog and life for 8 weeks to suffer the stress of cameras and the "chance" to be the next Design Star where I'm under contract to leave my family, home, blog and life just to be on TV.
I'll keep my hum drum anonymity and stay in my paint splattered yoga pants where I can kiss my kids everyday thank you very much and design whatever I want for whomever I please. That's priceless.
Loved this!!!
xo
Kate
I mean slept with...
ReplyDeleteyour answers had me cracking up. yes please, let me tell you all my faults and weaknesses. I watched on my dvr last night and I was very glad to see her go. omg.. she drove me bonkers with her "i am so global and i travel and i am on tv and i am great at hosting and i am global and i did weddings... and i'm not that great at getting along with people or decorating... but i have such a global perspective, because i travel. anyway... i love the bachelor too... guilty pleasure here too. I'd like to sign up just to meet Vern, Genevieve, and Candice. they have always been my faves.
ReplyDeleteI think this might just be one of my favorite posts ever. You cracked me up and you NAILED "reality" TV! Haha! Stressful situations, check. Making sure the worst side of you comes out for ratings, check. Personally, I'm glad our little corner of the blog-o-sphere can enjoy your amazing design skills without turning on a TV and if I were you, I wouldn't leave those cute kiddos for 8 weeks! :-)
ReplyDeleteHow cute! Even though you would never consider it, it would be fun to watch. And no I didn't see Cathy go last night - glad I recorded it.
ReplyDeleteHonestly, when I saw the spot about looking for new applicants, you were the first on I thought of!
ReplyDeleteI was so glad to see Cathy go. She and her crazy eyes freaked me out!
http://wonderfullydomestic.blogspot.com/
Emily, I love your answers! You cracked me up, lol!
ReplyDeleteJessie
www.mixandchic.com
I was happy to see Cathy go!!!!! I wanted her to go last week (well, all of the weeks :)
ReplyDeleteEmily, this is a hoot!!! You had me laughing all the way through!!! You would be a wonderful contestant, but I so agree with your reasoning11 Yes, Yes!!! I was so glad to see Cathy go. She reminded me of Amarosa on The Aprrentice. I actually clapped out loud when she was let go. I felt a bit mean, but I am with you. I would have told her off so many times. Kelly is my fav. so far, not sure about the talent level of any of the contestants, but afterall they are given impossible task with such short periods of time to do anything. Thanks for the laugh today!! I needed that, Kathysue
ReplyDeleteI love it. Sometimes I think it would be fun just for the experience of it. I'd love to be challenged and pushed in a different way but there is NO way I could leave Jett and my husband, friends, family clients etc. Maybe when I'm older if the show is still around. lol.
ReplyDeleteEmily I love your comments!! I don't know why anyone who has a life would goo and do this show!
ReplyDeleteWell something for everyone!
xoxo
Karena
Art by Karena
Haven't seen last night's episode yet but now I know - about time! Amusing answers..
ReplyDeleteI can't stop laughing. This is hilarious. So true about turning people's worst qualities and insecurities into high ratings. And the thought of leaving my family . . not too mention what an idiot I would make of myself on camera are reasons enough to steer clear. And who knew you were a movie star? You never cease to amaze me ;)
ReplyDeleteLOL! You hit the nail on the head!! Doing something like that would be my worst nightmare!!
ReplyDeletetotally fun post; I loved it. I think it was more enjoyable than last night's episode of design star...and your babes are too adorable...donna
ReplyDeleteToo funny. Yeah, there is a lot of dirt gathering going on... for some good TV. Eek. So glad to see Cathy go! She and I would clash like no other!
ReplyDeleteGood luck! Some interesting questions!
ReplyDeleteKelli
I loved your commentary! I think that every time I see a reality show where they put them through stressful situations. I tell my husband that I would lie about the answers to avoid that very thing. Don't people realize that is why they ask???
ReplyDeleteI would never do it either. Not worth it. Plus, I don't want my own show. It would flip our lifestyle upside down. I am happy as a clam right where I am :)
Love this post, Emily! I was sooo glad to see Cathy go too! I've considered applying for the show but I too think that could be a disaster...so I'll stick to blogging for now :)Hope you're having a great week!
ReplyDeleteThis was the funniest post ever! Hit her over the head with a candlestick - HA! So glad she's gone!
ReplyDeleteOh Emily, you are so much fun. I loved it a few weeks ago when you showed how you morphed into Meghan Fox (please tell me you know what I am referencing) and then the toenail polish color comment the other day and then this entire post (again - total props for your witness). See? ALL OF THIS is why I soooo love your blog!
ReplyDeleteEnjoyed reading your answers!! It would be very hard to be put in a situation where you have so little control over your work situations, and subsequently their outcome. I don't think you could pay me (a lot of money) to go through that! Janell
ReplyDeleteLOVED THIS!
ReplyDeleteI only started watching Design Star about 3 weeks ago, and I was already ready to see Cathy go. I was quite surprised, though, because (I don't know if you've heard) her wedding appeared in THREE national magazines. She obviously knows weddings. :-)
Soooooo glad Cathy and her global perspective got the boot last night. Her buggy eyes freaked me out.
ReplyDeletehaha! That was so funny! I couldn't do it! No way!
ReplyDeleteAmen.
ReplyDeleteAlthough deep down inside I would love to be there for just one day.
I really lack design sense, but I have to admit I'd probably make good drama on a reality show. Really really glad that Kathy is gone! I, too, was hoping for her to be gone weeks ago!
ReplyDeleteGreat post! I was so happy last night when Cathy finally got the boot!
ReplyDeleteYou made me laugh....Especially the part about knocking Cathy over the head with a candlestick...I recorded it and just watched it tonight and I told my daughter if I was in a room with her I would probably knock her out...then she got voted off...Buh Bye!!!
ReplyDeleteI live just outside Charlotte and I wouldn't try out either just cause the questions are rediculous!!! LOL
I DVR Design Star and watched it tonight, out of curiousity I pulled up their application because they kept advertising it. It is crazy!! I actually laughed out loud at some of those questions. Reedonkulous! :)
ReplyDeleteThere are priorities in life and leaving your family for 8 weeks wouldn't be something I would do no matter what the prize.
ReplyDeleteI'm not impressed with any of the contestants to be honest about it. Thankfully Kathy was given the boot.
Dina Manzo as a guest host???? Laughable.
ok. that cracks me up about cathy! my daughter and i cheered and gave each other high fives when she was voted off...and i know that is not nice...but nobody likes a bossy boss! ;) (even though she DID have weddings published in national magazines! ;) ha!
ReplyDeleteEmily...if the decorating gig does not work out...you always have standup to fall back on :) Hilarious!!!
ReplyDeleteAh! You spoiled this week's episode! But honestly, I'm so happy to hear she's gone I really don't care!
ReplyDeleteYou hit the nail on the head ! It would be sooo hard to leave those little cuties. No way !
ReplyDeleteThis post really makes me laugh! I'm with you... I wouldn't do this also. Being w/out my family is NOT an option. Besides, I hate all the drama! :-)
ReplyDeleteHave a great day!
xo
Luciane at HomeBunch.com
This post really makes me laugh! I'm with you... I wouldn't do this also. Being w/out my family is NOT an option. Besides, I hate all the drama! :-)
ReplyDeleteHave a great day!
xo
Luciane at HomeBunch.com
Hah! LOVE your answers! They do make everyone look hideous. Cathy was the worst. If I heard her say "My wedding was in 3 national magazines" again I would have hit her upside the head. It does make you wonder what the designers are like in "real life". Even if I had the talent, I would *never* subject myself or my family to any reality show.
ReplyDeleteWe are dying laughing at your responses. You are dead on! We agree...we could never leave our kids. We loved you answer to the first question!
ReplyDeleteAngela and Renee
While I think you would be brilliant and probably take the whole thing I can absolutely see why you would not consider it.
ReplyDeletePriceless! I'll take my son over 8 weeks of hopeful... what was it again? anyday.
ReplyDeleteHad to share this on my facebook. :)
Donna
Thanks for the laughs today...your post was great. My husband and I watch the show and last night we both cheered when Cathy was booted. I was fearful they'd keep her to boost ratings(everyone likes to watch drama).
ReplyDeleteI think they should have Jeff Lewis from Flipping Out on the show to really liven things up.
Love your responses! Ya know, I think you may be right about the reasons behind why they'd ask you some of those questions! LOL! Being on TV before?...um...no. But I was once in a pageant...Didn't win. Does that count! Hahaha!
ReplyDeleteAll I can think now is: I have to go re-watch Shallow Hal!
ReplyDeleteThis is so funny! And I was sooo glad to see Cathy go last night...been waiting for that since the first week.
ReplyDeleteAnd that is what I'd worry about if I were on the show...America rooting to get rid of me. Ha!
Fun post! I would never make it so I might come up with my own quirky answers. :-)
ReplyDeleteIf I could have gone through the TV screen, I would have bopped Cathy on the head! Such arrogance ~ all about "me" instead of teamwork.
Thanks for sharing!
Pat
Fun post! I would never make it so I might come up with my own quirky answers. :-)
ReplyDeleteIf I could have gone through the TV screen, I would have bopped Cathy on the head! Such arrogance ~ all about "me" instead of teamwork.
Thanks for sharing!
Pat
I watched Shallow Hal again and spotted you! :)
ReplyDeleteI am still laughing at your answers, and you know what, you were dead on! The one thing that you frequently read from the reality people, and I use that term loosely is that they were edited to make them look bad. I am sure that in some instances that is the case and then there are just the people who are mean, nasty and psycho and that is just magnified.
ReplyDeleteYour children are adorable and your are so blessed, you do not need a show like that to take you away from your family!
And I would have naively answered those questions, sweating over giving more than enough detail and they would have hanged me with the noose I gave them. Oh my goodness you cracked me up!!! I will never look at a questionaire the same again. Too funny and yes, I too was glad to se Cathy go...may have knowledge but I wonder if she just badgers her clients into being happy with the room she "designs" for them because she certainly didnt listen to anyone.
ReplyDeleteWow- interesting questions! This was a fun post. And you were on Shallow Hal!! I'll have to check out the beginning of the movie again. :) I was so glad to see Kathy gone last night. How many times did she mention she had her wedding in magazines?? She was never able to back up all that talk with great design. I hope Kelly wins!
ReplyDeleteGreat answers!!! I would vote for you for sure.
ReplyDeletelaughed so hard.. great way to start my day, thanks..
ReplyDeleteI saw one of the comments said Kathy/Cathy had her wedding in a magazine- seriously? someone married her and has to stay.. oui
just the thought of this makes my eyes go wonky.
I wouldnt want to be part of this contest. Can you imagine them having 100% control of your life henseforth.. The CIA has less security clauses you have to sign.. No way, no how would I allow these folks to wield that kind of power over me.
As I have mentioned many other times, here in the south, some of us still keep muskets over the door and we know how to use them, and I would, if any of these folks arrived to put their designs in my home..again- no way, no how, NOOOOOOOO..
thanks for such a fun post. I enjoyed it.
Funny post! After vowing that we would never ever watch any show starring Kathy, my husband and I broke out into applause when they FINALLY got rid of her!!!
ReplyDeleteThis is too funny! Love your answers...so true. They really do highlight the worst in people! So glad Cathy is gone!
ReplyDeleteCathy was polished in most of her camera challenges, but too fake. She doesn't seem to have a humble bone in her body. The over-styling she did in the kitchen challenge was atrocious. I'm still trying to figure out what was modern about that kitchen. Sooo happy to see her go. Mark has done some neat things, and I hope more of his talent comes out. Everybody that's left has had some good moments and some bad, so I just keep watching to see what's next!
ReplyDelete