In the middle of Mardi Gras Madness I got a text from my friend saying “I have some exciting news, do you have time to chat?”. Thinking that he was going to tell me something exciting he was doing I called him immediately. Instead he told me a producer friend from The Today Show was interested in doing a walk-on segment with Fringe+co. while they were taping LIVE in New Orleans. 
Tired from lack of sleep and high on king cake sugar I immediately said “yes” and went back to shipping orders. Then it hit me- I said yes to being on national TV? The nerves kicked in but I knew it wasn’t an opportunity I could pass up.
Fast forward through many conversations with producers it was decided that I was going to walk on air live with a clothing rack and dress Hoda and Jenna in sparkles. I immediately booked Nicole at Parlour Salon to do hair and makeup and organized the sequin squad to come cheer me on (and help with my nerves).
The day of I woke up at 5am, headed to the salon so I could be ready to get mic’ed and prepped. I had no idea what Hoda and Jenna were going to wear so I had a lot of sequin options. A car picked me up at the salon to bring me to set (this was the first time a car has been sent to get me and let me tell you, a gal could get used to this). My clothing rack and I were quickly shuffled to the live set in Jackson Square where there was a flurry of activity all around. I just sat back and waited to get my microphone and be told when I was on (cue major nerves).
When it was my turn I grabbed my rack and brought in the sparkles. I remember saying my first line and after that… it is all a little blur because it happened SO FAST. I do remember losing Hoda’s headwrap on her head but made a swift recovery like a true pro. After it was over I grabbed my rack and headed to brunch with my sparkle squad. They all got up at 5 to dress in sparkles as well, so it was cause for celebration.
Doing The Today Show was incredibly surreal. Kelsey from 8 years ago could not even imagine that this was a possibility, and here I was with Jenna and Hoda and Harry Connick Jr. I had an incredible group of friends show up to support and am so lucky to get to do what I love. I am sure that Jenna and Hoda will come back to New Orleans and I hope to get to dress them in even more sequins next time.
