But then the show panned to a montage of a day in Nadya "Octomom" Suleman's life. She was griping about the trials and tribulations that come with being a side show reality TV mom. How difficult it is to walk the line between keeping her "audience" interested and keeping the paparazzi at bay. And as Suleman cried about how tough her life is with eight children and how indignant she was at rumors that she had her face "touched up" to look like Angelina Jolie, I found myself too distracted to continue watching...
How on earth did Octomom convince Oprah to give her a show?
So I googled it, and this is what I found:
"After 14 months of being portrayed in the media as "Octomom"—not Nadya—she decided to send Oprah a letter. "Thus far, the media has depicted a completely false picture of who I am. The trial I've been put through has forced me to see my true self—something I have avoided most of my life. I have been compelled to dig deep inside and pull out strengths I never knew I possessed in order to protect my family. I am not a victim. I do not blame anyone for the circumstances of my life.
Oprah says she had never spoken with Nadya before that letter. "I had reservations about putting myself in this whole media swirl that seems to always surround her," she says. "But I reconsidered after reading this letter from her. And she says she wants the world to see her for who she really is." "
She wrote Oprah a letter. And Oprah listened. To Octomom. Is this really what captures the minds of America? Do we want to hear Suleman whine about the position she's in? If Nadya Suleman was able to convince Oprah of her worth in a letter, surely SABI can too?
Now I don't want to come off as insensitive. But I do believe that you reap what you sow. I do believe that those that turn their lives around and work their way up from rags to riches deserve everyone's utmost respect. I do believe that women have the right to do with their bodies what they wish. But I do believe that there is a ethical line that you do not cross. There's a difference between self-fulfillment and being selfish. I'm not against celebrity or the entertainment industry (not entirely anyway). There are certainly individuals that should be commended for their ability to carry themselves with grace, dignity, and remarkable patience in the face of blood-thirsty paparazzi. For them, fame seems to come second to their talent. But then there are some "celebrities" that seem to only have talent for generating press. Time and time again, we see more examples of this exploitation of media sensationalism, and like a gruesome accident, we can't turn away. I'm happy to leave these people to their choices. But I would like to emphasize how it is absolutely a choice. They chose to chase fame, and thus everything that comes with it. It only bothers me to hear them cry about it like they had no idea. I made the choice to risk homelessness and disappointment in pursuit of my dream, and it's my responsibility to deal with the consequences. And as my friends and I learned after watching Jumper (quality entertainment from the entertainment industry), there are always consequences.
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| So many consequences, when it comes to Octomom... Is this her showing what she's really like? |
I recently met up with my mother's long-time friend, and during our conversation I mentioned the project I had to get SABI to Oprah. She warned me that Oprah was losing her appeal, that somehow she's losing touch with what really matters to people. I defended Oprah, saying that Oprah had worked so hard over the years to build her legacy and that, just like Alan Greenspan, her credibility within her domain of expertise will never die. But seeing this show only reinforced the point, and truly troubled me.
So here's my heartfelt plea to Oprah:
The reason for my dream to get SABI onto your show, is because of my belief that with your help, SABI's story can reach out and touch people's lives. The underlying message of your show has, to me, always been that within all of us is the power to make a difference, to lend a helping hand, to make the world just a little bit brighter. And this, I have taken to heart. To me, success is being able to change someone's life for the better. I believe that your show still revolves around this fundamental ideal, but over time, the message has weakened. Perhaps this is because of the environment we live in today, where the only stories that seem to capture the most attention are those where people have ceased to care about the impact of their actions. But the reason that I write to you today is to remind you that if you dig a little deeper, you'll find a wealth of individuals who commit their lives to making dreams come true for themselves, and for the people around them. These are the people who deserve your attention. The people who uphold the timeless ideals that take your show from good to exceptional.
People, like my partners at SABI. And it would mean the world to me to be able to use this amazing opportunity I have been blessed with to inspire others to find their SABI.
My dream means nothing if your show stops being meaningful to people. So regardless of whether SABI ever makes it onto the show, please remember what truly matters to your audience. Continue to fill your stage with stories of inspiration, of beauty, and of determination. In today's cultural landscape of glib reality TV, natural disasters, dire economic forecasts, and cheating spouses, let your show continue to stand for something better and mean something more. Help heal America. Let your stories be about excellence that we can all look up to.
And because I love my job, believe in my cause so much, and can't help but be biased: let it be SABI that makes waves on your stage, and not Octomom.
All the best,
Isabelle
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