MAR. 9, 2006
NOW THAT YOU'VE MET THE CONTESTANTS, WHAT'S YOUR OUTLOOK FOR THE NEW SEASON?
I have truly enjoyed this entire experience so far! And I've only been late once!
I met the contestants last Friday night for the first time. Two of the girls started crying when I walked in ... everyone was so respectful and kind to me.
I didn't know what to expect. But I'm here to tell you, these contestants are AWESOME. They are amazing spirits and they are all so uniquely talented.
I don't have any favorites, you just can't choose between your kids. Each and every one of them is special to me and already has a place in my heart.
We had two days of rehearsals before we taped the first episode. I had a birds' eye view of the entire process and watched each of them perform 5 or 6 times during run throughs.
I kept hearing everyone around me saying this was the most talented group as a whole they had ever had. I am not an expert, but I know what feels great to me and to my heart, and all of these contestants have heart and spirit!
During the rehearsals, I went up to the group as a whole and offered my advice to them if they wanted to have some private 1-on-1 time with me. I lost track, but I think each one of them pretty much pulled me off to the side during the three-day window of rehearsals and asked me really great questions that will always stay just between us.
I SO love being a mentor and a friend to them. I may have said some strong things to them, but I really want to help if they are open to my advice. It all comes from a place of love.
Right before we went on stage to tape the first episode (everyone was nervous, EVEN ME!), I presented each of the contestants a gift bag. The girls received purple bags, the boys got gold bags.
In every bag, I presented each contestant with a new Bible, engraved with their names, a personalized Her Story DVD and CD (from my catalogue), a personalized copy of The Red Sea Rules, a personalized copy of Going Through The Dry Times and a Wynonna t-shirt!
What I heard was that some of them were moved to tears -- which I didn't want to do RIGHT before the show -- but I certainly wanted to share the love with them.
After the first taping, several of the shows producers and my friends from USA Network came up to my dressing room. Everyone was SO energized, there was a lot of good energy in the room. Grace and Elijah (my kids) had been making popcorn so the room smelled like a movie theatre! We recapped the highlights of the show, some of my personal thoughts and memories about the first episode and how we can all get better each and every week.
It feels....wow. Well, a word that keeps going through my mind is INTENSE!
Having someone leave from the family is incredibly hard. I was heartbroken that someone had to leave, and I know that it will get harder and harder as I get more and more attached to all of them.
We're all winners, it's my job to tell the world that. We each have unique abilities but I understand that someone has to leave each time. But as you will hear me say to the contestant who leaves on the show, "It's not a tombstone, it's a stepping stone. God is not through with you yet!"
I believe that with my whole heart. I know that big things are about to happen for each of these 10 contestants. Their heads are on straight and their hearts are in the right place.
As for Troy, I couldn't love him any more. I'm so grateful that they paired me with such a kind, generous, hilarious spirit. He's one of a kind, and I really feel connected to him.
I'm off to do press in Los Angeles and New York with my husband today. We'll be seeing Larry King, who is just one of my very favorite people on the planet! I also get to see Craig Ferguson, Martha Stewart and my friends at The Today Show, among others.
It's an exciting time in my life! I am proud to share this journey with you all.
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