Tanya Memme is having a blast. The Canadian host of A&E's hit Sell This House for five seasons has her show nominated for a Daytime Emmy in the same category as Martha Stewart. She's relishing the moment and makes sure to let me know via her Blackberry. "I'm in the middle of being dressed by top designers, make-up artists, and hair stylists," she states. "My mom will be coming with me, it's her first time attending something like this, and she'll be pampered with the same celeb treatment!! How fun!"
It's hard not to be excited for Memme. She's not only had success with her TV series, the former Miss Canada is also a correspondent for Entertainment Tonight Canada, is playing the lead in a movie coming out later this year, has just finished recording a CD, gives motivational talks to young women, and is about to work on a book. Memme took some time to talk with us about the many opportunities that have come into her life.
"I have no idea how all of this came about, but I'm the type of person who when I see an opportunity I seize on it right away. Seize the opportunity, seize the day.… and it makes me very happy to set a goal and see how long it takes me to achieve it." Born and raised in the construction industry, Memme seemed like a perfect fit for Sell This House . "When they found out that my family builds between 200 and 400 houses a year, I think it was a nice little [laughs] topping on the entire deal."
On Sell This House , which has been a hit for A&E, Memme and co-host Roger Hazard renovate houses that have been on the market for too long and sell them. Memme's personality shines as they make changes to the homes. Now the show is nominated in the Best Lifestyle Programming category for the Daytime Emmys, which air June 15.
Memme was first known for her short reign as Miss Canada 1993. She won the crown, but after going through a roller-coaster ride of mismanagement for five months, gave it back in order for changes to be made so that future winners would get better treatment. "Integrity is very important. If I can't look at myself in the mirror in the morning, then what's the use of having whatever it is you have?"
"It was actually a very difficult decision," Memme said. Her experience as Miss Canada is only one story she discusses in motivational talks she gives to young women. From not eating in high school, to working four jobs and studying in New York City, Memme shares her mistakes and successes. But her message is optimistic:
"It was a tough, tough struggle, but you can do it and you can get there. And there's always going to be a better day ahead. Always, no matter what happens."
The better days seem to be in full force for Memme. She stars in a psychological thriller, Terror Inside , which will be entered into next year's Sundance Film Festival. And, her passion project, the six-track CD Gemini , will soon be released on her website, tanyamemme.com.
Memme said the process was a huge stress-reliever after going non-stop for years. "I put my heart and soul into it, and I loved recording it." Gemini has been in the works for about a year now, with names such as Paul Bushnell, who has worked with Tim McGraw, producing it. And the title of Tanya's CD gives a clue to her personality. "I'm a Gemini. Geminis like variety and I think that's why I'm doing so many things."
Most engaging, though, is to hear Memme talk about the inspiration in her life— her cousin Christopher. Before entering university, he was diagnosed with a brain tumour, and was left disabled after an operation. He has been able to overcome many personal challenges, finishing university and now working.
"The way that he looks at life and the way that he sees things with the glass half full, at least for the most part, is inspirational. And if he doesn't— he has his bad days— that's okay too. Every time I see Christopher, I look at him in awe, with respect and with admiration, and what an amazing person he is to overcome such circumstances."
Memme adds that his story is so moving that she'd like to get him to share his story on Oprah .
You can't help but want to cheer on Tanya Memme, especially after hearing her story about her brother, and her own life journey. Many fans will certainly be doing that next week as she attends the Daytime Emmys side by side with her mother. An Emmy for Memme is as fitting as it sounds.
The Daytime Emmy awards air on CBS Friday, June 15.
Additional information provided by Dan Sanchez, Epoch Times Los Angeles Staff. See the full interview with Tanya Memme online at:
Interview with Tanya Memme - Part I
Interview with Tanya Memme - Part II