An old friend to SheKnows, Leigh Anne Tuohy phoned us for an exclusive chat to catch up on the Tuohy family, made famous in the Oscar-winning film The Blind Side, and to dish on her participation in ABC’s monster hit, Extreme Makeover: Home Edition as the show heads into this Sunday’s season finale with the cast of The Middle.
Leigh Anne Tuohy exclusive!
SheKnows: I wanted to start by checking and seeing how you’re doing, Ms. Leigh Anne Tuohy. How’s the family doing and how has life been since we last spoke nine months ago?
Leigh Anne Tuohy: It’s crazy. Nothing has changed, the dust hasn’t settled. We’re still going around wildly speaking and hopefully inspiring people. I’m doing Extreme Makeover: Home Edition as a regular designer! We’re still taking opportunities. There are still tons of people out there that need help. We’re still going, going, going — just like the energizer bunny.
SheKnows: [Laughs] You wouldn’t have it any other way.
Leigh Anne Tuohy: No, really, we’re in a good fight. I really feel like we’re making a difference, ever how small it is. I just feel like there’s this huge, huge movement in this country right now and people just really relate to us. We’re the grass roots of this country and we’re middle America and if we can do it, anybody can do it. That’s what I’ve got to tell people. You know we’re not rock stars, we’re just average Joes.
SheKnows: Well, one of the things that you’ve done is you’re a regular on Extreme Makeover: Home Edition. Tell me about your experience.
Leigh Anne Tuohy: You know, all of the last five episodes are very moving. They’re all really so amazing to me that I just go, “We’re really changing one family at a time, one community at a time.” I feel like when we leave, every volunteer, 5,000 people that have participated in that particular episode, I think they leave and they go, “Help me find something else to do.” Every episode really to me is life-changing.
SheKnows: How is the show? I’ve been told that you’re using very unique design elements and cutting edge technology, and could you speak a bit about how the show is heading in that direction?
Leigh Anne Tuohy: We have the world at our fingertips. We have access to so much and we have so many wonderful people that want to provide their services to Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, so we had access to all these things that are on the cutting edge.
SheKnows: Overall, how have you found the experience of working with EMHE?
Leigh Anne Tuohy: Oh, it’s been wonderful. I literally leave every set just energized and ready to go back and make a bigger difference. I tell people, “Don’t wait for EMHE to come to your town. If there’s a family that needs help, help them.” Why do you have to be on a TV show to get help? If you’re doing it for that reason, then you’re doing it for the wrong reason. That’s a little of what I take away from this — it’s life-changing.
Check out our first interview with Leigh Anne Tuohy and see how her life has changed! >>
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