AT H O M E W I T H
TODD SHARP
NO ONE APPEARS MORE AT HOME ON TV THAN TODD SHARP, STAR OF THE LIFETIME
REALITY SHOW, “SO SHARP,” WHICH FEATURED THE UNIVERSITY OF LOUISVILLE
LADYBIRDS AND DELVED INTO SHARP’S PERSONAL LIFE. WE CHECKED IN WITH THE
FLOYDS KNOBS RESIDENT TO SEE HOW LIFE HAS CHANGED.
Q&A BY ANGIE FENTON | PHOTOS BY ANTONIO PANTOJA | PHOTOGRAPHY ASSISTANT: TAYLOR CHRISTINE
When we first featured Todd Sharp on our
August/September 2016 cover, we knew big
things were in store for the head coach of both
the University of Louisville Ladybirds and Floyd
Central Dazzlers. But no one could have predicted
just how big.
The verbal sharp shooter is the star of “So
Sharp,” a reality show that debuted on Lifetime
in late July 2017. Since then, life has changed for
the Floyds Knobs resident, who can’t go grocery
shopping without being recognized (not that he’s
complaining), contends with people all over the
world weighing in on what they perceive to be
Sharp’s reality based on what they saw on the
show and has been featured on Access Hollywood
and Entertainment Tonight, and in In Touch
Weekly magazine (not to mention coming face-
to-face – and receiving photos – from people so
enamored with Sharp they dressed up as him for
Halloween). Grateful for the experience – and
still a bit bewildered by what has transpired –
Sharp seems more competitive professionally
than ever while also more at peace personally.
Extol Magazine’s Editor in Chief Angie Fenton sat
down with the TV star to talk about his experience
and more.
Overall, how was the “So Sharp”
experience?
When I first found out I had the opportunity, I
think I reacted like most people would. You never
in your lifetime expect you’ll have the opportunity
to have your own TV show, a national TV show
at that. And then I think the very next thing that
kicked in was fear, fear of the unknown. I think I
had founded fear because look at the history of
reality television and the aftermath for many of
the reality television stars. So, I had a fear that
being me and coaching the way I coach and my
personality, I didn’t know how that would be
perceived by America. I was pleasantly surprised.
The feedback for me and the show has been
overwhelmingly positive. … Episodes and scenes
that made me uncomfortable watching them
didn’t seem to make viewers uncomfortable. …
America surprised me in a pleasant way. … I feel
really blessed that love me or hate me, I think I
came across as me and it seemed to be perceived
pretty well.
Name drop some of the things that have
happened because of “So Sharp.”
I’ve been featured and talked about on
Entertainment Tonight twice. … I found out
they were going to do a story on me and the
show literally two hours before it happened, and
I came home to watch it. So, I watched it live in
the moment and seeing a split screen with me
and Jennifer Lopez – they were talking about Todd
Sharp from Floyds Knobs, Indiana, in the same
breath as Jennifer Lopez. And then the amount
of coverage, it was a several minute piece. Talk
about surreal. …
One thing I was impressed with is these anchors
who you see on the shows and are iconic, they
reminded me of you. They really did. You know,
people will see you (on a television show), but
you don’t realize the amount of work that goes
on behind the scenes. I saw these people at
their desk, working hard preparing and it was
kind of neat how friendly they were. … Just great
experiences. I (was featured in) In Touch Weekly
and it hit me, you see that magazine when you’re
standing in line in at Target or Kroger across
the United States. … The funny thing is I don’t
have (a copy). I didn’t even think to go out and
buy one because I was sent photos of it. But, it
was a big moment for me. … In Touch Weekly, a
national magazine, said, “This month’s segment of
‘What I did my last night at home’ features reality
star Todd Sharp.” I thought, no, that’s Southern
Indiana boy Todd Sharp. I’m definitely not a star.
… I have to tell you, the Lifetime network and
Collins Avenue, my production (team), they just
really went above and beyond in terms of giving
us opportunities. I don’t think Entertainment
Tonight and most of those other opportunities
happened by themselves.
What comes next?
Nothing is certain, but I was told it would be
this way. I have a great mentor in Jill Vertes of
the long-running series “Dance Moms.” ... She
told me you will never know what is going to
happen nect, nothing is certain and be ready to
hit the ground running and roll with the punches.
And that’s the way it’s been. I know there’s been
movement and progression toward season 2,
but what I learned from these other shows is
you’re finding out – literally – seven to 10 days
before that you’re shooting. … We’ve not been
told it’s not happening. There’s definitely been
movement in the direction of (season 2 of “So
Sharp”) happening.
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