Digital Social Hour
Inside Reality TV's Fake World: Former Star Tells All | John Ferguson DSH #990
18 Dec 2024
🎬 Go behind the scenes of reality TV's staged world as a former star reveals shocking secrets about how shows are really made! From re-shooting entrances to scripted moments, get an insider's raw and honest perspective on what actually happens when cameras roll. Join this candid conversation with John Ferguson as he shares his eye-opening experiences in the entertainment industry, including his time on "Little People, Big World" and "The Amazing Race Canada." Discover the truth about staged scenes, manufactured drama, and why reality TV isn't always what it seems. Beyond the reality TV revelations, John opens up about his journey as a little person in entertainment, his philosophy on authenticity, and how he's turned unique opportunities into a platform for positive change. Get ready for an honest, entertaining, and surprisingly uplifting look at life both on and off camera. From navigating the entertainment industry to finding success on social media, this episode is packed with real talk about representation, authenticity, and making it in the digital age. Don't miss this revealing conversation that will change how you watch reality TV forever! 🎥 #watchmojo #selfimprovement #loveitorlistit #shorts #realitytv CHAPTERS: 00:00 - Intro 00:50 - When Did You Stop Growing? 04:17 - Is Being a Little Person Genetic? 07:30 - Meeting Peter Dinklage 12:35 - Little People of America Convention 17:01 - The Amazing Race Canada Experience 18:39 - The Amazing Race Overview 20:48 - Impact of The Amazing Race on Sean 23:54 - Mindset of Little People 25:00 - Costs of Being a Little Person 28:00 - Is the "M Word" Offensive? 30:00 - Health Implications for Little People 33:15 - University: Is It Worth the Investment? 34:44 - Do You Want Kids? 37:43 - Employment Challenges for Little People 40:54 - Meeting Your First Little Person 41:48 - Final Thoughts & Predictions APPLY TO BE ON THE PODCAST: https://www.digitalsocialhour.com/application BUSINESS INQUIRIES/SPONSORS: [email protected] GUEST: John Ferguson https://www.instagram.com/johnlferguso https://www.youtube.com/@johnlferguson SPONSORS: BetterHelp: https://www.betterhelp.com/DSH LISTEN ON: Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/digital-social-hour/id1676846015 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5Jn7LXarRlI8Hc0GtTn759 Sean Kelly Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/seanmikekelly/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Full Episode
It's actually crazy to see that reality shows are not reality at all. I was actually at their house for three days, and after three days, they hit me up and said, can you reenter the house as if you just arrived? And I already slept there. Walk in again, and I was like, oh, wow, this house is beautiful. I never expected anything like it.
And my sheets were all over the place because I was already sleeping there. And they actually aired it as well, so it was funny. That's funny. All right, guys. Shortest guest I've ever had on, John Ferguson. Thanks for coming on, man. I had no idea how tall you were. You made me feel even shorter than I already am. Yeah. It is an absolute honor to be on here, Sean.
Dude, it's a pleasure. I can't wait to get to know your world. Dude. You're the first little person I've ever talked to. Really? Yeah.
Well, I hope I'm the best little person and the most unforgettable one you've ever spoken to. I love it, man. So what's your height? 4'1". Okay. I've always claimed I was four foot two until I got humble. And then I realized I am an inch lower than four foot two. You think you shrunk? I think I might have just worn the... I grew up wearing Vans. They have such big soles.
So I think once I switched over to the other sneakers I wear, I lost an inch. Wow. Yeah. So when did you stop growing?
When I was about eight years old. It was hard as well because I played hockey because I'm Canadian. And when I stopped growing and all my friends like really started growing and they were hitting their growth spurts and everything. And my mom was like, hey, John, like you are not going to get any taller. And then there was hitting in hockey when I was about 13.
And that's when it really hit me like, hey, John, I had to look myself in the mirror. Hey, John, you're no longer going to get any taller and all your friends are going to keep growing. You're little for the rest of your life. And that was like a huge, hard-hitting moment for me when I realized I couldn't play sports. I always wanted to play hockey growing up and end up in the NHL.
And realizing I was small and coming to terms with that was the hardest thing ever in my entire life. Wow. But it took about five years of like growing up after the age of 13 when I realized I can leverage my height to really put smiles on everyone's faces. And I realized everyone's unique in their own way.
And you can either be upset with how you are or you could really accept who you are and use it to your advantage. And that's what I've done now. I love that, man. Wow. So you said you were eight years old when you stopped? Eight years old when I stopped growing. And I was about four foot one. Massive head, though. The head never stopped growing. The head, I think, is still growing. I love it.
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