Popular “Entertainment Tonight” host and TV personality Nancy O’Dell has walked countless red carpets over her career — but a recent side gig had her pounding the pavements in support of her favorite cause.
O’Dell was recently named Global Ambassador for the 2015 Special Olympics World Games, which will hold a star-studded Opening Ceremony at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on Saturday. She participated in a torch run for the celebrated games with her mentee of the Best Buddies organization and “Glee” actress Lauren Potter.
TheWrap caught up with O’Dell to chat about her experience, the biggest misconception the public has about the games and her connection to longtime activist Maria Shriver.
TheWrap: How did the ambassadorship come about?
Nancy O’Dell: The Special Olympics and Best Buddies, which is another organization for people with intellectual disabilities, are both organizations near and dear to my heart. So I get to do all this, including — we just did the torch run. You know, my Aunt Ellen was a person with down syndrome. Because she was my little buddy growing up., even though she was my mom’s age, she was my playmate.
She was the dearest friend in the world to me. And last week when I was running the torch with Lauren I got so emotional because she got so excited — she was screaming, and so excited to be a part of the team. It took me back to all of those memories of my Aunt Ellen.
What’s the foremost goal of the Special Olympics?
It’s all about people becoming part of teams, and letting them compete and participate. It’s something we all love to be able to do. Best Buddies specifically helps give them jobs, and let them lead a normal life. We’ve had two Best Buddies who have worked here at “Entertainment Tonight.” They’ve come on and sometimes they make the best employees. They’re so eager and so want to please, they provide so much value. It’s so nice to see how far we’ve come, in terms of inclusion, for so many types of people.
In terms of the public, what do you find is the biggest misconception about the games?
Probably that it’s so big, they can’t get involved. Or that they have to have a family member with intellectual disabilities to participate, and that’s not the case at all. They need volunteers, they need everyone to come out and participate. Also the misconception that the athletes are the only ones getting something out of it — sometimes, you go out there and you see the amazement in their eyes. It’s this incredible experience.
If you go and you meet some these athletes you realize they are how we should be. They don’t judge people. They don’t think themselves better than anyone else. They don’t look at what anyone is wearing, they look at you for your kindness and your heart. I don’t think people would expect how much they’re going to learn.
Maria Shriver is still a significant part of this event, correct?
Of course, Eunice [Kennedy] Shriver was the founder of the Special Olympics. The Shrivers are dear friends of mine and Anthony, Maria’s brother, is the founder of Best Buddies. I first got acquainted with them years ago when I was a reporter in Miami. I was assigned a story on them. Learning so much about them made me wish it was around when my Aunt Ellen was growing up. But Maria is very hands on. She’s the one who sent me the email about getting involved this year in LA! It’s not something from her people, it was from her. They’re such good people and such a philanthropic family.
O’Dell will join First Lady Michelle Obama, the honorary co-chair of the Special Olympics World Games, on Saturday for the kick-off ceremony. Learn more about the Special Olympics here.