Friday, April 13, 2012

Endings and Beginnings......

Post-show and I am a bit puffy-eyed and weepy for our final Toyota Live photo.

If you told me in 2007 that I would still be doing the same show, Toyota Live, in 2012, I would laugh in your face.  Here I am, some 4000 shows later, and finally on the precipice of retirement.  It was a hard decision, but one that was pretty much sealed after this post.  I accomplished everything I wanted with a  show that was basically built around me and my co-host, Matt Troyer. I was having trouble balancing my work and personal obligations in LA with life on the road.  It's hard to give up a job that I really enjoyed and a job that I was incredibly grateful for, but it was time.

An old 2008 team photo with Emily and Amy.

Now Matt and I went through it all from trying to do shows with laryngitis to on-set pranks (usually involving unattended iPhones and new wallpaper.), it was never a dull moment.  We weathered through a rough economy, a massive recall and the subsequent media onslaught, and an earthquake/tsunami in Japan.  Toyota stood behind our show through each and every event.  I am not sure many people can say that about a corporation in this day and age.  I started the show with a Corolla and I end it with a Prius.  Yes, I drive a Toyota and it was a true pleasure to represent the brand on and off the stage.

This was a hard moment, our last sentence of the show:  "This is Toyota Live!"

Yesterday, we said our final farewells to the show as a team.  Matt is off to another city for another job while I still have three more days in New York to finish out the show.  I didn't expect our last show to be so emotional.  I walked onstage not expecting anything but a regular show, then reality set in. The crowd was huge, our supervisor, Simms, started the show with a moving speech, and we kicked it off with a final surprise rendition of Michael Jackson's "Beat It". (A dance I often bust out on command.)  The show was electric, but the final moment had come......"I'm Kristyn"....."I'm Matt"......and I heard the crack in the voices.  I know our last line of "This is Toyota Live" came through a flood of tears.  Even when you are ready, it's sometimes hard to say goodbye.

Backstage, the countdown continues....

I leave with a huge sense of gratitude to Toyota, Productions Plus, Mindfield Pictures, and GPJ. Thank you for an incredible opportunity, it's been such a wonderful journey with all of you. (I will be thanking you individually offline since there are so many of you!)

If you ever wanted to know what a Cobra is.....this is a Cobra. 

To all of the kids who came year after year to see our shows, play our games, and win prizes:  You have no idea how much fun it was to see you each year after growing a few inches, losing a few baby teeth, and still coming up with hugs even though twelve months had passed since we last saw you.  I won't forget you.

To our TDs, Cobra and Larry: Thanks for feeding me lots of candy, teasing me unmercifully, and playing ridiculous sound effects for us.....my Justin Bieber joke will always be my favorite because secretly, I am a Belieber, not Matt.

The team last weekend with NASCAR/Joe Gibbs driver, Joey Logano.

To our Toyota Racing expert, Trackside Tina:  You are a true inspiration and you bring so much joy and enthusiasm to the team.

To my co-host, Matt Troyer:  You are the best co-host in the world, but you are an even better friend.  Thank you for the laughs, the tears, the support, and your friendship.  I will always try to break into your phone and change your wallpaper.

Thank you, Toyota Live, Goodnight!

New York Auto Show, 2010.









20 comments:

  1. Man!! I wish I could have been there for your last show!! Didn't realize T Live would be done last night. We will miss your sunshiny face on the road but excited for your big things to come!! :)

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  2. Wish I could have been there.

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  3. *Sniff*

    Well said.

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  4. Congratulations, Kristyn, on a job well done for Toyota Live! You have an impressive track record and I wish you all the best as you go forward to pursue more of what makes you happiest!

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  5. Ashley Coleman ThayerApril 13, 2012 at 1:09 PM

    I will miss you!  But I am so proud of you, and I look forward to seeing you achieve even more of your goals!

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  6. i missed my chance to see you do ToyotaLive at #LAAS :(

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  7. I wish you were too!  You were such a big part of the launch of TL....thank you!

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  8. I couldn't have done it without you.  Thanks, partner!  Sniff.....

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  9. Thanks, Sandy.  I appreciate your kind words!

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  10. Thanks, Ash....and I'm rooting for you with your new adventures too!

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  11. You had two years....and no TL........boo!

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  12. Endings are always difficult, but new beginnings are both frightening and exciting at the same time. Will miss hearing of the Toyota Live antics, but wish you the best in your new "Live".

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  13. Thank you!  It's a very bittersweet departure. We had so much fun doing the show together.  Thanks for your sweet comments.

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  14. Tina Gloss-FinnellApril 15, 2012 at 3:29 PM

    "Ships are safest in the harbor, but that's not what ships were build for." Safe journey onto your new life. xoxo 

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  15. That is beautiful....thanks for that quote.  Thank you!

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  16. Yes!  It's an exciting new beginning.  :)

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  17. Dear KB, I am sorry I missed our goodbye date and didn't get to say goodbye since I had a previous commitment and left NY Thrs. I can't tell you how much I admire you and aspire to have half the talent you have. No matter what, when the show was on, you were always on 100% everytime! Somehow, I just know it just won't be the same without you and your possitive attitude and great smile. Good luck, I know you will do great things. If you are ever in the Chicago area, let me know. Lots of love and well wishes my friend. Sandra

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  18. It was a pleasure getting to work with you this year, Kristyn.  They will have a hard time replacing you and recreating that effortless back-and-forth you and Matt had.  Congratulations on all your new endeavors!

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  19. Thank you for the kind words, Tim!  It was great working with you too and I will really miss the team.

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