Former NFL cheerleader Michele Russo is the founder of The Dime Series and host of The Love Lies Podcast. Russo’s book, “Suddenly Single: Modern Tales of Fairy Fails” tells the story of all of her disastrous dates and awkward interactions with men. Today, Russo is happily engaged and feels that her “fairy fails” helped her find true love.
How many years did it take you to write your book?
It took a solid four and a half years to write the book. I would tell my friends all of these crazy stories, and they kept telling me write a book. So, I started with my blog, The Dime Series. Then, I wrote the book.
What was the process like for publishing your book?
There’s a huge publishing expo every year in Chicago. I shopped my book to a bunch of different publishers, but they wanted to maintain a lot of the rights to the book. I really didn’t want to change it. I ended up creating an LLC and starting my own publishing company. I just felt so strongly that I could do this.
How did you meet your fiancé Joe?
Ironically, we met in the sixth grade. We went to school five minutes away from each other. I knew who he was, but we never reconnected until I was 29. I was on a date with one of his best friends and I knew it wasn’t going to go anywhere! The date was at a bar, and Joe was there. That’s how we reconnected.
All of those dates led to the guy you were supposed to be with!
Every single one. If I didn’t have all of those stories and write this book, I wouldn’t appreciate Joe as much as I do now. I needed each and every one of those fairy fails.
My favorite story of yours is the guy you met in Chicago and later saw him with his girlfriend on HGTV! Have you heard from him since?
I haven’t heard from him! I still try to find him on social media. I know the guy and his girlfriend ended up getting married and they have a baby. I hope they’re happy!
What is your personal favorite story?
I do love that story. I’m heartbroken that it happened, but, I found out in the most humbling way! I also liked the first story, about the guy who gave me the weenie tap. That was a humbling experience!
These guys just don’t have a clue!
I know! God bless these girls who are going out and dating for the first time. It’s an absolute shit show.
Besides the book, what other projects do you have?
I wanted a reason to showcase some of the history in St. Louis. My show, The Sunday Scaries Show, combines St. Louis history and dating. We film the show at the Lemp Brewery. The show is about dating and I always have a different guest on each show. At the end of the show, I do a segment called Dare or Scare. The guest can either take the dare (such as calling an ex or direct messaging a celebrity) or they can take the scare. The scare is going down into the basement of this brewery which is pitch black! We’re getting ready to do a lot for Halloween!
How has your show been since these COVID restrictions? Have you been able to do it remotely?
COVID changed a lot. It has been harder to get guests. However, when we do have a guest, we social distance and we don’t have that many crew members. We have to move forward because this will be our life into the foreseeable future.
Do you have any cool guests coming up?
Not any that are tied down yet. I’m going to have on Andy Frisella’s wife, Emily. But, she’s a little afraid of a spirit following her home from the Lemp Brewery!
Has anything strange happened on the show?
Oh yeah! We’ve had battery packs die and the lights go out. Guests will see people in the building. There’s something about the basement of the Lemp Brewery– when you venture into the basement, your legs start to feel like jello! You can feel the energy. There was a handful of murders that happened down there.
Are there any projects you’d like to pursue in the future?
Yes! Book No. 2 was supposed to come out before the end of 2020, but with my wedding it might be pushed to early 2021. It’s about coming into your own as a single person. All of these fairy fails are happening specifically for you. After you meet the person you want to be with you, you still have a whole bunch of insecurities and stuff you need to work through. It’s just about being your best self as a single person, because you need to be your best self with the person you’re going to be with for the rest of your life.
How did you know your fiancé was the one?
Honestly, I wouldn’t have recognized it so soon without all of my fairy fails. Previously, I was in a seven year relationship and then right after that a three year relationship. I was in the dating game for 10 years. They were great guys, but it just didn’t work out. I needed to have those terrible stories to appreciate Joe!
Tell me about your Italian roots.
My family is from Palermo. We’re Sicilian! Joe and I got engaged in Italy. Our entire families were there.
Did you have to post pone your wedding due to COVID?
No, we kept the date. We didn’t care if we had to get married in our garage–we wanted to get married on Oct. 3! Honestly, up until ten days ago we didn’t know if we would have a wedding. We’re so lucky that 170 of our family and friends are coming. Since our venue is big, people can sit apart. We’re taking precautions such as temperate checks to make sure everyone is as safe as possible. We’re very excited! We’re having a big Italian wedding!
It is so cool that you’re friends with The Bachelor’s Ben Higgins!
He is the nicest guy! He was supposed to come on the Sunday Scaries show. Then, COVID hit so he couldn’t come to St. Louis. He is no smoke and mirrors– he’s the best guy! And, girls love him!
Michele’s Guide to St. Louis:
Sports teams: The Rams when they were here! Also, the Blues and the Cardinals
Date Spot: Vin de Set, 2017 Chouteau Ave, St. Louis
Favorite Pizza: Katie’s Pizza, 9568 Manchester Rd, St. Louis
Favorite Dessert: Baileys’ Chocolate Bar, 1915 Park Ave, St. Louis
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