By now, Sadie Robertson should be used to the limelight. She grew up on television – her family’s popular Duck Dynasty show started filming when she was just a freshman in high school – and she’s continued her reality career by appearing on one of the most popular dancing competitions on TV, ABC’s Dancing With the Stars.
So it’s a bit surprising when talking to the teen on the phone a couple of weeks before she’s set to co-host the 46th Annual GMA Dove Awards that Robertson can still get nervous when it comes to appearing in front of the camera.
“I’m so excited but I have no idea how I’m going to do,” Robertson jokes to Guideposts.org of her hosting duties.
The show, which is set to take place October 13th, is a gathering of some of the biggest names in Christian music. It also marks the first time Robertson will find herself in front of a teleprompter.
“Dancing With the Stars, there are 15 million viewers but you don’t see all 15 million people,” Robertson says. “I speak at a lot of events. I’m used to the stage, but I’m not used to having to read lines and not say my own thing. That’s why I’m kind of nervous. I have to carry the show and know all these lines. I’m thankful for the experiences I have had in life, so that should make it easier.”
Breaking free of her comfort zone seems to be a recent theme of Robertson’s relatively young life. Last year, the star debuted her first book Live Original, geared towards teens and young adults struggling to be true to themselves and their faith.
Inspired by a nickname her dad gave her when she was young, the book carries a message close to Robertson’s heart.
“Whenever Duck Dynasty first started, we would go around and speak at different places,” Robertson explains. “I was really young and I didn’t know what to say, or sometimes I knew what I wanted to say but it wouldn’t come across right. So I told my mom, ‘Every time I try to say something, it’s just not coming across. I want to write down what my message is.’ I decided to write a book on what my message to this world really is.”
For the star, living original is something she strives to do every day.
“Living original means to be confident in the person that you are and using your talents and abilities to benefit this world. That’s the sum of it, and then you put in into every aspect of your life. How can I live original at school? How can I live original when I’m going through bad times? How can I live original in my relationships? That’s how I break it down.”
While Robertson’s career on the small screen may be cemented, she’s challenging herself by testing her acting chops on the big screen as well. The DWTS alum is set to star in two faith-based films next year, I Am Not Ashamed and God’s Not Dead 2.
I Am Not Ashamed follows the true story of Rachel Scott, a victim of the Columbine shootings who was reportedly targeted because of her faith. Robertson hopes the film can inspire others to stand up for what they believe in.
“I think young people right now, everybody wants to do good but they don’t know how to do good and they don’t want to risk doing good because of the consequences,” the star says. “The story of Rachel Scott is so powerful. She had to die because of her faith. They held her at gunpoint and said “Where is your God now?’ and she still remained faithful.”
“We should be willing to give our everything to God because he gave His everything for us. I think it really puts things into perspective. Look how worthy her life was. I think it’s going to empower people to not be ashamed to stand up for their faith.”
For Robertson, sharing her beliefs and helping others is on the top of her to-do list. The teen, who makes a point of going on mission trips every year, just spent time in Haiti in partnership with the Help One Now organization.
“It was really hard to see how devastating it is down there, not only from the poverty aspect but from the things they’re still dealing with after the earthquake,” Robertson admits.
Still, the star says being able to connect with people she normally wouldn’t offers a perspective on life that she’s grateful for.
“It kind of wrecks your life,” Robertson says. “You’ll never look at things the same. The things we complain about here, they’d die for there. You realize how much you truly have to be thankful for.”
