The Time I Almost Stayed Home but Ended Up on Stage at the Emmys Instead

Recording ADR for The Muppet Show at One Union Recording Studios.

I’m so honored to have been nominated for a Creative Arts Emmy for Outstanding Sound Mixing for a Variety Series or Special for The Muppet Show.

It’s something I’ll probably appreciate more and more with time: the professional recognition, the talent and the brilliant team I got to work alongside, and a handful of surreal moments that made the whole experience something I’ll never forget.

The funny thing is, I almost talked myself out of going.

On July 29, 2026, this email landed in my inbox:

Hello! Congratulations again on your 2026 Emmy Nomination! We are pleased to share with you the below details regarding your attendance at the ceremony. Your category will be announced during the Creative Arts Emmys on Saturday, September 5. Please note, the deadline to RSVP is Monday, August 10 so please do so at your earliest convenience so we can make sure you are set with tickets…

When this note came in, I wasn’t even convinced it was real. My first attempts to verify did little to help. I went to reception to gauge my coworkers’ reactions. My guy at the front desk stared at me blankly, and my boss offered an “Oh, congrats” without looking up from his screen (to be fair, I don’t think he actually heard me). I checked the TV Academy website—my name was misspelled.

Impostor syndrome and self-doubt spiked instantly, and a deluge of anxious questions hit me all at once: What does a person even wear to the Emmys? The competition is Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour, Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl Halftime Show, Stephen Colbert, and The Oscars?! What happens if, against all odds, you’re the one who actually has to walk up there and give a speech?

“Definitely not my scene,” I thought. “Maybe I’ll just ignore it.”

Then it hit me: First Emmy nomination? You definitely don’t sit that one out.

I replied to the invitation email from Disney+, pointed out the spelling discrepancy, and the Academy jumped right on fixing it. At that moment, I decided to step outside my comfort zone and commit. I sent my application to join the Television Academy, booked a tuxedo fitting, and got back to the travel agent.

A quick tux purchase, a first-class flight, and a few black car rides later, I found myself in DTLA with my wingman Coby, both of us hunched over an iPhone learning how to tie a bow tie from Matthew McConaughey on YouTube. Coby came through in the clutch, getting me out the door just in time to gulp a glass of champagne on the way to the red carpet.

Stepping out of the studio and onto the red carpet.

While our sound mixing team didn’t take home the win in our specific category (tough competition from Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl Halftime Show!), the night took an incredible turn when The Muppet Show won Outstanding Variety Special. Our whole crew ended up on stage alongside Seth Rogen and the rest of the Muppets team as he accepted the award. An unforgettable moment!

From almost staying home to standing on stage with the team as The Muppet Show took home Outstanding Variety Special!

Honored to stand alongside this world-class sound mixing crew nominated for Outstanding Sound Mixing.

Looking back, I’m especially grateful for the opportunity to record the legendary Dave Goelz, the brilliant Muppeteer behind Gonzo and Dr. Bunsen Honeydew, and the last original cast member still contributing to the show. I truly loved hearing some of the original “how-to” Muppet lore straight from the source. It was such a privilege to be part of bringing these iconic characters to life.

Recording the legendary Dave Goelz as Gonzo.

I’m so glad I went. 🏆 Hardware next time!

Huge shoutout to One Union Recording Studios, and congratulations to all the incredible nominees and winners!