from nbc news, this is "today" with kathie lee gifford and hoda kotb, live from studio 1a in rockefeller plaza. >> hello, everybody. it's thirsty thursday. it's march 13th. and we have a big show today. actor christian slater and former "full house" actress lori loughlin are here with our regular "ambush makeovers" and everybody still just loves. >> crazy about. and everyone has a story. all today. >> pretty amazing today. very rarely do we get the person who writes in the story to be the one who actually performs

it. >> i saw her in the green room downstairs. >> her name is jamie. we're looking forward to that. >> what? >> yesterday was a day i picked for bambino's birthday because we know he was born in march, but we don't know the exact date. >> okay. >> we have so many family, you know, birthdays in march. i picked one that somebody else didn't already have. so i just thought, all right, i'm going to pick march 12th. last night sitting there in front of the fire with frank and me and bam and the doggies, i thought you know what, let's celebrate a little bit. let's do your first selfie. so that's it. >> oh, my -- >> it had been a long day. he'd been celebrating all day long. but i just said, you know, bambino's selfie. fourth birthday. thinking nothing of it. i obviously have too much time on my hands. >> yes. and? >> you cannot believe the amount of people that wished him well. and their dogs and their cats wished him well. it was just -- >> you know what? no matter what you post on instagram or twitter, you put your dog up and everyone clicks on it.

you can put a newborn baby, maybe you'll get clicks, but not like bambino. it is really crazy how it works. >> it really is. so thanks, everybody. it's fun. >> let's dish some dirt. >> what are we going to do about the bachelor, hoda? >> juan pablo. everybody hates him. >> what's his last name? is pablo his last name? >> no. he's got another name but nobody cares about him. his name is juan pablo. he's on the cover of "people" magazine. saying he may be the worst bachelor in the history of the show but he's not going down without a fight. >> he says he's not that bad guy. >> no, he's not. we're going to watch a couple of clips. >> and then we'll decide. >> we're going to watch what happened on the show. this is what happened when -- to his runner-up, the one he didn't choose. >> clare. >> clare. let's watch. >> oh, dear. >> i want them to know that they want to be with me. >> of course. i understand that. who met my family? who met camila?

who met my daughter? who met my mom? you're here. and i want you to be here. and you're special to me. >> i'm going to follow what i think is best for me, and i have to say good-bye to you. >> i lost respect for you. because -- i'll tell you what. >> mm-hmm. >> i thought i knew what kind of man you were. >> okay. >> what you just made me go through, i would never want my children having a father like you. >> okay. >> and it's not over there. >> maybe i will start watching this show. >> after she walked away he whispered under his breath that he was happy he didn't choose her. "happy i didn't choose you." what a jerk. he makes her spill her guts, he practically tells her she's the one. >> chosen. >> yeah. and then in front of everybody he drops her like a bag of dirt.

>> worse than a bag of dirt. a bag of manure. >> okay. now let's watch what happened with nikki. that's the woman he chose. >> i'm getting into this, and that frightens me. >> okay. >> i'm not 100% sure that i want to propose to you, but at the same time i'm 100% sure that i just don't want to let you go. i like you a lot. a lot. so, nikki, will you accept my final rose? >> absolutely. >> ew. i wish she'd said no, jerk. >> mm-hmm. >> wow. >> but wait, there's even more. >> oh, my gosh. i'm loving this.

>> after the rose. there's a hoe called "after the rose." chris harrison was interviewing him. chris got tense. let's take a look. >> how much of it was real, do you think? >> it's time to shine. like you can actually express your feelings. >> this is the time to shine. i can express my feelings. >> this is what the show is about. like -- >> the show is about somebody meeting someone and falling in love and being happy and -- >> so did you? did you fall in love? >> i'm with somebody, look. look. and i'm happy. i've been four months happy. >> i don't know what i'm looking at. >> huh? >> i don't know what i'm looking at. >> you don't? we do. are you happy? >> what was her answer? is she happy? >> mumble. mumbling. >> wow. why can't chris be the -- is he married? >> he might be married. he'd be a good bachelor. >> that's too bad because he seems like a nice guy. >> here's the funny thing. he did not say he loved her. he may not love her. he may not ever love anyone. okay? >> but it's hard when you're so in love with yourself. >> right. but there are other guys on the

show and i think three of the 18 if those numbers are right, 3 of the 18 people have wound up together. so of the rest of them they didn't work out. they said i love you, they proposed, they did all the things they want you to do on the show. it didn't work out. i'm not defending the guy. he seems like a real you know what. >> what, hod? >> please. elaine stritch is not here. i'm not going to say anything. you know. >> golly day. i guess i can see why people are just glued. first of all, you can't believe that anybody is allowing themselves to be seen in such a light. i'm not saying people should be phony and all that, but this is a huge life decision. to his credit, he didn't say i love you if he doesn't. but he did say things to the girl the day before and then do a total switcheroo the next day, which sounds to me like some producer got to her -- him and said you know what would be really awesome for television? i don't know what's real anymore. i know too many people who do reality shows and they're not the people on the show that are the people that i know. >> well, this guy to me there's

such a fine line between charming and con. i could even see when he was talking to the girl he rejected the night before. it looked like he was totally conning her. and he was baiting her and make her sit -- it was horrible. and guys who are so charming you have to look out for because they're trouble. >> there's always another side because they're so good at it. they need to charm everybody. the waitress, the girl over here. those guys are trouble. and i'm just saying not from experience. i've just heard. >> oh. >> those guys are trouble. all right. let's go on to matthew mcconaughey. shall we? >> something fun. everybody's been wondering where "all right, all right all right," came up. well, we now know. in a 2001 interview -- >> with a canadian talk show host. >> not the mayor. >> anyway -- >> say the name. >> i'm not going to bother because -- >> george strom blop lous. >> in the interview matthew reveals the origin of the phrase. he was listening to a recording of the doors, a jim morrison

album. and later that day -- i guess they said the words -- >> in between songs he went all right, all right, all right. >> he did it like four times or something like that. >> later that day -- >> he was filming "dazed and confused". i guess it was his first film. and he was discussing his character with the director of the movie. >> and the director told matthew four things that should motivate his character. his car, getting high, rock 'n' roll and picking up chicks. >> what else is there in life? >> take a look at what matthew had to say about it. >> all right, all right, all right, all right, all right! >> i go, i'm in my car, i'm high as a kite, i'm listening to rock 'n' roll, action. and there's the chick. all right, all right, all right. three out of four. >> he actually had all four if you do it that way. >> he is so charming. >> you know what? seeing something that old -- well, that's from just 2011. >> yeah. >> couple of years. >> before he lost all the weight and everything, he's always -- >> he's a handsome guy. >> we're very happy for him. still in love with his wife. >> she looked so great at the oscars.

>> she was everybody's dream. she was standing there with me and with al and matthew was talking, and i was hardly listening because i just -- >> looking at her. >> she's this far away and i'm going, oh, my gosh. and she's so lovely. >> beautiful. >> the nicest lady. >> she's trying to get rid of my ihoda, but you can't. this is an oldie. you might like it. jim croce. >> yes. and i will like it, i promise you. >> okay. you know who you shouldn't mess around with? >> leroy brown? >> no. jim. don't miss around with jim. >> oh, that. let's go. not my favorite. >> what? >> no. >> i heard this in the park. ♪ uptown got its hustlers ♪ the bowery got its bums ♪ 42nd street got big jim walker ♪ ♪ he's a pool shooting son of a gun ♪ ♪ he's big and bad as a man can come ♪ ♪ but he's stronger than a country horse ♪ ♪ and when the bad folks all get together at night ♪ ♪ you know they all call big jim

boss ♪ ♪ ♪ they say you don't tug on superman's cape ♪ ♪ you don't spit into the wind ♪ you don't pull the mask off the old lone ranger ♪ ♪ and you don't mess around with jim ♪ ♪ do, do, do, do >> let's do that chorus one more time, shall we. ♪ don't tug on superman's cape ♪ you don't spit into the wind ♪ you don't pull the mask off that old lone ranger ♪ and you don't mess around with jim ♪ >> he was a great songwriter. >> great songwriter. jim croce. how about an oldie for everybody? >> he was awesome. he left behind such a legacy of great, great music. once in a while, you do it right, hoda. >> is it okay or not okay to quit public life? that's the question we were asked in "okay" magazine, which by the way it says that jennifer aniston is now getting married. >> but not specific. in june, but no mention if she's pregnant with twins. okay, so let's see what we had to say.

>> it's best not to make sweeping declarations in the heat of an emotional moment, hoda. calm down, honey. take a breath and plan your next step without broadcasting it to the whole world until you're sure. >> that was very thoughtful. and lengthy. here's mine, sure it's okay, but why proclaim it? it is about what you do, not what you say. >> my gosh. there is growth in you yet. >> mm. >> yeah. >> i like the sound effects. coming up, "ambush makeovers." >> and christian slater is here with a very provocative new film right after this. ♪ you don't tug on superman's cape ♪ ♪ here in philadelphia you can access a philly cheesesteak anytime, day or night. just like you can access geico anytime, day or night. there is only one way to celebrate this unique similarity. witness the cheesesteak shuffle. ♪ cheesesteak, cheesesteak ♪

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when you hear the word hoda uses often, nymphomaniac, does christian slater come to mind. >> if you're interested in me, you have bigger problems than that. >> a guy who named for himself in movies like "heather's" and "true romance" now plays a father in lars von trier's new drama in which -- >> oh. >> sorry. >> he knows how to sell a movie. >> yes, he does. >> we like a guy that comes to play. >> sorry, sorry. >> this is a very -- what would you call it, it is r-rated, i would have to say, isn't it? >> yeah, it's definitely -- >> what is the rating on it? >> i don't know. i don't know. >> these things are kind of important to know before you do an international -- >> true, true. >> because we are in the -- the armed forces carries us. you know what i'm saying? >> very important. >> and we're big in prisons. so you need to know that before you come on. >> sure, sure. i definitely think it is -- i don't know what the rating is. i have no clue. >> have you seen the movie? >> i have seen the film. i saw the extended version of the movie --

>> don't say extended. >> oh. yes. >> don't even -- >> there's a shorter version and a longer version. >> stop it. >> okay. let's talk about your -- >> there's a director's cut. >> right. exactly. we had a mohel come in and -- no. that's not it. i can't even say that on -- >> i don't know. so your character -- you play -- you play the father of the nymphomaniac. i'm trying here. >> i play the father. >> you have no sex scenes. >> correct. >> and why not? you had sex at one time. you're her father. >> sure, of course. she had to be created. so yeah, that is true. but in this particular movie, no, i do not have to expose -- i do have to expose some parts of myself, but not the -- >> you seem a little young to be playing a dad of a -- how old is she? in her 20s? >> well, she's -- i play the father from the time she's about 12 to about 18. >> okay. >> so the formative years of her

life. >> and why does she become a nymphomaniac? >> i think she has a natural desire for sex, at a very early age. it is a natural thing. but as the course of the movie takes place, it becomes something that she starts to use to escape from feeling other things, like she's -- she's trying to avoid -- >> she's numbing pain. >> exactly. she has a wonderful relationship with her father, she trusts her father greatly, but then she loses her father and i think she spends a lot of time trying to fill that void -- >> this has an unbelievable cast. >> it does, yeah. amazing. >> a lot of people were attracted to it in spite of its subject matter. >> shia labeouf is in it. >> shia labeouf. >> he went a little cuckoo afterwards. >> we were a little worried at that news conference. what happened? he looks good with the bag. >> actors are interesting people. we're a sensitive bunch and, you know, we like to push the envelope and take a lot of chances. i think that's why working with

somebody like lars von trier was so exciting. he is that type of director. he likes to definitely do controversial things. and do things that are terrifying. >> scandinavian, right? where's he from? >> denmark. yes. >> uh-huh. >> yeah, yeah. they seem to be much more open about an awful lot of this stuff. >> that's true. that's why i was happy when i saw the film, for the first time in berlin it was with a european audience. they were less blown away by like the sexual aspect of the movie, more interested in the characters. >> that ain't going to happen here. >> no, no. >> and i can tell you for a fact my mother isn't going to go see it. >> and neither is hers. >> focus. >> if you're expecting them forget it. >> okay, well, we know what audience that we're going for. now, i have a -- >> i know we're keeping you too long. but he's fun. go ahead. >> a grandmother who is in her 80s and a grandfather who's -- >> they'll go see it? >> oh, yeah. i want them to. i'm desperate for them to see it. they're a fun couple. i mean, they had seven kids, and they have a big family.

>> a long time ago. >> well, yes, but they still -- i think they're still having a good time. >> i think your mom -- >> go. >> listen, thank you, we love it when you come by. >> thank you so much. >> "nymph o'maniac." volume one. it is available now on in demand and in theaters next friday, march 21st. >> okay. my wife is -- i'm in big trouble. >> bye. we're going from this to "full house." with lori loughlin. get over it. >> oh, girls. oh, hoda. oh, kathie lee. one trip this year, and his high school reunion is coming up in seattle. everyone's going. then we heard about hotwire... and realized we could actually afford to take both trips. [woman] see, when really nice hotels have unsold rooms, they use hotwire to fill them. so we got our 4-star hotels for half price. i should have been voted "most likely to travel." ♪ h-o-t-w-i-r-e ♪ hotwire.com

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lori loughlin has tv hosting experience of her own. >> she sure does. back in the late 1980s through 1995, she played aunt becky,

host of the "wake up san francisco" on the hit tv show "full house" that everybody loves. >> now lori is taking on another family show on hallmark channel "when calls the heart". based on the best-selling books. >> after a coal mining accident claims her his band's life the newly widowed becky stanton becomes the central figure in a small prairie town on the western frontier. i love it already. >> about that young man your sister found in the woods. >> i'm worried too. she knew nothing about him. but she's taken such a personal interest. >> i asked constable o'reilly to pay him a visit. >> is the constable worried that he's dangerous? >> oh, i'm not saying that. i want to send a message loud and clear that we intend to keep our town safe and secure. >> that's right you do. >> this one my mother is going to love. >> she will. >> lori, so great to see you. >> and you look so great. >> thanks. >> you are a walking advertisement for pilates. >> you really are. i've known you forever and you

get more beautiful all the time. >> thank you. >> so enough of that. let's talk about -- >> now, this film, you seem to pick really great roles that are kind of family centric like this one. >> i do. i think i always have. i had a rule when i was younger before i had a family, and i always said to myself, can my father watch this? and if the answer was yes, i would do the project. and i always thought, i would pray i would have children and thankfully i do, and i always said to myself i never want to put anything on film that one day my kids would be embarrassed. >> i wish kids would think about that. good for you. >> i tend to gravitate to family driven projects. >> has he always loved everything you did? do you still have your dad with you? >> i don't. i lost him six years ago. but yes, he was always very proud, and i always did everything to make him proud. so yeah. >> tell us about your role. you're a widowed coal miner's wife. >> yeah. i am. she's a strong central character in the piece, grounded. i really love her strength.

i love the fact that even though it's set in 1910 we can tell a contemporary storyline of a woman who is on her own, taking care of herself, fending for herself in the world. >> women had to then. >> exactly. and today. and as a child, my mother always used to say to me, don't ever rely on anyone else to take care of you. always make sure you can take care of yourself. that's what i love about this role-s she is a strong woman in the early 1900s taking care of herself. and then it's about friendships and these women in the town and community and a support system. it's got a great message. >> and this is a series, i should say, which is new for -- >> second series. >> great. >> cedar cove is the first. >> fantastic. >> they do great work. >> we have a wonderful company to work for too. i can't say enough nice things about crown media. >> you always say nice things, lori. they didn't call you for nymphomaniac? >> i did not get the call for christian slater. i've known christian forever and he passed me by. >> love you, sweetie. saturday night on the hallmark channel. >> watch it. spy new grooves.

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we're back on this thirsty thursday with yet another edition of our plaza "ambush makeovers." and you have to wonder if the two lucky ladies plucked off the cold and windy plaza today were more excited for their makeovers or just to come in and get warm. >> either way, "today" contributor and stylist to the stars -- >> let's do it. ♪ louis licari, la, la, la, la, la ♪ >> and "today" contributor and contributing editor for "people style watch" and author -- ♪ jill martin >> nice. work their magic today. hello, kiddos. how was it? >> cold as always. is that a chore this winter or what? >> yes, but it's over. stop it. it's over. >> spring. >> let's move on, shall we? emily black is our first lucky lady. 43 years old from dallas, texas. she's only colored her hair once in her life. she was nervous. but excited to get a glam new style. let's take a listen to her story. >> well, you guys are nuts for being outside in this.

and we 15i6bd saved you, aidan, but we know you want this for your mom. tell me why. >> because i think that she's an awesome mom because she took me to new york, and i think that i want her to look more stylish and more cool. >> more cool. what do you think about that? >> that sounds good. >> you're a little freaked out. >> i'm a little freaked out, yes. a little nervous about this, but yes. it will be fun. >> all right. so she's here with her daughter aidan and her mom donna. all right, guys. please keep your blindfolds on for just a second. here is emily black before. all right, emily. let's see the new you. oh, my god. wow. all right, guys. are you ready? take off your blindfolds. >> oh, my gosh. >> wow. >> that's my little girl. >> are you ready to see yourself, little girl? >> i guess. >> spin right here. >> whoa! wow. nice. >> thought it was emma stone for a second.

you look adorable. >> thank you. >> look right there at camera 12. louis, tell us about that hair. >> emily, you lucked out today because you wanted it look cool and we have the coolest hairdresser of all. >> arsene. >> he gave you this very chic, very new york city up-to-date hairstyle. >> i love those bangs. >> that was one request, by the way, that she leaves the long bangs. and i love long bangs. i like that sexy peekaboo look. i made the hair color a little bit warmer just to change it a bit. >> looks like an irish lass. >> a little bit. when you add color to the hair, you don't have to add so much color to the face and she looks fantastic. >> aidan, what do you think? >> i think she looks amazing. i really like it. >> how about you, mom? you like it? >> i do. >> such a beautiful dress, too. >> gorgeous. >> it's cool and sexy we went for. this is from maggie london and just really her bustline is so subtle, that through the sheer black and then the new hemline, everyone can see, it is a little longer than this.

>> is that called tea length? >> even a little bit longer than tea length but this is appropriate for her height and made her look good. >> beautiful. >> a big round of applause with emily. you can join your family. right over here. >> wonderful, great. >> our second lady is maureen morelock. 56 from churchill, tennessee. she told us she never wears makeup and has had the same look for as long as she can remember. so her co-workers begged us to give her a brand new style. let's listen to her story. >> well, we're on spring break. >> whoo! >> well, it's wild over here. and principal sharon, i know you're her boss. so why do you want this for maureen? >> because she wanted it for me. so she looks worse than i do. so that's wonderful. >> maureen, what do you think about that? >> that's just how she treats me. >> i don't think so. all right. principal sharon, what do you think about all of this? >> i think it's wonderful. because this proves to the whole world she looks worse than i do. >> okay. again she said it. >> crazy. sharon is crazy. >> wow. okay. she's here with sharon, rhonda

and jane. let's take one last look at maureen before. keep your blindfolds on. >> keep them on, ladies. and bring out the new maureen morelock. >> oh, my gosh! wow. >> all right. ladies, take off your blindfolds. >> you're going to freak out. i'm telling you right now. >> there she is. all righty. >> wow. >> you want to turn around and see, maureen? take a little spin. >> oh, my gosh. >> you look great. >> i love those bangs. >> yes. arsene's going a little crazy with the bangs. louis, tell us what he did. >> just swept away bangs. >> she's going to move in with christian slater. >> i think she is, actually. of course, again, her hair was so light that it blended with her complexion, so they did her hair color and makeup. i mean, glamorous, beautiful. i mean, they're not going to let

you back in tennessee, girl. >> you look great. you look really great. >> what does the principal think? >> i think she looks good. >> what do you guys think? >> awesome. >> right? tell us about the outfit. >> this is maggie london but the built-in panel. so it has that built-in belt to accentuate the waistline. and then if you put panels on the side, very slimming. >> yeah. great job. >> let's bring emily back out. big round of applause for both of our -- >> stick around, everybody, a very touching "everyone has a story" right after this. >> awesome. good job, you guys. you guys look so good! s could save you fifteen percent or more on car insurance. yep, everybody knows that. well, did you know the ancient pyramids were actually a mistake? uh-oh. geico. fifteen minutes could save you fifteen percent or more on car insurance.

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♪ everyone has a moment ♪ that changes their life time now for "everyone has a story." jamie petron wrote us to tell us

her own incredible story of the journey she'd never thought she would make. >> we'll meet jamie in a minute. let's listen to her amazing story. >> my name is jamie petron and i'm a working actress. though these days i find myself living a very different role. it all began in the fall of my sophomore year of college. i was a musical theater major, and before the semester began i was required to complete a routine physical. what i brushed off as a nervous stomach the doctor took to be an undiagnosed ulcer. he started me on a prescription and a few months later i woke up unable to feel my legs. i was diagnosed with a severe allergic reaction known as stevens johnson syndrome. the doctors explained that this was the worst type of allergic reaction a person could have. and that i was lucky to be alive. because stevens johnsons syndrome can be fatal. one more pill and i could have died. there was no prognosis. and no one seemed to know when or if i'd ever walk again. amidst the pain, frustration, fear, and confusion i looked

around at everyone's extravagantly normal lives, and i was convinced no one would ever understand what i was going through. having been asked by the director of the musical theater program to leave the school and come back when i was better because you can't be an actress in a wheelchair was enough to put me on the verge of breaking into pieces. this was one of those defining moments in life, where your heart outweighs any reason. and it was then that i made an unwavering decision. ♪ why would a fellow >> no matter what, this is what i was going to do. if you want something bad enough, you find a way to make it work. the ironic part of it all is i spent half of my life trying to stand out. now i seem to be fighting just to fit in. but i choose to see past my disability. for me part of making it work now is proving to the next generation that anything is possible.

>> wow. that's beautiful. >> jamie is here with her mom. that was so well done. sally and her good friend. let's say it together, shall we? laura reyes. >> laura reyes. >> jazz hands. yeah. what an amazing letter you wrote to us. never had heard of this syndrome before. how rare is it? this kind of horrendous -- >> very rare. >> allergic reaction. >> yeah, it's rare here. in other -- in third world countries it's a lot more common. but here it's very, very rare. >> the way that you found strength, i mean, you muscled through it, and when you see yourself singing, you know, after you thought that maybe that would have to go up on the shelf, that must feel really good for you. >> it does. it's humbling, you know? i just feel like there's so much to be grateful for because when you look at it and you see that you could have been dead, you know? that's only god. it's only god that got me flu. and you -- it is funny because god gives you hindsight for a reason, you know? you look back. if you knew then what you know

now, i don't know that it would be so easy. >> it's one thing to go through it yourself. it's another thing to have your child going through it. >> right. >> tell us -- you're crying even now. that's why we want to plan ahead. tell us what you were going through you when you see your talented beautiful daughter going through this totally out of the blue. >> yeah. >> well, yeah. it -- they called -- she called me from college and said, "i can't walk." so went down there, got her, and it was tough. it was tough. >> it's still tough, isn't it? >> it's tough. but as she said, our faith got us through. you know, you just put it in god's hands. and he has a reason. so he does have a reason for her now and for her future. she's doing great. >> she has an optimism that is infectious. >> so contagious. >> it really is. how big of a part did you play in this whole thing with your friend? because the broadway community, the acting community is very, very loving and supportive. >> yeah. >> when they're not ripping each

other's eyes out trying to get the same role, they're very loving and supportive. we know. so what was it like for you? >> you know, you run the gamut of emotions watching jamie struggle was so frustrating for her. and then at the same time you're just in awe because she's so determined and she's such -- the way that she meets the world and life and her positivity, it's just so inspiring and just unmatched by anybody. she wants to do something, she's going to do it. >> she's going to find a way, you mean? >> yes. >> that's what we titled her song. >> by the way, i love when you have broadway singers come and sing songs. but i'm especially excited today to her jamie sing her own -- the song you wrote for her. >> the song that david friedman and i wrote for you. so are you ready, sweetie? we're going to come back. the woman can sing. all righty. we'll be right back after this. the silver lotus is so rare...

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♪ it's that time when we get to hear the special song that david friedman and i wrote just for jamie. today instead of having someone from broadway sing that song to jamie, jamie's going to sing her own song. >> yeah. >> very excited. >> it is called "you find a way." take it away, jamie. ♪ ♪ i started out with a dream ♪ and a drive ♪ doing what made me feel really alive ♪ ♪ i couldn't envision what the future would be ♪ ♪ filled with excitement and possibility ♪ ♪ then in one moment the future was gone ♪ ♪ it seemed in that moment i couldn't go on ♪ ♪ until i heard something inside of me say if you want it bad enough you find a way ♪

♪ you find a way to let your heart outplay your mind ♪ ♪ you find a way to leave your doubts and fears behind ♪ ♪ you find a way to make it work and day by day ♪ ♪ you find a way ♪ and now i'm standing up for me and for you ♪ ♪ and for the right to do what we're born to do ♪ ♪ i used to think i had to stand out to win ♪ ♪ now i'm fighting for my right to fit in ♪ ♪ and so if you've been told that your dreams are through ♪ ♪ and there is nothing you can do ♪ ♪ you've got to hear something inside of you say ♪ ♪ if you want it bad enough you find a way ♪ ♪ you find a way to show the world that you are here ♪

♪ you find a way to take control of your career ♪ ♪ you find a way to pass it on year after year ♪ ♪ you find a way when you can make the choice ♪ ♪ you find a way when you lift up your voice ♪ ♪ you find a way when you know you'll go far ♪ ♪ you find a way when you know who you are ♪ ♪ you find a way [ cheers and applause ] >> yeah! >> yes! >> you did it, jamie. good for you, darling. awesome. we'll be right back. this is "today" on nbc. save you fifteen percent or more on car insurance.d everybody knows that. well, did you know pinocchio was a bad motivational speaker?

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♪ everyone has a story all right, we're back with "everyone has a story" honoring a very special woman. jamie petrone. she just performed "you'll find a way." a song kathie lee and david friedman wrote. >> david friedman is here with david wild. thank you, gentlemen. >> tell us what you thought of listening to your daughter sing. it must be such a thrill every time she does. >> oh, yeah. she's good. she's good. and she sells a song. >> oh, boy, can she sell it. >> how does it feel to be in front of everybody like that, jamie? >> surreal. >> was it surreal? >> yeah. a little surreal. >> did you have like a pinch me moment when -- >> you feel like you're out of a cannon. yeah. >> you were singing about

yourself. >> singing about everybody. there are so many people that that song reaches and i just appreciate you for writing it, because i just -- for what we are, i think that there is a very visible disability that you see. and when i look in a mirror, i don't see a visible disability. i don't. and that i think is what that song said. you know, find a way to see something, see something differently. you know? see beyond the disability, see the way to get someplace. so i think it's just about enabling so many people, you know? >> absolutely. and you have a -- a documentary is being made about you right now. >> yes. >> fancy. miss fancy. >> and you also are starting something -- a conservatory or something for people in the same situation. >> yes. so i founded a company called this ability instead of disability. >> oh, great. >> yes. and it is really -- it's there to train, to reach -- i want children to be able to grow up and see themselves in a

community that looks very much the same. you know? i want them to strive to be -- to go beyond what -- when we go into auditions, so many people look at us and see this and can't get past this. i want them to be able to see a trained performer in front of them. and that's really one of the missions of the conservatory. >> you're so inspirational. we wanted to give you a little something. so we thought we would get you out of the chilly weather. you're sick of it. we all are. and travel some place warm. you and a friend are going on an all-inclusive trip to the resorts of dana point, california. ? gorgeous! >> you'll experience whale watching at the whale watching capital. coastal cuisine, luxury accommodations. best of all, the sun. >> i wonder who that friend might be. sorry, mom. mom is out of luck. >> david, you're going on a five-week tour all over the place. david wild has all kinds of tv shows. he's so big, i can't believe he comes back to see us. >> all right. >> we love you guys. thank you. thank you. >> thank you so much. we'll ship that -- you're driving back. you're fine.

>> tomorrow we're going to take a look at the "preacher's daughters." >> and help you find great rental homes for your next vacation. have an awesom >> i'm here to help. through this get together. ♪