Stevie Baggs Jr. is looking for love on We TV's Match Made in Heaven.
That's about all he's missing in a full life any other 34-year-old could envy. He has several businesses, is an author, a motivational speaker, a former professional football player, the face of an essential oils company and a snazzy dresser. That means he talks more than a good game; he makes you believe in achieving.
"We have to inspire one another," he said when he stopped by our offices while in Dallas for a former teammate's wedding. "You've never heard a success story without struggle. And in my book, Greater than the Game, I talk about ... adversity and advantage; test, testimony; mess, message; struggle, strength.
And, with that and other uplifting words, the interview turned into a motivational session.
No wonder he has 18 women vying for his affections while hanging on every word.
Match Made in Heaven is in its second season. New host Sheri Shepherd (who the women call "Sheri Godmother," The View) is also executive producer. She and Pastor Ken Johnson, the spiritual adviser for the Indianapolis Colts, help navigate what can be treacherous waters for Baggs.
And his mother isn't one content to turn on her TV and watch. She jumps into the fray. In the first episode, she went undercover as a production assistant to check out the character of the women. She revealed herself as Baggs' mother during the elimination. And she's all but stolen the show since with her frank assessments.
If that's not enough of a change from your average boy-seeks-girl reality show, the women left in the house can torpedo Baggs' one-on-one dates by taking a bite of an apple. "Momma Lola" Robinson can even participate -- and has.
Match Made in Heaven airs on Thursday nights at 9 on We TV. We learned about the show, his charity work, some things he believes in and how you, too, can believe you can FLY.
Changes on the show from the first season
Sheri Shepherd brings such a comedic edge to the show. She can’t tell me what to do and what woman to choose but her body language and facial expressions ... [he rolls his eyes as if he's her]
He's gotta have faith
Proverbs 31 talks about the virtuous woman but before it even starts talking about how virtuous the woman is, they talk about the man of valor. The virtue and valor come together, you create that king-queen dynamic.
He's not flawless
I’m not flawless, but I’m faithful to me. If we’re faithful to our purpose, as opposed to trying to be faithful to people, places and things, you’ll in turn treat people with respect. You’ll treat people right. You’ll achieve and accomplish the goals that you have in life and that’s what I meant by being faithful to my purpose.
He's looking for love in every area of his life
I have an acronym called FLY: First, Love Yourself. If you first love yourself, you can take flight. And when you’re taking flight, you’re in the air, but AIR to means Access, Influence and Resources. ... We need to be able to bring those three attributes together. And that’s when you really take off and stay at a high level in life and truly fly. So, first love yourself in every area of your life, then you’ll have enough confidence, God-fidence, to connect with someone else and everyone else in every area of our lives to love others. ... Love is a universal component to what everyone should strive for in my humble opinion.
Those apples of temptation
“I guess the most exciting one had to be where I’m in the boat and we’re having an amazing date and we’re connecting and she’s singing to me. The next thing you know -- he snaps his fingers -- the boat literally explodes. I was so shocked. Good thing we both could swim. ... I can really appreciate a person with a competitive edge, though.
Being one a few bachelors of color
This is a very dynamic position to be in. A black man can love. A lot of times on television, we get put in a box of [he pauses] whatever.
His mother, who looks young enough to be mistaken for his sister
Because my mother and I work together with my foundation [CETA, Creating Empowerment Through Autonomy], with my cafe in downtown Atlanta, we’re always together. She’s met women that I’ve dated so she already knows kind of like my type. She already has a preconceived notion of who she thinks I’m gonna be with. The beautiful thing about having her on the show is that the ladies can also see a strong woman who I know is a Renaissance woman and I also respect her opinion but enough to also tell her when to hold off.
You break up with the women over a text?
I know a lot of people have something to say about that. Here’s the deal: It’s not really a breakup because we were never an item. But I think that it’s already difficult enough ... when these women come across the bridge, I’m still kinda torn to who I’m going to select. And so I don’t want to make it even more difficult on me to have to have a girl cry. And so the text [that says stay, we're not a match or that he needs to talk with them] ? It could be seen as a little insensitive but I think certain people would feel where I’m coming from. It’s another dynamic twist to the show. You know, you’ll never be able to please everyone.
People have described him as "chocolate yummy" and "one of the most eligible men in America."
[He's never thought of himself that way.] I know so many successful people and men who aren’t just successful but are really good people. I’m just thankful to be in a position where I can find love and I can be an example for other young men to be put in a position to do the same. It’s an honor. I am thankful.
Chocolate yummy? I’ll let you be the judge of that.
