G: What do you do? What inspired you to start?
I’m a TV, radio presenter and voice over person, I cover all things lifestyle and entertainment. For me presenting has always been innate; as a child I had fixation on playing ‘newsreader’ using Ceefax as my autocue. Beyond that I did a bit of university radio and would always engineer situations where I could get up and present ideas to the group/class/office. I decided a few years ago to change up and focus on a media/presenting career; it was a bold move which I expected to be greeted with surprise but everyone was like “yeah you’ve always wanted to do that” so I just got on with it.
G: What are the main challenges?
Gaining experience has become easier what with citizen journalism/presenting but making that transition from you believing in you to everyone else doing the same and getting hired is tricky. On doing so though being creative enough to keep the momentum going becomes the next challenge.
G: What would you say has been your most memorable experience? What were the most successful projects?
2012 has been an exciting year and I have successfully landed a variety of gigs; singling out a handful I’ll mention hosting Dance Make Your Move at the Indigo2 which at a full capacity crowd was pretty scary and thrilling all at the same time; I’m a HUGE fan of Maverick Sabre and got to interview him on his tour bus for a TV show I co host called What’s Up; and voicing the Sporty News for Trace Sports on Sky every day of London 2012 was brilliant, I felt that I was part of the Olympics so that was awesome!
G: What are some of the special moments that have happened while presenting?
I hosted an awards ceremony in Notting Hill recently, it was a really glam event and as I walked onto stage my heel got wedged in the ONLY gap in the stage, my co host had to literally pull my foot out of the gap as I couldn’t physically move – mortified – great way to start a show! I used to read travel and weather for comedy heavy weight Curtis Walker on his radio show; on more than one occasion the weather was a one word affair as he had a great way of making me innocently say inappropriate things just before my bulletin which would inevitably cause me incontrollable fits of giggles, (I’m very professional now) – LOVED that partnership!
Don’t beat yourself up over the amount of NO’s you may get when starting out. Don’t expect to get an agent straight away. Don’t forget you DON’T need a production practise your craft. DO seek out honest constructive feedback. DO set yourself realistic goals and keep on top of them. DO consider working on a few freebies to secure show-reel material & gain experience.
G: What would be the next steps in your career? Where would you like to see yourself in a year?
I think for most presenters mainstream TV is the ambition and I am no different. Sticking with entertainment I’d happily do a spin off show like Xtra Factor as that’s a fun interactive show where the presenters really get to be themselves and say what everyone else is thinking – they make it look easy but I will swiftly say it aint! A good example of this is US XFactor which I watched recently, Khloe Kardashian who is literally never without a camera in her face has made the transition to presenting – she seemed REALLY awkward, it was painful to watch. Those that are really good make it look easy! I’d like to front an investigative show for the BBC3 audience too – I have a few ideas that I’ve been working on but you’ll have to wait to see those realised.
G: Who/what are your favourite CEOs/Businesses in Shoreditch?
HUGE fan of Natalka Design, I love her speed drawings, she came by the radio station and did some there – v.impressive. I still enjoy Beyond Retro picking up little one offs in there and NINCOMSOUP in Old Street station for real hearty, but swift business lunches!
G: What do you think is missing in Shoreditch as far as the industry you’re interested in?
There is such a rich culture and variety of life in Shoreditch which is why arty and media types love it so much. The media world is pretty well served by Shoreditch and with Shoreditch Radio it already has the ear waves covered.
I’m a real foodie so my favourite places often serve food! I had a great breakfast date in the Breakfast Club, both the food and the company was excellent. A favourite for dinner is YELA in Hoxton Square, they do a great Massaman curry and delic desserts all at really reasonable price; and for drinks, The Bridge is a gorgeous hidden away spot where you can eat scrumptious baklava and wash it down with either wine or if you’re off the booze a cup of tea!
G: What does the future have in store for what you want to achieve?
The future: GLOBAL DOMINATION OPRAH WINFREY STYLE! THINK BIG INNIT! Seriously. In the meantime, I’d like to continue the mix of entertainment and factual as it’s a healthy mix. I really enjoy producing my radio show, conceiving and researching ideas and making it happen and then the engagement you can only secure from the medium of live radio, so most definitely more of that in both a production and presenting capacity. More TV. The show I am currently recording airs in Jan 2013. I’m hosting a very exciting conference headed up by the real life HITCH also known as Paul Carrick Brunson in Feb (if you don’t know and you’re single, get to know) and my radio show on Colourful continues with a vengeance.
G: Are your plans viable?
They’d better be and on looking back on my progress report, they seem to be!
G: What would you say is the best thing about what you do?
Meeting people and hearing points of views I perhaps hadn’t considered before. Plus I get to attend events and gigs that I may not otherwise know about or consider going to so it broadens my horizons in that way too.
G: Is there anyone you’d like to work with that you’d like to give a shout out to either from Shoreditch or around London?
I’ll give a shout to the Kiss My Teeth guys on Shoreditch Radio, loving their work! Plus any production companies currently casting presenters – get in touch ;) !