I have the fortunate pleasure of wearing “multiple hats” within my brand; being a fitness and lifestyle expert. Two years ago, I crossed into the world of social media in way I never imagined would change my life. I began getting involved in social media communities, sending in video and comments for the Ricki Lake show. I found my navigation in social to be awkward and elementary, but laughing my way through it! This led me to being asked to serve as a lifestyle & fitness expert for a major Hollywood entertainment show. One month later after the show aired, I was asked to join an exclusive group known as the TWITTERARITTI. This is a group selected by a gentleman in the social industry, leading the way of merging social media, on line content with traditional TV, #SocialTV. This role has led me to the Grammys, Emmys, Billboards, BAFTAS, and Golden Globes supporting ET NOW, Insider and Access Hollywood, along with Garth Brooks and various movie premiers. For the second year in a row I have been invited to contribute to VANITY FAIR SOCIAL CLUB: The inner-sanctum of Vanity Fair’s creative services troupe. Each year, Vanity Fair hosts CAMPAIGN Hollywood, a week long series of VIP events for invited influencers, a series of VIP events with its exclusive advertising partners leading up to the Oscars. My job is to report tweet, post, film or vine the information. The week events are held at the exclusive WE WORK Building in LA. We were also supporting ACCESS HOLLYWOOD and they event built us our own set to set for the week! The week began with a bit of a bump. My luggage never arrived to LAX. The next day I was fortunate to have clothing from a sponsor CABI, delivered to my LA address to save me my first day. My first panel was from the architect that built the Vanity Fair party into the most coveted event worldwide during Oscar week. Walking us through the history of the historic parties and iconic moments throughout the years. Followed by beauty tips from Armani Beauty Director, Tim Quinn. The evening was all mine and we were invited the beautiful host Barbara Lazaroff, Owner of the world famous SPAGO to enjoy the Chinese New year at her restaurant CHINOIS known for its Asian Fusion food. We enjoyed delicious food, friend and conversations! Colorful dancers all in celebration of the New year! Psst Nigel from dancing with the Stars was there too ;) I was introduced to famed celebrity chef and designer, Jaime Laurita who was so personable and fun! It was a beautiful night for all! I came home and had a huge project due for one of my sponsors. It was exhausted. It took me over 4 hours to write 5 pages. I would type and out my head down on the pillow. I thought about getting up a at 4 am to complete the take but I knew I just had to push through the challenge and get the job done. It reminded me how strong we can be if we put our minds to it The next day I got THE call...THE CALL! The one where you are being requested to work the red carpet! I was crying. So overwhelmed that my luggage was still missing, that I got the “dream call” but I was so unprepared. I was in the mindset to say no. It was my girlie, maria, who said do what you have to do. I am forever grateful to her for that response! I bought a dress in 7 minutes flat at Ross for Less. $14.99 to boot! Finally, we got the suitcase back as well so things were coming together! It is a thrilling time, to amp up my skill set, and release my fears! When you are on the red carpet there is no room for errors! It is a hyper speed fast pace where you must be on your toes and on your toes you are, you feet HURT afterwards! My assignment was the private party for the cast and crew of Boyhood. It is imperative to do research to come up with “original” content on the talent from the movie. All of my pre work went out the window when we learned of our position on the carpet. We were the last to interview the talent and had to redo our questions to be fast and concise. I started asking the cast and crew of boyhood to share their style in a #Hashtag. I was thrilled when Patricia Arquette laughed and answered #OverAlls! On Friday, we spent the day covering #Loreal Dry Bar, Louise Roe new book, Chrysler tour as well as young entrepreneur panel. A full and fast paced day! Friday night was a delicious dinner at the famed Beverly Wilshire Hotel , home to the movie pretty woman . We had a delicious meal at the Blvd., the hotel restaurant. The food was delicious and with such sophisticated atmosphere with a jazz singer the winding blowing through the windows overlooking Wilshire blvd. Truly an enchanted evening. Saturday work included Tachen book highlighting the last 40 years of Saturday Night Live: the book VFSC and ACCSS took care of our every need – from “swag: vending machines, food sweets and unlimited champagne, from Food Ink Grocerie and Victoria _coffee, they kept us full and happy all week long to say the least! The caterers walked 7 miles a day, taking care of our needs! (insert photos) It was time to pick up our jewelry by celebrity jeweler, Mark Lash . Off we went to the suite to choose and be stylized. His work takes my breath away, each and every time! Diamonds truly are a girl’s best friend! On Saturday night, I was invited to a movie premier for my dear friend, Sergio Navarretta, who ironically is Canadian and was debuting his film in Hollywood at Mann Chinese Theatre! The movie, entitled “ The Colossal Failure of the Modern Relationship” starring Enrico Colantoni We loved the movie! Love, passion, heartbreak with delicious food and wine! What a beautiful way to support my friend and his film! SUNDAY Oscars day!
We got up at the crack of dawn to arrive for hair and makeup and the Wilshire Hotel. Created videos and social support for Vitamix, New Balance and Viva Vantage paper towels all before noon! It was time to get busy! Focus and report on the red carpet and award show. I don’t think my eyes left my phone for hours! It is such a super fast pace but I wouldn’t want it any other way. When the show was over. I get a wave of sadness that comes over me. I have grown to love these people as family over the years. We spent so much concentrated time together. They truly inspire me on so many way. I leave more of my heart in LA each and every time. I said to my boss, until next time and his response.. you have no idea ;) Stay tuned and thank YOU for all of your love and support! To Your Health, Jen xo
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I was asked to be a part of Access Hollywood social team for the Golden Globes, and I was thrilled! When we arrived at the set of NBC , the parking lot had Jay Leno parking spot still at the front. I had a feeling there would be a lot of nostalgia due to the iconic talent that has worked on the very set that I would be tweeting from. We were escorted to the set and when I first laid eyes on it I thought it was so vibrant and inviting. Access prepared everything for us! From tables for laptops to all the extension cords a social girl could wish for! A lot of people enquire, what exactly do I do at these events? It depends on the event . Sometimes I am on the red carpet interviewing celebrities while tweeting and posting. Other times I am “on set” reviewing live feed and supporting the show “on line’ to share their message and my commentary. We had YouTube sensation I strawberry leading the way with her social influencers. Liz Hernandez came by and was so gracious, encouraging us to feel at home at Access. Then it was time to get to work! Our goal as the twitteratti team, is to engage people in conversation on all social platforms. Billy Bush came shining through with his genuine personality and playfulness on the carpet. For me,there were certain highlights for me from the globes. Michael Keaton’s acceptance speech on his childhood and importance of being “kind” brought me to tears. Gina Rodriguez on the importance of not giving up on your dreams. With tears streaming down her face, she lit up the room with her authenticity, and Kevin Spacey and the poignant quote were my personal favourite parts of the night! Please see my YourTube channel for video from behind the scenes of the studio. A fun fact is the Access set is the old Johny Carson ! If those walls could talk! As fast as we arrive, is as fast as we have to leave, for the crew must prepare the set for a 5 am start time! I want to hear from you! What is new and exciting within your life and business? You can reach me at [email protected] Thank you always for your support xo Without you none of ths is made possible!
Jen Xo
X marks the spot. This sticker has put my team on the map.
My red carpet journey…. I was asked by my boss to join our “twitteratti” team in Los Angeles to cover the red carpet event, The Britannias: The highest accolade presented by BAFTA Los Angeles. A celebration of achievement honoring individuals and companies from the US, UK and beyond who have dedicated their careers or corporate missions to advancing the art-forms of the moving image. This trip would be different than the others, for it would be the first time our group would be shoulder to shoulder with the major network and entertainment television shows, showcasing #SocialTV. What an exciting time! With #SocialTV, our team is able to get the news out in real time, verses traditional television which would air the next day. The #Britiannias were held at the Iconic “The Beverly Hilton,” in Beverly Hills. The hotel is known for its history of star power guests and events.
Ok, so here is what the red carpet looks like in “real life”
Covering red carpet events absolutely has it’s glamour but there is also the very real “flipside”. Here is an example: this tiny square of carpet , next to the hedge, is our piece of real estate – that is it. It would be politically incorrect to take one step into another networks “patch” of the red carpet. We looked like “glam” cattle lol.
When one is on the red carpet, the “talent” aka the celebrity, has an “handler” this person is responsible to keep him or her on time through the carpet and to let the press know who is next on the interview line by presenting a quick bio and name of the person. We shoot this piece of paper so that we can go back and have the details needed to report on the interview. Actors from Downton Abbey to Dr. WHO, walked the carpet. The ever so elegant Jane Seymour and her daughter were soooo delightful. She stayed and talked to us for quite some time. Her drop earrings are from her own collection, Open Hearts by Jane Seymour by Kay Jewelers. She shared her beauty secrets by confiding “ Don’t do what everyone else is doing” No botox, facials – none of it. This SO inspired me for I am ALL about doing the natural and to age gracefully without the pressures of Hollywood.
One by one they walked. Now part of my job is to have questions prepared that would engage the actor into conversation(s) and also to knowing the cliff notes of the person’s bio. This takes hours of preparation prior to the show. In addition I am preparing “social content” to start engagement on all platforms before during and after the event. My job it to TREND the event. In this case the #Britiannias. What does it mean to trend? This means, we have a volume of tweets that are engaging twitter users and it is a topic that is being “most discussed” at that particular time.
That means my head is in my phone for hours with my fingers typing as fast as I can and also improving for creative content for my twitter feed. This is so ironic, coming from a girl who almost failed typing in high school.
While having my head in the phone, tweeting, my colleague bumps me with his elbow and says , Jon Favreau is in front of you. I look up and there he is! I said “Hey, I have a question for YOU” he said “ Hey what is the question” I asked him what is his “secret sauce” he laughed and proceeded to tell me in every detail the key sauce he used to prepare food in CHEF. I was thrilled!
https://www.instagram.com/p/uzL9FAP1Ec/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=embed_video_watch_again
It was getting late and almost time for the event time begin - whisking by was Emma Watson, Dame Judy, Dench, Robert Downey Jr said hello, Dustin Hoffman and Mark Ruffalo.
I am pleased to say our group TRENDED! It was a beautiful experience …I wonder what lies ahead ;) #pinkdreams
High school kids picture At BAFTA Los Angeles, we believe in using the art forms of the moving image to empower, motivate and inspire the next generation of talent. Discover more about the initiatives we run in our efforts to nurture the next generation of industry professionals.
Jennifer xo
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