He’s interviewed over 50 celebrities (including the lovely ladies behind Betches Love This), spent time with the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, and even sang to Jennifer Hudson. These are just a few of the highlights former SOC student Wael Davis’ life as a freelance writer/blogger and TV host. He has embraced the ultra fast-paced entertainment industry in NYC and is up before the sun to maintain social media outlets and out at night for events, movie premiers, and galas. He took a few minutes to answer some questions from Her Campus AU about himself, his life, and where he’s headed.
HC: What’s a typical day for you at work?
W: My days are pretty consistent. I wake up at about 5:30/ 6:00 a.m. daily to start emailing, blogging, planning a project, pitching a new project, etc. My mind is sharpest in the morning. I spend a lot of time in front of the computer during the day Tweeting, Facebooking, etc. Social media is a big part of my job, and I have to maintain it to keep people engaged in my writing and other endeavors. I am constantly talking to my friends about pop culture. They are my focus group, so if they are interested in something, it’s likely something I should know about. One example is the website Betches Love This…I noticed a few of my girlfriends were into it, so I took a mental note and interviewed the creators of the website. The interview was a huge hit. In addition to my freelance work, I maintain a full time corporate position at a great Internet start up in NYC.
HC: Did you always know you wanted to go into the entertainment industry, and if not what made you consider it? Also, if the job you have now was not always your goal, what other industry/careers were you interested in?
W: I balance about three jobs right now that includes my daytime job at an internet start up which I love but also incorporates my two current blogging gigs. But I always knew I would work in entertainment. When I was a kid I was obsessed with people like Oprah, Larry King, and Barbara Walters. I was the kid who liked to watch 20/20 on Fridays instead of going to sleepovers or to the mall.
HC: What’s your favorite thing about living in New York?
W: I love living in New York City. The energy, the streets, endless opportunity—I like the way people do business here as well. New York City is about choices, and you’ve got a lot of that here along with twenty-four hour access to public transportation that will take you anywhere pretty quickly. New York City is definitely not for everyone, but for right now this is the perfect city for me. Also don’t even get me started on the shopping and food in this city!
HC: So, what brought you to AU?
W: Being from the D.C. area, I wanted to be closer to my parents, and AU was a perfect fit for me at the time.
HC: How did AU help you to get to where you are now?
W: SOC taught me a great deal. From the basics of writing a press release to speaking in front of a room full of people. Also, the student body is a great network. My best friend’s sister invited me to my first fashion week! AU taught me a lot about what I did and did not want for my career. SOC is a fantastic place to grow and develop skills, and it made finding internships easy. Erin Curtin was my advisor and she was great.
HC: Do you have a favorite professor from AU?
W: Professor Peach was my favorite professor at AU. I had a class with her my first semester at AU in fall 2007 (I was a transfer) and she was just a gem. Smart, articulate, funny and full of life.
HC: Is there anything you miss about DC?
W: I miss DC a lot. It’s a fantastic city. I’m a native Washingtonian (a rare breed). I just couldn’t do what I do in NY and L.A in D.C. Otherwise, I’d probably still live there.
HC: Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
W: In the five-to-six year range, I hope to expand my writing into books, print publications and potentially my own blog. I’d also like to have a regular spot on an entertainment news program or something in daytime television. In the next few months I am launching two new amazing projects/partnerships that I can’t wait to share with everyone.
HC: What would you say is the biggest perk of your job? Your fondest memory?
W: One of the biggest perks is getting to pick the minds of interesting people. One of my stand-out memories is the first time I was set to interview Wendy Williams. It was also my 24th birthday, and I was beyond excited. She’s someone I have admired for years. I got backstage at her TV show studio, and all my recording devices died! I almost cried in front of her. But I ended up re shooting the interview and have done a few other things with her. It all worked out in the end.
HC: I follow you on Twitter, and all I can say about you singing to Jennifer Hudson is WOW what an AWESOME experience! How, may I ask, did you get to do that?
W: Singing to Jennifer Hudson is a moment I’ll remember for the rest of my life. I was in L.A for vacation visiting my best friend Andy and was partaking in some of the Grammy festivities. One of the events I attended was the Gucci jewelry event at the Grammy Museum in the Clive Davis Theater. Jennifer was the guest of honor, and she did a great Q&A then sang a beautiful set. During her last song she asked a few people in the audience to help her sing. I decided to volunteer to sing a few notes! She gave me a hug after. It was the most nerve racking thing I’ve ever done, but so worth it. Jennifer Hudson is so humble, beautiful and incredibly talented.
HC: If there’s one piece of advice you could give college students who want to go into the entertainment, fashion and lifestyle industries, what would it be?
W: Be prepared to work hard. Some weeks I don’t get much sleep. But it’s worth it because I love it. Passion is key. Network, network, network! It’s the key to moving up. Your contacts are everything. Don’t do something for the glamour of it. This industry looks glamorous but at the end of the day it’s a business and needs to be treated that way. If you want to work in fashion to just meet celebs and go to parties, you will be let down very quickly. So, there you have it. An interview with a pro-interviewer. One can only hope to have some of the successes that Wael has already achieved at the start of his career.
Definitely check out Wael’s Facebook page and follow @waeldavis on Twitter!