February. An exciting month … like Valentine’s Day! It is a time to realise how amazing it is to be in love, and for me, I reflect and thank the heavens for giving me the job of my dreams. MTV, will you be my Valentine?
While I don’t believe in a chocolate-filled Valentine’s, I do believe in loving your work. (Woo! Employee of the month. That is me.
The other day, I met Taiwan star Jay Chou. I don’t mean to brag (which is what people always say before they brag) but it was pretty sweet!
Having the chance to sit a mere 30cm away from him and asking questions about his Hollywood breakthrough role in the Green Hornet made me feel like it was worth every ounce of effort memorising lines and worrying that he wouldn’t understand me.
Caption MTV's VJ Holly Grabarek with Taiwan star Jay Chou.
Interviewing celebrities is a nerve-racking experience. I know they are normal people with normal minds but have extraordinary jobs that make them stand out more. So, the pressure to ask intelligent questions and, at the same time, not repeat the same questions the past 10 interviewers have asked, mounts as the interview date draws excruciatingly near.
The past few months have taught me how to balance all those aspects, and still at the same time have fun connecting and getting to know my celebrity guests. I’d like to think I have made progress and am close to reaching that point of comfort for both me and the person seated in front of me.
This leads me to my amazing experience, or should I call it “trip”, with Jay Chou.
I spent the night before practising the interview with myself, the mirror and my sister, and then back to the mirror again, all in an effort to “make it work”. No, “make it work” is too mediocre. I wanted to “own” it! I wanted to “Own Jay”.
I sat down in front of him, and introduced myself. My ankles were shaking but my mouth was still smiling like a child high on sugar. I delivered all my lines with grace and poise, though I don’t know if the producer would call it that!
I even ventured off topic and cracked some jokes. Woohoo, go me! Oh, did I mention I also got a few laughs out of him? Jay found me funny – can you believe that?
Well, with all that has been said, this is a learning journey for me and every new step has been thrilling. Now, let’s just hope I don’t step in any mud along the way.
Catch the video of Holly’s interview on http://blog.mtvasia.com/2011/02/03/hollys-diary-becoming-the-white-head-band/.
*Holly Grabarek MTV VJ. She shares her experiences working on the network and meeting stars on the last Wednesday of each month, giving
R.AGE’s Sharmila “On The Scene” Nair a break.
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