Pop Culturalist Chats with Keltie Knight

Keltie Knight is SLAYING the game. This Hollywood “It” girl has two Emmy nominations under her belt. And, she’s interviewed everyone from Jennifer Lawrence to Oprah. Through hard work and perseverance, Keltie is an inspiration for anyone trying to achieve their dreams. And, we were lucky enough to chat with her.

PC: How did you get started?
Keltie: Many moons ago I was a professional ballerina and Rockette on Broadway. Backstage I always had tons of free time—so I started a blog, just for fun, and eventually 5 million people were visiting that blog every month! Eventually, CBS noticed and asked me to come work in the digital department and from there I worked my way up to my current position. In between all of that was tons of doubt, sleepless nights, early 3:45 am wake ups and some tears, two Emmy nominations and 3 kisses from Harry Styles. It’s been a long road, but totally worth it.

PC: It’s hard to break into the entertainment industry. It’s known for its rejection. Has there been a moment in your career where you’ve wanted to give up? And, what advice would you give someone who’s on a similar career path?
Keltie: This career means wanting to give up every day. My mom always says “it’s showbiz, not show-fun!” It certainly looks glamorous from the outside, but inside it’s a lot of competition, self-doubt, and I’ve learned to just live my life celebrating the “little victories”. I know I cannot win at life each and every day, but when something small goes right, I celebrate all the tiny steps it takes to climb a mountain! There are two things I always remember about the entertainment BIZ, Madonna got rejected from her first try at a record deal and Oprah got fired. Boom!

PC: Was your family always supportive of your decision to work in journalism?
Keltie: I grew up in northern Canada and it’s just SO far away from anything Hollywood. I think my family simply cannot comprehend that I’m sitting down with Julia Roberts, George Clooney or Meryl Streep. My mom is the cutest, she follows me on Instagram and leaves me nice emojis on all my photos! Hi, mom!

PC: What’s an average day if you’re covering a press junket and/or an event. And is the preparation different?
Keltie: I wake up anywhere from 3:45am to 5:30am depending on what’s on the schedule for that day, every day is different. I over-prepare for every single interview so it doesn’t matter if I’m at the Grammy’s or on location at a movie set. Together with the team, we talk about our angle for the shoot, I look at all the current news, at the stars socials and I usually try to do something fun. Last year, I brought Ed Sheeran a hoverboard and we scooted around the entire arena where he was on tour—it was one of my favorite interviews ever.

PC: What’s been your favorite moment while working in the industry? And one you’d like to forget?
Keltie: My worst moment was when an A-list male movie star walked out of my interview because I told him I thought he was sexy (which he is!) He was really gunning for an Oscar nomination and clearly didn’t want to “play” and I was so embarrassed! On the other hand, my favorite moment ever was interviewing Pharrell, he stopped the interview, looked at the camera and said, “This woman is a star, whoever her boss is, she needs her own show!” From Pharrell’s mouth to the gods of show business’s ears!

PC: You’re pretty active on social media, how do you think it’s changed the industry?
Keltie: Social allows us to bring the fans of pop culture along with us. I like to look at it like I’m your best friend and I’m taking you with me in my pocket. I love live-tweeting big red carpets to show my followers the fashion as it happens and get their opinions. I also love to share the clothes I wear on my Instagram because it’s where I get my own fashion inspiration. Snapchat is the best for being silly, and it’s challenging the classic style of entertainment journalism, but I’m excited for these two worlds to continue to cross over!

PC: On The LadyGang podcast, you always ask your guests: What their Hollywood heartbreak moment was? And, their ISH moment? So, we want to know, what’s YOURS?
Keltie: My biggest heartbreak was when I was up to host a big network show and had pretty much been walked in the door without even an audition. I was already spending the paycheck and buying the shoes in my head, you know? After the meeting, they called my agent and said that I “wasn’t a star” and eventually made me audition against other ladies, which I bombed because my confidence was shot. I didn’t get the job and I got to watch the girl who did on billboards all over Los Angeles. It certainly was a heartbreak but a huge learning lesson! My ISH moment was when my podcast LadyGang was put on Entertainment Weekly’s “Must List”. It’s so difficult to get on and meant so much to us! The phones started ringing after that came out!

PC: How did the podcast get started?
Keltie: My co-host Becca Tobin and I had been talking for a long time about working together and creating something for women that was really honest, not Hollywood “honest”. We initially wanted a TV show but we knew no one would greenlight us, so we decided to make the show a podcast first. We asked our amazing friend Jac Vanek to join because she’s a clothing designer and not in the Hollywood world so her outlook is totally different. It’s been insanely successful! We’ve had guests like Ashley Tisdale, the Foster Sisters, Lea Michelle, Ali Fedotowsky, Kaitlyn Bristowe, Holly Madison and more! We are turning down advertisers because too many people want to be involved. It was such an immediate and viral reaction when we launched that it just feels so good!

PC: One of the reasons I think the podcast has been so successful is the authenticity you bring to it. There’s absolutely no filter and you talk about a wide range of topics. How has the fan reception been? And how do you deal with the haters?
Keltie: Our outlook to the haters is, don’t listen if you don’t like it. We are three imperfect women who won’t always say the right thing. I personally think that the world is too PC crazy right now, someone will be offended by every little thing. The LadyGang doesn’t worry about what people think, and I believe that is what makes the show incredible and keeps our girls coming back. Our fans are so loyal, and we have a not-so-secret FB group where our gang is now meeting up with each other, helping each other and sharing their deepest secrets. It’s more than a podcast, it’s a movement and we are thrilled!

Pop Culturalist Speed Round

PC: Guilty pleasure TV/Movie?
Keltie: I don’t believe in guilty pleasures, I only believe in pleasures, mine include reruns of The Good Wife, Nashville (Deacon forever!) and the Bachelorette!

PC: Favorite play or musical?
Keltie: Of course I’ve fully committed to the Hamilton train, but I recently saw “Nevermore” off-Broadway based on the life of Edgar Allan Poe and it was incredible!

PC: Favorite book?
Keltie: I’m a complete book nerd! When I’m not working I am usually reading. I just read I Am Malala, Holly Madison’s second book The Vegas Diaries, Jensen Karp’s book Kanye West Owes Me $300 and they were all awesome reads! (Ps. Kanye West also owes me $150…but that’s for another time!)

PC: Favorite social media platform?
Keltie: I’m obsessed with Snapchat, I love how celebrities use it, I love the faces. I recently taught Dolly Parton how to use Snapchat (she liked the flower halo) and it was hilarious!

PC: A band or artist people would be surprised to learn is on your playlist?
Keltie: I’m still deeply in love with the Backstreet Boys, and I listen to them on the way to work and rock out. Brian forever!!!!

Make sure to follow Keltie on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and Snapchat (KeltieKnight)! And, if you aren’t listening to the LadyGang, what are you waiting for? Make sure to subscribe, subscribe, subscribe!

Photo Credit: Dirtysugar Photography