What do you do?
I work in entertainment PR, so I’m around celebrities, craziness, all that.
What’s your best celebrity encounter?
I stood next to Oprah at the Tony Awards. It was the highlight of my life.
Of your life?
Yes! Growing up black and not coming from a fortunate background, she could’ve made excuses, but she decided, “Forget what happened to me, forget that I’m fat—I’m going to make something of myself.” And now she’s like the richest woman in the world, and that’s extraordinary. Because of her I say, “I might not come from the greatest, but I’m going to be the greatest.”
Where do you come from?
Are you ready for my Madonna story? I’m from Michigan. When I was 19 years old, I was a D.J. and I just said, “Know what? I’m going to New York.” I’d never been on a plane before, but I saved up and bought a one-way ticket and here I am. For five years, I have survived. It’s been Wheat Thins and ramen noodles, but I made it!
How did you get such a fancy job?
I had no qualifications whatsoever, but I put my résumé on HotJobs, and would you believe someone saw it?
Tell me about your style.
You’ll never see me in heels unless I’m forced. I need to be comfortable, and I need to be funky. And I don’t have anything black in my closet. At work events, we’re supposed to wear black, but I come in cream.
Do you get a lot of attention for your look?
I do. I went to a picnic in Brooklyn yesterday, and there were all these typically hot girls, but when I walked past them, their men looked at me. It’s all, “Excuse me, sweetie, I love your look.” You’d think I date Rastafarians, but the truth is, I get all the Wall Street guys in their suits.
Why do you think that is?
Guys in suits can end up being really wild. They’re never going to bring me home to mom, but I guess they think it’s fun for the time being. The rocker guys who look all cool usually are doing substances or other stuff I don’t like. I don’t even drink alcohol. I’m a sweet midwestern girl at heart.