Name: Keltie Knight
Job Title and Description: Correspondent on CBS's The Insider
Website: www.keltieknight.com
Twitter Handle:@keltieknight
What does your current job entail? Is there such a thing as a typical day?
Keltie Knight: Every day is different! Some days I am on set in our studio, others I am out in the field at red carpets, movie junkets or premieres. The next day I could be on a plane to another city to visit a celebrity there. It's always changing and incredibly fast-paced!
What is the best part of your job?
KK: Meeting the people who have created the music I love so much and getting to pick their minds about their work. This year I got to talk with Miley Cyrus, who was slammed so badly about her antics throughout the year, and I got to see a different side of her. Those are the days I love.
What was your first entry-level job in your field and how did you get it?
KK: I was the music host for Live Nation's now [defunct] website "LiveDaily." A friend saw the audition posted online and thought I should go. Three auditions later with no experience and just a passion for music, I booked it!
As a correspondent with The Insider, you’ve interviewed countless celebrities, including Taylor Swift, Miley Cyrus and Julia Roberts, to name a few. What advice do you have on how to conduct a great interview?
KK: Do your homework, and study the person’s entire body of work and career beforehand. The more they feel you actually know and care about their work, the more they will open up. Be honest, be genuine and save the really awkward questions for last!
On top of your work on television, you’re also an extremely accomplished author and blogger. How do you manage to balance everything?
KK: I believe strongly in the power of hard work, and whenever I feel tired or like I've taken on too much, I remember that I have exactly the same amount of hours in my day as Oprah and Beyoncé. I'm a workhorse; I just put my head down and do whatever it takes to be successful.
Who is one person who changed your professional life for the better?
KK: My lawyer, Carolyn. It's so important to have someone in your life who is wise and who gives great advice and is also really honest. It's nice to have everyone love you, but it's better to have someone who loves you enough to tell you when you need to chill, study or make a change.
What words of wisdom do you find most valuable?
KK: My executive producer at The Insider, Brad Bessey, always says to be authentic, and I think about that everyday. When you want something so badly, it's easy to morph into whatever it is others might want. But he reminds me to stay really true to who I am and what I would say, wear and act like in everything I do.
What is one mistake you made along the way and what did you learn from it?
KK: To me, knowledge is control, and so early on I tried to know everything that was going on at our show. I wanted to know all the moving pieces, but I learned quickly that it's better to not stick your nose in places that you are not privy to and that when someone wants your opinion, they will ask. Believing you can run the world is great, but thinking you run the world is detrimental!
What has been the most surreal moment of your career thus far?
KK: I was interviewing Bradley Cooper at the Palm Springs International Film Festival, and we were chatting as he walked to his next interview. I turned around to see who was coming down the carpet next, and Julia Roberts was standing right beside me, looking directly at me and smiling her huge "Julia Roberts" grin. She giggled and said, "Hi!" and I could barely compose myself!
What advice would you give to a 20-something with similar aspirations?
KK: Become an expert in something. Gone are the days of hosts just being hosts. Follow your passion, be it sports, pop culture or fashion. That will give you an "in" when you start out! And never cut your own reel!
Preorder Keltie’s new book, The Imperfections of James & Kate, co-authored with Chris Gutierrez, before it comes out on February 14. The book is available for purchase on keltieknight.com!