This month, NYDC was lucky enough to score an exclusive interview with MTV presenter, Maz! Here's what she had to say about life on the red carpet...
What's it like interviewing some of the hottest celebs around?
I don't really get star struck and I seem to be able to create a quick rapport with megastars. So in a way, for me, it's just a part of my job. I am there to help them tell their story and treating a superstar like you would a friend seems to be a good approach.
What was your first red carpet event?
The first red carpet event that I worked on was the Europe Music Awards 2004 in Rome, Italy. The atmosphere was electric and I rubbed shoulders with Eminem, Gwen, Kylie, Maroon 5, Muse, Kid Rock, Pharrel William's, Xzibit and the Osbournes!
It must be pretty nerve-racking being a presenter. How do you calm yourself before an event?
Lots of deep breaths and not too much water, for obvious reasons! I try to have music with me so I can listen to a really cool, fun or calming song before all the action happens.
How long does it take you to get ready for a red carpet event?
An hour in hair and make-up, ten minutes in the bathroom freaking out and a few minutes faffing with my dress.
Who's the most exciting person you've interviewed on the red carpet?
Andre 3000 from Outkast was really sweet to me and the Black Eyed Peas are always full of energy.
Biggest red carpet blunder?
Someone I interviewed on a red carpet once said they were really looking forward to seeing Jay-Z perform and he wasn't even performing at the event! It was quite funny.
Funniest red carpet moment?
When Nicole Kidman's publicist realised her dress was see-though and borrowed a winter coat to put over her shoulders in 30 degree heat, that was pretty funny.
Fave red carpet moment?
My best red carpet moment was at the 2007 MTV Awards when I predicted that Nicole Ritchie would soon be pregnant to Joel Madden — they announced the pregnancy three months later!
Maz's tips for…
- Looking good at a red carpet event
Celebs take their time to get the right outfit and the right look for the occasion. The lead up to a red carpet is a good time to do some extra workouts and eat super healthy so on the day you are feeling fresh and fit, which just makes everything easier.
- Getting involved in presenting
Make sure presenting is what you want to do. With the Internet, it is really easy to get a camera and just practise by doing a video blog. It is a really tough industry and once you get somewhere you have to defend your place. But practise is the key. Starting in production and learning the TV game is another option, then look at getting in front of the camera.
- Training to be a TV presenter
You need to be full of personality, have the ability to think on your feet, have a command of the English language and, I think, be as real as you can and true to yourself. So make sure you chat to everyone during lunch at school!
- Getting yourself noticed
There are plenty of ways to get noticed but it all depends on the type of attention you are seeking. I would say, be great at what you want to do and pursue that with your whole heart. The quicker you get to the top, the quicker you fall — that's my theory. So, I am content with the nine years it took me to work out what I wanted and for it to actually materialise.
- Gaining confidence
I believe the best confidence is an innocent confidence, so you can be confident without telling everyone how confident you really are. I think it's a much more beautiful quality to have other people notice your ability, rather than you having to sell yourself.