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Diana Madison is a TV personality, entrepreneur, social influencer and producer.
Born and raised in Hollywood, Diana has made a name for herself in the industry as a Hollywood insider, most often seen on the red carpet interviewing some of the biggest names in Hollywood, like George Clooney, Angelina Jolie and Madonna. Diana’s online talk show for AOL ON, The Lowdown With Diana Madison, has created a lot of buzz, as she’s scored big exclusives with stars like JLO and Will Smith. Diana is also a talk show regular, making frequent appearances on highly-rated talk shows like The Talk on CBS, Wendy Williams and The Meredith Vieira Show on ABC.
Diana not only reports the news but makes the news with her style, as seen in the pages of fashion magazines. Her regular outings with pals are featured on the Daily Mail, and she’s also caused viral sensations from her social media posts, such as when she posted on twitter an iPhone video of a camel running through the streets of Glendale, which made headlines news (CNN, AP and REUTERS).
Diana is also known as one of the top media entrepreneurs for launching Shandy Media (whose properties include Hollyscoop, Modamob, The Fumble and The Savory). She has produced content / videos which have reached out to over 500 million viewers around the world.
But Diana believes the best is yet to come! Her next project is writing a book on how to create your dream job, as well as producing reality TV shows along with 44 Blue, Zodiak and Shed productions
The Lowdown:
The Lowdown With Diana Madison is the top Entertainment talk show online. Currently it can be seen on AOL ON, Youtube, MSN and Hollyscoop. The Lowdown’s host Diana Madison, a Hollywood insider and influencer sits down and chats with her Hollywood friends. The show is fun, wild and over the top and nothing like what you can find today currently on television or online.
Through Diana’s strong connections in Hollywood, she gets to interview a wide range of stars from A Listers like Jennifer Lopez, Will Smith, Michael Douglas to music stars like Nicole Scherzinger, Cody Simpson, to reality TV stars from the cast of Mobwives, Rich Kids of Beverly Hills, Shahs of Sunset and etc.
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What’s your background?
I was born and raised in Hollywood, California. My parents are Armenian Immigrants who fled the Soviet Union in the late 70’s and came to America to build a better life for themselves and their family.
Where did you study?
My parents sent me to an Armenian private school from pre Kindergarten to high school in order for me not to forget my Armenian heritage. After high school I attended the University of California Santa Barbara where I studied political science.
How did you get in the industry?
I was never destined for law school despite my parents really wanting me to become a lawyer. I got my first start in the industry by doing an internship for Entertainment Tonight at age 18. I took an internship course and was fortunate to work alongside some of the biggest names in TV like Brad Bessey, Janet Annino and Linda Bell Blue. The following year, I was desperate to do another internship at E! Entertainment, however I couldn’t do it because my college only allowed one internship course within the four years. I decided to register at Valley College for an internship course and got the opportunity to work for Guliana Rancic at E! News. I was very determined to get my foot in the door and learn as much as I could. I also got the opportunity to intern at KEYT ABC news in Santa Barbara where I got a feel of hard news. Internships were a great way for me to get into the industry and network.
Where did you work before creating Shandy Media?
After graduating college, I got a job at Entertainment Tonight and The Insider. My first day at work was the launch of “The Insider,” which was very exciting for me. I had made great contacts during my internship when I was 18 years old. As soon as I graduated college, I got hired to work the news desk at ET/ INSIDER. It was at ET/INSIDER working alongside some of the most powerful people in television that I learned how to produce a TV show, how to host a segment and also learned how the industry works.
Who has made the biggest impact on your life so far, and why?
Oprah Winfrey has made the most impact on my career. I grew up watching her talk show at a tender age. Most kids would rush home from school and watch cartoons. I would rush home from school and watch the Oprah Winfrey Show. I would emulate her talk show in my living room, creating fake TV show sets and interviewing guests like my little brother or cousins. Oprah has helped open the doors for minorities like myself to have an opportunity to be on television. Until this day she inspires me with her work ethic. I recently got to meet her at the Variety Power of Woman event in Los Angeles. I was waiting my whole life to see her and tell her how she was a big reason to why I had pursued my dreams. The moment had come and I got to tell her how she had influenced my whole life, it was a very special day for me. Other people that have had a major impact on my life is my parents. My father taught me to have strong work ethics, to pursue the American dream. While my mother instilled values in me to be strong and never take no as an answer. My husband has been my biggest critic and fan, he constantly pushes me to break all boundaries.
Name one your strengths?
My Belief system! I am a huge believer in my dreams. No matter what obstacles I encounter or setbacks I deal with in my life. I never stop believing that I was made to do what I was destined to do. No matter what people tell me, from TV execs, agents, casting agents…I truly believe that I was meant to talk to people. One of the reasons to which I created my online talk show The Lowdown, is because I was sick and tired of hearing how I couldn’t get my own Talk show on TV. I was turning 30 and I said to myself, life is too short to wait. If I want this, I need to make it happen. So I decided to build a talk show set and interview some of my celebrity friends. Now the Lowdown reaches out to over 10 million viewers a month online and is distributed on AOL ON, YouTube, MSN, Yahoo and the list goes on. My exclusive interviews get picked up my other media outlets. This for me is unimaginable and very exciting! I am also a huge risk taker. Most people would fear some of the risks I have taken. I usually dive into things and try to figure my way through. Why miss out on any opportunities? Just “Make It Happen” is my motto!
What part of your job do you find the most challenging?
The hardest part of my job is that it never ends. My industry is ongoing, around the clock and sometimes it gets tiring trying to compete with the big dogs. Due to the fact that my show isn’t owned by a big network, I don’t get a lot of benefits that other people would get working for NBC or ABC. I am self made, my show is run by my company which I created 9 years ago in my parent’s house with my two childhood friends and husband. I sometimes wish I had the opportunities that other talk show hosts get or interviews because of their name or network they are associated with. Although I get upset if I lose an interview with a celeb because I am not Ellen DeGeneres, I still don’t stop hustling. I take a moment to breathe..I brush the dirt off my shoulders and get back in the ring. I always think of tomorrow as a new day, new interview. Although I get discouraged, I still don’t stop working to make my dreams a reality.
Tell us a funny story that happened to you while interviewing a celebrity?
I one time interviewed Paul Walker at a movie premiere. I asked him about the upcoming fast and furious. He told me that everyone from the cast was on board except Tyrese Gibson. I posted that interview online and fans went crazy begging the producers to have Tyrese in the movie. A couple of months later I interviewed Tyrese on the red carpet, and he revealed to me that he would be starring in the upcoming Fast and Furious movie because of my interview that I had posted on YouTube. This was unbelievable for me to see the power of the internet. After my interview with Tyrese, I was later told by Tyrese that he got in trouble with the studio for releasing the information. His appearance in the movie was meant to be a secret to fans and I guess I had ruined the surprise.
Which interview has been the funniest?
My all time best interviews have been with George Clooney and Enrique Iglesias. Both are super funny! I have had so many laughs during the interview where I forget I am actually working or talking to superstars.
Which celebrity interview is still on your bucket list?
Oprah Winfrey and Anna Wintour. Two powerful woman I admire!
What’s next for Diana Madison?
Producing. I’ve got a few TV projects in the works right now and I’m focusing a lot of my creative energy on that right now. I’m also working on a book with a working title, Make It Happen. I have been fortunate to travel, meet interesting people and experience so many things that I would like to share that. I’ve kept a journal so I’m transforming that into a story. And I’d like to take my online talk show to television! Oh, and I’m having a baby next month! My first. A little girl that I am naming Collette. I found out I was pregnant in Paris earlier in the year when I was there for Paris Fashion Week. One of my dearest friends, fashion designer Michael Costello suggested the name Collette and I loved it. I’m excited to be a mom.
How does a normal day in your life look like?
My days start very early 5am, I first film my morning talk show on my personal YouTube channel Diana Madison called, Waking Up With Diana, where I give my fans an insight into my personal life. My fans get to see me with my bare face as I get ready for work and tackle some hot topics of the morning. I am usually in the office around 7:30 am. I have meetings with my partners and team members all throughout the day on our latest project OBSEV.COM. I usually have interviews with celebrities around 1pm. I leave the office around 5pm and head off to a Hollywood event, premiere or dinner meeting. No matter how my day goes, I always need to be in bed by 11 pm.
What’s your favorite quote?
“All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them.” Walt Disney
What inspires you?
Smart women, strong men, creative minds, books, travel.
How do you spend your spare time?
I like to read a lot of self help books, spend time with my husband, dog, taking my heels and makeup off.
Do you have any beauty/makeup tips for our readers?
I always keep a bottle of rose water in my purse and spray my face throughout the day. I also love to put vitamin e oil on my face at night before I go to bed and coconut oil all over my body. Before any red carpet event, I like to use SK II face masks to give me that extra glow.
Do you have a role model?
Oprah, Ryan Seacrest and Ellen DeGeneres.
Favorite Actor/Actress?
My favorite actor is Tom Hanks and actress is Meryl Streep.
Who are your top 3 fashion designers?
Michael Costello
Chagoury Couture
Conna Walker for House of CB, she makes affordable clothes that are very trendy.
What hobbies do you have?
I like to read, hike in nature, meditate and shop.
What music we can find in your iPod?
A wide range of music from Drake, David Guetta, Gotan Project, Calvin Harris, Taylor Swift, Enrique Iglesias to classical music.
Something you can’t leave your house without?
Lipstick! No matter what I look like, I always have to have red lipstick in my purse. Even if I have no makeup on, I always put on red lipstick.
How would your best friend describe you?
I asked my best friends,
Ani Kitsinian: Ambitious, driven, inspirational, kind soul, golden heart, witty, nurturing, intelligent, intuitive, fighter, hard worker, will do anything for anyone she loves, achiever, loyal and life of the party,
Lucy Movsessian: Extremely loyal, dedicated, ambitious, courageous, great host, hospitable, social, stylish and smart.
What does family mean to you?
My family is everything! I am Armenian and I come from a very big family. Having Armenian bbq every Sunday with family is a must. I talk to my mother on the phone 10 times a day, everyday. I’ll be in an important meeting and if my mother calls, I have to pick up. If I don’t pick up, she will be very upset, she will probably assume I am dead.
Describe yourself in 3 words?
Ambitious, passionate and colorful.
Any celebrity crush?
My husband!
Favorite music, and why?
EDM music, I’ve been a fan for years and I dance to it, work out to it and even relax to it.
In 5 years you will be…?
Taking over the world, one interview at a time with a big happy family.
What do you think of Social Media?
I love social media, although it has its downside. If it wasn’t for social media, I would not have a company. In the early days when my partners and I created Hollyscoop, it was through Myspace that we were able to promote our website. Myspace played a big part to Hollyscoop’s success. Until this day, I get recognized in the weirdest places in the world, because of my Instagram page. It’s pretty cool when people tell me that my posts inspire them, those comments keep me going!
Where our readers can follow you?
Twitter: @dianamadison
Instagram: dianamadison
Facebook: dianamadisontv
Book: Act Like a Success, Think Like a Success: Discovering Your Gift and the Way to Life’s Riches by Steve Harvey
Food: Mexican Food is my favorite.
Movie: The latest movie I saw that I really liked was “Straight Outta Compton”
Song: Right now I am really into Calvin Harris latest album, the song that I go crazy for is “How deep is your love.”
Drink: Bellini
Restaurant: You can always find me at Craig’s.
Sports Team: LA Lakers
Travel Destination: My favorite place to travel to is Paris and Mykonos.[/vc_column_text][vc_separator][vc_column_text]
Pink dress Photo and MUA: Troy Jensen
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