Angie Smith joined the daytime talk show The Marilyn Denis Show in the summer of 2012 as a senior segment producer and on-air fashion expert.
Five years leading up to her current post, Smith reported on high profile events for Entertainment Tonight Canada including the Grammys, the Oscars and international Fashion Weeks. She’s chatted with numerous fashion icons like photographer Ellen Von Unwerth, Oscar de La Renta, Kenneth Cole, Sarah Jessica Parker, Essie Weingarten, Ivanka Trump, Jenna Lyons, Nicole Richie, Kim Kardashian, Heidi Klum and [one of her personal favorites] media mogul Barbara Walters. Smith’s talent reaches beyond celebrity-style with a primary focus on consumer awareness. In 2011, she was featured on Livedress.com about body-types and swimwear. In 2007, she produced a mini-series on the hidden health issue of “skinny-fat” for ET Canada and a two-part series on a model who survived a brain hemorrhage.
Most recently, she hosted an evening of discussions at America’s Next Top Model Live in Toronto. Smith also partnered with GAP Canada to give shopping tips as part of a cross-province shopping event. “One of the best parts of my job is the story-telling,” says Smith. “I also love a good transformation – knowing that someone walks away feeling educated from a story I put together, or that they feel better about themselves in some way.”
Prior to her start in lifestyle journalism, Smith interned at 48 Hours Investigates in New York City. She graduated with a Master’s Degree in Journalism and an Honours degree in Media, Information and Technoculture from The University of Western Ontario as well as an Ontario Certificate in Writing.
Twitter: @bumbalina, @TheMarilynShow
Website: www.marilyn.ca
Did you always want to be in the media? If not, what other careers were on the horizon?
I blame my grandparents for my career choice. When I was very young they got me a subscription to National Geographic and I was hooked on the concept of ‘journalism.’ I started interviewing my family, and anyone that came to the house, using a microphone and tape recorder. In university I did consider law – consider being the key word. And now after working in the media and realizing our pay scale, I’ve contemplated stripping…
Where would you like to be five years from now?
In a house with a lot of cats.
Any advice for people getting started in your industry?
Don’t shy away from internships. We’ve all been there (I started as a script runner for Breakfast Television) and they get that foot in the door to show ‘em what you’ve got.
What are your favourite media outlets, not including your own?
Dateline NBC, 48 Hours Investigates, HGTV, National Geographic and The Bachelor/Bachelorette.
Best interview you’ve ever had?
Katy Perry. Hands down.
Worst?
Marisa Tomei. Hands down.
Best advice you’ve ever been given?
“If you want others to be happy, practice compassion. If you want to be happy, practice compassion.” ― Dalai Lama XIV, The Art of Happiness
And, “you’ll get over it.” You can really get over anything by changing your state of mind.
What rule(s) do you live your life by?
I don’t have specific rules, but I read The Art of Happiness quite often. I can now flip to specific chapters when certain situations arise. It’s a game changer. But my goal is always happiness and learning/understanding others.
What’s the most important tip you can give PR pros?
Never hesitate with sending pitches – they will likely end up in the right hands one way or another. But try to make sure you know your audience (who is reading the pitch).
Best experience you’ve had with a PR pro? We love to hear about #wins.
One PR* pro I know quite well stepped in to ‘model’ in one of my ET Canada segments to ensure the best brand/client representation – it showed real heart and dedication to her role. I held on to her name/card for years knowing that no matter where she went she would be an extremely reliable contact. *Now a member of rock-it promotions, actually.
I’ve also experienced PR companies sending over props and clothing last minute to help make the best TV segment possible. I’m at the point where I can rely on specific agencies (like rock-it) to go above and beyond in ensuring all areas of a segment come together perfectly – even if it’s not all entirely related to their client.
I hate?
Mushrooms and the idea of veal.
I love?
My husband, cats, poutine, my MDS family and cheese.
Reading?
Beyond Belief: My Secret Life Inside Scientology and my Harrowing Escape by Jenna Miscavige Hill.
Best place on earth?
Ordering line at a chip truck OR anywhere else with my husband Rick and family – road trips, the lake house…the list could go on and on.
Dinner guest?
Anthony Robbins – is he really that tall?
Hero?
My mother (cliché but true in this case).
Favourite app (or whatever you are downloading these days)?
I prefer online shopping. I’m obsessed with gilt.com, zara.com/hicanada, and beyondtherack.ca
Pool or ocean?
Ocean. Unless the pool is mine all mine.
Voicemail or email?
Email. I never check my voicemails…to the point where they time out and delete themselves before I even know they existed.
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