We recently connected with MJ Chante and have shared our conversation below.

Hi MJ Chante, thanks for joining us today. Can you recount a story of an unexpected problem you’ve faced along the way?

As a Mistress of Ceremonies, my role is to maintain the energy of the room and stay attuned to the audience. I always present myself with poise and professionalism because a polished presence builds trust. My goal is to guide the audience on a seamless journey throughout the event. I believe people attend experiences not just programs and I want them to leave smiling and looking forward to the next one.

Before every event, I connect with the program host or event coordinator to review the run of show and address any potential flow issues. I also leave space for inevitable last‑minute changes, because flexibility is essential. Behind the scenes, I’ve resolved unexpected challenges during breaks without the audience ever noticing. I use a variety of strategic techniques to fill time and maintain momentum when needed, and these skills have played a major role in my success as a Mistress of Ceremonies.

MJ Chante, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

The art of emceeing is often underestimated by those who haven’t been trained, but having a skilled emcee can completely elevate an event. The emcee is the anchor of the experience—the person who keeps the show alive. An emcee truly has the power to make or break an event. When speakers run late, transitions stall, or unexpected issues arise, it’s the emcee who keeps the energy high and the audience engaged.

I’ve wanted to emcee since I was a school aged girl. I’ve always loved organization and structure. I remember sitting in school assemblies where transitions were messy, communication was unclear, and the audience was left waiting in confusion. Those early experiences shaped my understanding of what a well‑run program should feel like.

As I grew older, I began volunteering at community events, gaining hands-on experience. This is a difficult industry to enter because it runs on trust. Event hosts need to know you’ll deliver, adapt on the fly, and sustain the energy in the room. That’s why highlight reels and testimonials are so essential—they show people who you are and what you can do.

At my core, I love helping others. There’s nothing like the natural high I get when an audience responds to my cues and is genuinely having a great time. I’m an emcee who connects with people before the show, mingles afterward, and appreciates every word of encouragement.

Discipline is key in this role. You must appear to be enjoying yourself without overindulging. You’re there to lead the experience not become part of the party. My combination of charisma, polish, and professionalism sets me apart. I work closely with coordinators behind the scenes and always aim to exceed expectations on stage.

This career will take you as far as your work ethic allows and I intend to shoot for the moon.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

There was a time I was invited to serve as a judge at a pageant. I arrived expecting a simple experience sit back, enjoy the contestants, and complete score sheets. Instead, I walked into complete chaos. Volunteers were missing, tasks were unfinished, and the event was falling apart. Even though it wasn’t a paid opportunity and judging was my only responsibility, I couldn’t just walk away. I asked the event host how I could help.

I connected with the emcee, and together we stepped in to bring order to the situation. For about an hour and a half, we set up props, organized backstage participants, and worked with the moms to clarify the order of the show. When the event finally started, the emcee froze—and the chaos moved from backstage to the stage itself.

During a break, I met with the emcee and quickly drafted a run of show, since no one had created one. With structure finally in place, the event began to turn around. It was difficult to watch things unravel, but I refused to sit by and watch someone fail.

That experience reminded me why proper training is essential before stepping into the role of an emcee. From the audience’s perspective, hosting may look easy, but it requires organization, quick thinking, and the ability to handle adversity without letting the audience see that anything is wrong. That day reinforced that I’m not only skilled and quick on my feet, but also capable of showing kindness and support without overshadowing someone else’s event.

What’s been the best source of new clients for you?

One of my best sources for new clients has been Eventbrite. I’ve met so many wonderful event planners through the events they post there, and it has opened the door to great collaborations.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://mjchantespeaks.simplybook.me
• Facebook: mjchantespeaks
• Youtube: mjchantespeaks