Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Seleah Simone. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Seleah, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Have you been able to earn a full-time living from your creative work? If so, can you walk us through your journey and how you made it happen? Was it like that from day one? If not, what were some of the major steps and milestones and do you think you could have sped up the process somehow knowing what you know now?

Before Covid, I worked part-time at a restaurant while covering red carpets all over the country in my spare time. Once the government shut down- I knew this was the time to jump into my journalism career full-time. I took a few courses with my peers. I hired a hosting coach who cast for companies I wanted to work for. I started to apply for jobs and directly contact the hiring managers via email. Eventually, I got hired as a field producer. My current job isn’t my dream position yet- it’s open doors I could’ve never imagined. I got my foot in the door. That was a big step for me.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I am all things entertainment and lifestyle — from hosting, to acting, to fashion–and a sprinkle of activism. With an array of aspects that make up the brand of “Seleah”, Ms. Simone – I refuse to be put in a box. Hailing from Brooklyn, NY, I embarked on my evolving career immediately after graduating with a B.A. in Television and Radio from Brooklyn College.

As a correspondent and associate producer my first job was at Allhiphop.com. There I interviewed everyone from Taraji P Henson to Demi Moore. I frequently covered red carpets at shows such as the BET & MTV Awards.

As a lifestyle editor and blogger, I contributed to Guest of A Guest, Ladygunn, Today.com, The American Museum of Natural History and The Hip Hop Diaries.

In my role as a field producer – I’ve produced a slew of viral news content that has been seen across the globe. There’s so much more to come.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

PITCH YOURSELF. I wish I knew this sooner. The jobs will rarely come to you. Especially when you’re just getting started. In 2015, I pitched the idea of having a red carpet correspondent to Allhiphop.com. “You guys are missing out on valuable content! This could take your company to the next level!” I said.

Within a month, I was on my first red carpet. From there, I realized that pitching myself would be how I would change my life, that, and the following BIG 3 TIPS:

LinkedIn will notify you throughout the application process. Once you submit an application, you will receive an email or alert telling you if the application was viewed, opened and or downloaded. This gives some relief during this already sometimes stressful process of applying for jobs.

After submitting an application, try to find a contact for the hiring manager. If you have a premium LinkedIn account, you can send a message directly to them. You may also come across an email address with a quick Google search. She suggests sending a 3–4 sentence (no more than that) message with your resume attached and links to your work. Let them know that you just submitted an application.

Make sure everything is aligned on your side — consistency is key. Your resume should look great, with all your social media profiles existing in a cohesive manner. You must always think about the content you publish, ensuring that it is in line with your professional goals.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

One of the most rewarding aspects of my job is witnessing people I admire speak about my work. For instance, my interview with Mark Cuban, where he jokingly suggested that Taylor Swift date one of the Mavericks players, garnered millions of views and even elicited a response from Taylor’s boyfriend, Travis Kelce. Moments like these, along with mentions from platforms like 105.1 The Breakfast Club or citations by fellow journalists, fill me with immense gratitude. I’m truly grateful when my work sparks conversation and debate. Earlier this year, I had the opportunity to interview Vivica A. Fox on the topic of pay disparity among women of color, following remarks made by Taraji P. Henson. For weeks, this interview was widely referenced, highlighting the impact of these important discussions.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://seleahsimone.com
• Instagram: @seleahsimone
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/seleah-simone-0944952/
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@seleahsimone?si=6YrnpXFdGK6UzYJ7