I had the satisfaction to interview Mario Armando Lavandeira Jr., regarded professionally as Perez Hilton. Perez is an American blogger, columnist, and media persona. His blog, PerezHilton.Com, is known for posts covering gossip gadgets approximately celebrities. He is also acknowledged for posting tabloid photographs over which he has brought his personal captions or “doodles.” His weblog has garnered acclaim for its mindset and its role in the increasing coverage of celebrities in all media styles. In addition to his blogging, Hilton has written 3 books, hosts a podcast with Chris Booker, runs YouTube channels, and has acted in off-Broadway shows. In 2018, he became dubbed “the authentic superstar social media influencer” by BroadwayWorld.
Thank you a lot for becoming a member of us, Perez! Can you tell us a tale about what delivered you to this specific professional course?
Well, I’m thrilled to talk because I am celebrating my fifteenth yr anniversary of blogging. It’s so wild to me that I’ve been doing this for as long as I actually have, and things have changed a lot. Celebrities have come and long past, magazines have closed, systems no longer exist. However, Perez Hilton continues to be here.
What introduced me to where I am in my complete lifestyles. It became my interests, upbringing, success, and really within the fall of 2004, discovering the sector of blogs and saying, hi there, that looks like a fun interest.
My little interest has now changed into a commercial enterprise wherein I do many different things. In addition to my internet site, I even have a podcast that’s very a hit. I even have YouTube channels. I’ve been doing several appearing lately. I’ve written three books, and I am so excited to peer what destiny holds and the un-acknowledged-ness of the years to come. What I do understand is I will constantly have a profession, and I’m going to maintain on having amusing and all of the matters I do.
Can you share the maximum interesting story that has happened to you since you started this profession?
I might say the maximum thrilling tale that’s happened since I began is the explosion of social media. It’s modified the whole thing, and I adore it because, A, I’m able to monetize it, I’m actually honest. B, it encourages such a lot of people to be creators and hook up with others. You see so many celebrities criticizing social media, but I think it’s a very nice component.
There may be darkness, but I pick out to see and consciousness at the superb and the light like anything in existence.
Can you share a tale about the funniest mistake you made when first starting? Can you tell us what lesson you discovered from that?
Yes. When I changed into first starting, I was in my mid-twenties, and it changed into the wild, wild west. I didn’t realize what I changed into doing, so I ended up doing lots of unlawful things, which, oops, I could not encourage everybody to do. Specifically, the primary component that I did that become unlawful that I did lots was using Paparazzi photographs without permission.
Now all of the Paparazzi images we use on perezhilton.Com I pay for. The lesson I discovered from these complaints is very pricey. Try no longer to get sued.
What are some of the most thrilling or thrilling initiatives you are working on now?
Well, right now, I’m running on an ebook notion for my fourth book, so I am very enthusiastic about that.
I’m additionally just so centered on developing each of my YouTube channels as well as my podcast. All of it appears to be connecting with human beings in a meaningful manner, which makes me so glad. 15 years later, it’s without a doubt that the front of mind keeps growing and connecting with new audiences and reconnect with my older audience that could have misplaced their way or maintain my modern-day target market happy. It’s all about diversification. Who are a number of the maximum interesting people you’ve interacted with? What changed into that like? Do you’ve got any memories?
The most exciting individual I interacted with became Madonna because she is my largest notion in existence. My biggest icon, my largest diva, my favorite musician. When I met her, it was this sort of an actual dream come true, and he or she requested to fulfill me. She wanted to say hello to me. It changed 11 years ago in 2008, and it was such validation for all of my difficult paintings. I met her backstage before her Sticky and Sweet concert in Las Vegas. She heard I become in the target audience and desired to meet me earlier than she went on. It becomes wild.