Women Making History: Joanna Douglas

Today’s woman making history, Joanna Douglas, is just like any of us. She likes music, ice cream, kittens, dancing, summertime, making lists, impulse items, staying up way too late, bubble baths, TV shows geared at teenagers and dislikes root beer, bad smells, seafood and haters…but unlike many of us, as a freelance writer/entertainment editor, Joanna has interviewed a celeb makeup artist, a Grammy award-winning rapper, THE Clair Huxtable—Phylicia Rashad—and we’re just naming a few.

Joanna grew up in Mystic, CT (yes, as in the pizza), and moved to NYC in 1999—with three generations of New Yorkers behind her, it was only a matter of time before she landed in the Big Apple. This busy lady has worked on staff at several magazines, but her main gig, sitting in bed as a freelance writer for the Yahoo site for women called Shine, has its benefits. One of her “craziest New York moments” includes grabbing a slice of Ray’s pizza with T.I. (yes, that T.I.) before going sneaker shopping (T.I. Fans: We have a pic, after the jump!).

Below we get a great look at Joanna in action, as she interviews Tina Fey, Amy Poehler and Sigorney Weaver about their film “Baby Mama” for Shine:

Joanna sitting front row at New York Fashion Week.

Joanna’s job ranges anywhere from interviewing Tina Fey, Amy Poehler and Sigorney Weaver to sitting front row at New York fashion week (above). Not a bad gig, if you ask me!

Below we get a little more into what makes this lady tick!

M.I.S.S. survey: Joanna Douglas

Pound Purries?! So Cute!

Below we get a some Q&A in with Joanna, who’s use to being the one asking the questions:

1.  What woman, besides your mom or grandmother, do you find inspirational?

Many. Betsey Johnson, Julia Louis-Dreyfus (as Elaine), and my NYU Magazine Writing professor, Sue Shaprio. Besides being published in every magazine and newspaper you can think of, she’s also written several best-selling books. I’m still in steady contact with her and I knew from that first class that she was my career role model.

2.  How did you get your start?

While majoring in journalism at NYU, I got an internship at Seventeen in marketing, followed by internships at Jane in editorial and beauty.When I graduated the job climate was rough, so I took a paid internship at New York Magazine’s Intelligencer. My first day I was covering the red carpet at a huge party at Crobar (Pharrell told me I looked too young to be a reporter) and then attending Mary J. Blige’s private birthday party at Butter. I interviewed her, Diddy, Kim Cattrell—so many people. Next, I got a job at ELLEgirl where I worked my way up to Staff Writer and later became the Entertainment/Beauty editor of the website after the mag folded. After freelancing for several sites and magazines, I’m now back working for ELLEgirl’s founding editor in chief on a Yahoo site for women called Shine. I serve as entertainment editor, but also write for other areas like fashion and beauty. AND I get to work from home. It’s a dream.

3.  What’s your favorite piece of (art, music, fashion, client etc) that you’ve created?

I don’t think I can pick! I had the most fun making custom sneakers with T.I., but my recent interview with Phylicia Rashad was almost life changing. I also love covering backstage at fashion week talking to the designers and makeup artists about their inspiration and learning little tips. I love interviewing in general, and getting the behind-the-scenes scoop that others may not know or would be surprised by.

Joanna interviewed Grammy-award winning artist, T.I. at the Nike ID store where they made custom sneakers.

4.  Who do you want to (work with, dress, make music with, etc)?

I’d die to interview Larry David. He’s my hero and a true comic genius. Also Courtney Love because she’s insane and I used to be kind of obsessed.

5.  What part of your work process is the most challenging and do you dislike the most?

The writing, interviewing and idea generating tend to come easy to me, but I hate trashing people on my blog especially regarding their appearance or their personal life. This is why I’m anti Perez Hilton—he’s unreasonably cruel. If someone puts out a crappy movie or an album that sucks, I’ll be honest, but it makes me feel horrible to talk negatively about people and circumstances I don’t know. Okay, except Jen Aniston. I’m so freaking over her whining about her love life, I wish she’d shut up.

Joanna chatting with Kevin Federline at his album release party the night before him and Britney Spears called it quits.

Thanks for sharing those answers and some insight to your industry with our readers,  Joanna!

Check out Joanna interviewing celeb makeup artist Mally Roncal for ELLEgirl backstage at a Tracy Reese fashion show in the video here: ELLEgirl Backstage

Joanna keeps us informed on who Guy Ritchie’s dating, the new Spike Jonze flick “Where The Wild Things Are” (I can’t wait to see this!) and more on her current blog for Shine.

Vist her blog here: Joanna Douglas, Shine Staff’s Blog!

Similar Posts:

• Contest: Be a Fashion Stylist at Nolcha Fashion Week: New York
• Beyond the Runway: Celebrating Fashion Women
• Reads: Violet By Design
• Women Making History: Claw Money
• Women Making History: Marley Kate