Blending style and entertainment is an art that few people have the patience or ability to master. Our interview today with Hot 100.5 DJ and avid blogger Elizabethany shatters that notion; everything seems to come so naturally to her that even when she’s working hard it still seems like she’s having the time of her life! Indeed Elizabethany is a wild card. You don’t always know what to expect – but you can bet your hard-earned dollar that it’ll be entertaining, it’ll be bold, and it’ll be delivered with her trademark style.
Following Elizabethany on Twitter was one of the best decisions I’ve made in a long time; the more I discovered about her, the more fascinating she became! Aside from being a popular radio personality and blogger, she’s also a gymnast, occasional race car driver, and award-winning social media icon. Bonus – you’ve never met a more enthusiastic Mountaineers fan! Elizabethany graduated from WVU’s school of Broadcast Journalism in 2009 and landed several high profile jobs which put her in the perfect position to sway the masses. It is our pleasure to bring you the one and only Elizabethany!
Justin Umstead: DJ, Writer/Blogger, Twitter Jockey, Gymnast, Race Car Driver: You have so many achievements and interests that it boggles the mind! Could you break it all down for us? Who is the essential Elizabethany – what word could best describe you?
Elizabethany: I’ve never been able to answer this – no matter whether it’s for a fun interview like this or a job interview. I’m just Elizabethany. EB. A girl who never likes sitting around or doing the same thing over and over again (unless it includes being a regular at a bar… helloooo hook-ups!), or being known for just one thing. You know what I am? ADD. It describes me in every way [smiles].
JU: Your blog “Love, Elizabethany” is a huge success with topics on just about anything you could ever imagine. It even comes complete with a video blog and “XXX” section! What are some of your favorite things to write about and why?
EB: I’m so obsessed with the 90’s and it’s not something I just started writing about or liking recently. People who have followed me or known me since, well, forever, know that I brought the 90’s back. Okay, maybe that’s cocky…but I’ve been trying to bring them back since 2004. I even wear fanny packs in public. My latest adventure with fashion has been fun too. I legitimately look forward to Wednesdays when people send me pictures of their outfits for me to post [on my blog] for #WhatYaWearinWednesday. Fashion is a challenge for me – and I like a good challenge. Crap. And my biggest, most favorite hobby that I can actually do whenever I want is video editing. So…well…I CANT DECIDE AGAIN!
JU: What do you love the most about the 90’s: the music, the movies, the fashion, the “dances,” the people, or something else?
EB: I think the music is what makes me love it so much. It was so fun, different, entertaining, and I think a bit more talented. I have noticed some current artists stepping up their game again recently which is refreshing…but for a while there I couldn’t help but wish upon a star for some “Livin La Vida Loca”, “Gettin Jiggy Wit It”, or the Gin Blossoms. Man, the variety was fantastic.
JU: What are some of your favorite perks on the job? What do you love the most about what you do?
EB: This is actually an easy question. I love the interaction with other people. I get paid to talk to, party with, and connect with complete strangers (who tend to become friends). That’s typically frowned upon anywhere else. Fun fact: I give away more perks than I get. All the iPads, iPhones, paid bills, vacations etc my station gives away…I can only dream about.
JU: With all of the interactions you have with the public, you are bound to have some juicy/funny stories. Do you have a “favorite” caller or feedback story you would like to share with us?
EB: Any one of my club nights has a ridiculous story, but I actually do have a favorite caller recently. He’s a flamboyantly gay guy who calls regularly with these outrageous stories, hilarious commentary, and just purely entertaining calls. Makes my night! I wish more people would call just to tell me something crazy that’s happened.
JU: You have a lot of experience with social media, blogging, and content management – and in fact you’ve won awards in those areas! Do you have any advice for upcoming bloggers or personalities? What pointers would you give to ensure consistent quality for fans and followers?
EB: There are a million tips I could give – and yet there are none. My biggest pet peeve is when people tweet whatever’s on their mind. “OMG BEST LUNCH EVER.” “WAHH I’M SO SLEEPY! Bed early tonight!” Stop it. You are the reason some people hate on Twitter. I know I tweet out some things I shouldn’t, and everyone does…but all it takes is one tweet that someone doesn’t like for them to unfollow you. Beyond that, social media is always changing and we always have to adapt to it. Never fall behind. Read up on helpful articles, but never lose sight of your own personality/brand.
JU: You’ve said before that all you have ever wanted to do was entertain people. Your goal is to “bridge the gap between radio, TV, and the internet by being a memorable, game shaking personality.” That is a really ambitious goal! What do you believe sparked your interest in media? Have you always been attracted to the limelight?
EB: Kind of ambitious, but if you don’t have a huge, ultimate goal, what’s the point? I want to be a female Seacrest (even though he’s kind of the devil to radio in many ways). I don’t mind being a workaholic. I love my work. He’s more of a broadcasting god to me. But yeah! I was always teased for wanting to be famous or wanting to be on TV. I’ve always been an attention [hog] since the day I popped out.
JU: Out of all your interests, do you have one that clearly outshines the rest? If you could only choose one (I know that’s unfair), which would you choose and why?
EB: There is one thing that will make me the happiest girl on the planet no matter what, and that’s gymnastics. If I’m in a fight, feeling upset, or I’m so pissed off I could go She-Hulk on the house, all I have to do is a handstand or flip or whatever and my stress is (mostly) gone.
JU: Which area of media is most appealing to you: the web (blogging/social media), radio, or television? Which do you think has the most influence with people? Or are they all equally influential, just more or less influential to specific groups of people?
EB: Oh man… I don’t know! They all have their perks. When it comes to most influential, I think that’s TV. People are still pretty loyal to their favorites on TV, and they likely spend more time with that than radio. The internet is absolutely running the world right now, but with so many websites…well, I was going to say it’s hard for one or a couple people to stand out, but that’s a lie. People are making millions on YouTube. Let’s say social media is overall the most influential. People are sharing their internet, radio, AND TV finds there…and they’re also breaking the news faster.
JU: Is there anything else you would like to share with us at T/O?
EB: Yes. Hail to the Redskins! Let’s GO Mountaineers! And I love you, Slutty Cat. Oh, and thanks to TricycleOffense.com for making me feel cool for a little while [smiles]!
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Make sure to follow Elizabethany on Twitter @luvelizabethany and check out her blog at http://www.elizabethany.com. TricycleOffense.com and I would like to extend our thanks to Elizabethany for taking the time to do this article with us and we wish you the best in everything that you do! It will be our pleasure to “follow you as you make your dreams a reality.”
