I’m not sure that I really know the exact answer to this, but here is my journey.
I get asked a lot about how I got to where I am right now, what I went to school for and all that. So I can’t say this works for everyone, but this was my journey to where I am today.
*Side note this is a really long post but I didn’t want anyone to think this is just something that happens over night.
2005:
I graduated from high school in Columbus, Ohio and applied to a bunch of different colleges. I only applied places that had Broadcast Journalism programs. I was thinking of school in New York, Arizona and Ohio. I finally chose Kent State University in Kent, Ohio. It is between Cleveland and Akron. They had an amazing Broadcast program as well as Fashion. My dream was to become a big news anchor, I looked up to Katie Couric my whole life.
While in school, I minored in geography. My dream was to host a travel show so I thought a combination of the two would be perfect for me. The longer I was in school, the more I realized that being a news anchor wasn’t for me. But instead, I wanted to be a TV host. The difference is that a news anchor is reporting the news, you generally start out at a small station in a random state and work your way up. A TV host, hosts a show and is like a presenter of the material.
While in college, I started to prep for my future. I did the entertainment news at our college news station called TV-2. I would go in the news room, research and write my own stories. Put it in the teleprompter and read it live on the show once a week.
Being a news anchor could be a pretty impossible job to get, so my Mom thought it was best to have a backup plan. During my senior year of college, I interned at the Cleveland Clinic in their public relations department. It was a paid internship and I worked there 40 hours a week, while going to college at the same time. This was a huge opportunity for me as it is the #4 hospital in the US and the #1 for cardiovascular care. This is also where Oprah goes for her doctors as well. My time there was spent coordinating interviews, meeting with tv crews and showing them around the hospital and following up with press clippings. It really made me excited to finish college and get on with my career.
I realized soon what I wanted to be when I “grew up” so I finished college early in just 3 years and graduated in December of 2008 with a B.A. in Broadcast Journalism from the School of Journalism and Mass Communication.
2008-2009:
At this point, I have graduated college but since I finished early I didn’t really know what to do. I went to our home in Florida and took a few months off while I would have been in college to travel, party and enjoy my time off after being extremely stressed out my last year in college between a full load, graduating early and a full time internship.
After a few months, it was time to make a decision. I thought I would be moving to New York but I changed my mind and LA it was! The summer of 2008 my Mom and I visited Los Angeles and were having lunch at The Ivy and we sat next to a woman. She made small talk with my mom about their purses and she told me she was a publicist and also went to school in Ohio. I got her card and for the last year I had kept in touch with her.
When I moved to Los Angeles in June of 2009, I emailed her non stop to beg for a job. I honestly probably annoyed her but alas, she gave me an opportunity. I got a job there in the first month I moved and I was an assistant to her assistant. I only worked part time …
But soon after, her assistant quit and I suddenly became an executive assistant to a huge publicist. At the time, her clients were Sofia Vergara, Mary J Blige, Jada Pinkett Smith and Jim Cavizel.
This was an amazing time for me, I was fresh out of college and I was on the set of Modern Family with Sofia for season 1 of Modern Family. I started her twitter account, I hung out with her at photo shoots and took her clothes to her trailer on the lot. I got to coordinate all her talk show interviews and I was having a blast.
Mary J Blige was another one I loved working with. She would tell me marriage and dating advice, I traveled with her to NYC for the World Series that year to sing the national anthem and got to see her do a private performance for about 30 people including OPRAH while doing press for Precious.
As cool as all this was and I loved working for them … I was taking them to do interviews, realizing I still wanted to be the one interviewing them. I hated sitting behind a desk, it was honestly a Devil Wears Prada experience. I would be at work 12 hours a day, 6 days a week, not making any money at all and I was so drained. But I learned so much from the experience that I was afraid to give up this amazing position.
But I soon met someone who told me that if this wasn’t what I wanted to do long term, why am I giving this much effort to it. Only sacrifice and work this hard for something you want in the long run. And he was right.
So I quit my job and like many people in LA, I became a personal assistant. This was the only way I could have the free time to go to hosting classes, go on auditions and have free time and flexibility to focus on what I really wanted to do.
2010-2011:
This year was a lot of confusion for me. I was working as a personal assistant but I started taking hosting classes at Become a Host. You may recognize Marki Costello from her E! show.
This is what I recommend for ANYONE who wants to become a TV Host. You will start with a 2-day boot camp. I learned about being a tv host vs. a news anchor. Then at the end of the class, you get placed into an on going monthly class.
I would 100% recommend this to anyone who asked me. I started out in beginners, then medium then I went on to the advanced class. The advanced class is taught by Marki but the others are taught by industry professionals, casting directors, etc.
While in a class I met a casting director who I will get back to later. I also did a hosting showcase here where I presented a script to a room of casting directors. From there E! called me in to audition for them for the first time.
Marki saw that E! was interested in me and from there she signed me on as a client and became my manager.
She then connected me with the casting director who was teaching one of my classes and I covered my very first red carpet. It was an unpaid gig and I interviewed Megan Fox for an entertainment show called Hollyscoop.
Now that I had this one thing I’ve done on camera, I got my reel together, went on more auditions. And nothing. It was so frustrating, my parents were upset that I went to college just to be a personal assistant. But by some fate, a MTV audition I had was on youtube and a producer saw it.
(this was the audition)
He contacted me on facebook, asked if I was available the next day to interview Will Ferrell. I dropped everything and said OF COURSE. I showed up and it was amazing. So my first opportunity, to host at a red carpet was a combination of my college degree, my hosting classes, and an audition I didn’t even get the job for ending up on youtube and someone happening to see it. He had told me later he saw me at the premiere interviewing Megan Fox, so that unpaid job left to my first job. So my first hosting job took me from June 2009 of moving to LA until September 2010. So it was definitely a long time before I got my first gig. If you are on this journey, be patient! It takes time but all the little things add up to a gig.
From here, I worked doing red carpet reporting for Maximo TV. This was an amazing experience for me and I am so grateful for my time I spent with them. I actually still will host for them occasionally and every year for the Oscars. Rico if you are reading this, I owe you lots!
I did this from September 2010 until I got my next gig. This whole time I was still a personal assistant to pay my bills. But I knew what I wanted so I was doing whatever I could to get to that point.
I did host something else this year. A travel show in Mexico that aired on E! Latin America. It was my first holiday away from my family it filmed over Thanksgiving and wow was this a tough job. Long days, so hot, no one spoke english. It was crazy!
I also hosted for WMB 3-D this year and it was crazy how much press it got for Kim Kardashian.
2012:
This year was so so so amazing! A good friend of mine Jennifer Stano David is married to Alki David and she text me one day saying her husband started a TV network and if I would like to meet with them about being a host of a show. I was so excited!
I met with him and the station was split into to parts, a store and a station. They would use the front of the store and sell products kind of like QVC mixed in with a talk show. I became co-hosts with a few different girls and this was airing online for a few months. I felt like I had a real job with consistent days and I was hosting! My goal by the end of this year was to be a TV Host full time and I was determined to get there.
Soon the store closed, but I still had the opportunity to work there. It turned into a full studio and Alki gave me the opportunity to host my very own talk show. AND it would be on TV!!!
The show was called Good Morning 90210 with Marianna and it was on live 2 days a week for 2 hours. It was on local TV in Los Angeles and aired nationally on DirecTV. I can’t lie, seeing my name on a channel guide for the first time was surreal.
But don’t think this was just a show up and be a tv host kind of job. I wrote the show, found the guests, got together all the images clips and everything. So I was hosting and producing my own show. And it was LIVE! Imaging thinking on your feet for 2 hours.
I hosted this show 2 days a week and at the same time that teacher I spoke of 2 years before from Become a Host was looking for hosts for REV New Media, which included Hollyscoop. This was the first red carpet I worked for and years later she thought of me.
In April 2012, I came in for an audition and I got it! I started woking with the company 2 days a week and at this point they had Hollyscoop entertainment, Stereotude music, Modamob beauty and fashion news and Captain WAG a sports show.
I kind of bounced around as I was part time but really loved Modamob. I was hosting their fashion news. I would report on the news of the day and also working for Hollyscoop doing red carpet reporting.
In late 2012, the station shut down and my talk show was cancelled. But it was really a blessing in disguise. I then started working at Modamob full time and could fully devote my whole career to hosting and on top of that, for something that I loved.
Nora, Ani and Diana started REV New Media that is now Shandy Media. They gave me this amazing opportunity to do what I love and I am forever grateful for the opportunity. Not only that, but I love working here so much and what Modamob has become.
At the same time, I had my old blog and a youtube channel. On the side, I was doing makeup tutorials on there because girls were always asking me how I got certain looks.
Soon after I started full time, Modamob evolved into much more than fashion news. We started with a bun tutorial that is at 2 Million views. Because it was so popular, it went from fashion news to a whole new direction.
From there, I have been blogging and youtube-ing full time since April 2015 and I still do tv hosting as a free lance job, but youtube is pretty much another form of hosting just for myself not a company. I’ve recently hosted for COMPLEX doing a Summer Destination series.
So now you have the long long long explanation and story of how I got to where I am today. I’m lucky, I’m blessed and I’m thankful for the journey it took me to get here. It took a long time, work and patience so now I hope you see that this didn’t just happen for me overnight. I’m not sure what will be next for me, but I can’t wait to keep growing and see where my career takes me.
My biggest piece(s) of advice would be to take classes, really learn about what you want to do. Even if you think you are great, it always helps. Take the jobs that are little or no pay, because you never know where it will lead. Put everything up on youtube, you never know who will see it. Keep in contact with people in your field, they could think of you for a job. Be active on social media and let people know you are working whatever you are doing. And when it seems frustrating, just know that if you really want this to just stick it out. If it is meant to be, something will eventually come about. Not everyone’s journey will be like mine and I don’t even know if this advice helps, but I hope it does.
Nikiya Berry says:
Thank you so much for writing this blog. I have been wanting to personally email you for advice and how you got to where you are now. I currently go to college and major in journalism and media studies and I’ve been interested in doing similar things you do since high school. I produce, edit and report my own stories for a local show, have my own radio show on campus, had print articles and photos published and use social networks to post my activity. So I am active now in the field and know the importance of being well rounded, but I’m so nervous about my future and how to transfer my college experience to the real world.
Marianna Hewitt says:
You are off to an amazing start!!! Good luck and if you are already working this hard it will pay off.
Lisa says:
Marianna you’re such an inspiration! I follow you on instagram, always keep up with your blog, and think you’re so perfect
Marianna Hewitt says:
thank you so much lisa!
Sabrine M says:
Thank you for sharing your story! I graduated with an AA in journalism and a BA in communication, my end goal to be a TV host.. But I am and have been working at a bank since I graduated high school! I’m glad to see that your journey eventually led to your dream job and hopefully mine will too!
Marianna Hewitt says:
good luck!
Anna Tarullo says:
Thank you so much Marianna! This post meant so much to me. It answered so many of my questions and reaffirmed so much of what I have been feeling lately. It also sort of re-lit my spark and confidence in the idea that if I continue to try and work hard, I’ll get to where I want to be. I was also curious how you chose “Become a Host”? I have looked up other classes online but this has seemed the best so far. How did you find out about it and are there others that you recommend?
Marianna Hewitt says:
Become a Host was recommended to me by a friend who is a manager for TV hosts so I trusted his judgement. Basically everyone I know who is a tv host, has gone there.
Krysten says:
Thank you so much for taking the time to write this step by step ! I know everyone has a different path but it’s encouraging to see what people went through to get where they are. I’ve been looking into Marki’s classes for a while now so I definitely need to get into her bootcamp ASAP. This was very helpful and inspiring for any aspiring host !
Marianna Hewitt says:
I would for sure recommend Become a Host. The class itself and the networking are amazing. I got my jobs from things that stemmed from class. good luck!
Alexis Manzanares says:
This was amazing advice and definitely makes me want to continue chasing my dreams! I participated in a broadcasting program for 5 years and started my own podcast my freshmen year in college. Sadly after being told by many that I should chase something else I ended up majoring in business management. Anyways, to make long short I’m moving to LA next year to pursue a career there. Hope it all works out and will definitely follow this advise through.
Alexis Manzanares says:
*advice
Annie says:
I’ve been following you since your pageant days (Hello, MySpace!) and have always looked up to you even though we’re the same age. Thank you for sharing your journey. You inspire so many of us!! You’re going to have an amazing career, Marianna!
Cassandra Cole says:
Are you still looking for an intern in the LA area?
Marianna Hewitt says:
email me marianna@lalamer.com
Mariah payne says:
This is awesome…I’m so glad I found your blog. I’m from Cleveland but live in Brunswick now which is like 40 minutes from Kent. My best friends went to Kent state so I was there all the time, we had so much fun. This post was actually really helpful. I’m not going in this field but i do model in ohio and do local work but the advice to post everything you never know who’ll see it and to network and keep trying even if they turn you down and to take the jobs even if they dont pay that well but to stay focus on what you want, did help with a few situations of mine and just to remind myself that things don’t happen over night all the time, so I love this post hopefully my agencies and I will feel comfortable enough for me to go to new york city this fall
Angelica Alumia says:
Marianna, you are such an inspiration! I follow you on Instagram (found you through mutual friends, hehe) and live vicariously through you. I’ve been in and out of hosting for an online media company for the past 5 years, and even took private classes from a pretty well-known entertainment reporter/MTV VJ back in the day. I stopped because I felt so discouraged, mainly for 2 reasons: 1) it wasn’t leading to anywhere big 2) all of the competition out here in LA really got to me. But reading this post makes me realize it takes time and most of all, persistence, in order to get to where you want to be. You’ve now motivated me to get back on it, so thank you!
PS: I hope to meet you in person one day… a bonus if we get to work together!! Take care!! xoxo
Rebecca says:
It’s funny how I stumbled onto this page or maybe it was fate because I too am in school for journalism print & broadcast. I loved the broadcast yet now realize I don’t want to be a news anchor as my end goal and felt dissapointed because I would rather want to be a tv host. Your story really inspired me to keep pushing and only strive for the best. I watch ur videos religiously and have to say u are my idol. I know you’ll achieve great things and thanks so much for giving us journalism students hope
Yolennie says:
One of the most inspiring and motivating posts I’ve read in a long time. Thanks so much for sharing with us your journey. You’ve achieved so much, keep up the great work!
Yolennie
http://www.lavenderfedora.blogspot.com
Marianna Hewitt says:
thank you !!!
Jessica says:
Thank you so much for this post! I’ve tweeted you and Instagrammed you before, about 2 years ago and you responded both times and gave me such amazing advice. To read your experience and see what you had to go through to get to where you are now is so inspiring. I am taking your advice and hopefully signing up for become a host once I move to LA in Jan. Thank you so much for your continuous advice, I truly love that you take the time to share your experience and also help us stay motivated. See you at the top, thanks again!
Krystal says:
This is awesome Marianna! I have been a huge fan of yours for some years now. It’s great to see your journey and all of the “behind-the-scenes” and “in-between” things you had to do to get you to this point. For someone who wants to do personal assisting, where do you recommend they look or start out? =)
Natalya says:
HI Mar,
I think about this post your wrote pretty often. Thank you for sharing. You are inspiring and encourage me to keep pushing.
Thank you for being you.
XO,
Natalya
IG @technicallyblonde
Myra says:
Thanks for sharing your story! While on your journey did you have an agent/manager? If so, were they the ones who got you those auditions? Or how did you go about getting seen. Thanks!
Julienne says:
Thanks for sharing your story Marianna! Love how you were willing to do all those things just to get your dream job, and work super hard to boot! Saying hi all the way from Hong Kong
IG: @morenatravels
Marianna Hewitt says:
hope to make it to hong kong one day and hope to inspire!!
Bernadette Marie says:
I really appreciate you having a blog about where you are today and how you got here. I have been following you for quite some time! I graduated from college last year and majored in Communications with an emphasis in Entertainment Studies. Since then, everyone has been asking me what have I been doing and I should just get a job in sales since I can’t seem to find a job that interests me… I am a professional dancer and brand ambassador so I love to be out on the field, meeting new people, and being active rather than sitting in a cubical and hating my life. Everyone continues to tell me what I should be doing, but now… I am going to do what Bernadette wants to do and follow my dreams. I am signed up for hosting classes beginning at the end of this month, so I am ready to start following my dreams and turning them into reality. I appreciate you for posting this and sharing your story, you make women like me never want to give up on our dreams and continue to prosper. Thank you!
Marianna Hewitt says:
amazing! follow your dreams best of luck!!!! you never know until you try
Sarah Wes says:
Wow! This was so inspiring. I can totally relate to how your parents felt about becoming a personal assistant after receiving your bachelor’s degree!
I really liked your message to continue to pursue your dreams and remain consistent. This truly resonated with me and my experience after leaving my hometown and relocating Los Angles as well. Often we’re so impatient and expect to see results immediately. Sometimes our greatest blessings happen as soon as we’re about to quit.
Thank you for your insight and honesty!
XoXo
Sarah
Sheena says:
Your story is so inspiring and amazing! I have yet to find my passion and found your words to be SO true (ie how you like eating but cooking is a debatable subject haha). Do you have a personal assistant or are looking for one? Lol
Jessica Flores says:
You’re such an inspiration. Definitely one of my favorite blogs to look at!! I’m also a Journalism major and your story has inspired me to keep going. I love that you can get personal on your blog because it just makes me connect with you on a whole other level. Most bloggers don’t do this.
Yomalix says:
Wow! You are truly an inspiration. Like my self, many of us get desperate and quite too soon not realizing that everything does take time. However, one of my struggles is networking and keeping in contact with people that I’ve met that are helpful. Any suggestions and tips for that? Maintains relationships with the people you meet. Especially at an internship.
Michelle D. says:
Just read this! You are truly incredible. Do you or anyone you know need a personal assistant?
Natasha Kotto says:
Your story is incredible! Hard work, perseverance, and dedication truly do pay off. Thanks for sharing your story!
Xo,
Natasha Kotto
http://www.natashakotto.com
Maritsa Vasquez says:
I’m so glad you’re willing to share your story. It’s my last semester in high school and I have to write this 4 page career paper on a career that I want to pursue after I graduate. I instantly thought of broadcast journalism, I thought of you! Now what I was dreading to write will be about you, you have made this assignment so much easier for me! Thank you.