1. What was your first job/where did you start?

I started at Marie Claire in 2001 as an intern, doing everything from vox pop interviews (my worst!) to full feature stories.

2. What made you want to build a career in your profession?

I’ve always wanted to be a writer. I’m not sure where that comes from, only that my mom is an English teacher and so is my aunt and my great-aunt. I grew up a somewhat nerdy bookworm and I’m still one today. There’s probably a book or two in me somewhere, although I’m not quite ready to tackle writing anything that’s over 10 000 words just yet.

3. Describe a day in your life at present

Gym, coffee with Lucia (tvplus’ editor), tackle my inbox, first read on the writing team’s articles as they come in, signing off the magazine, more coffee, occasionally attend a glitzy function in the evening (I like to hobnob!) and in-between all that prepare for my radio show on 2OceansVibe Radio on Sunday mornings.

4. What do you hope to bring to tvplus?

Strong writing and people management skills, a keen eye for detail, in-depth knowledge of SA’s most loved soap operas and celebrity exclusives.

5. How do you unwind behind the scenes?

I’ve been going to a weekly pottery class for years and recently started on the wheel (Think Patrick Swayze and Demi Moore in Ghost!!). It’s like art therapy and helps me unwind. Exercising in the morning before work helps too.

6. Who would you most like to meet – dead or alive, and why?

Movie stars I’d love to interview include Emma Stone and Joseph Gordon-Levitt. I wish I could’ve met James E Reilly who created the wackiest soap opera I’ve ever seen, Passions. He was the guy who wrote Marlena’s infamous demon possession storyline on Days of our Lives. He must’ve had a pretty, shall we say ‘creative’ mind. I want to spend a week job-shadowing Kris Jenner so I can learn how to create a multimillion dollar empire out of nowhere like she’s done with the Kardashians.

7. What has been one of the most important lessons you have learnt?

This industry is all about who you know. So if you don’t know enough people best you learn to perfect the art of small talk and start filling up that little black book.

8. What is your secret indulgence and your three ‘can’t live without’ items?

I love buying shoes! I couldn’t live without coffee, an internet connection and music.

9. Who do you think is getting it right in the industry?

Music-wise, Toya Delazy and Chiano Sky have the right blend of sexy, unique and talented. Radio-wise, 5FM knows their market backwards and allow their DJs to have personality on air. It works. Print-wise, Glamour and Marie Claire are nailing it with stories relevant to their market.

10. Which person in the industry do you think is making waves?

Making waves can also be a bad thing … I’ve noticed a disturbing trend among magazine editors lately of trying to be famous. When a publication starts publishing pictures of their own staff/editor with celebrities or spend hours outside the office on deadline day trying to get a Facebook photo (not an exclusive interview!) with visiting Hollywood A-listers I question their credibility.

11. Who is your alter-ego?

I don’t have one. I’m ‘me’.

12. Which car would best personify you, and why?

Mini Cooper. It’s a little retro but still very, very cool.

13. What is your favorite reality TV series?

It’s always been Survivor but lately I’m leaning towards X-Factor and The Voice.

14. Who is someone you truly look up to, and which qualities do you most admire about them?

Linda Pietersen, editor of YOU magazine. She’s calm under pressure, has a wicked sense of humour, knows how and when to spot talent and – a quality of hers I admire the most – no faffing. You know exactly where you stand with her at all times.

15. What’s your stance on social media?

Don’t tweet anything you wouldn’t like to see being attached to your name in the newspaper the next day. In other words, think before you tweet.