Disclaimer: Yes, I am a guy and no, I don’t care for anything negative you have to say.
When I was a freshman at my previous school, I knew I wanted to graduate with a degree in Communications, but not sure what concentration I wanted to switch to. I realized I wanted to be in front of the camera and not behind the scenes completely, so Public Relations was going out the door in place of Journalism and TV/Video Production.
I finally decided my career goal was to become an on-air radio personality, particularly for a Hip-Hop/R&B station. I say personality because I don’t simply want to play the music, I want to do a talk show. Dish out the celebrity gossip and share my opinion. Or how most would say: spill the tea. And I owe Wendy Williams in part. It was because of her 20 year radio career that she now is a TV star with acting roles, released memoir, a stint on DWTS, as well her business and production company. When I listened to her story more I found many parallels between her and me.
Wendy and I both grew up on the east coast to a middle class household. Our siblings had their own distinct careers. We dealt with criticism from black peers for growing up/attending mostly white neighborhoods/schools and curiosity from white peers for why we don’t sound or act stereotypically black (girl for Wendy, guy for me). When it came to adolescent social settings, Wendy was very much like me: an observer of life. We both attended college in New England (I was in Boston last year for school). However, the big things that makes us alike is the affinity for celebrity news and gossip. Wendy said she very much enjoyed keeping up the celebrity tea as a child reading the tabloids and magazines. I'm the same exact way. Growing up, being black and male, we’re expected to love video games, sports or cars. I was not one of them. I’m the one who checks PerezHilton.com, TMZ and The Shade Room periodically throughout the day when I should be worried about other things. I honestly don’t know why I’ve always loved pop culture. My free time always consists of consuming every media there is - from movies to tv shows to music, podcasts and radio shows. Most importantly, Wendy and I love voicing our opinions on the celebrity gossip everyone is buzzing about even it means being blunt or throwing a little shade. Some people look down on her for talking smack about celebrities. The reality of it is sure celebrities are “human” but at the same time they are public figures by choice. Plus this is America and we have freedom of speech.
Wendy isn’t on the radio anymore, but thanks to the power of the internet and YouTube, I’m able to look up most of her old radio shows and taking notes. The main part about Wendy that I hope to instill in myself is being bold, unafraid and unapologetic with thick skin. She wasn’t afraid to speak her mind on the radio, create her own lane and break from the rules she’s been given. Nor does she pay attention to those who come at her for her appearance which I can relate to in many ways. Wendy Williams at one point had the number one show on the number one station on the number one market which was unheard of for a woman. Wendy also defied the norms for female radio hosts. She stated that women in radio were the sidekick co-host to a man and she wasn’t interested in having a quiet storm type demeanor in her voice. I relate to the latter, as I’ve been suggested to do quiet storm, but in all honestly my voice is just not suited for it; my voice is more loud and "in-your-face" type - much like Wendy’s.
Aside from taking pages out of Wendy’s book, I also see Charlemagne and Perez Hilton as the "go-to's" for forging a career out of celebrity news readers and commentators. And as much as I love Wendy, to have my own distinct style and legacy is what I strive for. I hope that a radio career will allow me to do it all in the industry. My bucket list includes: hosting reality show reunions, red carpet events, TV/film producing (#BlackInclusionMatters), an autobiography, making documentaries, and acting as well (I high-key want to be in slasher film). Along the way, I hope to inspire people.
