Starlet Diaries

When someone asks me what I do for a living, I'm never quite sure what to say.

"I work in the Entertainment Industry" inevitably leads to another question. "What do you do?" "Are you an actress?" "Do you know any celebrities?" "Can you introduce me to someone famous?" But it would take at least 20 minutes to REALLY explain what I do, because my life is anything but normal. From one day to the next-I could be on stage rehearsing for an Improv show, shooting a film, interviewing celebrities on the red carpet, or in a meeting about hosting a new pop culture talk show.

Last Friday morning, while wearing my producer hat, I received a call from my agent telling me I had an afternoon audition for the ABC show, "Castle." When I got the call, I was writing and editing for "On the Red Carpet" just a few miles away from the "Castle" casting offices in Burbank.

I told my agent I could make the audition, as I tried to figure out how I'd actually make it work. Now most auditions require research and at LEAST a few hours of preparation. However, the character I'd be playing was a showgirl with only a few lines. I've performed on stage in sequins and feathers more times than I can count. And I had watched "Castle" a few times before, so I figured I could finish up my day producing OTRC and make it to my audition in time.

After writing, editing and shooting in studio with my "On the Red Carpet" host, Chris Balish, I jumped in my car and sped over to the nearest mall to pick up an outfit that would say, "I can play a showgirl, but I'm not dumb enough to actually wear a showgirl costume to this audition."

First stop-Forever 21 for a blue and black sequinned tank and a cute, light blue blazer.

Next stop-Victoria's Secret. The girls there were fantastic! I showed them the tank I bought and said, "Ladies-I have an audition in an hour. I've got 10 minutes to increase my boobs by two cup sizes. Can you help me?"

"Yes we can!" They brought me an array of solid and glittery bras. I chose the one that said "I'm a showgirl, but I'm not a slut," and changed and freshened up my make up in the VS dressing room.

An hour later, after running my lines and watching a few more clips of the show on my cell phone, I walked in to meet the casting directors wearing black linen shorts, black pumps my sequined top covered by a light blazer, with some sparkly earrings and a diamond cuff bracelet to finish off the look.

I felt good about the audition. Even if I don't get the role, just getting into the room with some major casting directors and showing them what I can do is a great opportunity. Then the next time my headshot passes across their desk, hopefully they'll remember me and call me in for an even larger role.

After my audition, I stopped by a party my agency, The Polygon Group, was having for all their clients. It was a great chance to chit chat with some of the agents I hadn't met yet and share some stories and experiences with other actors.

So now it's Monday, and my weekly schedule is already crammed full of meetings and photo shoots, and rehearsals. But the thing I'm most excited about is going home to Pennsylvania in 2 weeks for my cousin, Olivia's wedding. I'm counting down the days until I can spend some long overdue time with my family and good friends. The people I can talk to about things other than who's wearing what on the red carpet. It feels really good to know that I can slow down for a week and help my little cousin celebrate her wedding. I can lay on the floor with my niece and nephews and laugh and play Shoots & Ladders. I can drink a glass of wine with my sisters and talk about life and love and family. I can help my mom plant some flowers in her garden, then sit on her front patio and have tea. I'm defnitely blessed with a very cool job, but it's those moments with my family that I cherish most of all.