You might remember her from YTV’s the Hit List back in the day – Canadian born and Toronto resident Danielle Graham is now one of the country’s leading trailblazers in entertainment media broadcasting – but how did she get there?
Like many Canadian hopefuls, Danielle started off from humble beginnings growing up with her family in Guelph, Ontario (not too far from Toronto). There she attended high school where she would soon find the spark that would light her way to her now successful career. “In high school, I was so keen on learning new things – I found out we had a TV and Radio program that I had to check out”, she said. Taking this program would eventually lead her to visit the MuchMusic studios where then everything would change. Danielle describes the environment as “exciting” and “inspiring”. Her love for MuchMusic and her high school program projected her to a path of perusing broadcasting as her academic focus at Seneca College. From when Danielle was in school, till now, many students who are interested in this field were often encouraged to explore news casting.
Her first shot at the big time was when YTV issued a Canada wide casting call for a new host on the hit television show the “Hit List”. Notable celebrities like Christina Aguilera and Britney Spears have been featured in the past episodes. This was Graham’s first audition ever, and it didn’t go exactly how it was supposed to, “Probably my worst audition ever… I was so nervous I knocked down one of the displays… at that point the producers asked if I wanted to retry and I thought it would be better to go home”. Funny enough, after the audition, producers sifted through the potential candidates and revisited Graham’s audition. “They actually called me, I was so stunned…I then came in for a screen test and the rest is history I guess”. Danielle describes her experience starting out as like a marathon – “we literally hit the ground running”. Travelling in her first two weeks, and powering through major projects, she began to fully realize that this was her calling.
Despite being a young professional full of excitement, Graham started to experience the effects of a heavy work load. “Honestly, I’ve never really considered a self-care plan till recent”. In Western society, people tend to overload their work schedule to the point of burning out from exhaustion. From getting married to having a child, Graham reached a time in her life where self-care had to take precedence. “I needed more time for myself and for my family…Bea (Beatrix) and I didn’t have enough time together – so something had to change”. Graham says she dedicates more time to relaxing, “putting the phone away” and really taking in those times in her day where she can be to herself – even if it’s for a short time. Graham emphasises the importance of self-care, especially when you have a family during a time when your career is on the rise, “It isn’t always easy, but you have to make it work, not just for yourself but for the people you love as well”.
Touching on family, we asked Graham how she met her husband, “It was during an assignment in Africa”. Graham describes her relationship prior to be virtually non-existent, “I couldn’t believe this man who had been standing literally 60 steps away from me for so many years would be my eventual husband. Meeting him was such a life-changing experience for me – that and going to the Oscars. It never gets old for me…seeing the staircase, all the media outlets, celebrities, beautiful looks, it’s just the goal of any professional in my field I think”.
Our discussion eventually led us to asking Graham who her favourite interviewee was. Kind of like having a favourite child you don’t want to admit to loving just a little bit more, “Adele is amazing…Taylor Swift…Cher, I did a few years ago and it was incredible – that’s a kind of interview you really have to be prepared for with just the right amount of sparkle because you know, it’s Cher”. Graham is known for her quick wit and ability to make celebrities feel right at home with her. She’s interviewed the likes of Jake Gyllenhal, the “Ryans” (Reynolds and Gosling), Jessica Chastain, and her candid short interview with Angelina Jolie at TIFF 2017. “We all know how that went” – you can check out the awkward exchange on Etalk’s YouTube channel under Stars & Scandals. “I’d love to interview Oprah – I mean who wouldn’t? She’s a female media mogul who is inspiring a generation of leaders, that interview would be legendary”.
TIFF is fast approaching, and all media outlets in the city are working hard to make sure that they are camera ready to get the best shots and interviews of the incoming celebrities. What is a typical ready-care regime for yourself in preparation for Toronto’s biggest event in entertainment? Graham starts off with a fresh colour done for her hair, fresh nails, and then skin care treatments. “Before the movies are released to international press, Toronto media outlets have a chance to watch them first before hitting the red carpet”. The press is on their feet for hours waiting for celebrities to be interviewed for sometimes even just a few minutes. “I always wear flats in between red carpets and interviews, I’ve learned that heals all day do you no favours”. Graham is most excited to see A Star is Born by Lady Gaga. “The whole team is fighting over who gets to see that one”. Graham then goes on to talk about how different genres of cinema are emerging and becoming more mainstream, and within these genres social justice and advocacy are the main focus. “I enjoy movies like these that talk about real issues, and explore a different kind of story that we don’t normally see on the big screen. If critics and the public are responding to them, then we’re truly creating a space where movies can teach us real life lessons”.
You can catch Danielle Graham on Etalk, which airs weeknights at 7 p.m. ET/PT on CTV and CTV GO.
