Today we’d like to introduce you to Shar Jossell.
Shar, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I’ve always had a passion for the arts, journalism just so happens to be where I found my home. I’ve technically been broadcasting since I was twelve in the 6th grade, reading the announcements over the school intercom. Back then, I knew I was good, but I didn’t know I was in alignment with my purpose.
The art of broadcast news has gotten me through some of my absolute best–and some of my roughest periods in my life. I genuinely enjoy reporting and holding space for informative, and necessary conversations that help to challenge and move the culture forward.
I graduated from Langston University in Oklahoma with a BA in Broadcast Journalism. Even though I utilized all of my resources, and successfully completed two internships, the landscape of the media and journalism began to (and continues to) shift from all of the pointers, tips, and stories my mentors shared with me.
After graduation, I hit a wall. I moved back home to Chicago and exhausted myself sending out reel/resume packages to small market news stations in hopes of locking down a field reporting gig.
‘SharSaysSo’ was eventually birthed out of the boredom of waiting to hear back from news stations. I was hungry and needed something to fill that void. I started vlogging doing 15-minute weekly pop culture rundowns, and that outlet certainly helped maintain visibility and a sense of validation for me.
In June of 2014, I relocated to Los Angeles–and the rest is history.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I’ve been a freelancing contributor for the last five years, so that has its pros and it’s cons–especially because I’m someone who loves a sense of stability–but I also love what I do, so I have to just suck it up and roll with the punches for now.
I have dealt with PLENTY of rejection and even had my moments of feeling absolutely worthless. (I can be my own worst enemy at times!)
What’s kept me afloat is reminding myself to not take anything personally, and to always ‘do my best and leave the rest.’
Hollywood and this industry is extremely political, and I can certainly celebrate it while also acknowledging that there are systems in place that are working to prevent me from reaching my goal. I’m always working on giving myself grace and space; Acknowledging that what is meant for me won’t pass me by. These types of affirmations have certainly made my time here worthwhile.
“Be so good that you become invaluable.”- Barbara Walters
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about SharSaysSo – what should we know?
Can I toss my humility out of the window for a second? Simply put, no one does it like me. I pride myself on knowing what I’m talking about and being quick on my feet, but I’m also very receptive to learning about new things. Staying in my lane of entertainment news certainly helps! That’s my bread and butter. In the beginning, I didn’t necessarily set out to talk about celebrity culture, but I am damn good at it, and my audience loves and respects me for it. I don’t like being caught off guard, so I try to be knowledgeable about everything that’s trending (celebrity or otherwise).
I’m so grateful that in these short five years, I’ve been featured on both national and international platforms, red carpets for major events, panels, and podcasts–including my own. Shout out to ‘Kiss & Tell Radio’. 🙂
Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
Willingness to be open to constructive criticism, while also staying true to yourself.
It takes a good amount of discernment and perseverance to sift through all of the madness, but commit, and make it worth your while.
Contact Info:
- Website: sharsaysso.com
- Instagram: SharSaysSo
- Facebook: Shar Says So
- Twitter: SharSaysSo
Image Credit:
Rodney Lee, Logan Photos, Ryku.B
Getting in touch: VoyageLA is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
