Today we’d like to introduce you to Maddison Hill.
So, before we jump into specific questions, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I grew up doing competitive dance, so I knew I always wanted to have a job that was in the spotlight so to speak. For a long time, I wanted to move to LA to become a professional dancer, but as I got older I realized that might not be the most responsible career path when it came to longevity.
When I sat back to think about my strengths, I realized that I really loved to talk, mix that with watching TRL, and boom my dream to want to be an entertainment news host was born.
I studied broadcast journalism at the University of Missouri. While in school, I worked for the local NBC affiliate, KOMU 8 News. There I realized that I absolutely hated local news, reporting on city council just wasn’t for me. However, I did love being able to bring Hollywood to Mid Missouri during the noon newscast where I anchored the “Red Carpet Report.”
After I graduated from college, I knew I wanted to move to New York or Los Angeles to pursue my entertainment news dreams. LA quickly won in that competition once I realized it was truly the epicenter of all things entertainment.
After applying to entry-level jobs for MONTHS with zero bites, I decided to finally take the advice everyone had given me and just get to LA. Thankfully I have very supportive parents who encouraged me to pack up all my things in a Uhaul and drive across the country to pursue my dreams. At this time, I was doing freelance remote work for a women’s lifestyle website based in LA, so I thought worst case when I got there I could try to turn that into a full-time gig, life was looking up.
WRONG. While I was unpacking my apartment, I got an email from my editor that the website was closing down so I quickly went from having one job prospect to zero. After a lot of panics, a friend informed me about Central Casting and background work, which actually was awesome.
I was able to be on different sets and make my own schedule that way, I could leave room for what I really wanted to do, freelance red carpet reporting. Thankfully one digital outlet in particular, Pop Hearts TV, didn’t think my cold e-mail introducing myself was weird, and I was able to cover things like the Voice, America’s Got Talent, Kids Choice Awards, and the American Music Awards.
After getting a solid reel together, a hosting job opened up at Hollyscoop. I auditioned there several times and even went in to test segments before finally they needed someone to fill in for the main host for one day. I knew this was my chance to get a paid hosting job and I didn’t take it lightly. I tried my absolute best on that day and thankfully, it paid off. I started off as a freelance host and worked my way up to be the senior host and producer.
Now, I have chosen to venture out on my own and focus on my personal YouTube channel where I create content I love. From talking celebrity tea on my series Pop Off with Maddison to celeb product reviews, lifestyle, and fashion, it truly has awakened a new passion in me to create content I enjoy and be my own boss, something I hope to be in some way shape or form as my career progresses.
I am by no means at my final goal. As crazy as it sounds, I would love to one day have my own talk show and build other businesses, and maybe even a few product lines. Ultimately I would love to have my own little empire where I create things I love, get to work with my family and friends and be financially stable enough to help others.
Has it been a smooth road?
There have been several struggles along the way. As I mentioned previously when I first moved to LA, I lost the one job prospect I had.
Then when continuing to apply for jobs, I was getting zero bites because my reel was made up of clips from me working in local news, with the wardrobe, hair, and nonconversational tone to prove it!
I took classes to rediscover my conversational tone, and I also was lucky enough to find a mentor who directed me on where to get new headshots, build a new website, etc. I’m also forever indebted to Heather Smith of Pop Hearts TV for answering my e-mail and giving me a chance to do red carpet reporting. Without the opportunities, she gave me I would not have been able to build a new reel, which led to my job at Hollyscoop.
Also, another struggle I feel like a lot of people can relate to that I’m still dealing with, SOCIAL MEDIA. I went to school, worked hard, got work experience, did everything I thought I was supposed to do and I am still losing jobs to those with less experience because of my following.
However, I made a promise to myself to always remain authentic, and never give in to buying followers and likes, and I will say that has paid off. I might not have a million followers, but the ones I do have feel like a community that I know, and that is very important to me. And I do believe at some point that connection will be more important than numbers.
We’d love to hear more about your work and what you are currently focused on. What else should we know?
Right now, I am focusing on my personal channel. You can find me by searching Maddison Hill.
My channel focuses on celebrity tea, lifestyle, fashion, and of course, my one true love champagne. My viewers/followers call me the champagne queen and honestly, it’s the best nickname ever.
What I’m most proud of is the community I’ve built. As I mentioned, it might be small compared to others, but I actually take the time to get to know those who watch me and follow me. I always encourage people to reach out and I do my best to always answer. Again connection and accessibility is so important to me.
People are taking time out of their lives to support and watch me, therefore you can believe I will take time out of my day to connect with them. Ultimately I’m here to serve them and create what they want to watch.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.youtube.come/maddisonhill
- Instagram: @iammaddisonhill
- Twitter: @iammaddisonhill
- Other: TikTok: @iammaddisonhill
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