Tiana DeNicola shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Tiana, so good to connect and we’re excited to share your story and insights with our audience. There’s a ton to learn from your story, but let’s start with a warm up before we get into the heart of the interview. What is a normal day like for you right now?
A typical day for me starts with a quiet moment—having morning tea with my wife—before diving into a fast-paced workday. Most of my time is spent booking talent for our video series, directing on set, and interviewing celebrities. Since I’m on set or producing content Monday through Friday, my days are fully immersed in the creative world of video production.
Outside of work, I love exploring new restaurants, catching live music, and spending time volunteering at my local animal shelter. It’s a great balance between the high-energy pace of my job and the things that keep me grounded and inspired in my personal life.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m an award-winning Los Angeles–based video Director and Producer with more than 12 years of experience bringing stories to life in the digital space. Currently, I serve as the Supervising Producer at Variety, the iconic 120-year-old publication, where I lead editorial video and oversee a wide range of original content.
The unique part about my role is that I’m not only pitching and developing new creative video concepts, but I’m also hands-on with booking and interviewing the talent who bring them to life. I also appear on camera as Variety’s red carpet host several times a year to interview talent for events like Power of Women and Hitmakers. This blend of creative direction and on-camera engagement gives me a rare perspective in producing content that feels both polished and personal.
As the creator and voice behind several of Variety’s most popular video series—including Behind the Song, This or That, Most Likely To, Crossword, and Culture Check—I specialize in developing content that connects with audiences, sparks conversation, and has generated millions of views across platforms. My work is driven by a passion for storytelling that entertains while leaving a lasting impact.
I’m especially interested in projects that highlight entertainment, music, LGBTQ+ voices, and women’s empowerment—areas where I believe powerful stories can inspire change and deepen cultural understanding.
Okay, so here’s a deep one: Who taught you the most about work?
For me, the answer is easy—my mother. Growing up in Toronto, I watched her navigate life as a single parent while building her career in fields like product development, fashion, and marketing. She showed me what determination, resilience, and passion look like in action. From her, I learned that the key to a fulfilling career isn’t just hard work—it’s truly loving what you do.
If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
I’d tell my younger self: “You’ll get there. Everything happens for a reason, and you’re already doing incredible things.”
It might sound cliché, but it’s true. From a very young age, I knew exactly what I wanted—to work in the video world, both in front of and behind the camera, especially on digital platforms. That clarity was both a blessing and a curse: I couldn’t wait for it all to happen. I started in the entertainment industry at 16 and never stopped chasing opportunities in video production, always hungry for the next milestone.
If I could say one kind thing to my younger self, it would be to pause and recognize the wins along the way. The big career you dream of will come—but every step you take is already something to be proud of and something you once wanted.
So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. What are the biggest lies your industry tells itself?
The entertainment industry often tells itself, “We’re inclusive and progressive.” While there have been meaningful strides, the industry frequently congratulates itself too early. True diversity and equity—both on and off camera—still have a long way to go. Progressiveness that challenges the status quo, amplifies underrepresented voices, or tells stories outside of what’s considered “safe” is often met with hesitation, proving that real change requires courage, not just optics.
Some of the most compelling storytelling—not just in video and film, but also in journalism and authentic reporting—comes from voices with unique perspectives and something meaningful to say.
Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
When I’m gone, I hope people remember me as someone who treated others with genuine kindness and empathy—someone who made people feel at ease in my presence and left a lasting impression long after a conversation ended. I hope they’ll say I cared, not just about my work, but about the people around me.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.tianadenicola.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tianadenicola
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tiana-denicola/
