In November 2010, recent college grad Charlie Neff moved to the heart of Los Angeles, wide-eyed and ready to pursue her dream of becoming the next big celebrity news personality. Soon after, Charlie was struck by the daunting realization that—with masses of Hollywood hopefuls flooding into the city each year—breaking into this extraordinarily competitive industry wouldn’t exactly be a walk in the park. So what’s a girl to do in a world where thousands are vying for the same gig she’s after? Well, Charlie did what only an inventive and truly determined individual would think to do: She created a job for herself.
Exercising her Communications and Broadcast Journalism background, Charlie began working tirelessly to forge a new breed of celebrity news and gossip columns that would somehow stand out from the countless others on the web. POPinionz.com, which launched in February 2011, is the manifestation of that vision. In addition to blogging about all the latest news in pop culture, Charlie actually attends Hollywood’s most buzzed about events and lands interviews with some of the biggest names in show biz, from actors Eva Longoria and Jared Leto to reality TV stars Kris Jenner and Audrina Patridge. After each event, she spills all the juicy details on POPinionz for us to devour. With dozens of original photos, Charlie’s witty, candid commentary, and even opportunities to win great giveaway items from the events, this entertainment blog allows its readers to vicariously experience the extravagance and excitement of the red carpet without ever leaving the comfort of their homes.
Not surprisingly, POPinionz reached nearly 20,000 views in its first month and continues to achieve thousands of views internationally each day. In light of its success, Charlie has found herself on a thrilling uphill trajectory—attending increasingly exclusive events, making regular television appearances, and being sought out by major Hollywood execs regarding future collaborations. There is no doubt that this vivacious young starlet will continue to wow the entertainment world with both her brains and inarguable beauty for years to come.
Runway couldn’t wait to sit down and find out more about this fascinating and—more importantly—fashionable new entertainment personality.
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Runway Magazine: What is the most interesting encounter you have had with a celebrity?
Charlie Neff: Hands down, I’d have to say my encounter with Michael Jackson’s children—Blanket, Paris and Prince—when they made a last-minute appearance at the Kids’ Choice Awards GBK Gifting Lounge this year. Word spread very quickly when they arrived, and every media outlet rushed over to their location. I figured, at that point, it would be total chaos, but everyone on the scene actually remained eerily quiet and just observed from a distance. Now, before you start commending us for being so considerate and respectful, I should mention how intimidating their entourage was. Each of them had their own personal bodyguard, and let’s just say those guys didn’t look particularly friendly. No one was allowed to photograph the children or even film them. It was so different from my typical experiences on the red carpet, but I definitely don’t blame them for wanting to step out and enjoy being a kid without worrying about crazy media commotion.
RM: You always seem so fearless on scene, surrounded by dozens of A-listers. What have you found to be the most important factor in breeding that kind of confidence?
CN: Honestly? My outfit. I absolutely love getting dressed up for events and putting together spicy ensembles. As a reporter, it’s really vital for me to nail those interviews and get a kick-ass story, but having confidence in how I look is such a huge part of what gets me there. If I look and feel red carpet ready, that conviction really transforms the way I carry myself out there and helps show both myself and others that I can hang with the big dogs. Not to mention, a cute outfit might just catch the eye of a hot male celebrity. I’m on the prowl, boys.
RM: Speaking of hot male celebrities, whose eye would you most like to catch?
CN: Alright, so I totally have a crush on Kellan Lutz and Trevor Donovan. I’m really into that clean-cut look. But of course, looks can only get you so far; the key to my heart is a quirky sense of humor. If you can keep me on my toes and make me laugh, you’re golden—Kellan and Trevor, take notes!
RM: What do you enjoy most about being an entertainment reporter?
CN: Everything! It’s just so completely exhilarating that it doesn’t even feel like work. My media team is absolutely amazing and we have a blast at all the events we cover. We’re always joking around with celebrities and we make it a point not to take things too seriously. It’s all about living in and enjoying the moment. And I definitely can’t complain that my job exposes me to all the latest and greatest fashion trends. I’ve always been a big fashion fanatic, so being up close and personal with all the amazing, lavish designs is such a dream come true.
RM: It’s certainly no secret that you love fashion. What trends are you most excited to see emerge this summer?
CN: I really love all the vivid colors that designers are splashing into their collections—gorgeous, bright colors are always great for summer. Also, feather accessories are getting increasingly popular these days. Whether it’s a feather in your hair, on your earrings, or even on your purse, this is definitely a hot trend to embrace. But what I love most about summer, especially living in Los Angeles, is that you can really take advantage of a good bikini. I’m loving the fringe detail we’ve been seeing on bikinis lately—super cute trend.
RM: You are known for wearing fabulous cocktail dresses on the red carpet. What are your favorite places to shop?
CN: I usually shop at Bebe, Arden B, BCBG, and—believe it or not—eBay. You can really find some unique dresses online at great prices! As for accessories, my friend Onch has a jewelry line called Onch Movement that I absolutely adore. He designs cute necklaces that look edible, like an ice cream sundae necklace or a whipped cream ring. They’re just so much fun! I love wearing anything that’s fun and flirty—such a great combination.
RM: Lastly, what are some projects you are currently working on?
CN: Well, I plan to continue reporting for my website and keep delivering all the juicy gossip to my followers. This summer, I’ll be covering the MTV Movie Awards and the Billboard Music Awards, which I’m pretty pumped about. Also, there’s been talk of possibly hosting a few television shows or even having my own reality show. How sweet would that be? Like I said, my team and I have so much fun covering all the hottest red carpet events, and I think people would really enjoy having a more intimate, behind the scenes look at what we do. We’re pretty damned entertaining. Just sayin’. Follow me on Twitter @CharlieNeff.