How old are your kids and how long have you lived in Westport? I moved here in the summer of 2022 with my daughter, who is now 5 years old. My parents, brother and sister-in-law, niece and nephews and our cousins also live in town.
How did you end up where you are now in terms of your job, or whatever passion project it is you might be doing? I recently celebrated my 10-year anniversary at The Hollywood Reporter, where I work as the Digital Managing Editor at our New York office. At THR, we cover the business of Hollywood, interview the biggest celebrities of the moment and deliver 24/7 breaking entertainment news. I started this job when I was living in Beverly Hills. I worked in our LA office for one year before moving back to the East Coast, where I’m from (Cherry Hill, NJ). I worked as a writer/editor at several websites and magazines before that, including Yahoo and the New York Post, after graduating with a journalism degree from the University of Maryland.
What is the best show you have recently (binge) watched? Tell Me Lies! TV is a beat I cover, which means I get to screen episodes early and interview creators, writers and stars for stories to run when the episodes air. I recently interviewed Grace Van Patten and Jackson White, the real-life couple who play Lucy and Stephen, and the cast when they held a press day and premiere party in NYC. Here’s a tease: The show’s creator, Meaghan Oppenheimer, said this season will eventually answer the lingering questions from the 2015 timeline, and the cast said none of them predicted how it would all would play out. Gasp!
What is your favorite podcast? Call Her Daddy. As someone who does many interviews, I’m always impressed by how much she gets her guests to open up.
What is one food you could not live without? Eggs for breakfast (or dinner). And coffee.
What is one product you could not live without? My hair dryer, and under eye patches.
What is your greatest fear? Basically all insects.
What is your greatest indulgence? Dessert. My daughter and I splurge on the Stew Leonard’s chocolate-and-vanilla rice cakes.
Which talent would you most like to have? Singing!
If you did not live where you do, where would you like to live? I loved living in L.A. in my late 20s/early 30s. I miss my hikes, but it’s too far from family.
What is your favorite hobby? Playing tennis with my Point Play group. My favorite Westport workout is J Ashley Fitness.
What is your go-to karaoke song? The Rent soundtrack, or any ‘90s hit that reminds me of high school.
When and where were you happiest? When I became a mom. She’s my whole world.
QUICK THIS OR THAT:
At a movie: Candy or Popcorn? Both
Cook or order in? Order in
Coffee or tea? Coffee
Be embarrassed or be afraid? Afraid
Camping or glamping? Glamping
Broadway Show or TV show? TV show
TikTok or Insta? Insta
Text or call? Text
Sneakers or dress shoes? Sneakers
Sauna? Or cold plunge? Sauna
Beach or Mountain? Beach
Comedy or Drama? Drama
Jackie’s Hollywood Reporter author page: https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/author/jackie-strause/