Each week, we speak to an inspiring go-getter as part of our Rising Stars series.
Here, Emily O'Donnell of IrishTV.ie joins us to candidly talk about her impressive career, breaking world records, E! News – and why the camera just doesn't make her nervous (even if going on dates still does)…
When 32 year-old Leopardstown native, Emily O’Donnell, successfully completed the challenge of wearing a different outfit each day for an entire year back in 2013, she didn’t realise that she had actually set a Guinness World Record.
In the aftermath, she is – unsurprisingly – known for her love of style.
Still, rather refreshingly, these days her interests and skills extend far beyond mere fashion. For example, her show for Irish TV, Wicklow Country Matters, is currently enjoying huge success.
Indeed, with the station having just recently signed a deal to air in the US, the up-and-coming presenter is about to be seen by a whole new audience.
Should luck keep shining on Emily, a position at E! News could also be on the cards: she recently applied for a position at the station's London office.
And regardless of the outcome of that application, Emily – chatty, warm and outgoing – is certainly a natural in front of the camera.
“Normal things, like dates, would make me nervous, but being on television doesn’t make me nervous at all,” she laughs. “I’m completely at ease when I go on air.
"I love chatting to people for my show and I get to meet so many interesting characters too.”
With a Masters in PR under her belt, Emily kick-started her career by working with fashion clients in consumer PR. Even though she adored the job, she didn’t particularly enjoy being confined to a desk.
Thus, Emily embarked upon a fashion styling course before going on to assist stylist Roxanne Parker on various magazine shoots.
It was only after RTE invited her take part in a pilot for a reality TV series, ICA Boot Camp, that she “really caught the TV bug,” and so was inspired to study TV presentation, production and direction.
As far as Emily’s career highlights go, it’s a toss between presenting for Fashion One TV – where she got to interview Hunger Games actor Alexander Ludwig – and the aforementioned Guinness world record-setting 365 Style Diary Project.
Meanwhile, and although Wicklow County Matters attracts some of the highest viewer ratings on the channel, Emily is not one to rest on her laurels.
An idea she pitched to the station for on Irish milliners and crafts people is currently in production and will run later this year as a six-part series. With so much on her plate, what will happen if E! News comes calling?
“If I got the job, then yes I would give it a go, but I’m a home bird at heart. To be honest, I love my job at Irish TV and now that it will be viewed in America, my mum won’t be the only one watching me any more!” she laughs.
“I love Ireland too much to make a permanent move, but if E! asked me over, I would probably find it hard to say no!”
