Former Miss SA, TV Presenter and Producer. SA celeb Jo-Ann Strauss, chats to the students at GoTrend about her new show “Glambition” and shares some of her tips on getting into the media industry.
GT: Being a TV show host can be quite daunting, how did you overcome being nervous at first, Do you still get nervous?
JS: I get nervous all the time, which is a good thing as one does not want to become complacent and a little adrenaline is always good to help one’s performance.
GT: You’ve just started your own show on E-tv named “Glambition,” what do want the show to portray to your viewers?
JS: It’s a show celebrating African Beauty and all it’s facets. We’re so multi-dimensional as women and need to celebrate that which makes us uniquely African and beautiful. The show’s name is a combination of Glamour and Ambition – we need a bit of both in our lives as we strive to balance our busy schedules.
GT: Have you faced any new challenges while hosting your new show?
JS: I am producing and hosting the show and find it hard to juggle both, but also rewarding. Some (actually only 2 out of the 55 who came on) celebs would cancel last minute and then show up on different days or I would watch back and realize that I wasn’t happy with a certain link to camera, but we’d already moved onto another show and had changed hair and make-up, etc. I do enjoy the process though – it’s exhilarating! And, I would do it again in a heartbeat!
GT: Being almost always in the public eye, what are some tips that you can share on staying healthy and 
looking good?
JS: I’m actually quite low key and only really glam up for work. Other than that, I chill with friends and enjoy a healthy lifestyle in Cape Town where we do outdoor activities like Stand Up Paddling (SUP) or runs on the beach. I’ve just started Pilates again and enjoy doing different fun things instead of only gym. I try to eat as healthily as I can, but I am not a fussy eater at all and enjoy comfort food like bredies and breyani.
GT: What’s the best and worst thing about your job?
JS: Best thing is that no two days are the same and the worst thing is that no two days are the same 😉 I like routine at times, but with my work, my days are always unpredictable.
GT: Who is your role model?
JS: Ryan Seacrest, Oprah, Koos Bekker – and my mom of course 😉 GT: In the public eye, sometimes you’re bound to have “haters,” how do you handle them?
JS: I try not to engage with them in little “Twitter wars”. I have no need to fan their burning egos. I accept and handle substantiated criticism, but criticism from people who only do so to elevate their egos- nope, not worth entertaining. Life’s too short.
GT: Do you have any advice for current students trying to get into the Media Industry? JS: Work hard and do your research and learn how to translate your ideas into proposals that do them justice. It’s
pointless having a great idea if you don’t put pen to paper and get it converted from an idea into an action. GT: Everyone has a motto they live by, what’s yours? JS: “If it’s to be, it’s up to ME!” GT: Lastly, What are some of your plans for the future?
JS: Many plans – I’m launching another online presenter search soon – my last one was the biggest worldwide. www.presentersearch.com and my show Glambition is doing well and is also online. www.glambition.tv