Nicky Greenwall. Blonde, green-eyed and ambitious

“No one will take you seriously if you don’t take your work seriously”

As so often happens in the media industry, Nicky Greenwall has become somewhat of a celebrity herself while interviewing stars and artists on her hugely successful entertainment show The Showbiz Report but unlike her bubble-headed American counterparts, she’s her own boss, ­ writing, producing and presenting the show. And if you’ve ever caught an episode, you’ll know that it’s a breath of fresh air among other magazine programmes.

Nicky, 30, will tell you when a movie stinks or when an actor lacks screen presence in person, and she’s the first to tell you why a musician looks stoned in his interview (lack of sleep in Gym Class Heroes’ Travis McCoy’s case). In April this year, the Capetonian launched her own company Greenwall Productions, which produces the News Channel’s The Style Report.

What kind of teenager were you?

Moody, and I remember spending a lot of time eating peanut-butter toast. I was also a bit of an overachiever and took my schoolwork a little too seriously.

What are your tricks for staying organised?

The key is to come up with a system that suits you. If you develop it, you’re much more likely to stick to it. I file everything. I make a game out Of it, so it ends up being quite relaxing and therapeutic.

What do you do in your spare time?

I like spending as much time as possible with my family and friends. The older I get, the more I realise that those are really the only people Who count in your life. I also like to read and go for runs. And sometimes, when I’m feeling particularly at one with the universe, I do yoga or go for a swim in the sea.

You’re also a talented artist. What inspires you and when are you at your most creative?

I’m very inspired by the past. These days everything is so rushed that people don’t take time to craft things. I love antiques and antique design – I usually get inspired when I’m surrounded by ‘treasures’ from the past

As an attractive, blonde woman, is it hard to be taken seriously in this industry?

It can be. I prefer to win the argument through action, rather than words. No one will take you seriously if you don’t take your work seriously. You don’t always get praise and recognition in the beginning, but the longer you stick at it and the more Consistent you are, the more people tend to forget their first impressions and eventually develop a different association with you.

What’s the best advice you ever received?

Bide your time. My father used to say that to me a lot. It’s one of those wisdoms that only tend to make sense in hindsight.

What’s your proudest achievement?

Opening my production company this year was a proud moment for me. I’ve wanted to do it for so long but never quite felt ready, until now.

Where does your passion for art and entertainment come from?

I studied art direction at college and originally intended to go into advertising. After five years in the industry I knew it wasn’t for me, so I switched to what I do now. I wouldn’t say I have a particular passion for art and entertainment, but I love what I do and get to use so many different parts of my brain to achieve what I need to achieve on a daily basis.

What’s been your most awkward moment with a celeb?

My first interview ever was with Hugh Grant. In the middle of it, he started asking me questions about myself. It was very confusing and completely threw me Off guard. One of the things he asked me was how I could stand swimming in the sea in Cape Town when it’s “so cold and awash with sharks?” I told him it wasn’t that bad, most of the time. Honestly, it was like that scene in Notting Hill when he interviews Julia Roberts pretending he’s from Horse & Hound. I felt very stupid – but it makes a good story.

Who’s the one person you’d still like to sit down and have a good chat with?

Ricky Gervais. I think he’s a comic genius. I wish I could get inside his head. Extras and The Officeare my all-time favourite TV shows and his DVD Animals is one of the funniest things I’v ever seen.

Why do you think celebs and their lives are so intriguing to us?

We all like to look up to something, or down to something, in Paris Hilton’s case. I think celeb-spotting is really just boring

What’s your favourite movie of all time?

Amélie. It’s so well written and art directed. I could watch it over and over again. That, and The Wizard of Oz.

What music are you listening to right now?

Joan as Police Woman and Little Dragon. I saw Joan as Police Woman in London last year. They’re incredible! Little Dragon are obscure. But very cool

Describe your personal style

I’m ladylike, with a slight masculine edge.

What was your biggest fashion mistake?

I own a pair of day-glo yellow stilettos. I still love them, but my boyfriend won’t let me wear them out. Everything comes back into fashion eventually. So I’m keeping my fingers crossed.

Do you get to keep any of the beautiful dresses you wear on the Showbiz Report?

Oh I wish! No, I don’t. I do get a small discount if I want to buy the clothes, but more often than not, I give everything back. After all, a girl can only wear an outfit once, right.

You and your boyfriend (model agency owner Robin Fryer) live together. What’s your advice for living with a man?

You need to be open and upfront about your expectations. In the beginning I’d say things like “Oh, how I wish I didn’t have to do the dishes tonight…” and when I didn’t get a response out of him, I’d be upset. Now I just say “Please will you do the dishes?” and he says, “Sure, of course!” You can’t drop hints with guys and expect them to understand where you’re coming from.

This article was taken from the September ‘09 edition of Cleo.