INTERVIEW: Sarah O’Connell
Getting to interview world-famous stars, actors, comedians and musicians can only be described as a dream for most people. For Sarah O’Connell, this is very much a reality.
CC: Sarah O'Connell
Since making an entrance into the entertainment industry with creating her own show 4 years ago, the presenter has gained a huge media following of over 15k Instagram followers, as well as having over 40k Twitter followers.“I loved film, television, animation and comedy from a very early age” O’Connell explained. “Additional to the entertainment and escapism that they offered, I was also fascinated by the production processes and magic that brought them all to life.
I pretty much lived in the cinema and would also seek out the latest film releases and obscure classics in video shops too. For the uninitiated; video shops were like a giant, real-life Netflix that you could walk around in and rent movies to watch at home. Once you’d rewound them, that is.
I always enjoyed writing, and started reviewing films in my spare time, purely for the love of doing it. Before long I was invited to press screenings, followed by press junkets, and film premieres. I always loved interviewing people and hosting events too, so hosting an entertainment show was a natural progression of that.”
O’Connell has interviewed notable figures such as Greg Davies, Neil Morrissey and Tom Allen. She has also appeared on BBC Breakfast and BBC Two, when she starred in Season 2 of 'Boy Meets Girl'.
She added: "I've always enjoyed writing and I started reviewing films in my spare time, purely for the love of doing it. Before long I was invited to press screenings, followed by press junkets, and film premieres. I've always loved interviewing people too."
O'Connell has attended red carpet premiere events for films including Cult of Chucky, Jack Reacher; Never Go Back and Gloves Off, allowing her to interview the likes of Tom Cruise.
When commenting on her favourite interviewee, she explained that ‘there’s honestly so many for different reasons’.
She added: “Katherine Ryan was the very first guest on my show, and recently returned for the record-breaking fifth time to chat about her new Netflix series The Duchess. (You can watch the interview here)
I’ve always had fun chatting to comedian Joe Lycett. I’ve got a lot of love for Colin Mochrie too, an improv comedian who stars in Whose Line Is It Anyway?”
O’Connell studied Animation at University and her chance of getting to interview Don Hahn, producer of Disney’s The Lion King and Beauty and the Beast, was a dream.
Her flagship work, The Sarah O'Connell Show is a YouTube show with over two thousand subscribers, bringing in thousands of views and likes with every video. The show also features celebrities with a variety of different backgrounds and professions.
She said: “I work on every aspect of the production by myself, from researching, writing, producing, filming, hosting, interviewing, editing, artwork, and marketing.
There’s been days where I’ve got up at 5am, travelled halfway across the country (pre-pandemic), filmed all day, travelled back, edited all night, and got the interview online at 5am the next day. It can be exhausting, and at times incredibly stressful, but I love it.”
O’Connell explained that her show has some amazing fans too and that their support and feedback ‘means the world’.
“I want to keep entertaining, shining a spotlight on up-and-coming talent, celebrating the careers of industry legends, helping to educate, and hopefully make the world a kinder, better place.
Rumour has it that I’m also working on stand-up comedy...” she added.
At present, it isn't clear whether the entertainment industry will thrive again anytime soon. One thing that is clear, though, is that Sarah O'Connell will keep entertaining people for many years to come and her show will only grow, along with her profile.
Watch this space!
Subscribe to The Sarah O’Connell Show here: www.YouTube.com/SarahOConnellShow
