Nancy O’Dell, natural-born storyteller
by Lisa Ullmann
With Internet gossip sites popping up faster than Starbucks, the legitimacy of the entertainment journalism field proves more questionable than in years past. I recently had the opportunity to speak with Nancy O’Dell, the Emmy Award-winning entertainment journalist known for her work on Access Hollywood and as the current host of Entertainment Tonight. O’Dell has proven to be a force in all areas of her career as a host, author, producer and entrepreneur.
In speaking with Nancy, I learned that her prestigious and credentialed background is only rivaled by her charm and good will. But rather than rest on her laurels, Nancy has chosen to utilize her status and journalistic platform to affect change and educate others on causes close to her heart. Nancy is the Vice President and National ALS Ambassador to the Muscular Dystrophy Association, the founder of Betty’s Battle, a fundraising platform for ALS, a 10 year spokesperson for the March of Dimes, an International Board Member of Best Buddies, and a Founding Member of the American Red Cross National Celebrity Cabinet. A South Carolina native, one thing is for certain, like most Southern girls, Nancy is a natural born storyteller.
Lisa Ullmann: How did you get started in entertainment journalism and who were your influences?
Nancy O’Dell: I started out in a marketing position at a television station, but because it was a small town, I got to do reporting on weekends. I really liked it because it was forever changing – no matter what you did it was different every time. You are constantly learning and I always really enjoyed the learning side of it. I used to watch Oprah growing up, and even Entertainment Tonight. I always thought that would be such a cool job to have, that seems like a lot of fun. And the two people that I admired, because of there sincerity and warmth and compassion that came across on the screen, were Oprah and Diane Sawyer.
LU: Can you talk about your Southern upbringing and how it shaped your interests and career overall?
NO: In the South I think one of our big things is we tell stories and we talk a lot! So for me to tell stories as my living – I guess my mother really did influence me that way. The mannerisms and the culture there are just a little slower and a little more social. It’s funny how I’ll interview somebody from the South and all of a sudden we have an immediate bond. Jamie Foxx is an example – no matter what level of success he reaches he is always just the same Southern boy. The Celebrities at Home show I do with Paula Deen – she is just the nicest Southern lady.
LU: Your mother was a schoolteacher. Do you think that’s part of what made you this avid learner, and spurned your interest in journalism? Isn’t a journalist just a forever student?
NO: That’s very true and I always say I never stop learning. My mom and I would always have great conversations, because she would just let me ask a lot of questions and never say “Oh I’m not going to answer that” or “You’re too young for that.” She always said “I’d rather you learn it from me than somebody else.” I never wanted to go out and experiment as a kid, because Mom and I would have these great conversations. That’s where my love of asking questions comes from. In L.A. I used to call her every day on my way to work and we’d just talk the whole commute.
Image via Featureflash / Shutterstock.com
LU: You are involved in several charitable organizations. What was the turning point where you started to use your celebrity to impact change?
NO: My second year on the show (Access Hollywood) or so, I remember thinking I could really use this platform of a national show to do some other things, and get involved. And actually, before that when I was in Miami, I covered a story on Best Buddies (an organization that creates opportunities for one-to-one friendships, integrated employment and leadership development for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities). I grew up with an aunt who was a person with Down’s syndrome. She was a lot older than I was, but she was like a kid with me forever and she had all these dreams that she wanted to see through. She always wanted to be a part of things and didn’t understand why she couldn’t be a member of the band, or on the basketball team in high school. So when I covered that story, and we got this great response from so many people wanting to learn more about the organization, I realized the power of journalism. I saw how much what you do can make a difference. And ironically, I am still very involved with the organization (Best Buddies) and now Entertainment Tonight has a Best Buddy program, so we have a buddy working at the studio.
LU: In 2007, you founded Betty’s Battle (named after Nancy’s mother) to bring help and hope to all those affected by ALS. When was your mother diagnosed? How did you find the courage to create this new organization after suffering such a great loss?
NO: For the longest time we didn’t know what it was. You know she lost her voice, and nobody could give us any good reason until somebody suggested we go to the MDA clinic at UCLA. When you get that diagnosis, you have no idea where to go or what to do, who to talk to, and it’s not something general doctors deal with on a daily basis. They gave us a MDA rep who could answer any and all questions, and that’s the wonderful thing. I created it shortly after my mom’s diagnosis in November 2007 to help fund the research necessary to find a cure, so other families don’t have to go through what we did. And after she passed, I just thought, what can you do after something happens to your mom like this? And you have to do something, because it’s just too much of a feeling of tragedy if you don’t do anything.
LU: Your book Full of Love, in conjunction with Creative Memories, is a how to scrapbooking guide – isn’t that really the personal life version of journalism? How did it come about?
NO: I’m a fourth generation photo keeper! I wanted to make it super easy for people, because it is so important, that storytelling of your life. Studies have shown that keeping photo albums and having your children see them – it teaches them that they’re part of the group. And they bond that way and they’re even better able to deal with bullying, because they have this family, foundation and strength behind them.
LU: You also recently created an app for kids, Little Ashby Star Reporter. What was the origin of that?
NO: The app is something near and dear to my heart and it came about because of everything we’re talking about. Here I am an adult learning every single day, and it’s so cool, and I just thought wouldn’t it be great if kids could do that too? So I created this reporter character and her sidekicks, and it’s all very interactive. It was influenced and encouraged by my daughter, Ashby. She is always using apps because children operate and learn in a different world than we did. And when I asked about a name for the lead reporter character, she suggested the name, Ashby. You used to develop ideas with books, but in this day and age it’s an app. And I hope eventually it becomes a series, because kids will love it.
LU: Tell me about your recent honorary degree from your alma mater, Clemson University.
NO: It meant so, so much to me. I think there were 50 of my family members there because my cousin’s daughter was also graduating at that time. My dad went there, my uncle went there, and all my cousins so there is this long heritage which is why it was so special. And it’s like you said, I’m definitely still a Southern girl just living in Hollywood. I’m definitely a country bumpkin. I remember walking in to do an interview at the White House with the Obamas. My heels hurt and I took my shoes off, and I remember my boss taking a picture of me walking into the White House in my bare feet saying “You are such a country girl!” and I said yeah, I am, my feet hurt!
LU: I just have to ask, given the history of former Entertainment Tonight anchor Mary Hart, have you considered following her lead and insuring your own beautiful long legs?
NO: (Laughs) I haven’t. They don’t focus on them as much as they used to, they used to be displayed on the set!
Speaking with Nancy was really wonderful and inspiring. She is the opposite of what you might consider to be a typical entertainment anchor who rose to prominence solely because of her looks or charm. Nancy’s upbringing proved to influence her in the most positive of ways – from her mother’s tutelage and open minded nature, to her aunt with Down’s syndrome demonstrating there should be no limitations. Nancy obviously shot for the stars and then some, but retained the sweetness and goodness of a person with humble beginnings and good family values. Her commitment to causes in her mother’s memory, as well as for those less abled, demonstrate her perspective that everyone has a story worth telling and preserving.
About Lisa Ullmann
Lisa Ullmann is an independent producer working in television and film. She is the Executive Producer of The Ricky Gervais Show, which ran on HBO for three seasons. Lisa lives in Echo Park and enjoys eccentric people, places and things. If you follow her, maybe she will tweet: @lisaullmann.