Novocastrian Tanya Hennessy has gone from dressing Disney stars, to hosting a radio show and interviewing Zac Efron on the red carpet.
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But it was the Belmont woman’s ‘Realistic Make-up Tutorial’ video went viral in February that she shot to fame.
The video has had millions views on YouTube and was featured on several news programs in the US and Australia.
The Hunter School of Performing Arts alumni hosts Canberra’s Hit 104.7 breakfast show, but says her ultimate goal would be to return home to Newcastle.
“I miss it every day, because it’s easily the best city in the world. It’s my dream place and I can’t wait to move back one day,” she said.
“But I do love Canberra as well, and I think there’s a lot of similarities between the two places. There’s just no beaches in the ACT, so there’s less beaches and more politics.”
After graduating from Charles Sturt University in Bathurst, with a degree in drama and half a diploma of education, the 31-year-old bounced between acting work, comedy and dressing Disney stars.
And when one of the Disney actors suggested she try radio, the idea took hold.
“The combination of not having to put on nice clothes, make-up or a bra everyday and sitting down and having a chat sounded great. Those elements are for me, so I don’t know why I didn’t think of it sooner.”
The radio host soon quit her job in Sydney and moved back to Newcastle to intern at NEW FM until they gave her a job. After a year, she scored her first major hosting job in Toowoomba, Queensland.
She made her first video in Toowoomba at 26, and she credits Jules Lund, Scoopla radio host, for helping her start her video making.
“On a whim I sent him an email with my show reel, and he messaged back saying he had an hour to chat. I was like “What?!”
“He suggested I just be myself and use social media to make short funny videos.”
The social media star said anyone who wants to start creating should, because the world wants “different, unique and eccentric” in 2017.
“If people have a desire to be heard, to create and to make, the only thing stopping you is you,” she said.
“The hardest thing is making your first one, but you’ve just got to take the first step.”
Adding, that the more honest you are the more people seem to like it.
“If I’m like ‘Hey guys, i’m not wearing a bra!’, everyone’s like hilarious, and I’m like “is it?’
“I worry for myself and my boobs in a couple of years.”
“If some Newcastle girl who made some videos can end up where I am. I think anyone can do it.”
