Tell us your name and a little about yourself.
My name is Darriel Roy and I am a Journalist for both Entertainment & News in Toronto, Canada. I am also the former host of On The Scene Network (OTSN) Inc. which airs on MSN & AOL Networks. In addition to being an entrepreneur, I am a social media influencer and work with notable brands to help reach millennial and other demographic audiences worldwide through my social media network. During the course of my career, I’ve had the opportunity to meet & interview world leaders & celebrities: James Franco, Idris Elba, Hillary Clinton, Rachel McAdams, Ryan Reynolds, Alec Baldwin, Dr. Oz, The Prime Minister of Canada, Justin Trudeau, Charlie Sheen, Seth Rogen to name a few as well as numerous other A-listers, world leaders and business Titans. I am also a Reporter and can be heard on iHeartRadio and Corus Entertainment.
What exactly does your company do?
Essentially, I am my own brand. My website operates under www.darrielroy.com in which I feature celebrity interviews, galas, VIP event coverage, etc. I cover red carpet events, work with brands on social media campaigns and essentially use my social media following to engage with millennials and other demographics with motivational & inspirational content.
What were the biggest challenges you have faced and how did you overcome them?
Some of the biggest challenges I overcame at the beginning of my career was believing in myself. Thankfully, everyone around me encouraged me and saw me doing “big” things in my career, but sometimes the pressure from those around me got to me. Over time, I started filling my mind with positivity. Reading motivational books helped immensely. Also, interviewing entrepreneurs and celebrities that attained huge successes also gave me insight, as the majority of them overcame obstacles prior to reaching success. My biggest piece of advice would be to BELIEVE in yourself. Believe you are worthy of success. Believe you are worth it. Believe that no one in this world has the exact same talents and uniqueness that you do. Once you know and understand this, you stop comparing yourself to others and begin being yourself unapologetically. Success only comes when you believe you are worth it and are limitless!
What piece of advice do you wish someone had given you at the start of your career?
I was very lucky from the start of my career as I was constantly surrounded by mentors and notable people in the industry. Most of the lessons I learned were by trial and error. One of my first jobs as a Journalist was working for a magazine called, “Confidence Bound Magazine.” The first assignment I was given was to interview world-renowned Doctor/Surgeon, who became famous as one of Oprah’s apprentices, was Dr. Oz. At the time, we did not have media time allotted with him, so I had to hustle to get an interview. I boldly walked up to him and used a conversation opener that we both shared the same birthday on June 11th. He laughed and bonded with me instantly, agreeing to do an interview. From that moment onwards, I know that it was my responsibility to create my own luck, destiny, and future. If you are passionate about something whether it’s building your own business, being an actor/actress, etc, make sure you take strides to make it happen. Don’t wait for someone to approach you, create your own opportunities. You’ll be happy and proud of yourself in the end that you did it your way on your own terms. Remember the adage: “Fortune favors the Bold.”
Who are your biggest influences and people you admire and why?
My parents are definitely on the top of my list. They’ve always have had integrity and worked hard for what they have. From a young age, I was always taught to be determined, have good character and to go after my dreams. I attribute my tenacity to my family because, without them, I would not be where I am today. I believe that having a good foundation, surrounding yourself with people who motivate, inspire you and are your cheerleaders, is of the utmost importance.
The second person who I admire and have been greatly influenced by in my career is Oprah. To me, she’s the epitome of class, resilience, great character and success. One of my goals in my career is to meet and interview her. The universe, make it happen!
None of us are able to achieve success without some help along the way. Is there a particular person who you are grateful towards who helped get you to where you are?
I would point this back to my family. They’ve always pushed me to be the best version of myself and go after my dreams. In every step of my career, through the ups and downs, they’ve been there to cheer me on.
I’ve also had incredible mentors along the way in my career, from professors in my college to corporations who gave me a chance to work with them. Every person I’ve met along the way has had a part in leading me to where I am today as a journalist and as a person.
What do you see as your greatest success in life?
The greatest success I’ve had in my life is using my platform as a journalist, entrepreneur, and influencer to inspire people. I have the ability to use my platform to inspire through inspirational celebrity interviews, covering meaningful events, whether a charity gala, red carpet, or sit down interviews with some of the greatest A-Listers and Entrepreneurs in the world. To me, this has given me great purpose and the hunger to continue motivating and inspiring people. There is no greater gift than to have an impact through your work and I’m grateful to have the opportunity to do what I love as a career. It’s an exciting and challenging field which gives me great purpose.
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