“Just be persistent, know who you are, don't try to be someone else that you've seen.” - Ruba Wilson
Ruba Wilson is an 18 year old from Pittsburgh who started “Ruba’s World,” the online source for news and interviews in music, film, TV, & fashion. Ruba's World started as a solo effort, featuring interviews with celebrities from The Jonas Brothers to Sandra Bullock, and has skyrocketed to well over 4 million views.
If you think you are too young or have to wait for a college degree to start a venture, that’s simply not true. In the Internet economy teenagers have incredible opportunities to be entrepreneurs. iaam caught up with Ruba Wilson to find out his secrets of success and ambition. Hopefully this inspires you to follow your dreams, do what you love and be successful!
iaam: How did you get started in media? Ruba: To make a long story short, during the summer my friends and I would make these fun videos with me hosting my own show and them as guests. The show was called “The Ruba Show”—go figure. One day we decided to put the videos up on YouTube. Soon after that Chris and Kyle Massey from That's So Raven and Zoey 101, who are good friends of the family, did an interview with me. At that point my show was called “Ruba's World,” and from then on I got calls from PR/Management people asking if I wanted to interview their clients, and the rest is history!
iaam: Why did you choose entertainment journalism? Ruba: I love entertainment! I come from a background of entertainers. My uncle, actor Flex Alexander, and my aunt, Grammy-Nominated Pop/R&B Singer Shanice, are my inspirations and the executive producers of my show.
iaam: What different hats do you wear behind the scenes at Ruba’s World? Ruba: Wow, you can say that again. I wear several hats behind the scenes of Ruba's World. That’s because I know exactly what I want and how I want it done, and honestly I'm the only one that I trust, as far as creative decisions, etc. From the way I dress during an interview, to the look of a photo shoot, all the way down to the editing and producing of my videos. I believe everyone should be hands on with all of their projects—it creates your signature look.
iaam: How do you keep up with the latest entertainment news? Ruba: I read and watch everything! From several blogs to CNN's HLN, as someone in the journalism field I believe I should know what’s happening in all different areas. I try to be well-rounded.
iaam: What are the best celebrity interviews you have done? Ruba: I would say my best celebrity interview was with Jason Kennedy from E! News. I look up to him so much, on camera and off. People may not know about his charity work with Generosity Water, which helps people in Africa and Haiti get wells for clean drinking water, etc. Jason is such a genuine person and it’s rare to see that in this field. Also during our interview, Ryan Seacrest was in the next room over. Not to discredit anyone else I've interviewed, but I felt they were all practice rounds for Jason's interview. I felt that was my “driver’s test,” and I was a nervous wreck! But I pulled it together.
iaam: Tell us a funny story about a celebrity you have interviewed? Ruba: It was my second red carpet premiere, for Disney Pixar's “UP” 3D movie, and I was told I was going to interview Mark Hoppus from “Blink 182,” and that they will have him come to my outlet in a few minutes. When he came over for the interview I said “Hey, what's up Adam!” Obviously that wasn't his name. He said “What?” and I said “yeah, Adam, that's your name right?” I totally got his name wrong and was so embarrassed. Let’s just say, that situation never happened again!
iaam: How do you fund your travels to interview celebrities? Ruba: Just like most investments, you have to fund yourself or product. In my case my show is my product and everything comes out of my pocket: photo shoots, filming equipment, styling, websites, the list goes on.
iaam: What advice would you give to others who would like to follow in your footsteps? Ruba: Make sure this is something you LOVE to do because a lot of people may do certain things for the fame of it and at the end of the day they aren't happy. If it's something you love it shouldn't matter how much money you make, etc., although the money is a plus, ha-ha. Just be persistent, know who you are, don't try to be someone else that you've seen. People want to see something different, not the same old thing wrapped in a new package.
iaam: What do you do for fun? Ruba: I love to take dance classes—all different styles of dance, hip-hop, modern jazz, etc. It's just something about being in a dance studio with other dancers and blaring music that I can't get enough of. Also, I love acting, and that’s always been something I've wanted to do.
iaam: What do you want to accomplish by age 25? Ruba: I'm going to have 4 Emmys for “Outstanding Talk Show,” and I'm going to have my own magazine, clothing line, and network. In other words, I'm going to be a successful entrepreneur, mark my words!
