Celebrity Journalism with Cathy Nolan

By: Halle Garrus

Edited by: Bryan Weary

Thursday, March 27^th at the International Media Seminar in Paris, France started with a talk by celebrity journalist for People Magazine in Paris, Cathy Nolan. Nolan spent 20 years as Bureau Chief in Paris working for people magazine. Nolan’s talk was quite intriguing due to the work that was expected of her while at People.

Nolan spoke of working hand and hand with paparazzi and having to stalk the celebrities whom her and her team wished to write breaking news about. This particular discussion played on my likes and dislikes for this particular industry. It played on my likes because who wouldn’t want to follow their favorite celebrity around the city they occupy and in some cases even wine and dine them to get the real story about the happenings of their lives. However the conversation did play heavily on my dislike for the industry.

Nolan spoke of the importance in having a tough skin to work in this area of communications. I nevertheless, felt myself feeling empathy or putting myself in the “famous” person’s shoes. How would l feel if I were someone in the public eye and myself or family members were in a terrifying accident, near death, or in some cases even a death situation and while being worried and terrified you have to concern yourself with a slew of rowdy reporters and jaded journalist who you know don’t give a care in the world about what is happening to you or your family they just want the latest story or update and they want it fast. Kicking someone when they are already down was never something I could bring myself to do and I hope that it never comes to that although, it’s part of the deal when you sign up for the job. It was surly a question that got me thinking and that’s the point of the conference is it not?