Connect
http://www.gigieatscelebrities.com
Education
CU-Boulder – Bachelor of Science, Broadcast Journalism
Tufts University – Earning Certification in Nutrition
Gigi Dubois started her professional life the same way most of us do: submitting her application to countless postings online, crossing her fingers and hoping for the best. Frustrated with the process and realizing her motivations weren’t going to instantly translate to passion, Gigi decided to be a little more proactive and create her dream job instead.
And that’s pretty much how Gigi left the idea of corporate life behind to become a “professional celebrity eater.” While she’d be more than obliged to take a bite out of Ryan Reynolds (and who wouldn’t?), that’s really just a very Gigi way to say she’s the founder of the website Gigi Eats Celebrities. What started as an exploration of the oddities of celebrity dieting is now an all-encompassing, light-hearted look at food and health. Whether she’s noshing on Paris Hilton’s latest crash diet or proclaiming her love for soda water, Gigi knows the importance of continual development and dreaming big. “I do aspire to one day have a talk show,” Gigi admits. Our DVR is ready.
Not a moment goes by where I’m not thinking about how to better my site, videos and brand.
How did you discover your current job?
I actually created my own job as a professional celebrity and grocery eater. I used to constantly scour job website after job website, only to go cross-eyed from seeing the same mundane listings over and over again. At that point, I just wanted a job so I could have (health) benefits and have my eyes checked! After realizing the only thing I was getting was a headache from submitting my resume and cover letter to the black hole that is job websites, I decided to take matters into my own hands and create a job for myself—and thus, GiGi Eats Celebrities was born!
We’re loving your humorous take on health! Tell our readers a little bit about your website, GiGi Eats Celebrities, and about it’s mission.
Well, what more can I say that isn’t already in the name? I eat celebrities! Duh! Okay, just kidding—however, I wouldn’t mind taking a bite out of Ryan Reynolds.
Truly though, GiGi Eats Celebrities started out as a blog and vlog (video blog) based on the mystical world of celebrity diet and fitness trends. I would poke fun at celebrities that go to EXTREMES in order to achieve their “red carpet ready” bodies. I would then discuss how to achieve this look without noshing on cabbage for the rest of your life, eating specific colored foods on specific days of the week, or starving yourself. I mean, who wants to eat nine hardboiled eggs a day?
Since the launch of my website, I’ve expanded it exponentially. I now discuss the healthy and not-so-healthy foods lining the grocery store shelves, cook up some delicious “GIGI APPROVED” recipes in my kitchen with very special guests and a few other developments are in the works!
What does your job involve, and what types of responsibilities do you have in your position?
My job as a blog and vlogger is quite intense. Not a moment goes by where I’m not thinking about how to better my site, videos and brand.
What about your job makes it feel like the perfect fit for you?
I’m my own boss! I call the shots! No one can fire me! Creating this job for myself has been a dream come true, because I can mold it to my lifestyle and schedule.
What challenges keep you awake at night?
While it’s not challenging, social media has a tendency to keep me up at night. I have certainly had nightmares of the twitter bird flying out from my closet and pecking at me like a woodpecker! Don’t even get me started with the Hootsuite Owl.
The mass amount of new social media websites that are launched every day can get quite overwhelming; however, I’ve learned what works and what doesn’t and I don’t waste my time with the things that don’t. Unfortunately, the twitter bird will forever haunt me.
Is work/life balance ever a problem with you? If so, what is one no-fail tactic you use to create balance?
I’ve actually been diagnosed with “worife.” It’s a disease where my professional and personal life blend together so much, that my conversations and almost everything I do on a daily basis is to some how enhance the brand that is me. The funny thing is, every one of my friends is the same way. We are all so very driven by success, that I tend to not notice my “disease” very often. What helps me stay at ease, though—other than working out daily and getting a lot of sleep—is talking to friends and family who don’t quite understand what I’m doing, thus I have to talk about other things with them.
Was there ever a moment in your career where you’ve thought, “I made it!” What was it?
Every day, I tell myself how lucky I am to be doing what I want to do. All too often, I hear about people who dread waking up in the morning to get to their 9-5 job every day. Happiness is a huge part of success and I’ve certainly accomplished that aspect.
I don’t want to say I’ve experienced the “I made it” moment, but only because that sounds so final. I’ve had plenty of, “Wow, this is reality?” or “This is incredible and it’s my life” moments that continue to inspire me to keep on going, though!
What are some of the rules you live by?
-Do not compare yourself to others.
-It is what it is.
-Everything happens for a reason.
-Use failure and/or rejection as motivation to grow.
-Everyone has a purpose in life.
What qualities does it take for someone to be successful in your line of work?
Dedication. It’s a huge commitment to start a website and video series, because at first, there’s very little monetary compensation and in fact, sometimes there isn’t any at all. What fueled me are all the comments and emails I’d receive (and still do) from followers, letting me know that I’m doing the right thing. I actually save these types of e-mails and when I have a less than stellar day, I read them. They pump me up.
What one piece of advice do you wish you could tell a 21-year-old version of yourself?
Stop caring what other people think! I think so many younger people (and some older as well) suffer from this problem when, at the end of the day, people at that age can be pretty selfish and tend to only care about themselves. Will Michelle remember what you wore tomorrow? Does Brandon really care that you have a zit on your forehead? Nope and nope.
What is your vision for the future of GiGi Eats Celebrities?
I have so many visions for GiGi Eats Celebrities. I see a walk on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. (No I don’t; really I don’t.) However, I do aspire to one day have a talk show. Mix "Live with Kelly and Michael" with "The Soup" and "Dr. Oz". That certainly is an interesting combination—a little sweet and a little sour, but who doesn’t like that flavor profile? I do know I’d be able to make it work, though. In order to try and reach this goal, well, I did mention that I have other developments in the works for GiGi Eats Celebrities, so … you’ll just have to wait and see!