Presenter and judge
Julia Roberts was one of the first presenters on air when QVC UK launched in 1993, so she was the perfect choice to judge Search for a Presenter. Julia lets us in on why she loves being a QVC presenter and shares her tips for aspiring stars.
What's your favourite part of being a presenter at QVC?
The variety, no two days are the same. As a news reader you are always reading off an autocue, so it can get repetitive, but things are always changing at QVC. I'm also a performer, so I love the limelight.
What is the hardest part of your job?
It's got harder as we've expanded on to different platforms like the internet. There are lots of messages to remember - in the past you just needed to talk about the product and give the product number. Although listening to the producer talking in my ear while I present isn't a problem - having kids was good training for that!
What was your audition like?
I remember being terribly, terribly nervous, but looking at it again I didn't look nervous at all! I had to prepare a 10 -minute sale about a mobile phone - it was like a brick - then without warning they gave me a pencil and asked me to speak about it for four minutes. I was called back for an interview with the American bosses who asked me "if you were a can of soup what would you be?" I said mushroom soup, because I'm vegetarian and he said "you're definitely not mushroom soup." I don't know what that means!
Do you still get nervous?
Not so much, but I do for big events like Breast Cancer Care, because I want it to go well and I know that the phones are going to go crazy. It's good to have that bubbly feeling before you go on, to get the adrenalin going, because if you're too relaxed your performance can be flat.
"I want to see people looking tidy and clean"
What kind of things will you be looking for in the aspiring presenters?
- • Presentation - initially I want to see that people have made an effort. I'd never go on air without my hair and nails looking their best, so I want to see people making the best of themselves and looking tidy and clean.
- • Clear speech - presenters can be talking on air for a few hours a day and people will turn off if they have to struggle to hear them; so clear speech that's easy to listen to is very important.
- • Honesty - you can sell anything to anyone once, but if you aren't honest about what the product can do they won't trust you again. I don't want to see people overselling a product and making claims that can't be backed up. Honesty is always the best policy.
What advice would you give to anyone looking to get into presenting?
- • Practice in front of the mirror. Before the audition for my first presenting job I practiced for a couple of days in front of the mirror, looking at my different facial expressions. It lets you practice making eye contact - with yourself - which is very important in television.
- • Be yourself. If you try and act a part you're going to have to keep it up whenever you are on air, so just be yourself.
Find out more about Julia Roberts and read her skincare advice
