DONNY
Podcaster and Entertainment Writer
Where to find Donny:
Tell us a little bit about yourself
I’ve lived in NYC for the past 14 years after being born and raised in the Philadelphia area. I love… anything that a teenage girl is the target audience for: movies, music, books – if a 14 year old is enjoying it, so am I. Also, bring back pooka shells and double popped collars.
What inspired you to get involved in creating?
I love making people laugh. Bonus points for making them gasp or drop their jaw in shock while laughing. So to be able to do that on a larger scale and not just at brunch brings me such joy. I love staying active in my DMs and finding people on this planet that are just as unhinged and chaotic as I am. Creating has helped me find my people.
What is your favorite kind of content to make?
I love front facing camera work, whether it is sporting a wig and doing character work or greenscreening myself in front of a Babysitter’s Club book cover as I tear it apart, I feel like I thrive when it’s just me, the camera, and my audience.
What is your favorite type of content to consume?
I love character work. Whether it’s making a trending sound their own with a relatable scenario or an original idea, a creator who can step into someone else’s shoes for a video will never fail to make me laugh. (Sabrina Brier and Meg Stalter are some of my favs)
Why nostalgia and pop culture?
The world can be a scary place to navigate, and while we should all be aware of what’s going on around us, it also is important to escape for a bit to protect your mental health. And for me, pop culture has always been that safe space. So retreating to the media I took in as a child and early teen feels *extra* safe. Like a warm hug from Buffy herself.
What’s a nostalgic memory that you think of often?
I quote “Cruel Intentions” every day of my life and think about the Selma Blair/SMG kiss at least once a week.
What movie would best describe your life?
Ingrid Goes West (I didn’t say I was proud of it)
Top 5 songs that would be on your playlist
Candy – Mandy Moore
It’s Alright It’s Okay – Ashley Tisdale
How Do I Deal – Jennifer Love Hewitt,
Cut to the Feeling – Carly Rae Jepsen
Summer Girl – Leighton Meester
Tell us about your podcast and where we can find it
I co-host “I Am The Cute One” with @ohnochels. It originally began as a Mary Kate and Ashley rewatch podcast, but after covering their mystery movies and “You’re Invited” series and not finding a large audience, we thought… maybe people didn’t care about a MK&A rewatch podcast? (Shocking, I know.) So we turned our sights to movies from our formative years, “covering” movies from the 80s – mid 2000s. (I use the term “covering” so very loosely, as we use the movie as a rough outline but truly go on tangents about any and everything. We warn our guests that coming on our show is the podcast equivalent of stepping in a monkey’s cage at the zoo.) We recently started recording two episodes a week, with our second episode covering (again… used very loosely) current events. Our show can be found wherever you listen to podcasts (Apple, Spotify, etc) and video versions of our Friday episodes can be found on Youtube, as well.
Which one of you is actually THE CUTE ONE?
Just like MK & A, we each have our cute days. (But it’s me.)
Where do you feel yourself in 1 year?
Jodie Sweetin followed me this week, so I feel like I’ve truly made it. In one year, fingers crossed that the entire “Full House” cast will be following me? (Except Candace Cameron – she has me blocked. Oops.)
What about 5?
I want nothing more in life than to be on “Big Brother” or “The Circle,” so if I get on either of these sooner than later, hopefully I’ll be doing nothing in 5 years but making Cameos and appearing on every season of “The Challenge” until I die.
What advice would you give for someone else looking to create that may feel intimidated or just needs some overall advice?
What did Nike say? Just do it. You will always think you’re not ready to begin – your mic isn’t good enough, your editing skills aren’t good enough, your camera isn’t good enough. Worry about that later. Start now and be consistent with it. You’ll have time to brush up on your editing skills and get better equipment later!
Which tv show cast do you wish were your besties?
Desperate Housewives. Is it so that I can finally know what really happened that fateful day of the infamous Vanity Fair photoshoot? Perhaps. But I also think Marcia Cross would adore me.
A phrase you would leave for a nostalchick
Money can’t buy happiness, but it can buy a lot of other things (this was also my yearbook quote…)
Where to find Donny:
