Photo: @candiceonair on Instagram
For radio host, Candice Valdez, her favorite part of her role as on air talent for Radio Disney and host of the D23 Inside Disney Podcast is being able to connect with the listeners, and connect fans to their favorite artists.
“A lot of times we are able to put listeners on the phone directly with artists and let them ask questions which is really cool,” she said.
Valdez has also been able to have an impact on the younger generation by influencing and inspiring them.
“If they’re having a bad day sometimes it just takes a little phone chat. A little motivation or even a song when they request it to make them feel better,” she said.
Valdez started as a part time promotions assistant in the road crew at another station and eventually was offered a role in Radio Disney. She has always taken initiative and learned how to do production, promotions, be on air, report traffic and produce a show. Thus, demonstrating the dedication and versatility it takes to be in the industry. Throughout the years, she has gotten to report live from the Disney Parks like on the opening day of Rise of the Resistance and even host the Radio Disney Music Awards.
Photo: @candiceonair on Instagram
“Getting to actually be on Disney Channel was a dream come true. My parents came out from Dallas where I’m from. They were in the audience and saw me do what I do,” she said. She was also featured in the Disney book and documentary “One Day At Disney,” streaming on Disney Plus.
She also loved covering Media Day at Disney’s Aulani Resort because it was her first time going to Hawaii.
“It's always been a dream of mine to go there so to go for work and to broadcast there on the island was amazing. I did radio breaks from the beach, while someone was playing a ukelele for me,” she said.
She recalls her first interview being the country band, Rascal Flatts. “It was back in the day when they released music for the Cars soundtrack. It’s kind of crazy thinking back to that interview and how successful they are now.”
She notes that the most challenging aspect of being a host is that there is no set daily routine and “you just never know what’s going to pop up on the calendar, who’s going to come by.”
Some of her favorite celebrity encounters that came to mind were Ed Sheeran, Pharrell, Meghan Trainor, and Elton John. She remembers that Ed Sheeran was very friendly the first time he came to the Radio Disney Studios.
“I think he probably asked me more questions than I asked him before we even started the interview. He’s a big Disney fan and just had a lot of interesting questions about working here and going to Disneyland,” Valdez said.
Pharrell Williams was another big interview for her because “he’s very intimidating, and soft spoken, when he speaks it’s like poetry, so that was a fun one.”
Megan Trainor is always one of Valdez’s favorites because “she is just so real, funny and down to earth. She doesn’t take herself too seriously so we have the best conversations.”
She also recalled her interview with Elton John being one of her earlier on camera talks. She hadn’t been nervous until someone mentioned to her that he goes by the title of “Sir” which she had not thought about before. However, he was totally warm and welcoming.
“The first thing he said was ‘you’ve paired your necklace perfectly with your dress. I thought that was so cute that he complimented me on my outfit, so that was very memorable,” she said.
Photo: @candiceonair on Instagram
Her advice for aspiring hosts is to be relatable and a good listener. She points out that in the middle of celebrity interviews they could say anything they choose to say and it may take the conversation in a completely different direction.
“If you have your kind of map of where you think the interview is going to be going or where you want it to be going it may not end up that way at all. Typically it doesn’t, being a good listener is probably the best skill when it comes to interviewing,” Valdez said.
While she says it’s good to take inspiration from people you admire, Valdez also notes that “your personality is what makes you a radio personality, just be yourself.”
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