Monday

Entertainment

TV Personality Aashna Patel

You’re bored at home, grab the television remote and start to flip through different channels. “MTV Cribs, nah, that’s a re-run,” “The Bachelor, nah, they’re gonna get divorced in a month,” “Zee TV, nah, same old story, different show…” After a few minutes, you stop on the Travel Channel and see a gorgeous South Asian-Indian woman on the screen, inviting you to come and tour an amazing tropical retreat with her.

Meet Aashna Patel, host of “Vacation Home Search” on the Travel Channel, where she has taken viewers through luxurious retreats across the world!

Aashna Patel has all the characteristics needed to host her own television show: she’s confident. savvy, glamorous and has a bubbly personality too! She’s the perfect entertainment reporter who brings an energizing and uplifting style to the small screen. But the Travel Channel isn’t the only place where Aashna will whisk you away to tropical getaways. When flying America West, US Airways or American Airlines, you can also catch her on “Travel ala Mode” where she takes you on a journey to exotic destinations.

But travel isn’t her only forte. This well-known television personality has also reported for CNN’s “World Beat,” “Extra” and TV Guide Television’s “Hollywood Insider.” It’s because of her quick wit and cleverness has earned her interviews with the Who’s Who of Hollywood including Tom Hanks, Mariah Carey, Madonna, Britney Spears, and many others to the cast of “Friends” and “Will & Grace.”

As you can see, Aashna is all over the place! She’s made her mark in media and has also established herself as a musician too! Her self-titled album was released in Canada with MCA records; her single “Kiss Me” and her second album were both released during the fall of 2006, quickly creating a musical name for herself.

I’m not quite sure how to say this, but media and music aren’t the only two M’s Aashna is interested in! Modeling and Movies are also in the works! I had that chance to sit down with this television Diva and it was awesome to finally put the interviewer in the hot seat!

Aashna, very few South Asian-Indians have made it to mainstream TV and you’re known most famously for hosting “Vacation Home Search” on the Travel Channel and “Travel ala Mode” for American Airlines and US Airways. How did you land these hosting opportunities?
I really wanted to see the world and get paid for it. Sound familiar? Ha!  I sent my resume and demo reel to the Travel Channel.  I also auditioned for “Travel ala Mode” around the same time. I was offered both “Vacation Home Search” and “Travel ala Mode” the same day…I felt very lucky and blessed.

What has been one of the most amazing places you’ve been since you started hosting travel shows?
There have been so many. I love Costa Rica. It’s such a beautiful country where you can do just about anything. One of the most beautiful spas is “Tabacón Grand Spa Thermal Resort.”  It’s a five-star property with a spectacular view of the Arenal Volcano and is a must see. I also went zip-lining in one of the many rainforests for the first time. If you haven’t done that, put it on your list of things to do in this lifetime. It was exhilarating! 

Is your job really as glamorous as it looks on TV?
Yes and no. Yes because I visit exotic locations, stay in luxurious resorts, experience some of the leading spas of the world and enjoy International delicacies.  And no because I host and field produce the show and work 13-18 hours a day. There is nothing glamorous about the hours but I truly love my job.

Tell us about being part of the team at NBC’s “Extra,” TV Guide Channel’s “Hollywood Insider,”  CNN’s “World Beat” and YTV’s “The Hit List.”
There have been so many great times hosting and reporting for these shows.  “Extra” and “Hollywood Insider”  gave me the opportunity to interview Hollywood celebs like Dustin Hoffman, Steven Martin, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Martin Short, the casts of “Friends”, “Will and Grace” and the list goes on. On “World Beat” and “The Hit List” I interviewed the top singers and performers like Mariah Carey, Madonna, Justin Timberlake, Britney Spears and every popular boy band in the US, UK and Canada.

You walked the red carpet and interviewed Tom Hanks! What was that experience like?
I had a fantastic time with Tom Hanks on the red carpet.  I started missing his comedic side in movies like “Bachelor Party” and “Big.” My interview with him was all about having fun and making each other laugh. I loved it.

Bernie Mac was another actor you got so sit down and chat with. How funny is he in person?
He’s hilarious but what I love most about Bernie Mac is his down to earth personality.  We teased each other the entire day. He kept telling me not to sit in his favorite chair and of course I did the exact opposite. I love interviewing comedians. They push my buttons and I push theirs even harder. Ha!

Any comments on The Rock?! Is he as tough in person and he looks on the screen?
The Rock is not tough at all in person. He’s a gentle giant.

So Aashna, what’s it like to be put in the hot-seat and have the questions directed towards you?
As long as the seat is hot, I’ll always love it. Ha. My blood is quite thin since I’ve moved to La La Land. All kidding aside, it’s a lot easier being on this end.

Many people may not know this, but you’re also a singer! How long have you been singing for? When did you get your first big break?
I’m pretty sure I have been singing since I was a baby. Music has always been a huge part of my life. My grandma was a singer in India and my mom sang all day long at home. My first big break was singing and dancing at Canada’s Wonderland. I performed in front of thousands of people during one of my high school summer vacations.

What is it like to sing for over 50,000 people when you perform the American and Canadian National anthems for Major League baseball games and for NBA games?
Everyone including the athletes sings along and the vibrations in the stadiums give me a high. I started singing the anthems for the MLB and NBA when I was 14 and I still perform throughout North America. Plus, watching the games live is a great perk.

You created a lot of buzz with your self titled album and single “Endlessly.” Are there more singles or another album in the works?
My first album was released with MCA Canada. I’m currently writing and recording new songs and plan to release another album in 2009.

However television and singing aren’t your only two fortes! Your acting talents are see in Warner Brother’s “Swaroop” and Disney’s “Filmore.” Tell us about working with two very large production houses.
I love playing characters that stretch my acting muscles.  I played grandmas in both “Swaroop” and “Filmore.”  With animation, you don’t have to look the part…you just have to sound the part. You can show up in your pjs.  I love comedy and will do just about anything to make someone laugh. I’m looking forward to playing more animated characters in the future.

What advice do you have for those who want to make a career in film and television?
Be the best you can be at your craft and always be genuine, gracious and appreciative. Everything else will fall into place.

What are your final words for your fans and readers of Bravura Artist?
Thanks for the interview Tirusha and of course to everyone, thanks for your support.  When you have the chance, check out my best friend and “brother from another mother” Chirag Amin at WWW.AAZIN.COM.