Our spotlight this month is on breast cancer awareness. Today, we shine a light on the wonderful Giuliana Rancic, herself a breast cancer survivor. Read our interview and see why we are so taken by Giuliana and her advocacy efforts.
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You were born in Naples, Italy and moved to the United States when you were just a young girl. Is it true you first learned the English language by watching TV? Is that where your love and interest in the fashion and entertainment industry began?
Yes! I learned the language by watching Sesame Street and the evening news. The local news is definitely how my love for reporting and hosting began. I thought I was going to go into hard news, but while I was getting my master’s degree in journalism, my professor suggested I might enjoy entertainment news much more. As for fashion, my father, Eduardo DePandi, is a master tailor from Naples, Italy and makes the most beautiful, high-end custom suits for some of the best dressed men in Washington, DC. I learned a great deal from him while spending my afternoons after school in his shop. My older sister, Monica, worked for Versace and has the most incredible eye for fashion and style - the best I have ever seen. I learned most everything I know about style from two great fashion role models.
And now, flash-forward to the present day. You are so many things – an influencer, journalist, best-selling author, fashion designer, vintner, wife and mom (and sister and daughter!). How do you prioritize and get it all done?
Women always ask me “How do you balance motherhood and work?”, and the best answer I can give is this: When I’m at work, I give 100% to work and resist the urge to hop on a call with friends (and do online shopping in between meetings).
And when I am home, I give 100% to home and resist the urge to answer work emails (and sit on Instagram for an hour!) and really focus on my son and husband.
If I truly focus on what I am doing at the time, I'm typically able to find a good balance between family and work. There are obvious exceptions to this rule but for the most part, I try to stick to it and it has worked for me so far. As for online shopping? I do that late at night when everyone's in bed. Lol!
You call yourself a dream chaser. We love this! Tell us, what is the next dream you will be chasing?
Great question! I just launched Giuliana Prosecco, which is the most refreshing and delicious Prosecco I have ever tasted. We are rolling it out as we speak so you can follow us at @GiulianaProsecco to get updates as we expand into different cities around the country and the world. I have been working on another incredibly special project that I am launching in early 2018. It involves an idea I came up with after I was diagnosed with breast cancer and centers around making life changes in terms of nutrition and beauty. This project is very near and dear to my heart and has changed my life. I cannot wait to share it with the world.
What advice would you share with our readers as they attempt to carve out and create their best life?
People always say, “Do what you love,” but I like to take that one step further and say “Do what you love and what you genuinely enjoy.” I believe when something comes to you naturally, it’s typically something you enjoy doing, and you have a certain ease and excitement when doing it. To be able to make a career or take a job while doing something that excites you, is a win-win in my eyes. For example, I love talking to people, hearing their stories, and asking questions about their lives, therefore, interviewing people comes very easily to me. I think that’s one of the reasons I love my job and have accomplished my goals throughout my career path. It truly doesn’t feel like work when it’s second nature.
Imagine if women, collectively, obsessed about the things we love about ourselves… What makes you happy to be you? (And as a side note, your G’s Obsessions on your website is awesome. We highly recommend it for a quick-view of fun things to want and get!)
The thing I am most proud of is my ability to talk to anyone from anywhere in the world. I think that comes from traveling quite a bit with my parents when I was younger and having a big, Italian family who loves to laugh and talk…a lot!!! I have been blessed with gracious parents who are very welcoming and open. I’m a lucky girl, that’s for sure.
We admire how you consciously use your influence and voice to make a positive social impact. In what area do you see yourself making the biggest difference?
I started a foundation a few years ago called Fab-U-Wish, where we grant wishes to women going through breast cancer treatment, as well as raise funds for breast cancer research. I have partnered with The Pink Agenda; together we grant wishes and raise money for the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. I would like to continue my work in this area and encourage women to start putting themselves and, specifically, their health, on their To-Do List. I hope to continue to share my story of being diagnosed at 36 years old with no family history of breast cancer, so other women will think to themselves, "if it can happen to her, it can happen to me." Hopefully, that will move others to take action and schedule that long-overdue doctor's appointment or mammogram.
You have a golden life, but you have also faced and overcome some very real challenges and setbacks, including winning the battles of cancer and infertility. Would you share some words of wisdom to our readers that helped you as you traveled these roads?
The phrase that got me through hard times was “This too shall pass.” No matter how tough the days were or how much I cried in bed during the sadder nights, the sun always came up the next day, and I was always able to keep moving forward. Eventually, the pain started to pass.
You are candid, funny, incisive and whip-smart. Is there someone you look to as a mentor or for inspiration?
My mom, Anna. She is the funniest, wittiest woman I know. She lights up every single room she walks into. I am so blessed to call her my mom.
Finish this sentence: In 20 years, I hope I am…
still ridiculously happy and healthy.
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We are inspired by all that Giuliana does, the way she does it, and who she is … Thank you, Giuliana!
And, to all of you reading this, please be sure to prioritize your health, keep it at the top of your to-do lists, and schedule your appointments. Be well and take care.