Priya Jethani is a dynamic individual whose talents span across various domains, including artistry, acting, anchoring, and digital content creation. With a versatile career that has seen her excel as a ZEE TV presenter, host for prestigious events like the ICCT20 Cricket World Cup and IPL 2022, and awarded as the Best Wedding Emcee by WeddingSutra, Priya’s journey is a testament to her multifaceted abilities and relentless pursuit of excellence. What sets Priya apart is her ability to effectively manage dual careers—a skill honed through years of experience as a TV and stage presenter, seamlessly transitioning into the realm of content creation.
In this interview with MissMalini, Priya Jethani opens up about her journey from a TV presenter to a content creator, and the things she learnt in her journey. She also highlights some of the special moments in her journey that she holds close to her heart. If you are a budding content creator, read on, as she has some tips for you!
1. You started off your journey from TV, what is one thing that working on Tele as a medium taught you?
I can say that I pretty much learned everything about being an anchor in my first-ever job as a TV presenter. I had just begun to understand camera angles in my modelling assignments when Zee Connect came along. Then I learned more about how to be on camera along with things like how to present a script given to me. In my very first season, I found myself interviewing some very big celebrities and personalities and realized how intimidating it can be to meet them for the very first time. I had to maintain my calm, break the ice and carry out an interesting conversation within ONE TAKE once the cameras rolled. 8 years of doing this now and I think I can say it has taught me so much but I am still learning and finding flaws in myself.
2. How did you move from being a presenter to a content creator, and how was the shift?
As I started getting popular through my work on television, I also kept growing on social media. Facebook and Instagram platforms were coming up then and I knew they were the future. I started posting all my work on my social media and slowly my following increased. People started observing, commenting, and following my lifestyle choices from the outfits I wore to the workouts I did and many other things. I looked at social media complementing my work and made an effort to grow it alongside my career as an anchor. Gradually brands started approaching me to do social campaigns for them and I also started doing social content with the celebrities I met for a TV interview. Today I am managing a dual career.
3. How do you manage to maintain this multifaceted approach in your professional life?
I think it just comes to you like a gut instinct and then you’re able to balance it all out like it’s nothing. Today I shuffle from being a TV presenter to a live show anchor, to an actor sometimes and a content creator. I enjoy every part of my multifaceted career and that keeps me going and working harder every day. Not everyone gets to find a passion and live it too. I found mine late in life but so glad that I did and gave it more than my 100%.
4. What are some of the challenges you face juggling all these various roles in your professional life?
It does get taxing to do everything together. For example, while I am preparing to do a celebrity interview I am also thinking of what social content I can propose to create with them and then ensure we are able to shoot this during our interview slot. Once we are done I immediately get to editing the content and posting it coz timing is so important too. Similarly some days my day starts with a TV shoot followed by a brand campaign shoot followed by an event that I am hosting. While these are my most productive days they can be exhausting physically and mentally. Trying to do so much every day on the work front makes me burn out and at times it gives me very little flexibility for my personal life- be it spending time with my partner, celebrating special days in our lives, or travel plans. My work takes center stage and everything kind of revolves around it but I have started now consciously making the effort to take time off.
5. As a content creator, what is the one advice you would give to other aspiring content creators?
I would say this may seem like an easy job but it really isn’t. Go for it only if you have the power to think, execute, post content out there frequently and handle failure. Not every piece of content you post will do well, the anticipation of engagement on your post and not getting what you expected can be depressing and demotivating. You’ve gotta embrace every feeling and effort that comes along with the job but not let it get to you.
6. What is one memory from your professional life that you hold close to your heart?
I guess it has to be the interview with King Khan. I interviewed SRK in the very first season of hosting Zee Connect and I was shivering before the interview for maybe 4 hours whilst I waited at the hotel for him to arrive. I was so sure I was gonna ruin that interview but instead it became one of my most amazing conversations. The way he spoke didn’t just calm me down but charmed me completely. He is truly the Badshah of Bollywood.
Balancing her roles as a presenter and a digital creator, Priya Jethani navigates the demands of both worlds with finesse, showcasing her versatility and adaptability in an ever-evolving industry. As she continues to make waves in the entertainment landscape, Priya Jethani’s ability to strike a harmonious balance between her traditional broadcasting career and her innovative ventures in digital content creation serves as an inspiration to aspiring artists and creators alike.