Jul 18, 2016 8 Questions with: Ellie Lee
My life was changed after I met Ellie Lee. I moved into a new apartment in Brooklyn, I was freelancing and it was summertime; I had all the time in the world. I received a message from a friend of mine who suggested I adopt a dog that he was fostering. Was definitely NOT in the market for a dog and never even thought of owning a pet. But for some reason, something made me say “sure”. This decision sparked the first of many steps to meeting my first “child”, a rescue dog named Mitzy. At the time, Ellie was working with rescue groups in New Jersey and was rescuing dogs, fostering them and giving them new opportunities at life. You can follow her Instagram account dedicated to the rescues called @DawgFosters.
The native New Jerseyan is not just a dog lover with a kind heart, she is a TV personality for networks like MTV Korea, VH1 News, People Style, and Anime News Network. Many people recognize her from being the pop culture correspondent on VH1’s “Big Morning Buzz Live” hosted by Nick Lachey. In other words, she is besties with a pop star heartthrob. She is currently an entertainment journalist on “The Wendy Williams Show” where she talks celebrity gossip from time to time and is also one of the new faces for iHeartRadio. She also does these super hilarious “:60 Roundups” of all things Hollywood related; celeb beef, Game of Thrones episode recaps, Kanye rants, Taylor Swift relationship status. You name it, she’s covering it.
Ellie’s notorious for making celebs feel like they are back in high school; giggling in their rooms at a weekend slumber party, talking late night gossip and taking selfies. It’s pretty hilarious seeing Zac Efron and Seth Rogen play “Guess The Chest”. Yes folks, it’s exactly what it sounds like, they guess whose chest is in the picture. If the word “charisma” can be personified, her name would be Ellie Lee.
Where did you grow up?
I was born and raised in New Jersey with a conservative, Christian, Korean upbringing. I’m the oldest of 3 and grew up very timid and quiet and spent all my time in church. I’m 100% an East Coast girl, not only was I born and raised in NJ, but I went to school in New York, moved out to New York on my own at 24, and still work and live here now.
What did you want to be when you were growing up?
I wanted to be a singer but I couldn’t sing then I wanted to be a teacher because I liked the idea of grading papers and putting stickers on them but I soon realized that my passion was to be on camera. I’ve known it since I was 13 that the only thing I ever wanted to do was to be a TV host.
Best celebrity story, go!
I binge-watched every season of Game of Thrones and then covered the red carpet for their 4th season with VH1 and I nearly had a heart attack because I was internally fan-girling so hard. Everyone that I just became obsessed with in the show was walking down the red carpet and I was speaking with them, it was nuts.
What is the one thing you wish you invented?
The first thing I thought of were silly bands-only because it was a quick trend and that guy made a lot of money off of it. I just want to make a lot of money so I can buy land/farm and fill it with rescue animals.
How did you get into rescuing dogs?
I’ve been doing this for 10+ years now! I really had a deep connection with one of my family dogs, Decy, and from there my love for dogs just kept growing and when I saw what was happening in shelters, with backyard breeders, with euthanasia, I know I had to do something.
Thoughts on social media?
Gift & a curse. It’s a gift because it can be great for spreading awareness on issues, raising money for awesome charities/causes, and it’s been a heaven sent gift when it comes to rescuing animals, but it’s a curse because we all spend way too much time being glued to our phones/computers.
What is the next big project you have?
I’m currently the new on-camera talent for iHeart Radio so lots of fun stuff is happening!
Any hidden talents?
I can beat a lot of mediocre playing guys in ping pong.
