By Mana Faye
Photo of Danielle Long.
Danielle Long's journey into entertainment and media isn't one you hear every day. It's a story of twists, turns, and a relentless pursuit of dreams that once seemed out of reach.
The Unexpected Start
Danielle started her college years as a nursing major, balancing her studies with a job at a bank. But deep down, she knew something was missing. She finally earned her communications degree, yet found herself working in finance, a field that, while stable, didn't ignite her passion. At 25, Danielle faced what she calls a "quarter-life crisis," finding herself questioning the future and asking what she wanted to do for the rest of her life.
She had always been an avid fan of "E! News" and the glitz and glam of Hollywood, especially the idea of interviewing celebrities. However, she understood that the path ahead wouldn't be easy.
"A lot of work goes into it," she tells NYABJ Pulse, recalling how she made a bold decision to chase her wildest dream. She quit her job in finance, giving herself a year to figure things out. Just weeks before deciding to return to the finance world, she landed a job at The International Business Times (IBT) as an Entertainment Reporter.
Danielle's transition wasn't entirely out of the blue. In college, she interned at a TV and radio station, where she first dipped her toes into the media world. Even while working at the bank, she wrote for blogs, offering finance tips and travel advice. Her skill and curiosity for writing were always there, just waiting to be fully unleashed.
After years of working behind the scenes, Danielle took on a role as a relationship and lifestyle writer for Elite Daily, where she got her first pieces published a decade ago. That experience marked the start of her journey as a writer and fueled her desire to pursue more on-screen opportunities.
After spending a year at IBT, Danielle knew she had to do something to take her career to the next level. She left the Midwest and returned home to New Jersey, intending to land a job in the bigger New York City market. Her determination paid off when she landed a job at ABC in January 2020, just weeks before the world shut down due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The ABC Years and Beyond
During her four years at ABC, Danielle covered everything from breaking news to celebrity interviews, with one of her favorite experiences being an interview with Ciara.
"I never get starstruck," Danielle recalls. "But talking to Ciara on Zoom felt like chatting with a homegirl. She was the sweetest person, beautiful inside and out."
Advice for Aspiring Creatives
Reflecting on her journey from finance to entertainment, Danielle offers advice to those starting in the industry: "Don't be scared to go after what you want. The universe has a great way of putting people in your path to help make it happen. You don't have to have it all figured out. I used to be a big planner, but I've learned that life is unpredictable, and that's okay."
She also emphasizes the importance of faith and perseverance.
"I think it's a mix of luck and faith," she says. "Knowing that anything is possible if you work towards it has been a guiding force in my life."
The Next Chapter: US Weekly and Beyond
Now as a writer and editor at Us Weekly, Danielle has returned to her roots in entertainment writing, connecting with diverse audiences who share her love for TV and entertainment. It's a different pace from her work at ABC, but one that allows her to dive deep into the stories that connect most with her audience.
"It's only been about a month," she says, "but I'm looking forward to getting some interviews under my belt and really exploring these topics."
When she's not writing, Danielle is an avid TV watcher, tracking all her favorite shows on the TV Club app. Though her path has been anything but conventional, Danielle Long's journey is a testament to the power of following your dreams, no matter how wild they may seem. As she continues to carve out her place in the entertainment world, one thing is clear: this is only the beginning.
Great story!