Erin Simpson is the host of the fresh, edgy, must-see half hour for teenagers every week day from 4:30-5:00pm on TV2, called the 'Erin Simpson Show'.

Erin took time out of her busy schedule to answer a few questions for us, and tell us a bit more about her exciting job and how she got to where she wanted to be.

Who influenced you in the direction you’ve taken with your career?
As my role is very much in the public eye we spend a lot of time doing research and taking focus groups around the country in order to get the public’s opinion.  From there we can get an idea of what people want to see and which way the show needs to be going in order to stay successful – it’s just as much ‘your’ show as it is mine.
 

How influential was the support of your family?
My family have always been very supportive in whatever I have wanted to do, even though they have never understood where my passions came from as my upbringing was somewhat different than the performing/television world (we were raised on a dairy farm) they have never turned their nose up or asked me to think of a plan B.

What do you think are some of the struggles young people face growing up in NZ?
Multitasking!!!!  Not only do they have to get their license, sit exams and deal with natural disasters they have to do it all while txting, updating their facebook status and tweeting so that everyone knows  - It makes for extra work.

What are some of the struggles you have faced getting to where you are today? How did you overcome them?
Thick skin is something I had to develop and constantly have to work at. If you were to tell me 5 years ago I would take on a job where complete strangers were allowed to approach me and let me know everything they dislike about me, the show, the people on it, the way I pronounce my words, how I sit, how I stand,  how I should do this and how I should do that I naturally would have said ‘go jump’ but now that I’m in it and living amongst the madness I’ve realised you can’t please everyone it’s just unfortunate that there are ‘some’ people out there who forget I’m still just a normal Kiwi chick trying to do the best I can.
 

What advice would you give a young person wanting to get into your line of work?
I am a firm believer in the saying.... ‘when one door closes, another door opens’.

Due to this I would recommend never saying no or turning down an opportunity if one has kindly been offered, as one thing always leads to another – plus presenters come and go all the time so if you always be kind and make others look good then you will shine – if not... they will just get another person!

What has been your career highlight so far?
Interviewing!!!!  I love interviewing, sports stars, musicians, artists, Kiwis, internationals, young, old the lot – every interview is different and every interview is great! I’ve interviewed Justin Bieber, Todd Blackadder, Shane Cameron, Kirk Penny, Anika Moa, Dane Rumble and Rachel Hunter to name a few.

OR

Being Surrounded by All Blacks!!!  For as long as I can remember my family and I have a tradition of waking up in the middle of the night to watch the All Blacks take on the world – they are my heros and I look up to them and still get excited about their games – to talk to an All Black one on one is great but to see them and be surrounded by the whole squad is unreal!!!!

OR

Spending a few weeks in L.A to film 5 episodes of The Erin Simpson Show!  We worked with Anaheim Bureau, Air New Zealand and L.A Tourism to promote Los Angeles to New Zealand.  Basically we went over there and had the key to the back door of Hollywood. As a result we made some TV magic and the shows were a huge success.
 

If you go out partying, what are some of the things you do to make sure you stay safe and your friends stay safe?

Limit my alcohol intake!!!!  If you drink too much you can easily lose control of normal everyday tasks which is just low.  That’s when you end up getting into trouble with money, transport and people.  Letting people down is the last thing I want to do so being responsible for my actions is always on my mind.