Ross Mathews: From Intern to Lovable Celebrity

The first time I saw Ross Mathews on "The Tonight Show," I instantly fell in love with him and knew he was a guy to watch. He's interviewed some of the biggest stars on the red carpet, and made the nation laugh all the while. Earlier this year, he became a huge inspiration to many when he lost more than 40 pounds on VH1's "Celebrity Fit Club," then showed off his new look when he co-hosted ABC's "The View." If you haven't been to the Ross Blog, you need to check it out and catch up with some of the funniest segments he's done in the past, like this one with the Crocodile Hunter. In a recent interview, I asked Ross about his "talky blog," his most memorable celebrity interview, and of course, his favorite gadgets.

When and why did you start blogging?

I started blogging while covering the 2006 Winter Olympic Games in Torino, Italy, for "The Tonight Show" because I knew I was going to have some spare time during my month-long stay there, and I wanted to fill my days with work (I don’t do well when I don’t have something to do). Also, I thought it would be nice to create a journal of sorts during my travels. Little did I know, however, that I would fall in love with blogging and/or that my li'l blog would become so successful.

I notice you post "talky blogs" a lot more now. Do you prefer writing on your blog or creating talky blogs (video blogs)?

The Ross Blog started as a very typical blog—text and pictures. I blogged every day for over a year that way and loved it—I write very much the way I talk, and I think that’s part of the appeal. One day it hit me, though, that I could post videos by simply using YouTube. Not wanting to blend in with every other blog out there, I chose to refer to my video blogs as "talky blogs" and have discovered that talking directly to a camera is even more interactive and intimate than writing text. My initial thought was to do talkys once or twice a week, but over time I've started doing them more often. Why? I'm not sure, I guess. I do know, though, that some days it's much easier to just "blah blah blah" as opposed to writing about nothing.

Have you always felt comfortable in front of a camera? Any tips for the camera shy?

Yes. It's never been a big deal for me—I've always just treated the camera as if it were my friend. I look it in the lens and say, "Come on—let’s have fun!"

I'm addicted to your Jay Leno segments. Any chance you'll ever get your own show?

That is so the plan! I’m working on it every day. There’s no set path to take if you want to have a talk show of your own, so I’m making it up as I go along. Keep your fingers crossed for me, though, because the show I want to make will be amazing!

Your most memorable celebrity interview was…

When I asked Gwyneth Paltrow to be my best friend and she said yes. We're still best friends. Or… umm… maybe the time I accidentally called Dame Elizabeth Taylor "Dame Edna." Oopsies!

Where do you spend most of your time online?

To be honest, I spend most of my time online on my own blog, checking email, or on celebrity gossip sites like Perez Hilton or Pink Is the New Blog. I also go to Rosie O’Donnell’s blog all the time! And I’m a news junkie, so I’m always up-to-date on the latest goings-on around the world via news sites like CNN or MSNBC.

Facebook or MySpace?

MySpace. Although I’m thinking about checking Facebook out. My "Ross the Intern" MySpace page has tons of friends. My personal one has like 12.

What gadgets do you love the most or can't live without?

My iPod for sure. Working out sucks big time without it. My BlackBerry for sure, too. I have the one with the little rolly ball thingie and I feel naked without it. Like, "What if someone's emailing me and I don’t know?!?!?" It’s like I forget it'll be there when I get back. And, finally, my new huge 50-inch plasma TV. I swear, it's like Raven Simone is live in my living room.

What's the coolest, most expensive toy you own?

I bought myself my glorious TV mentioned above that I named Gloria. Seriously—it's amazing.

Are you a text messaging guy or a phone call guy?

It depends on three things: what mood I'm in, who I'm calling/texting, and what it's about. The thing I love about texting is that it's very, very passive and open for interpretation. "What r u doing?" can take on a ton of different meanings. I do a lot both texting and calling when I'm driving, which is something I'm trying not to do anymore.

What gadgets are making your Christmas list this year?

If I get any gadgets for Christmas, I'll be buying them for myself. I don't like to receive fancy gifts—I get instant guilt.

What are you currently working on?

Right now? Answering your questions while sitting in the waiting room at LAX. Then I'm catching a flight for a casual weekend in Las Vegas. Then I'm going back to work at "The Tonight Show." Then…? It’s just a matter of time until my talk show, I guess.

Other Star Power Interviews:
Michelle Ryan
James Blunt
Taryn Rose
A.J. Buckley