Red Carpet Ho

Book excerpt: New-York based photographer and culture journalist Nadja Sayej is known for her candid Q&As with celebrities—be it on Zoom or on the red carpet. Having interviewed over 500 stars, from Sarah Jessica Parker to Susan Sarandon and David Lynch, she’s always asked: “What is that celebrity really like?” In 33 candid short stories about her minute-by-minute moments with the stars, she answers that question. From dinner with Kanye West in Miami to interviewing Salma Hayek in Venice, or lunching with Steve Martin in Grand Central Station, each story is an adventure that details what the stars are like up close and personal, with behind-the-scenes photos and comedic tidbits. This book is an accumulation of the stories behind the stories as a culture journalist. Featuring backstage access over the past 10 years (2010 to 2020), it’s a peek into how she scored her major interviews with stars like Kathleen Turner, Spike Lee and Karl Lagerfeld, as well as what it has been like attending A-list events like Heidi Klum’s legendary Halloween party. This is all driven by her snarky observations, with photos taken by the female gaze.