We’re wrapping up The TV Watercooler’s coverage of The Hollywood Reporter Women in Entertainment Canada event, which took place on May 29 at the Ritz-Carlton in Toronto. For our final interview, we’re thrilled to share our chat with the recipient of this year’s IMPACT Award, the iconic Jeanne Beker.
We had the pleasure of speaking with Jeanne about her exciting return to TV as a judge on Project Runway Canada, a role she’s keen to embrace after years in the international fashion scene. With her legendary career as a backdrop, Jeanne offered invaluable advice for aspiring media professionals navigating a changing industry, emphasizing resilience, malleability, and fearlessness. She also shared her ongoing daily discovery of passion and revealed the last show that had her laughing out loud.
Congratulations on tonight’s award!
Thank you!
It’s been announced that not only is Project Runway Canada coming back but you’ll be a judge on the series.
I was very excited because when you’re 73 years old and you get offered a TV show, that’s always exciting! It’s also something that I wanted to do back in 2009 when it did play in Canada for a couple of seasons, but I was doing Fashion Television at the time and it was a conflicted [as it was on a competing network], so I couldn’t engage myself in that show.
I’m really looking forward to this and to be able to share so much of what I’ve learned in the international fashion trenches with these young designers. It’s really exciting.
The Canadian media landscape has changed over the years, and you have continued to thrive. What words of advice would have to those coming up in the industry and that are struggling with outlets closing down and find there’s less opportunities in this industry?
Yeah, I mean, you’ve got to be resilient. You really have to be malleable. You also have to believe that compromise is not a dirty word and sometimes you might have to pull back on your original intention in order to get where you want to go. But just try to keep your eye on the prize and be as fearless as you can. Don’t give up!
I wanted your talk earlier today and you said that you have to keep finding your passion as a creative. Are you still finding your passion?
I find it every day! And I’m finding it right now at this very moment. I love being interviewed.
What was the last show that you binge watched?
The Studio! It was a good one. A great one. I laughed by butt off.
Check out the rest of The TV Watercooler’s coverage from The Hollywood Reporter Women in Entertainment Canada event here.
