Advice from TV Host Padma Lakshmi, "Emily in Paris" Star Ashley Park, Showrunner Janet Mock and more No images? Click here My Isolation Diary By Emily Vogel From top left clockwise: Cynthia Erivo, Janet Mock, Tess Holliday, Ashley Park, Dascha Polanco and Javicia Leslie (portraits from BE Con 2021 by Diana King) My mask wasn’t the only thing that went off last week. In addition to the CDC announcing you don’t have to wear masks indoors, WrapWomen hosted their 6th annual BE Mentorship Conference. Between the announcement and the event, I can’t remember the last time I saw this many people smiling. (Alexa, remind me to buy more floss.) During the three days of BE Con, we heard from actor Cynthia Erivo, TV host Padma Lakshmi, showrunner Janet Mock along with the directors and producers of "Grace & Frankie," "The Undoing" and "The Great." We were also joined by the stars of hit TV shows including “Emily in Paris” and “Bling Empire” as well as upcoming films such as “West Side Story” and “In the Heights.” Click here to checkout our speaker portrait gallery. Between the mentorship and the star power, it was basically an educational Met Gala... And since the event was virtual I was able to rock my signature "Pajama Chic" look. In case you weren't able to join us last week, don't worry! You can still go back and watch all of Day 1 and Day 2 content for free on the BE Con Website. It's also not too late to register for access to Day 3's 16 on-demand workshops. Click here to sign-up by May 23 with code "WrapWomen" to receive 50% off. Ariana DeBose, Tiffany Boone, Javicia Leslie and Ashley Park Hope Hollywood’s Diversity Push Isn’t ‘Just a Wave’ Actresses Ashley Park ("Emily in Paris"), Ariana DeBose ("The Prom"), Javicia Leslie ("Batwoman") and Tiffany Boone ("Nine Perfect Strangers") came together on Day 1 of BE Con for a panel about the future of diversity on screen and behind the scenes in Hollywood. “Obviously the industry moves in waves. I think that we need to be a little bit more controlling of this wave and making sure that it’s not just a wave,” said Leslie. “Emily in Paris” star Park added that she’s concerned diversity in Hollywood sometimes simply means “checking a box.” “We’ve had to infiltrate this system. Tokenism, what that did to us is say there is only room for one… We have to fight each other’s fights,” Park said. "I just think that cheering each other on is hopefully going to make this not just a wave.” Female Directors and Producers Explain Why Success Is More Dangerous Than Failure If you're doubting your abilities or feel undeserving of a recent promotion, just remember even Hollywood’s top directors and producers also have a hard time accepting their accomplishments. Day 2 of BE Con kicked off with Janet Mock (“Pose”), Marta Kauffman (“Grace & Frankie”), Susanne Bier (“The Undoing”) and Geeta V. Patel ("The Great") who spoke to TheWrap’s Sharon Waxman about overcoming imposter syndrome and the potential risks that come with success. "I know that I have been a victim of my own imposter syndrome, and I feel like that is something that needs to be overcome," said Kauffman, who is also the creator of "Friends." Mock said the series' co-creator Ryan Murphy was the one who brought her into the industry, pushing her to advance her career even in moments when she questioned her ability early on. But impostor syndrome never entirely goes away even when you're a Hollywood superstar. "It’s something that still sticks with me," she added. Entrepreneurs Urge Mindset Shift: Make Your ‘Side Hustle’ the Main EventThe idea behind becoming a successful entrepreneur is to take your parents’ advice… and then ignore it, BE Conference panelists say. Finish college, get a steady job, put lucrative work ahead of your passion? That’s not the message for these young entrepreneurs who are continuing to build and expand their brands. “I think college for me was a complete waste of time,” The Skinny Confidential founder Lauryn Evarts Bosstick recalled. “I was doing all the things I was supposed to be doing… it wasn’t for me. However, her aborted plan to join a college sorority was one of the triggers that led her to become a digital influencer as a way to connect with others. “I was broke, I was bartending, and joining a sorority cost $800,” she said. “I said, OK, how can I create this online, and do it for free?” Actor and comedian Lala Milan, whose YouTube channel has more than 370,000 subscribers, joined Evarts Bosstick in finding that college wasn’t the answer. “It doesn’t matter what business you are in, when you get into it, it’s going to get crowded,” Milan said. Financial Fit Check: How to Start InvestingIt’s time for you to become the wealthy investor your mom always wanted you to marry. During the BE Con workshop “Financial Fit Check: How to Start Investing" presented by Gerber Kawasaki, Mia Samson gave us a crash course in investing that will have you ready to impress your entire family at Aunt Sally's Fourth of July BBQ. Male vs. Female Investors
Why Investing is Key:
In addition to helping seasoned investors, Gerber Kawasaki also works with young people who want to start building their wealth with a limited amount of investable assets. Click here to learn more. Padma Lakshmi, Vivica A. Fox, Nicole Walters and Molly Bernard Share Best AdviceFrom "Self-Care 101 with Padma Lakshmi" to "Breaking into the Industry with 'Younger' Star Molly Bernard," your favorite celebrities, influencers and industry experts hosted masterclasses, sharing their best advice and lessons learned with WrapWomen. Check-out some of our favorite take-aways below and don't forget, you can still register to access all 16 workshops on demand. (HINT: scroll to the top for special discount). “Being busy doesn’t mean you’re successful. Being productive and effective means you’re successful. And sometimes what that means is to take a break...” “I enjoyed sitting in the director’s chair this time - I definitely feel like it’s the next chapter for my career... I can bring a lot of experience to make my actors comfortable…" “Functional hot mess is the new trend... what authenticity looks like is imperfection... recognize the very things that make you weird or awkward or not-perfect...” “You're gonna get the part or you’re not... rejection is part of this job. It’s a crucial part. You have to make friends with it." Who Run the World?! Girls. WrapWomen is a power base of influential women of entertainment, media, technology and brands committed to changing the face of their industries. Sure to stay up-to-date on all things WrapWomen at www.wrapwomen.com. Join the conversation on social media! Follow us on Instagram for surprise guest takeovers and Insta live performances. Vivica A. Fox. Padma Lakshmi |