Interview: Jessica Holmes (Slime Time Live)
March 2003

Slime Time Live co-host, Jessica Holmes talks to StarShine about her cool job at Nickelodeon, her charity work, being shy and dishes advice about the entertainment industry...

Tami (StarShine Magazine): Hi! Thank you for talking to me today, how are you?
Jessica Holmes: Good, thank you.

Tami (StarShine Magazine): It looks like you have a lot of fun doing your job, so my first question is, is there one show that sticks out in your mind as the most memorable?
Jessica Holmes: I really enjoy the Halloween shows because we really dress up. There have been three Halloween shows so far, and the second one Dave dressed up as Elvis, I was Madonna, and Jonah my co-host was Michael Jackson. We have really good hair and make-up people so it’s really fun.

Tami (StarShine Magazine): If you could have any person on the show, who would it be?
Jessica Holmes: There are lots of people I would love to have on the show, Stevie Wonder, Michael Jackson. The thing is that there’s so much age difference between the kids and I that the people I would like to have on are different from people they would like. We always have fun pop music groups and that’s a lot of fun.

Tami (StarShine Magazine): Your audience is mainly children, what's like working with them?
Jessica Holmes: It’s a lot of fun. Kids are so honest they’ll tell you things like 'oh you look really short in person' or 'you look better on TV than in person'. They’re very genuine. You know we have fun they can get messy and stuff and do things they can’t do at home.

Tami (StarShine Magazine): What has been your most embarrassing moment on the show?
Jessica Holmes: Lots because it’s live, you know? We can’t go back and fix things when we screw up. We just have to keep going. I think the worst one I’ve had was when we were promoting Burger King I went to say it and started saying McDonald’s so it came out McBurger King. Other than that, I can’t control my laughter, so if I start giggling...

Tami (StarShine Magazine): Can you tell me about the charities you’re involved with?
Jessica Holmes: No new charities yet. Nickelodeon is involved with one called Give Kids The World and it’s where sick children get a wish. They wish for things like to be on the show so they’ll go on the show. They have a resort too and every month people from Nickelodeon go and we put on a show for them. We play games, like the same games we play on Slime Time. Hosted a benefit in January for a different charity, Children North America.

Tami (StarShine Magazine): If kids want to help out with charities what advice would you give them?
Jessica Holmes: Whatever is near and dear to your heart you should do, like if you love animals volunteer there or even the little things. Like in your community do a community clean up, or donate old clothes to Good Will or something. If everyone did something it would be a much better place. Think of others, and I think the younger you learn that, the better you are.

Tami (StarShine Magazine): What is one thing you wish people knew about you?
Jessica Holmes: I’m actually very shy. Because I’m on TV people don’t think I’m shy, even though being on TV has helped me get over some of it I’m still shy especially with people I don’t know.

Tami (StarShine Magazine): What are your plans or goals for the future?
Jessica Holmes: Next career move, I don’t know. Because I don’t know when ST will be over or anything I mean I love my job. I like being a host I love the atmosphere and being myself. I guess if I did something other than TV I would want to be a wedding planner.

Tami (StarShine Magazine): What advice would you give to anyone trying to make it in the business?
Jessica Holmes: Me, I didn’t start until college. I was a radio/television major and I mean I would start younger than that. When you’re younger and you get out and sing and act in front of people it gets rid of that fear so you’re not as shy. Get involved in drama at school, take singing lessons, audition, get an agent, I know if you’re in school your parents might not want you to be an actor or singer or something but do things in school. Most schools have drama and plays. If you can act and sing that’s good, the more you can do the better.

Tami (StarShine Magazine): If you could meet any person dead or alive, who would it be and why?
Jessica Holmes: There are a lot of people. Martha Stewart. I love her and like all the stuff she does. I like sewing, and cooking, and everything. She made a huge multi-million dollar company out of herself and her talents. Also, Stevie Wonder he’s my favorite musician, and Katie Couric. I love her.

Tami (StarShine Magazine): How do you spend your days off?
Jessica Holmes: When I have a day off, like today I like to sleep in. Sit up in bed and watch my morning shows, like Regis and Kelly. I love to go shopping, I’ll probably go to the mall later. If it’s a nice day out like today, I like to go outside and maybe play tennis or something. I like to lay out, but that’s not good for you so I try not to do it much.

Tami (StarShine Magazine): Is there anything you’d like to say to StarShine readers?
Jessica Holmes: Shoot for the stars!