Scott Evans Talks Moments With Oprah, America's Big Deal, and His New Talent & Development Deal With NBCUniversial
In an exclusive interview with Scott Evans (@iamscottevans), the Access Hollywood co-host & America's Big Deal host gives us inside scoop on his journey working in front of the camera, life changing memories and what’s coming next in his career.
You’ve been chasing your dreams of being in front of the camera since the third 3rd grade. When did you realize you wanted to pursue on-air broadcast journalism?
In the 3rd grade, my sister Stacy Paetz booked me on my first set playing a young Reggie Miller vs a young Larry Bird for the home game video for the [Indiana] Pacers. That experience opened my eyes to the world of production and I’ve been pursuing a career in TV ever since. Journalism actually found me. A show called Channel One, previously anchored by Lisa Ling, Anderson Cooper and Maria Menounos were looking for a new anchor. They reached out to me and I jumped in headfirst. And just promised myself I would figure it out along the way.
How did you know it was the right time to leave college to move to LA?
I wish I could say there was this knowing or this moment. I just couldn’t escape this feeling that I was moving further away from the goal instead of closer to it and that I was going to have to make a choice. And so the choice I made was all in, immediately. And I didn’t know if it would work but I knew the way I was continuing the way I was, was certainly not going to be it.
At the beginning of your career, you were the youngest and first black person to be an encore MC for the Pacers and you lived in NYC for four years working for Channel One. What part of the grind don’t people see getting started as an on-air journalist?
That its small, consistent choices that you make, every day, that keeps you pointed in the right direction. That it’s being eager to learn and try and fail and try again, that overnight or the viral moment isn’t what’s long-lasting. You gotta love it! Because the love of it is what keeps you in, when money’s not there, when shows go away, when bills are hard to pay, loving it is what fuels you when nothing around you says “yeah this was a good idea!” hahaha
You’ve spoken about how an interview with Taylor Swift transformed your life back in 2015. Since then, have you experienced another life-changing interview or opportunity in your career?
Yeah, a conversation with Oprah Winfrey about a check that I had written to myself for one million dollars because I had seen her on ELLEN talking about walking into a bank wanting to cash a million-dollar check just to see what it felt like. I was asking her to believe with me for a similar experience. And her eyes lit up, she grabbed me real close, this is so exciting, and it's on your way to you but if you want to take home a million you need a check for a 1.35million because taxes baby!” and I remember thinking, she sees this enough for me that she got super-specific and it was a moment that changed my life because I realized that to do the things you dream of doing, you have to bring that dream into the sharpest focus that you can.
Having experience reporting on pop culture news and hosting reality competition series, which offers the more unique challenges?
They both are uniquely challenging but what’s actually the same about them is that at the heart of the matter, is humanity. At the heart of it all, is how do I help someone at home see themselves in the content that we are creating and in the stories that we are telling. How do I remind them that we are all in this together?
What was it that initially attracted you to hosting America’s Big Deal?
Two things – Joy Mangano – she is a superstar, super thinker, mother of invention and champion for small business. And to work with her is a dream come true. And then the show's whole premise is about uplifting people who have dared to go out on their own and create something that leaves a mark.
There are TV shows that share the idea of having entrepreneurs pitch their products. What makes America’s Big Deal different?
The stakes couldn’t be higher on ABD because we are live! And they are pitching America to support them by buying their product and our retail titans with Lowes, Macys and QVC HSN, who don’t want stake in their company, don’t want ownership in their company, they just want to provide a space where these entrepreneurs can reach the next level.
You’ve recently struck a talent and development deal with NBCUniversal. In what ways is this changing/advancing your career?
In almost every way! It changes my career because it grants me the opportunity and authority to help tell more stories. To help bring more storytellers into the spotlight. To be a bigger, brighter reflection of the light that is all around us. To be a black man with this kind of deal on this network lets me know that NBC is ready to amplify voices that for a long time have gone unnoticed.
Do you have any dream projects or hosting opportunities that you’re currently manifesting?
Yeah, I’m working on a scripted series, with twin sisters that I hope could be the reboot of “Sister, Sister” that we’ve all been wanting. You couldn’t find two more dynamic ladies in Hollywood to carry that torch. But also looking at the documentary space, the late-night show space, and travel show. But what is great about the position I'm in now, is that I am open to collaborating with people out there who also have stories to tell. So holla at me!
Photographer: Marq Newman @marqnewman
Styling: Nigel Isaiah @nigel_isaiah
Grooming: Crystal R. Smith @locdinstyle
Creative & Production Director: Ammar Thomas @manmeetsstyle.com
Location: The 9 Studio