Abby Tegnelia has led one of the more unusual and interesting last few years of anyone I know. From working 80 hour weeks in major U.S. cities like Las Vegas and Los Angeles, to dropping out of the fast lane for an extended stay in a small village on the coast in Costa Rica, to coming back stateside and sliding right in as the editor-in-chief of a successful and important magazine focusing on Las Vegas. Just summarizing all that activity has made me tired.
In Costa Rica, she was able to work on her Spanish, her yoga, rescue and then adopt some local dogs and somehow still manage to build an incredibly successful celebrity news agency (All Star Reports) at the same time. Back home, she’s slid right into the editor-in-chief chair at Vegas Magazine and still manages to keep writing for her personal blog, the Jungle Princess, which is a must-read in my eyes. You can find her at any of these various spots or on Twitter.
So let’s get to it and see how she handles her Lucky 13:
1 — Location where you have been the most drunk in your life?
I live in Las Vegas and went to college in Miami, where South Beach was my second home. I’m so glad that was your very first question!
2 — My dream date would be with:
My future husband.
3 — Most romantic thing anyone has ever done for you?
Probably move furniture. I’m helpless about things like that.
4 — Worst pick-up line you have ever heard?
If had a dollar for all of those I heard in Vegas… Ones I remember? Uh, see number one.
5 — Who plays you in the movie about your life?
Sarah Hyland, the teenager in Modern Family, for the young me; Emily Blunt for my adulthood; Mariska Hargitay for my future.
6 — You are stranded on a desert island, with supplies and your ever-charged iPod. You can have only five bands/performers on it. Who?
I’m more of an NPR girl. But Lady Gaga, Taylor Swift, Sugarland, Shania Twain and Racal Flatts would keep me in a good mood.
7 — Your perfect car is?
One that comes with a chauffer.
8 — My Mom and Dad are never going to read this, so I can now admit I lied to them in a huge way about:
Being asked to be on (the fictional) “Teen Court” my senior year of high school. It was a fake letter I made at Kinko’s stuffed in the envelope, which they found in the mail, beckoning me to real court. I could’ve been grounded!
9 — I have no idea how _______ ____ got rich and famous, considering they have no talent at all.
I work in the industry. I know exactly how they got rich and famous.
10 — Person whose tweets make you smile the most?
LivitLuvit is hilarious
11 — Question most likely to make you smile or cry, if you were interviewed on live national TV?
Anything that revealed something personal and true.
12 — For the next year, I could drink only water and ________ and be happy.
Wine.
13 — Your single most treasured personal possession (and no, your dogs do not count!)
Probably my BlackBerry. No matter where I am in the world, I can always reach my mom!
Great interview, Abby is a fantastic blogger and I can totally see her as Mariska in the future 🙂
Great interview Abby! I think she picked the perfect people for her movie characters. 🙂
I love this series so much. Even more since I’ve actually spent time with 2 of the last 3 featured folks. Makes me feel like one of the cool kids. 🙂
Now I have to work on a pick-up line Abby’s never heard before. I’ll get back to you.
I am just lucky she didn’t quote anything I said back at me, in answering that question 😉
Huge props for pulling #8 off!
Love this interview! Love Abby! And this series!
Whew — somehow you got routed to the spam folder. Glad I found you there – and yes, Abby rocks. Thanks for following the series. If you want to get interviewed….
Oooooh Abby darling, you put the biggest smile on my face with your answer to question #7. I heart you babe!!!
“I work in the industry. I know exactly how they got rich and famous.” Love that.
Abby is one of my favorite people on the planet and the best travel companion I have ever had. LOVE #5, #9 and sooo with her on #12!