Rachel Beresford: “At best, good journalism keeps you informed and entertained.”
The Assistant News Editor who is also Editor of Star Chic magazine on her biggest life lesson, her 2021 mood and how this year’s Super Cup Final in Windsor Park is top of her bucket list.
What did you want to be when you were growing up?
A primary school teacher. Then I got older and realised it didn’t pay very well so I became a journalist. Anyone have a lend of a fiver?
Social media platform of choice?
Anywhere I can watch cute dog videos from The Dodo. Except Facebook, I left that behind with my twenties.
Favourite writer?
I will read anything and everything — books, articles, cereal boxes — by Caroline Criado Perez. Everyone should read her book, Invisible Women.
Currently reading?
The Irish Daily Star… and so should you.
Someone you might be starstruck to meet?
John Terry. I will defend him with my dying breath.
What do you consider your greatest achievement to date?
The guest speaker at my college graduation, who shall remain nameless, told our class to “look to your right, now look to your left, two of you won’t make it in this business” — after that, just working in journalism feels like an achievement. Anything extra is a bonus.
Hidden talent?
It must be well hidden because I’ve yet to find it…
What is your guiltiest pleasure?
Savage Garden. They get a bad rap.
Biggest life lesson to date?
Never say no to a night out — you never know when a pandemic might hit.
What would your superpower be?
Right now, teleportation. I’ll never take free movement for granted again.
Favourite blogger/influencer?
Terrie McEvoy. We’ve had Terrie in Star Chic a couple of times and she is just really genuine. And then there’s Jake, her rescue dog (also previously a Chic star), who I can’t get enough of.
Favourites of 2021 so far?
The best is yet to come…Love Island starts on Monday.
What is the worst job you’ve done?
My very first job in The Star was reporting on junior soccer for a supplement, Target (R.I.P.), that we published way back when. I loved the job but I don’t miss standing on the sidelines of pitches every weekend… in the freezing cold… with the rain pouring down, trying to take notes. As your granny would say, it was the kind of cold that gets into your bones.
What’s the most expensive thing you’ve bought (excluding property)?
Five Garth Brooks tickets. One day.
Most overused word or phrase?
‘Seriously?!’ — used even more in 2020/21.
What is top of your bucket list?
Going to the Super Cup Final in Windsor Park this August. There’s no better way to beg for spare tickets — which are surely going to be like gold dust — from the Belfast arm of your company than publicly, right? (wink wink… sort of!)
2021 mood?
Hopeful.
To the audience:
At best, good journalism keeps you informed and entertained. At worst, my mum swears The Star’s newsprint is the best for cleaning the windows.
