Every week I’m interviewing fascinating people in our community, nation and around the world.

Alena McQuarter is the child prodigy scholar who started college at 12 years old and graduated with honors last month from Arizona State University at age 14! She earned a BS in Biological Sciences and a minor in Global Health.

Alena has also been working on her Master’s and will graduate with that degree in May. When she was 13, Alena made history by becoming the youngest Black person in U.S. history to gain acceptance into medical school.

Alena has partnered with Lego, Mattel, Barbie and many more while attending school full-time. Time Magazine named her as one of their Top 20 Kid of the Year finalists in 2022.

I recently spoke with Alena and asked her the following questions:

• There’s a TV show called ‘Doogie Howser.’ Have you ever seen it and do you see yourself as a modern day Doogie Howser?
• What inspired you to want to be a doctor?
• What is it like being the youngest Black girl to be accepted into medical school?
• Is it weird going to school with older people and what was college like for you?
• What is your ultimate goal for a career?
• How do you manage all your school work plus having fun?
• Have you ever been to Idaho and tried our famous potatoes? What’s your favorite way to have a potato?
• What advice do you have for me?

Watch my entire interview with Alena in the video player above!

Missed any of my previous interviews? Watch them all here. And if you have an idea of someone I should interview or just want to say hi, email me: emmy@eastidahonews.com.

The post 14-year-old who just graduated from college and is going to medical school answers 7 Questions with Emmy appeared first on East Idaho News.

Every week I’m interviewing fascinating people in our community, nation and around the world.

Sandi Sumner Hendry is the owner and founder of Minky Couture designer blankets. She started the company in 2009 with a mission to provide cozy comfort for loved ones in need.

Minky Couture has grown over the years. There are now six stores in Utah and a booming online business.

I met up with Sandi at her Sugarhouse, Utah store and asked her the following questions:

• Where did the idea for Minky Couture come from?
• What makes your blankets different than others?
• How do your blankets stay so soft and cozy and warm?
• Running a business can be difficult. What have you learned during the challenging times?
• Have you ever been to Idaho and what’s your favorite way to have an Idaho potato?
• How many different types of blankets do you have?
• How long does it take to make a blanket and what is the process?

BONUS QUESTIONS

• What do you do when you’re not making blankets or working?
• Can you share a piece of advice with me and our viewers?

Watch my entire interview with Sandi in the video player above and learn more about Minky Couture on their website here.

Missed any of my previous interviews? Watch them all here. And if you have an idea of someone I should interview or just want to say hi, email me: emmy@eastidahonews.com.

The post Sandi Sumner Hendry, the founder of Minky Couture blankets, answers 7 Questions with Emmy appeared first on East Idaho News.

Every week I’m interviewing fascinating people in our community, nation and around the world.

Michael Maliakel has been playing the lead role of Aladdin on Broadway since 2021. He has also been in other musicals and sang in concerts across the country.

He’s a trained baritone who studied at the Peabody Conservatory of Johns Hopkins University. Earlier this month, he was one of the guest performers in the Tabernacle at Temple Square Christmas concert.

Michael and his wife Sarah had a little girl named Nina in May 2022.

I sat down with Michael and asked him the following questions:

• What is it like playing Aladdin on Broadway?
• What is the most embarrassing moment you’ve had on stage?
• Can you tell me how you ended up on Broadway?
• What is your dream role and who would you want to act with?
• Have you ever been to Idaho and what’s your favorite way to have a potato?
• You got to perform with the Tabernacle Choir. What is that like?
• What is it like flying a magic carpet every night?

BONUS QUESTIONS

• What do you like about being a dad?
• Can you share a piece of advice with me?
• Can you sing a little bit of a song from ‘Aladdin’?

Watch my entire video with Michael in the video player above!

Missed any of my previous interviews? Watch them all here. And if you have an idea of someone I should interview or just want to say hi, email me: emmy@eastidahonews.com.

The post Michael Maliakel, the star of ‘Aladdin’ on Broadway, answers 7 Questions with Emmy appeared first on East Idaho News.

Every week I’m interviewing fascinating people in our community, nation and around the world.

I’m so happy that Mat and Savanna Shaw are back! I first interviewed them in 2020 and then again in 2021. They are a daddy-daughter duo from Utah that rose to prominence during the COVID-19 quarantine. Their first song, “The Prayer,” went viral so they continued releasing duets on social media and streaming platforms, with singles charting in both the US and UK.

They’ve released multiple albums and performed all over the country. They were recently in Idaho Falls and I caught up with them! Here’s what I asked Mat and Savanna:

• How have things changed for you since I last interviewed you both?
• How do you pick the songs you put on your albums?
• What are your favorite Christmas songs?
• Do you have any exciting albums coming out soon?
• Savanna, we saw a video on Instagram of you waxing your dad’s nose. What was that like?
• What do you do when you’re not making music?
• What advice do you have for me?

Watch my entire interview with Mat and Savanna Shaw in the video player above – and catch a little game we played called “Either/Or.” You can follow the Shaws on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.

Missed any of my previous interviews? Watch them all here. And if you have an idea of someone I should interview or just want to say hi, email me: emmy@eastidahonews.com.

The post Mat and Savanna Shaw are back answering 7 Questions and playing “Either/Or” appeared first on East Idaho News.

Every week I’m interviewing fascinating people in our community, nation and around the world.

Stephen Dalby is an entrepreneur who founded Gabb Wireless, the first cellular network ever created in the kid-safe technology sector. He spent twelve years teaching teenagers before he had the idea and the mission to build Gabb. He and his wife have eight children and live in Eastern Idaho.

Stephen agreed to sit down and chat with me. Here’s what I asked him:

• What gave you the idea to start Gabb?
• What’s different with Gabb over other similar options?
• What’s your favorite thing about living in Idaho?
• What’s an accomplishment you are most proud of in your life?
• For kids like me that are trying to convince my parents for a watch or phone what would you say they should do?
• Are there any other products Gabb is coming out with in the near future?
• I saw you played lots of sports growing up, did you have a favorite and do you still play?

BONUS QUESTIONS

• What’s your favorite way to eat an Idaho potato?
• Is there a piece of advice you can share with me?

You can watch my entire interview with Stephen in the video player above.

Missed any of my previous interviews? Watch them all here. And if you have an idea of someone I should interview or just want to say hi, email me: emmy@eastidahonews.com.

The post Stephen Dalby, the founder of Gabb Wireless, answers 7 Questions with Emmy appeared first on East Idaho News.

Every week I’m interviewing fascinating people in our community, nation and around the world.

Tami Manis holds the Guinness World Record for the longest competitive mullet.

Tami’s mullet measures an astonishing 5 ft. 8 in. and she last cut her hair on Feb. 9, 1990 – the date she considers to be her mullet’s birthday!

Tami agreed to answer my questions and I had a great time chatting with her. Here’s what I asked:

• Why did you want to grow a long mullet?
• You might get meet my friend Drew Barrymore. What has it been like working with her show’s team?
• Do you think you’ll ever cut your hair? Would you cut it for a million dollars?
• Your hair is as long as Rapunzel. Who is your favorite Disney princess?
• How do you do daily activities with such long hair?
• Do you ever get stuff stuck in your hair?
• What advice do you have for me?

You can watch my interview with Tami in the video player above.

Missed any of my previous interviews? Watch them all here. And if you have an idea of someone I should interview or just want to say hi, email me: emmy@eastidahonews.com.

The post Emmy interviews the Guinness World Record winner of the longest competitive mullet appeared first on East Idaho News.

Every week I’m interviewing fascinating people in our community, nation and around the world.

Kate DiCamillo is one of America’s most beloved storytellers. She is a two-time Newberry medalist and is a former National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature.

Kate has published over 25 novels, including ‘Because of Winn-Dixie,’ ‘The Tiger Rising,’ ‘The Tale of Despereaux,’ ‘The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane,’ ‘The Magician’s Elephant,’ the ‘Mercy Watson’ series, and ‘Flora & Ulysses.’

Her latest book is ‘The Puppets of Spelhorst’ and I’m thrilled she agreed to answer 7 Questions.

Here’s what I asked her:

• When did you know you wanted to become an author?
• Can you tell me about your new book?
• What makes a good story?
• I live in Idaho. Have you ever been here and tried our famous potatoes? What’s your favorite way to have a potato?
• Your book, ‘The Magician’s Elephant’, was adapted into a movie. What was it like to see your work on the big screen?
• Can you tell me about any future projects you might have?
• Can you share a piece of advice that might help me and our audience?

You can watch my interview with Kate in the video player above and learn more about her on her website.

Missed any of my previous interviews? Watch them all here. And if you have an idea of someone I should interview or just want to say hi, email me: emmy@eastidahonews.com.

The post Kate DiCamillo, the popular author behind ‘Tale of Despereaux’ and over 25 other books, answers 7 Questions appeared first on East Idaho News.

Every week I’m interviewing fascinating people in our community, nation and around the world.

You may have seen me on ‘The Drew Barrymore Show’ over the past few years but today I’m turning the tables and asking Drew 7 Questions!

She’s been in show business since she was 11 months old and has appeared in several hit movies. Drew is the proud mother to two daughters and hosts the fastest-growing daytime television talk show.

She invited me onto her set last year and today we’re taking a look back at our interview. I asked Drew the following questions:

• What made you want to start ‘The Drew Barrymore Show’?
• What’s been your most embarrassing moment on the show?
• Who is your dream interview?
• What do you love most about acting?
• Do you have any hidden talents?
• How many pairs of glasses do you have for the show?
• How do you stay kind, happy and positive while having a career in show business?

BONUS QUESTIONS

• Who’s the most famous person you have in your cell phone contacts and will you call them?
• What is your idea of a perfect day?
• Can you share a piece of advice that might help me?

Watch my entire interview with Drew in the video player above – including the phone call she made to the most famous person in her phone!

You can follow Drew on Facebook and Instagram. Learn more about ‘The Drew Barrymore Show’ online, Facebook, YouTube and Instagram.

Missed any of my previous interviews? Watch them all here. And if you have an idea of someone I should interview or just want to say hi, email me: emmy@eastidahonews.com.

The post Drew Barrymore shares her hidden talent, dream interview and answers 7 Questions with Emmy appeared first on East Idaho News.

GLENDALE, California — The highly anticipated ‘Trolls Band Together’ film comes out on Friday and the third movie in the series is full of music, fun and lots of vibrant colors!

I was recently invited to visit DreamWorks Animations in California with my family where we toured the beautiful campus, saw the movie and spoke with some of the brilliant people who made it all happen.

I loved the film and hope you enjoy my interviews with some of the brilliant people who made it all happen. Watch in the video player above.

We’re also partnering with Paramount Theater and Blackfoot Movie Mill to give away a date pass to see the film! It includes two tickets, popcorn and drinks. Visit my 7 Questions Facebook page to be entered to win.

The post Emmy is at DreamWorks Animation asking questions as ‘Trolls Band Together’ opens this week appeared first on East Idaho News.

GLENDALE, California — The highly anticipated ‘Trolls Band Together’ film comes out on Friday and the third movie in the series is full of music, fun and lots of vibrant colors!

I was recently invited to visit DreamWorks Animations in California with my family where we toured the beautiful campus, saw the movie and spoke with some of the brilliant people who made it all happen.

This week we’ll be posting my interviews leading up to the film’s release. Today I’m speaking with Director Walt Dohrn and Producer Gina Shay about the movie. Watch my interview in the video player above!

If you missed my interview with the music team, you can watch it here and don’t miss my conversation with the production team here. Tomorrow I’ll be sharing some highlights of my tour around DreamWorks.

We’re also partnering with Paramount Theater and Blackfoot Movie Mill to give away a date pass to see the film! It includes two tickets, popcorn and drinks. Visit my 7 Questions Facebook page each day this week to be entered to win.

The post The director and producer of ‘Trolls Band Together’ open up about making the highly-anticipated film appeared first on East Idaho News.