Not every entertainment journalist gets the chance to sing “Kiss” with Prince to a stadium full of fans, fly to New Zealand to catch up with Peter Jackson on the set of his epic fantasy films, and we doubt that many writers can say that Leonard Cohen tried to set them up with his son. Those have been just three of the many adventures of Renee Gold. The former Editor-in-chief of the late Naked Eye and contributor to Huffington Post, Gold has had an entertaining life, and we’re obsessed with keeping up to date on her adventures on her website PopCultureRainman.com. We caught up with Gold to find out more about her favourite ‘pinch me’ moments and what’s inn her beauty bag.
Tell us a bit about yourself.
I’ve been an entertainment and music journalist for over 15 years. My moniker is the Pop Culture Rainman™ and I am the former Editor-in-Chief of the now defunct magazine Naked Eye — Canada’s Pop Culture Source. I am working on my first book called Pop Life about my journey in the entertainment industry. I love the cut and thrust of a witty repartee and I march to the beat of my own bongo!
What have been some of your ‘pinch me’ moments over the course of your career?
I’ve had so many ‘pinch me’ moments over the course of my career, that I should be permanently bruised.
Leonard Cohen tried to fix me up with his son after I interviewed him — his son was already in a relationship unbeknownst to him at the time. I called him ‘dad’ when I said goodbye to him which made him laugh. Interviewing Adele, Lenny Kravitz , Robert Downey Jr. and Chuck D are once in a lifetime interviews that come to mind as well. Being on set of the Lord of the Rings in New Zealand and meeting Peter Jackson and the cast was also bucket list worthy. And finally, being on stage with Prince three times, the last time he handed me the microphone and I sang ‘Kiss’ in front of the Montreal crowd of 15,000 people. My one desire is to be able to sit down with Prince for an interview — this is my life’s mission.
What are three things you can’t live without?
1. Kiehl’s flavoured lip balm. My lips are naturally enormous and require constant hydration.
2. My rescue cat Lulu. She kisses me constantly. She’s a lovely lesbian.
3. Music is my lifeblood. My all-time favourite line is from the Cameron Crowe movie Singles where Kyra Sedgwick’s character yells out in a loud club “We will always go out dancing.”
I love Toronto because…
I was born and raised in Montreal and moved to Toronto four years ago. I have come to adore Toronto for its abundant cultural offerings and incredible food. I used to live in King West and now reside in Little Italy and believe it to be the best area in Toronto. It’s like its own parallel universe and has such character. It’s a true neighbourhood in every sense of the word — my local coffee shop The Common is like Cheers.
What products are always your beauty/grooming bag?
I am lost without my Shu Uemura eye lash curler and L’Oreal makes great mascaras. Dior liquid eyeliner and Glo Minerals for a flawless finish. For lips I am obsessed with Tom Ford lipsticks. They are a bit of an investment but the quality is amazing. This holiday I am wearing Black Orchid — a real statement colour!
Let’s get social for a mo’. How can people stay up-to-date with your busy life?
My website is PopCultureRainman.com and I would love it if you would follow me on Twitter. My posts are comedic pop culture musings with some cutting edge colour commentary.
