Release Date: February 10, 2014
My name is Olivia Bloom and I. Am. Free.
I left for LA with everything I owned piled into my old Volkswagen and dreams of becoming a costume designer. Little did I know I’d wind up designing for a lingerie company—yeah, not sure how I landed this gig—and taken under the wing of two young Hollywood insiders. The fashion shows and parties were great, but life really got exciting when the seriously hottest lead singer of my favorite band started to fall for me.
How does someone like me, an ordinary girl from Pittsburgh, wind up in the arms of the world’s sexiest rock star—surrounded by celebrities, fashion, and music—and not be eaten alive? Berkeley is everything I've ever dreamed of in a boyfriend, but the paparazzi, the tabloids, the rumors, it's all getting a bit too crazy. My life has become every girl’s dream come true, if only I don’t blink and lose it all…
I'm so excited to have Olivia and Berkeley here today for their first interview as a couple. Thank you both for being here.
Olivia:
How are you handling all of the media coverage since you started dating Berkeley?
Can I crawl under a rock and hide? I always hated being the center of attention, but this is like being the center of the world! I don’t know how real celebrities handle it. I’m definitely not star material…I’ll leave that to Berkeley.
What is your favorite thing about living here in California?
Honestly? The weather. I love being able to bike to the beach in the middle of January. And also the food. There are so many unique restaurants to try, it’s easy to pretend you’re dining in a faraway, exotic city instead of your own backyard.
Up to this point what do you consider your greatest achievement?
Having lingerie that I helped design sold at Nordstrom. I know I didn’t do it alone, but six months ago I never could have dreamed I’d be saying that. Life is funny sometimes…so many unexpected twists! I really feel like I’m on the right path. Maybe someday I’ll have my name on a label…
What is the most difficult part of dating someone as famous as Berkeley?
We rarely get to be alone. There are always people around, and they all need his attention. Sometimes I feel like I’m in the way… But when we do get a moment together, I remember it’s totally worth it.
What is your favorite thing about being a lingerie designer?
I love the fantasy of it all—imagining how the girl who is wearing it wants to feel, what story she’s trying to tell.
Berkeley:
What is next for Berkeley & the Brightside, can we expect more touring or a new album soon?
We’re actually going to take a little break. We’ve been touring the world relentlessly for the last two years and I think there might be mutiny if I ask the guys to get on one more plane. Hopefully we’ll be back in the studio in a couple months to start the new album, and we’re going to be working on a movie soundtrack soon, too.
What is your idea of perfect happiness?
Having balance—being comfortable at home, surrounded by family and friends and feeling successful at work—but staying hungry, not getting complacent. I’m happiest when a project I’ve been working on starts to come together.
What is your greatest fear?
Missing an opportunity.
What inspires you when you are writing a song?
Everything—it could be an article I read, or a conversation I overheard at the grocery store, or the way the light is hitting my balcony in the morning. I don’t know where inspiration comes from, but I always consider it a gift. Sometimes I’m writing and the music or words are coming faster than I can comprehend them, it’s like they’re flowing through me, and I consider myself lucky that they chose me to tell their story.
Are you working on new material?
Always. Not a day goes by that I don’t jot down lyrics in my composition book.
Both:
Do you find it difficult to manage your career and relationship?
Both: YES!
Liv: It’s so new… we’re still figuring it out.
Berkeley: I travel so much, it’s never easy, but I’m hoping Liv will agree to tag along on my next adventure…
What is the most difficult aspect of being in a relationship with each other?
Berkeley: The outside forces that keep pulling us in different directions. The band, my publicist and her crazy schemes…
Liv: And don’t forget my mom and her crazy prophecies!
Are there any quirks or habits you have had to get used to since you started dating?
Berkeley: Liv probably has to get used to me staring at her all the time because I still can’t believe she’s real, and I keep checking to make sure she hasn’t disappeared…and I’ve had to get used to her singing. She’s an eternal botcher of lyrics.
Liv: I am not!
Berkeley: What do you think the words to “Headshot” are again?
Liv: ‘’You wanna take it up, go ahead and make it up/ You better hold me when you’re done”
Berkeley: Or “You wanna break it up, go ahead and break it up/ You better hope you’re really done”…
Liv: Noooo.
Berkeley:
I think I should know… I wrote them.
Liv: No comment. And Berkeley doesn’t have quirks, he just has ex-girlfriends.
What are your plans for the future as a couple?
Berkeley: We have to plead the fifth on that for now...Shar’s orders…but we hope to make an announcement soon…
Thanks again for taking the time out of your busy schedules to talk to us we look forward to seeing more of the two of you around.
About the Author:
Katie is a fashion designer turned novelist. She graduated with a BA in Communication Studies from UCLA and a Professional Designation in Fashion Design from FIDM. It never occurred to her that she was a writer until an economic crisis induced career shift from lingerie designer to ecommerce webmistress led her to start the company blog. Not being an expert in lingerie, she decided to write the blog as a fictional serial starring a girl named Olivia Bloom who worked for the lingerie line. And that’s when Katie fell in love with storytelling. She hasn’t looked back since. Katie lives in Los Angeles with her husband
Author Links: Website / Facebook / Twitter
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