While reality TV stars Whitney Port and Olivia Palermo try to make their way to the top on MTV’s most fashionable show, The City, Elle magazine’s head of publicity, Erin Kaplan, is already sitting at the top! As Olivia’s no-nonsense co-worker, Erin is seemingly all business, all the time. But she lets HollywoodLife.com in on her more personal side. From friends, to fun, to even a hint of romance, check out with this blond ambition exclusively shared with us!
Are you and Elle Magazine editor Joe Zee great friends in real life? What was it like when he hired Olivia?
You see us go back and forth a lot on the show, but we really are friends and rarely (if ever) disagree in real life. Joe and I get along really well and have worked closely together for a few years now. To say that I enjoy working with him would be an understatement.
When you watch yourself on The City is there anything about yourself that you don’t like?
I find it really hard to watch myself! I kind of skim the screener so that I can understand the storyline and then that’s it–I could never watch the episode in real time. I try not to take it too seriously and remember that it’s a television show that’s meant to entertain. I understand that it’s more interesting to see people feuding than getting along, so I just try to take it all with a grain of salt.
Will we see a romance in your story line any time soon?
I think filming can be awkward at times, and first dates in general can definitely be awkward so there’s huge potential for disaster there… I would like to say no, but we’ll see.
Are you friends with Whitney or Roxy or any other cast members behind the scenes?
It would be difficult not to be friends with Whitney and Roxy. We’ve really gotten along well since the get-go and I consider myself pretty lucky to work with them. I also really adore Kelly [Cutrone].
Who is your favorite designer and why?
I just discovered Haute Hippie which I’m obsessed with. It’s a lot of sophisticated basics that fit really well.
Do you see a “life after Elle?” What is your dream job?
You don’t get to see a lot of what I really do on the show, but I have an amazing job and I’m really happy–so for now my focus is on the magazine.
What does it take to make it in the cut throat fashion industry and who on the show has the most potential to be big?
I think that in any industry you just have to love what you do and have a passion for it–that will keep you motivated and productive. MTV did an incredible job of casting four completely different personalities that are all trying to accomplish totally different things. I honestly think that each girl is going to be successful in her own way.