MELISSA: Did you always want to become an author/TV personality?
KATHRYN: I always liked television and writing, but I never thought or realized that one thing would lead to the other. When I started out, I was modelling, and I knew that it wasn’t going to be my path for many reasons. I wanted to find a way to have a voice and opinion in a way that was still exciting. At the time I was studying communication journalism and I wrote my first book How to Tell a Man by his Shoes, and the day I graduated, I went to New York on a book tour with my first ever appearance was on Good Morning America. It was an amazing experience that led me to be a guest on Today in New York by NBC. The ratings went very well, and they asked me to come back with a new position for me. One thing led to the other, through the book, I never thought I would end up being a Television Journalist. I actually ended up using all the same skillsets that I gained from being an author, because I was writing my own stories, producing them and creating them, but it was less isolating. Writing can be an isolating experience, but wonderful as well because it’s time of contemplation and going inwards. Whereas television is about going outwards and communicating to people. It’s a nice balance from a personal perspective because you don’t feel isolated or like you’re always out there, you have that natural equilibrium.
MELISSA: How did you come up with the idea from your first book?
KATHRYN: Back when I was modelling, I was just sitting and watching these guys walk past me. I was looking at their shoes, and without looking up at who they were I was guessing who they were. I realized that I could tell, not only who they were, but what type of men they were just by their shoes. In the middle of the night I woke up and had a revelation that I needed to write this book. I literally started writing it then. I had no idea that it would be published but I submitted it to three publishers and ended up becoming an international best-seller. It took on a life of its own, but it was a great minder that if you have a great idea you should act on it.
MELISSA: Who is your favorite celebrity interview?
KATHRYN: Matt Damon is the loveliest person. Kerry Washington has such a beautiful soul. Viola Davis was incredible as well. Margot Robbie is very impressive because she’s so beautiful, but very sharp, ambitious and nobody’s fool. I thought she was really inspiring, and it was great to meet a woman who has such a big career with eye on the prize. I left the interview thinking that I could learn a lot from her.
MELISSA: How did you come up with the name of High Heel Jungle?
KATHRYN: The idea is that as modern women it’s almost like we’re navigating this jungle, but a modern-day jungle. Whether it be professionally, romantically or in motherhood. It’s a wild time out there. The idea of High Heels is navigating modern life from a female perspective but with style. High Heel Jungle is how to be in the jungle and have grace and style as a woman.