In a media landscape crowded with content, Libby O is doing something refreshingly different. As the creator, host, producer, and emcee of the Libby O Show, she has built a platform rooted in connection and authentic storytelling. Equal parts interviewer and entertainer, Libby O has carved out a corner in Middle Tennessee's creative community that is entirely her own. We sat down with the creator to talk about the show, the journey, and what drives her to keep showing up with a microphone.
How would you describe the Libby O Show?
The Libby O Show is a blend of sit-down interviews and short-form lifestyle content, all wrapped in a sense of nostalgic escape. From a big-band inspired theme song to a vibrant retro logo, every detail is designed to make people feel like they’re discovering something new in a space that feels warm, familiar, and inviting.
What was the spark behind the show and was there a moment where you thought, 'I have to do this'?
Honestly, from the beginning I knew I had to pursue The Libby O Show. The concept came to mind at the end of 2019 and I launched in February 2020. I knew it was time to create something of my own and build an outlet that would challenge me to put myself out there as a host and personality. I’ll also say there were moments over the last few years where I questioned the growth or wondered if I was doing enough, because building a show from scratch is so much bigger than posting content online and hoping it sticks. It takes time, money, networking, resources, consistency… all of it. You really have to be willing to stick with it for the long haul. Even after taking a pause this past year, I’ve spent a lot of time reworking ideas and figuring out what the next version of the show looks like. Creatively, 2024 was my biggest year yet, and I’m really excited to keep expanding what I’ve started in a new way.
You wear a lot of hats as emcee, host, and producer — which one challenges you the most?
Definitely emceeing! As an emcee, there’s so much more multitasking than you would think. You’re reading the crowd, adjusting constantly, improvising, and figuring out how to keep people engaged even if they respond differently than you expected. There’s no one person carrying the conversation with you - you’re guiding the entire room. It can be challenging in the most magical way. I’ve emceed many charity events, and being able to give back while using my talents is one of the most meaningful ways I can contribute to my community.
How do you prepare for your interviews? Do you go deep on research, keep it loose and conversational, or find somewhere in between that works for you?
I LOVE a deep-dive research. Watching other interviews and immersing myself into someone’s work. I enjoy finding a connecting point (or several) before an interview. For me, pre-production is like setting up for a small party. You are quite literally hosting someone to have a wonderful experience sharing their heart and what inspires them creatively. As a host, I enjoy the whole process of producing an episode - from concept to completion. It’s all about curating an environment that makes the guest feel celebrated - like I’m entering their space and not just mine. You’ll notice every interview has its own energy - bright, colorful and uplifting in its unique way. Last year, I actually spoke to a media class at Belmont about the craft of the interview and why listening is so important. Guests can absolutely tell when you haven’t prepared. At the same time, once you’ve done the research, it actually becomes easier to keep things conversational and relaxed because you’re not scrambling for questions and you already understand who they are. It allows for more than surface-level talking points or relating from a place of only knowing about their most recent project. I’ve hosted red carpets for years and while I do my due diligence of prepping, there’s a lot of room to keep things light, spontaneous, and fun in this type of setting.
Is there a guest or a conversation that stands out above all others?
This one is tough. I think my episode with friend and actor Judith Hoag was one of my favorites because she is such a joy to be around. It was a Halloween-themed episode where we talked about her lead roles on Halloweentown, Ninja Turtles, and Armageddon. She has such an amazing perspective on this industry and appreciation for filmmaking. I also love adding activities into the interviews, so during that episode we paired sparkling wine with Halloween candy and talked about childhood trick-or-treat memories. It just felt fun and nostalgic in a really natural way.
You clearly have a gift for making people feel at ease on camera. Is that something that came naturally to you, or is it a skill you've had to deliberately develop over time?
This is so kind of you to say! I think I’ve always been naturally curious, even as a kid. When you interact with others from a place of 'I’m here to learn,' it creates a level of trust. I’ve always enjoyed that connecting point - making someone else feel special in the life they’ve been called to. What I’ve had to develop over time is learning how to respond more creatively in the moment and finding different ways to ask questions. I think when you speak to artists in any area of the industry as people first, this allows them to let their guard down. Show-and-tell was my favorite classroom activity as a kid and that still shines in my work today.
Where do you see the Libby O Show in the next few years?
I’ve thought about this A LOT over the past year. I took a hiatus after spending six months working on a TV show, and afterward I knew I wanted to do things differently. I just wasn’t totally sure yet what that looked like. The next few years I hope to do live shows to support charities I care about. I am working on incorporating more lifestyle in my social content online - vintage fashion, repurposing old things and allowing people to see into my life a little bit more. I’ve been experimenting with short monologue formats, travel vlog content and other ways to expand the brand beyond traditional interviews. I think it’ll take consistency, continued social media growth, and finding people that see the value of what I have built and want to invest. I’m definitely open to a network partnership someday, but I’d want The Libby O Show to find the right home creatively.
LibbyOShow.com / @thelibbyoshow
"I knew it was time to create something of my own and build an outlet that would challenge me to put myself out there as a host and personality."