Radio host and internet persona Tanya Rad has built a career out of her love for music and entertainment. She's the co-host of KIISFM's On Air with Ryan Seacrest, hosts I Heart Radio's Top 40 show The Vibe, has her own podcast called Scrubbing In, and is also a published author. In between interviewing celebrities and music artists, Tanya has built her platform off her authenticity, sharing advice for those dating in their 20s and 30s and helping people find joy in the day-to-day.
Tanya took a minute to answer 13 quick questions with Distractify about her favorite show, the best thing she's ever eaten, and the most surreal moments of her career (including one with Harry Styles).
What’s your go-to karaoke song?
TR: My go-to is definitely SPICE GIRLS WANNABE!
If you could have any superpower, what would you pick?
TR: If I could have any superpower it would be to teleport. I’d save so much time in traffic, be able to be so much more productive during the week, and travel every weekend!
Tanya Rad, Latto, and JoJo Wright
If you had to get a tattoo right now, what would it be?
TR: For me butterflies hold a very significant meaning. Butterflies are a symbol of a hope in love and to me there is nothing more beautiful than a hopeful heart – so I’d get that!
What was the moment you felt like you had "made it"?
TR: If I’m being honest, I feel like I’m still waiting for that moment to happen. But I believe this mentality keeps me hungry and pushing. But one of the coolest moments of my career was seeing my book The Sunshine Mind at a bookstore at LAX... that moment felt very out of body.
What’s your most-used emoji?
TR: I always always always use the heart shaped hands
What’s your favorite TV show?
TR: Favorite TV show would have to be Friends – you really can’t beat it. It’s comfort tv for me. I feel like at the end of the day or before I go to bed getting a good laugh and check in in with my gal pals Rachel, Monica and Phoebe is such a treat.
Talk about the best meal you've ever had.
TR: I traveled to France last summer and got a sandwich from this little tiny hole in the wall place and it was possibly the greatest thing I’ve ever consumed. On the most delicious homemade bread it was simply just mortadella and a homemade pistachio paste they made in house. It was so simple and yet I still dream about that sandwich to this day.
List your top 5 celebrity crushes.
TR: 1. Patrick Dempsey (who doesn’t / didn’t have a MAJOR crush on McDreamy)
2. Harry Styles (cuz, duh!)
3. Michael B. Jordan
4 & 5 have to go to my Jonas Brethren Kevin Jonas and Joe Jonas!
If you could secretly start any rumor about yourself, what would it be?
TR: That I had so much rizz people couldn’t believe how much rizz I had!
What's your most memorable interview experience?
TR: I have to say my most memorable interview experience was with Harry Styles. I was hosting an album release party for IHeartRadio in New York for Harry’s 2019 album “Fine Line.” Before the interview I was brought up to meet Harry who could not have been sweeter or more inclusive of me in his green room. Bright, smiley, and just seemed to be a genuinely happy person.
During our interview Q&A I expressed my deep love for the song “Falling” on the album and how much it meant to me. After our Q&A Harry was set to perform a few songs off the album, but in the middle of the set he added “Falling” just for me!!! It wasn’t in the original setlist and after he’d heard how much I loved it he threw it in and pointed at me in the crowd. I nearly almost passed out. But it gets even better.
That night after everything was said and done. I had finished my dinner for the night I got a call and it was.... HARRY FREAKING STYLES. He had called to say thank you so much for the great interview questions and he really appreciated my thoughtful questions. It was a brief call but one I’ll never forget. He did not have to go out of his way, but he did. He is a class act that Harry Styles!
If you had to pick one dating app, which one is it?
TR: I’m a Hinge girly – met my fiancé on that app and I'm forever grateful!
What's your favorite part of hosting a radio show?
TR: My favorite part of hosting a radio show is the community. I’ve shared so many of my life moments with these people (highs and lows) and they have been there with me through each and everyone of them. It’s this feeling of family. When I’m out and about and someone comes up to me and says they are a listener there is an immediate bond. I hug them like family – because they really are. It’s so special and I’ll never take this privilege for granted.
What’s your No. 1 distraction?
TR: INSTAGRAM! I could get sucked in for hours on end. I am the target for all Instagram influencers. I only shop on Insta — clothes, makeup, household items, I do it all in the app! I don’t even know how productive I’d be in a day without it!