Me with the Backstreet Boys in 2008. My first book "Lost In You" was inspired by my love for them and 98 Degrees.
On July 26, 2001, I was a girl fearing my future. Unsure of who I was and where I was going. All I knew then was I loved writing and entertainment. I began StarShine to overcome my fear of interviewing people. On January 29, 2002, I found myself backstage at an Aaron Carter concert, terrified and beyond excited to be given such an opportunity so early on in my journalistic career. The day was surreal. I was hanging out with Aaron and his crew and yet that was only the beginning of my 9 year journey running StarShine Magazine. From there, it was a whirlwind of Nick Lachey sneaking me into a premiere, smoking a cigar with a Backstreet Boy, having a drink spilled on me by Jesse Bradford, almost being groped by Pretty Ricky and meeting Taylor Swift before anyone knew her. The question is why would I give up all those fun, sometimes crazy experiences?
Well, in a sense, I’m not giving anything up. I will still interview and review entertainers right here on sandy-lo.com. On top of that, I will be writing for www.starrymag.com, a wonderful entertainment website run by the talented Lisa Steinberg. Follow them at: @StarryMag. In doing things this way, I free up time for me to focus on my writing career. Running an entire magazine by yourself is no easy task.
As of January 2, 2011, StarShineMag.com will be nonexistent. It pains me a little to say that, but it also feels like a relief at the same time. I’m having one last round of StarShine Music Awards before January. Also, one of the first people I told about this decision was in fact Aaron Carter. He and I did our last StarShine interview together last week. He fully understood my decision and thinks it was a wise move. We both thought liked the idea of things coming full-circle with him being one of my first big features in StarShine and now he will be one of my last interviews for it.
One day, I’d love to write a book about all of my experiences with StarShine–whether it be fiction or non. I love you guys! I want to thank you all for your support throughout the years, and hope it will continue on.
Hugs, Kisses & Stars,
Sandy
🙁