She started running Miley Cyrus’ official fan account at the age of 16 and soon spent a summer at Miley’s home advising her. Since then, it’s been an exciting whirlwind of reaching for the stars and landing among them as an influencer: attending movie premieres and awards shows, managing IMG supermodels’ social media, and working at iHeartRadio in Syracuse.

Who doesn’t have massive teenage obsessions with celebrities? While some stalk their favorites on social media and purchase bracelets which read “Harry Styles is my boyfriend,” others turn it into a lucrative career. Such is the case with Olivia Rudensky. She loved Miley Cyrus, was determined to work with entertainment icons, and pursued her passions until she got a seat at the table – or in her case, an all access pass backstage at Miley’s Bangerz tour and a plush spot close to Zayn Malik at the AMAs.

It’s hard to catch up with Olivia. While she’s a sophomore enrolled in the prestigious Bandier program at Syracuse University, she’s also jetting to Las Vegas to attend the Billboard Music Awards, and juggling internships at companies like Scooter Braun Projects. However, we managed to meet up with her just before she was due to work the movie premiere of Manchester by the Sea. Refreshingly driven and obviously a hard worker, she’s brimming with enthusiasm for the entertainment industry and everything she has managed to accomplish.

“I appreciate every opportunity I’ve gotten.” She remarks. “Obviously some of it was pure luck, but it’s also about focusing on what makes you happy and doing your best.”

We asked her all about how she got started with Miley, where she hopes to be in the future, and if she has any advice to impart. Here’s how a teen from Long Island, New York became an entertainment influencer in high school. Take her story as an inspiration and you can do it, too.

1. What is your background?

From the time I was really little, I’ve always loved the music and entertainment businesses. I went to concerts all the time when I was younger, and my aunt owns a modeling agency, APM, in NYC so she was able to bring me to movie premieres. I just always knew I loved this whole different world and made it my mission to get to these events on my own, and I have!

2. How did you become Miley Cyrus’ official social media correspondent?

When I was around 11 or 12, I was an obsessed Miley fan. I went to all of her concerts, followed her YouTube channel, and noticed her video stating that she created a Twitter account. I had no idea what Twitter was at the time, but decided to sign up and follow her. I then resolved to make my Twitter account be the number one source for all things Miley, and have fellow fans come to my account for information. After working on my account for 4 years, she followed me and sent me a message saying that she loved what I was doing. She invited me to meet her in LA on the Ellen Show with her fiancé Liam Hemsworth, and they were both super sweet. After that, we would continue talking all the time; she would ask me for help and I would give her advice.

When I was a junior in high school, she called me and asked if I wanted to help her out over the summer. We would speak on the phone every night discussing her comeback with the single, “We Can’t Stop” and I helped launch a few campaigns for it. I went to LA that summer, stayed with her family, and my Twitter was made her official fan source. Her team would give me updates and I would give them messages from fans. I’ve been doing that for years, but since I’m now in college, I have begun new projects.

3. What have you done since?

I work for Moxie Raia at Scooter Braun Projects, help out with events for Hot 107.9 at iHeartRadio in Syracuse, manage social media accounts for IMG Models, and I started co-managing Jesse Bloch, a DJ out of Australia.

I’m also in the process of launching my own company which I’m really excited about because it will give exciting opportunities to fans – details will be posted on oliviarudensky.com.

4. When you assist at movie premieres, what do you usually do?

It depends on the movie. Sometimes I check in guests, set up the after party, or escort celebrity guests down the red carpet.

5. What does a day in your life look like?

I constantly joke that my life changes every week. People always ask if I still go to Syracuse because I’m always traveling, or just MIA. Sometimes I can have a relaxed week with literally nothing, and then all of a sudden the next week I barely have time for food. It’s crazy. A normal day for me is getting up, going to the gym, checking my emails every second of the day, building up my Instagram and Twitter pages, checking my clients’ schedules, and attending some classes.

6. What is one important key for success?

One important key is to start young, and figure out what you want to do early on. It’s so beneficial. Once you get your foot in the door, it makes everything easier. Make connections, follow up with them. Some people you meet may surprise you with how nice they are.

7. Where do you hope your career will take you?

I love where I’m at right now. I am an entertainment influencer doing social media, radio, management and events – all while I’m at school in Syracuse. I’d also love to be working as a manager, or on a management team.

8. How do you keep yourself motivated when it gets hard balancing work, socializing and studying?

It’s so hard. The jobs right now are all remote, besides iHeartRadio where I occasionally go into the office. I’m able to go to class and get my school work done, but I’m also readily available whenever someone needs me to do work. I have a really close group of friends and I see them a lot over the weekends. I obviously love going out in Syracuse as well.

 

Some facts about Olivia:

• Her favorite singer of all time? “Miley is always my favorite.”
• The funniest moment she had with Miley was “going into her dressing room backstage at the BANGERZ Tour in NY, and she was just standing there in a bra and underwear. Casual.”
• Her dream occupation is “being a full time entertainment influencer flown out to events and endorsement deals – kind of like @YesJulz.”
• She would describe her personal style as “Modern Chic.”
• One thing she can’t live without is her phone.

 

Follow Olivia’s experiences at premieres and events with stars like Ariana Grande and Shawn Mendes: @allaccessnyc & @oliviarudy

 

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Cover Photo: OliviaRudensky.com, check it out to learn more about Olivia!