Taking a PSY of Relief as American Idol Season 12 Wraps Up!

Truly Julie — Sat, 18 May 2013 05:28:00 +0000

Truly Julie covering the American Idol Season 12 Finale for NYC and LA!It’s happening!!!! IT-SUH-HAPPENING!!! (Cue “Bridesmaids” humor) After months of campaigning on Good Day LA for an interview with Psy…I finally got the chance at the American Idol Season 12 finale (will post clip soon). The Korean superstar seemed a bit tired (after all he’s been going non-stop since his YouTube Gangnam Style meteoric rise)…but a “Gentleman” nonetheless. And I had the pleasure of meeting two very grounded, humble, power house vocals…Kree Harrison and new Idol winner Candice Glover. Honestly…they are such great role models. In this day of Teen Mom and other reality stars…it’s an honor to meet two rising stars who have overcome so many challenges. Kree is such a ray of sunshine…that you’d never think she lost both of her parents when she was just a teenager. And Candice…love her perseverance of trying out 3 times before winning! Say what you want to about American Idol…but truth be told, it’s the only talent show that pumps out album selling stars. I hope to hear these ladies on the radio soon! I had the pleasure (and serious sleep deprivation) of covering for both NYC and LA this year. Can I just say…THANK YOU for all the amazing feedback via Twitter/Facebook/Instagram?! I’m still blown away. To my loyal NYC peeps…my deepest gratitude! And to my relatively new LA peeps…so grateful for the warm welcome. Now many of you reached out to me regarding fashion deets, so here it goes, from left to right: David Meister dress, Zara Shoes, H&M earrings, Burberry Prorsum sequins cardigan, Abercrombie jeans (they’re 15 years old!), Vintage belt, Pour La Victoire shoes, Rag & Bone pink blazer, H&M cami, Asos leather skirt, Badichi custom belt (I made it in the store!), Christian Louboutin boots, Chanel earrings.

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Ahoy…Oh, Boy.

Truly Julie — Sun, 12 May 2013 07:13:21 +0000

Truly Julie is on a boat! (SNL reference)So, I’m decked out in my nautical stripes, sipping rosé, giggling like a dolphin (as usual) and feeling pretty lucky to have friends who own a gorgeous sailboat when (insert dramatic, ominous music…Duhn Duhn Daaaaaaahn) motion sickness sets in. Yeah…I was THAT girl. I even took medication and I was still staring at the horizon for my dear life. Any who…I made a strong recovery after an hour and the rest of the trip was, pun intended, smooth sailing. The fun company…good food…a spotting of a dolphin…glorious views of Malibu all rocked! And I don’t mean in the sea sickness way:)

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You either Sink or Float (on a Paddle Board)!

Truly Julie — Sun, 05 May 2013 00:37:45 +0000

Truly Julie paddle boarding with the ladies in Venice!
I’ve moved about 20 times in my life. The good that comes out of being a modern day gypsy is you learn to adapt and assimilate to your new environment: you don’t sink…you float! I’d say I’m adjusting to Cali life rather well…wouldn’t you? Peace, love and sunshine! **Fashion front: Truly Julie’s wetsuit by Cynthia Rowley for Roxy.

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Holy Cow…I’m back in High School! But for the Right Reasons:)

Truly Julie — Fri, 03 May 2013 01:18:22 +0000

Truly Julie striking an “Asian pose” with Vistamar as well as Da Vinci high school students.

Never did I think when my parents left me in America at age 15…alone…that I would have THIS life. I had a dream and I went after it with my own will…and I only hope I can inspire others to do the same. With that in mind, I had a great time sharing my colorful career path with Vistamar and Da Vinci high school students today in the South Bay area. Thank you so much for inviting me to be a part of your career day (big shout out to Ms. Lissa Eidelman and Mr. Rhett Broderick)! It felt surreal to roam the hallways of a high school again, but it also made me feel like I came full circle. It seems like yesterday I was a vulnerable 15 year old girl trying to survive high school sans family and here I am today, sharing my story on how I was able to thrive. I wish every one of these students success and I hope that one day they, too, get to pay it forward. Remember, make the choice to challenge yourself…and only then, will you see change.

Fiesta Broadway 2013!

Truly Julie — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 03:41:50 +0000

Truly Julie at Fiesta Broadway 2013 with her Good Day LA/Fox 11 Morning News family! From the left: Araksya Karapetyan, Steve Edwards, Bob Decastro, Julie Chang & Lisa Breckenridge.I’m still blown away by the remarkable turnout at Fiesta Broadway! Wow. Wow. Wow. Honestly, I thought I was going to have to jump up and down for you to notice us…after all, there were dozens and dozens of tents set up and swarms of people…but you not only recognized the Good Day LA gang, you waited in line to meet us in-person. So beyond tickled by your devotion. Thanks to all of you who came by…you really know how to make a team feel special. And I don’t wanna brag, but I think Good Day LA viewers are the cutest!! Look at these two who stopped by for an autograph! I die! Two great moments you didn’t see today on TV or through my pictures…Steve Edwards and Lisa Breck arguing over directions like an old married couple while we carpooled to the event (we all sang the Beatles “Across the Universe” on the returning ride…so it all balanced out with our Kumbaya moment). People literally crying tears of joy meeting Steve. He’s such a legend…and I’m lucky to be able to learn from him everyday.

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Your’s Truly…Truly Julie!

Truly Julie — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 01:23:06 +0000

It’s back…Truly Julie segments!!I first launched the Truly Julie franchise in New York at WPIX-CW 11, gosh, about 8 years ago! The morning show TV segments started off randomly. It would air once every few weeks. But with higher viewership/ratings, it eventually aired twice a week for about 3 years. From food, fashion, culture, travel, entertainment, human interest, etc., the goal of each Truly Julie segment was to showcase anything fun under the sun (with a strong touch of my wackiness). For example, I flew all the way to the tiny South Korean Island of Jeju to go deep sea diving with Haenyeos…I entered competitions for double-dutch jump roping and break dancing…I trained for the NYC marathon with the world’s fastest blind marathoner…I cooked with the finest chefs and ate the most exotic foods such as a giant scorpion and a live squid (with moving tentacles!) and the list goes on. When I switched jobs and moved over to WNYW, Fox 5 New York, I put Truly Julie on hiatus. But I tell you what, the viewers from those original “Changsta Gangsta” days have stayed with me! And if this is you: THANK YOU. It’s been about 5 years since I last aired a Truly Julie story in NYC and till this day, when I walk down the streets of the Big Apple, a few people will still yell, “Hey, it’s Truly Julie!”. I rarely hear folks call me Julie Chang…it’s almost always, “Truly Julie”. The success of Truly Julie and loyalty from so many viewers inspired the name of this blog! So with that..I felt it was only natural for me to bring Truly Julie back…but this time in LA!! If the goal is to feature things that are fun in the sun…um…where else is more fitting than Southern California??! I’m fortunate that the folks at Fox 11 LA share my vision. Slowly but surely we are getting Truly Julie back up and running. You can catch it/me every Sunday, around 10:30PM, somedays on Good Day LA & always online. Your’s Truly, Julie

Coachella…Coach-Hell-Yeah!

Truly Julie — Wed, 17 Apr 2013 01:54:12 +0000

Truly Julie with one of her favorite “bandmates” Jacqui Rosshandler! (It all started here)

When I commit to something…I’m in a 1000%. When I moved to LA from New York, I knew there were a few must-do’s to expedite my Angeleno status. Beach pad: check. California
driver’s license: check. Pink’s Hot Dogs: check. Cabo trip: check. Paddle boarding: check. Parking ticket: check. Tattoo: NO WAY (I’m too fickle with trends and I’m a scaredy cat)! And of course, I had to experience Coachella. Done! Don’t I look more LaLaLand after this weekend??! It’s probably the prematurely aging ritual called tanning that I actively took part in at pre-Coachella pool parties this past weekend. Coachella is sort of like Disneyland for adults. Every corner is fun, fun, fun…but all of it is a bit forced and too well manicured for it to be a Woodstock-like festival. The fashion is crazy and wild, but you can tell folks have been planning these outfits for months. Everyone dances like they’re the biggest hobo free spirit, yet you know they spent at least $350 to get in, and even more $$$ for transportation, parking and to find housing near Indio. Much like Disney’s Space Mountain, the line for pricey drinks and food (the Kogi BBQ was life changing!) snakes around and around. Plus, the 30 check-points to just enter the venue truly tests one’s patience. And instead of Mickey and Minnie, at Coachella you spot celebrities everywhere! But the music (Violent Femmes were my fav!)… the perfect festival weather (sans the Sunday dust storm)…the supermodel looking party-goers at Neon Carnival…vibrant life everywhere…that’s why you do Coachella! Coach-hell-yeah!

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Protected: A Year…

Truly Julie — Sun, 07 Apr 2013 19:48:40 +0000

Sun…Beach…Fish Tacos…Margarita…Whales…Horses…Truly Julie is Loco for Cabo!

Truly Julie — Fri, 29 Mar 2013 02:02:27 +0000

Truly Julie splashing around in San Jose del Cabo, Mexico! Y lo sabes (And you know it)!! The hipsters I met in Cabo threw this winning phrase around left and right and after my 3-day trip to this Mexican gem, I get it! Between the easy flight (it’s just 2.5 hours from LA)…all the options to unwind and unplug…great culinary scene…and the perfect weather…Cabo is where it’s at. And all it takes is a few days if not hours for you to KNOW IT! I did the whole whistle-blowing-in-your-face-while-you-down-a-tequila-shot (s!) in Cancun, Cozumel, Acapulco and Puerto Vallarta. Um…I’m over that phase of my life. This go around, I enjoyed a long weekend in Mexico like a grown up. Don’t worry, I was still giggling like a school girl while galloping on a gorgeous horse up anddown a private beach…and while seeing dozens and dozens of mama and baby whales. However, I recharged on this trip as opposed to wrecking myself. I stayed at the El Ganzo hotel which is just 3 months old! Yes, it’s where Charlie Sheen was partying it up with LA mayor Villaraigosa a few weeks ago but! It’s not what you think. The hotel does boast a little rockstar flair with a recording studio underground…and a suite that was inspired by the Bowery Hotel in NYC, but for the most part (like 99%), the hotel is really laid back, unpretentious, and carries a modern comfort vibe. And since it’s so new (and still working out some service and wifi kinks, you can find great deals). I promise…I did not see a single Charlie Sheen-esque type or a “goddess” or Tiger Blood in its drink menu:) What I did see, though, was a pristine, charming marina (the largest private marina in Mexico!) right out my window, an awesome rooftop infinity pool (picture on the left), and lots of hidden areas to explore on beach cruisers such as the sculpture park and cactus nursery. Both are literally a 5 minute bike ride from the hotel but feels a world away. They have plans to host music/food & wine festivals in the sculpture park which would be perfect! Because let’s be honest…Coachella would be a lot better if there was a beach nearby. I also found two restaurants that I’ll be CRAVING!!! The little fish taco shack The Drunken Sailer (order the Taco Chino!)…and Flora’s Farm, which is so freshly farm-to-table that you actually sit touching distance from the crops. It was so delicioso that I went for dinner and the very next morning, returned for Sunday brunch (ridiculously good family style prix fix menu on Sundays) ! And to complete my replenishing, I got an hour massage at the uber serene and fancy Las Ventanas Resort. I highly recommend Martha…who had the hand strength of the Hulk. And it’s cool, they finish all of their massages with this bell ringing device that sits on your back. It reverberates your entire body while silencing your mind. That was one awesome birthday treat! So between the $5 taco lunch at The Drunken Sailer to the luxury spa pampering, I tapped a lot of pricing points and activities. And Holy guacamole! You really can ride into the sunset here. Arriba, arriba, andale, andale!!

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Thanks Los Angeles Magazine!

Truly Julie — Thu, 28 Mar 2013 21:46:05 +0000

Click here for the article! Yes, it’s true, I have a “When Harry Met Sally” moment at Trader Joe’s and at the farmers market:) I guess I’m becoming a Cali girl…fresh produce gets me all hot and bothered!