Laura Hampson with her Journalist of the Year prize at the London Venus Awards
Laura Hampson is a Digital Lifestyle Writer at the London Evening Standard and covers travel, health and fitness, food, drink and design. She was also the 2018 winner of the London Venus Award for Journalist of the Year! Laura took some time out of her award-winning career to answer the notorious Sunny Bird PR questions…
What are the 5 words that best describe you?
I asked my best friend and she said: “Curious, enthusiastic, kind, loyal and brave.”
What magazine do you love reading and why?
Evening Standard magazine, of course. As they always have interesting features and profiles. Other than that, I love Stylist as they always hit the mark.
What is your favourite book?
The two books I always go back to are Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen and Where Rainbows End by Cecelia Ahern, two books I read when I was a teenager that have stuck with me and that I could read over and over. I am currently reading Michelle Obama’s memoir ‘Becoming’ which is also an excellent read.
Which song makes you dance?
Sorry by Justin Bieber. I attempted to learn the dance from the music video a few years back so now crack out a terrible version of it whenever it comes on.
What has been your best career moment?
Winning Journalist of the Year at the Venus Awards, I definitely didn’t expect it, but it was such a thrill to hear my name called.
What advice would you give to your 20-year-old self?
Don’t be afraid to speak up more, your opinion matters.
Where are you happiest?
At home, cooking dinner with my boyfriend or whenever I get a chance to go back to New Zealand to visit my family.
Who would be your number one dinner guest and why?
Kate Sheppard, basically New Zealand’s answer to Emmeline Pankhurst. She pioneered the women’s suffrage movement in New Zealand and helped NZ become the first self-governing country in the world to give women the vote in parliamentary elections in 1893. I would like to say ‘thank you’. If it has to be a living guest, then Jacinda Ardern, NZ’s current Prime Minister. She just seems cool.
If you could have any superpower, what would it be and why?
Teleportation. 100%. Then I could go see my family after work every night instead of having to fly 24+ hours and halfway across the world just to say hello in person. Oh, and it would make commuting a breeze.
If you had to ask us one question what would it be?
What country is at the top of your bucket list to visit and why?
Last month we answered where’s next on our travel bucket list, so this month we’ll tell you all about our number one dream destination to visit…
Georgie: “Mine would definitely be a tour to see wild mountain gorillas. I saw wild Bornean Orangutans in 2016 and it was an incredible experience, so gorillas are next!”
Alex: “I would want to travel around South America, I really want to see the Chilean marble caves and Bolivian salt flats.”
Jess: “I would go to the floating pizza and champagne bar in the middle of the ocean in Fiji – all my favourite things!”
Lu: “I would travel around Australia, New Zealand and Bali because I love the heat and I want to see beautiful sights. I would definitely do a sky dive too!”
Laura: “I would go to Mexico so I can eat nachos all day long…”
Rachael: “My number one would be Bali, mainly because of the weather and the beautiful scenery. Plus, you can indulge yourself in ultimate luxury on a budget and the food is colourful and healthy.”
Lizzie: “I’ve heard there’s a cat island in Japan…”