CNN Reporter Brooke Anderson Reveals Her Oscar Predictions and Red Carpet Tips

By Jillian Leff -- 03/04/10

Brooke Anderson is a southern belle slowly taking over Los Angeles with her entertainment coverage as the host of "Showbiz Tonight" on CNN. Growing up in Georgia, things were very different than the fast paced Hollywood life she lives now.

Anderson began her career as an entry-level producer for CNN News, and from there she says, "I fell into doing entertainment news." Now she is the face of entertainment news at CNN. Anderson covers all the major awards shows, including the Academy Awards.

She says the biggest entertainment story of the Oscar season is easily the Best Picture battle of the exes. That would be "The Hurt Locker" director Katherine Bigelow vs. her former husband "Avatar" director James Cameron. Anderson believes the blockbuster "Avatar" will take Best Picture simply because of the success it has had in theatres and the massive staff effort it took to make it happen. However she believes if it does lose it may be because most of the movie is computer generated, and the majority of the Academy are actors who appreciate talented acting.

Anderson also revealed plenty of Oscar red carpet tricks to WEBN, including wearing Ugg boots under her dress during commercial breaks to give her aching feet a break.

Anderson finished up the interview by giving advice to budding entertainment journalists. She simply said to work hard, and always keep your writing and producing skills in your back pocket because people looking to hire are always looking for "more bang for their buck."