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Homeless Blogger Lands Internship at Elle Magazine

by Lesley Kennedy (Subscribe to Lesley Kennedy's posts)
Posted Aug 26th 2009 at 2:00PM  
61 Comments
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brianna karp homeless blogger

Brianna Karp (aka "Bri"), the homeless blogger who landed an internship at ELLE. Photo courtesy Brianna Karp

Here's a story that still has us smiling. Blogger Brianna Karp (known as "Bri") -- who also happens to be homeless -- managed to land an internship with Elle magazine columnist E. Jean Carroll.

Yep, the Orange County writer, who posts about homeless issues on her blog, The Girls Guide to Homelessness, wrote about her experience entering a fashion advice contest back in April, which eventually landed her an audition for a reality show.

The reality show prize was an internship at Elle -- mentored by the magazine's advice columnist E. Jean Carroll -- Bri told homelesstales.com.

"Of course, I totally bombed it," she wrote on her blog. But the experience prompted her to write a letter to Carroll asking about second chances after a bad job interview.

Carroll's response, posted in July's Elle? An offer for a four-month internship.

Homelesstales says Bri only found out about the offer this week, but that she was able to confirm it and starts Sept. 1.

blogger and dog

Bri poses with her dog, Fezzik. Photo courtesy of Brianna Karp

StyleList caught up with Karp to hear about her whirlwind of a week.

"The past two days have definitely been pretty crazy," she says. "It was so surreal finding out from another blog (SaveTheAssistants.com) that I had been offered the internship, and then I just pretty much went into panic mode trying to contact E. Jean back. So, I was über-relieved to find out that the offer was still on the table and hadn't been rescinded."

She told us the media storm she's experienced since the story broke has been "very humbling, to say the least."

"I'm so taken aback at the amount of attention this has received, and am very thankful for all the support I've been offered, both by my long-term friends who have been following and encouraging me for several months now, and by complete strangers who have been kind enough to drop in and leave me with an inspirational comment," Karp says.

"I just spoke with E. Jean last night and she is absolutely fantastic, larger than life and exactly what you'd expect reading her column.

"She's accomplished so much in her lifetime, she always looks fantastic and her enthusiasm is contagious. You can tell she's got such a big heart and I'm honored that she was kind enough to take an interest in my letter. I am aware that something this huge will open a lot of doors for me that may never have opened otherwise, so I'm intensely grateful for that and still just kind of reeling and taking it all in" she adds.

"I am an educated woman with stable employment and residence history," Bri writes on her blog. "I have never done drugs. I am not mentally ill. I am a career executive assistant – coherent, opinionated, poised, and capable. If you saw me walking down the street, you wouldn't assume that I live in a parking lot. In short, I am just like you – except without the convenience of a permanent address."

We're guessing a permanent address will be coming soon.
Read All Comments
Filed under: News
Tags: Beauty-editor, Bri, brianna-Karp, E.-Jean-Carroll, Elle, Elle-contest, Elle-Magazine, Homeless, homeless-intern, intern
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READER COMMENTS

(61)Add A Comment

Stephanie, 8-26-2009, 3:00PM

2 stars vote downvote upReport
Stephanie

so she was homeless, but she still managed to afford a computer to blog on and to care for a dog...?

Reply »

griz, 8-26-2009, 3:08PM

2 stars vote downvote upReport
griz

maybe she went to a library and by the way I'm one of the jobless so more power to her,I wish I was that fortunate

»

JAN, 8-26-2009, 4:45PM

2 stars vote downvote upReport
JAN

HAVE YOU NOTICED RENTING, ETC COST $$? MORE THEN AN OLD COMPUTER OR THE FREE ONES AT THE LIBRARY?? PLUS RENTS IN S.Ca ARE REALLY HIGH

»

Dee Dee, 8-26-2009, 3:07PM

2 stars vote downvote upReport
Dee Dee

"I am an educated woman with stable employment and residence history," Bri writes on her blog.
I was just wondering, since when is a Walmart parking lot considered a stable residence? And why would one consider
feeding a massive dog more important than finding a real stable home?

Reply »

RAE, 8-26-2009, 4:44PM

3 stars vote downvote upReport
RAE

She doesn't say she has "stable" residence history, just residence history. I never realized feeding a dog costs as much as renting an apartment... People are always trying to find fault with something. Can't you just get over it and be happy for her? Someone does something to better theirselves and there is always someone trying to pull them back down! That's probably why she has the dog. He loves her no matter what! Gosh! Get over yourselves!!

»

Lia, 8-26-2009, 5:04PM

2.5 stars vote downvote upReport
Lia

I think the telling word here is "history". This means that she had a stable residence in the past. Get it now, or do I need to dumb it down for you a little more?

»

CJ, 8-26-2009, 8:17PM

2.5 stars vote downvote upReport
CJ

Walmart parking lots seem to be a safe place for people spending all night in cars and RVs. The dog is probably a good company and keeps her safe.

»

t, 8-26-2009, 3:16PM

2 stars vote downvote upReport
t

Big deal a internship my daughter did one at seventeen over the winter. they learn nothing about the buisness they are glorified grunts who DO NOT GET PAID. If you are from out of state and take the job you PAY all your own living expenses which isn't cheap in NYC

Reply »

CJ, 8-26-2009, 8:10PM

2.5 stars vote downvote upReport
CJ

Your daughter may have fooled you. They do get paid, but maybe a check where she is working and pocketing the money from you let her partyhardy.

»

criss, 8-26-2009, 3:29PM

2 stars vote downvote upReport
criss

Maybe it was the dog who got the internship, cause i really cant tell who's bri. Thats a big %^$%n dog. lol

Reply »

scrappy, 8-26-2009, 3:29PM

2 stars vote downvote upReport
scrappy

Scooby dooby doo.

Reply »

Jeff H, 8-26-2009, 6:59PM

2 stars vote downvote upReport
Jeff H

hahaha XD

»

richard, 8-26-2009, 3:33PM

3 stars vote downvote upReport
richard

Im happy for any one helping them selves.I've been there so I know what it's like and stayed in the salvation army shelters.Good for you lady and hope you all the best !!!

Reply »

Ally, 8-26-2009, 3:33PM

3 stars vote downvote upReport
Ally

I've been homeless with a dog once too.

You people need to understand if you are a single person and you suddenly are laid off, you CAN NOT afford your rent. If the only job you can find pays $400 a month and the cheapest place to live is $800 a month...you have no choice.

Pets are family and I could not have gotten though my experience without my dog and my computer. Both of which I had before becoming homeless.

Some of you people are so stuck up in your ways, you can't just be happy for someone who may have a second chance on life?

You gotta look down on homeless people? You have to play the hand that is dealt to you and you make do.

Maybe one of you will be living in your car one day...do you get rid of your kids if you come to that?

Reply »

Miss Q, 8-26-2009, 3:55PM

1 star vote downvote upReport
Miss Q

It is possible to work and be homeless, but please......A dog is not your child. You must not have children or you would not make such a ignorant remark.

»

glendaaparis, 8-26-2009, 4:19PM

2.5 stars vote downvote upReport
glendaaparis

Ally, I agree with you. My cat was my best friend, my baby and my buddy. He knew all my secrets. He loved me as much as i loved him.

»

JPaul, 8-26-2009, 6:05PM

3 stars vote downvote upReport
JPaul

Miss Q. Is it possible that you're the ignorant one?

»

teepeesign, 8-26-2009, 3:57PM

2 stars vote downvote upReport
teepeesign

Wonder if her phone rings off the curb?

Reply »

cathy, 8-26-2009, 4:12PM

2.5 stars vote downvote upReport
cathy

I have a debilitating muscle disease, I will probably die from it, BUT my dog is my therapy and my comfort. I have 2 kids (one living with me and one married) and they do not comfort me and give me their undevided attention like my dog does. Kids have their own life, a dog is always there for you and words can't describe how wonderful my dogs makes me feel when I don't have the strength to even speak or swallow.
Dogs touch people in ways that no human can, in 911 when people were too stunned to even give their names to the police and rescue crews, they would bring in therapy dogs that changed everything!
I think this is a great story and I love her wonderful dog. Only a true animal lover's heart will understand what that dog does for her!

»

mike, 8-26-2009, 9:47PM

2 stars vote downvote upReport
mike

I lived out of my car for about 4 yrs, but rarely actually slept in my car. I dreaded having a permanent residence and acquiring all kinds of expensive stuff. I wish I could've continued living that way.Life was so much easier. I never worried about losing my house or what I'd do with all my junk if I did lose it. I can't even imagine doing it again.

Reply »

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