There are definitely perks to being a famous radio personality. A branch in Miami is one.
Elvis Duran gets down here at least once a month for a week to broadcast his show, Elvis Duran and the Morning Show on Y100 FM. During New York winter, of course.
“There’s this one magic day when everything is perfect, and Miami is the most beautiful place in the world,” the veteran DJ says.
But any other time of year is a little sketchy.
“The humidity gets to me,” Duran admits. “I don’t know why. It just slows me down.”
The jovial jockey hasn’t been slowing down lately. He just returned from a gig broadcasting live at the iHeartRadio Music Festival in Las Vegas. He loves shooting the breeze with the rich and talented, conducting dozens of interviews backstage. “Pretty intense. A madhouse,” he says. “We all agreed it took 10 years off our lives.”
The Black Eyed Peas are among his favorites.
“They were amazing, and Fergie , well, I just love her,” says Duran. “And will.i.am is such a smart, dedicated guy; sometimes too smart for me. He’s such a techie!”
Duran has strong opinions about Lady Gaga , who he says is “down to earth” and “a supertalent. Beyond Madonna.”
“Gaga is great. She grew up in New York listening to the show so she has great affection for us and we have great affection for her.”
Kelly Clarkson was another supercool, unaffected celeb. “I am just amazed how she never wears shoes anywhere,” says Duran of the American Idol winner. “It’s kind of trashy, but the other hand it’s so her.”
Duran is surrounded by pop music for his job, but he finds it tough to pick favorites in the tunes department.
“I’m a fan of almost everyone,” he says. “My playlist right now is so far left and so far right and everything in between.”
He did get introduced to new acts from being at the mega festival. Sounds like Duran is going a little bit country.
“ Kenny Chesney . Before, I wouldn’t have known him if I hit him with a school bus, but he was fun and kind of cool. I was really impressed by him.”
Rascal Flatts was another band that recently crept into Duran’s iPod. “They won us over,” he says. “Their energy onstage, plus the music was great, and they are all super, super nice.”
Duran is known for getting stars to open up about their lives. What’s his secret?
“The difference is we ask them questions that aren’t typically asked by mainstream media. We have a reputation for not going for the sensational questions. We like the artist to feel like they’re safe with us. We just want to talk to them.”
South Florida can listen to Duran’s show from 6-10 a.m. Monday through Friday on Y100 FM.
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