Behind the Mic with Supreet Bedi: A Career Spanning Pageants to Prestige

by  Komal Darji Industry Watch | July 15, 2024 | Interview

Supreet Bedi

Meet Supreet Bedi, an anchor, passionate educationalist, and seasoned TV host with over sixteen years of experience. Known for her quick thinking and charming stage presence, Supreet has hosted numerous corporate and commercial events, engaging with top artists and large audiences. Her mantra, "Focus on preparation, Strut in without hesitation; Perform beyond expectation, Swagger down with appreciation!" encapsulates her approach to life and work. Beyond anchoring, Supreet's versatility extends to acting, where she has portrayed diverse characters, including a memorable role in the 24 series. A skilled trainer in personality development and communication, Supreet also channels her love for words into her blog, ‘It’s a Supa Life!’, inspiring readers to embrace positivity and live life to the fullest.

In an exclusive interview with EVENTFAQS Media, Supreet Bedi discusses her journey from starting as a pageant contestant to becoming an international host. She shares insights into her roles as an author, actor, and pageant mentor, and reflects on memorable brand collaborations. Supreet also talks about her ongoing projects, emphasizing her commitment to enhancing event experiences globally.

What inspired you to pursue a career as an emcee and host?

More than an inspiration, it was an unplanned realisation that led me to my first anchoring experience. I entered a renowned pageant where my speaking skills & spontaneity were noticed. I would often go to my co-contestants pretending I had a mic and ask what was going through their minds and hearts. Little did I know that what I frivolously labelled as a fun pass-time activity, was a full-fledged career! Coincidentally, Zoom TV (a popular Bollywood entertainment channel) was looking for a presenter and I happened to fit the bill! Alongside being a TV anchor, I dabbled with crowd interaction, and stage emceeing and enjoyed the high! The positive feedback and appreciation for my work kept me going and today it’s been almost 17 years of hosting! 

Can you share with us your journey from starting as an emcee to becoming a renowned international host and celebrity? 

A huge part of my job as a TV presenter was interviewing celebrities daily. From Shahrukh Khan to Tom Cruise, I got to interact with the biggest celebs on the red carpet, movie premieres and award nights — both nationally & internationally. My comfort level with these Celebs was apparent and that enhanced the quality of my shows. I hosted LIVE shows too which meant my spontaneity was tested regularly! I began to translate that experience to corporate shows and even handled large gatherings of 5000 people! When destiny charts your path, you just dive in with deep faith, even if it’s the road less travelled! I got a few good opportunities with supporting roles with major production houses and began my stint in acting too. Films like Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara, Rock on, Neeyat, Savi, and series such as 24, London Files, Kanneda and now a scene in the new Jennifer Lopez film ‘Atlas’ got me my share of credit to be termed a ‘celebrity host’. I have a base in both Mumbai and London and therefore can easily cover European requirements too, which often is the need of corporate clients or the wedding business. That’s how I’ve enjoyed the ‘international’ convenience and status. 

You have vast experience with various types of events. What are some career highlights that stand out for you? 

Ah, I believe it’s safe to say that there isn’t a nature of event out there that I haven’t held a mic at! Fashion shows, corporate events, weddings, award nights, entertainment evenings, opening for renowned singers, pageants, book launches, product launches, movie premieres, charity dinners, press conferences, truck racing at the Buddh International, Formula 3 anchoring on tracks — I’ve pretty much hosted all styles! The one experience that stayed with me was the international travel show — 13 countries, spontaneous coverage and lots of interactions with the locals — all in my glam tourist avatar! As an avid traveller, exploring new places was sure the highlight of my anchoring journey. Doing an event with Tom Cruise was my personal favourite. This was when Mission Impossible was being promoted in India and alongside the popular Bollywood faces I had the pleasure of interacting with the infamous “Ethan Hunt” in front of a screaming excited crowd. That was such a high-octane evening that made my memorable list. I also got to interview Richard Branson of Virgin fame who complimented me on my speaking skills! Communication has always been an area of personal development close to my heart and therefore I’m now a pageant mentor and communication expert with the Miss India Organisation. 

How has your role as an author, actor, and pageant mentor influenced your career as an emcee?

‘Author’ is a new feather added to my cap with my book ‘Be Ready for the World’ which brings easy-to-understand communication strategies that lead to impactful conversations. Whether it is authorship or mentorship, it has its added benefits as it validates your talent and skills. For example, clients can feel extremely confident when hiring me for elite shows knowing that I’ve authored a book on impressive speaking. Then to realise that I’m responsible for training pageant delegates who represent India at international pageants brings merit too. I don’t have to convince anyone anymore! I just point them to the training videos on my YouTube channel and they can gauge my pronunciation, clarity and visual/vocal command from those! These achievements have unknowingly become handy tools of promotion! 

Being an actor has instilled a different level of spontaneity — I’m not a rigid announcer, but rather an entertaining presenter who can make it look like everything is under control backstage even when it isn’t!  I can come on stage dancing to ‘London Thumakda’, get into a formal welcome in Queen’s English, go desi with my Punjabi crowd interaction or deliver rhyming dialogues in Hindi — all because of my experience as an actor that helps me portray a more fun side of me without inhibitions. In fact, at a recent event, amongst the many compliments received, this was the best “Your antics reminded us of Sridevi”. It brought the biggest smile on my face as we share the same birthday and I’ve always been a fan of her work, often imitating her in my childhood! What a treat to be associated with her in my craft! 

You’ve worked with top brands. Can you tell us about some of your most exciting brand collaborations and what made them special? How do you tailor your hosting style to align with different brands and their event objectives?

I’ve worked with Top multinational brands and corporate giants such as Samsung, Sony, Toyota, Infosys, Facebook, Unilever, P & G, Tata, BNP Paribas, EY, and Canon and often done annual retention with most which means a lot of PAN India events come in to play. It’s interesting to add different regional flavours to my script or involve crowd engagement accordingly. I do my scripting around brand ethos and beliefs and carry that through the show. Some brands are very ‘proper’ in nature whilst some prefer casual tones. Wherever the requirement, I go up or down a notch depending on the pulse of the crowd. The joke around me is that I can go from classy to messy in 60 seconds! Or the other way around. The point is variation is important when it comes to brand associations. It’s not about what you can do but more about what they want you to do. There is a public image they cherish and as their spokesperson for the day, one must respect that. I tend to match my outfits to brand colours too as their proud representation. I become them in my speech and demeanour — so much so that I’m often asked by the audience how many years I’ve been associated with or what department of the company I work in! That to me is endorsement enough of my research and its delivery. 

What are your future goals and aspirations in the world of hosting and emceeing? Are there any new projects or ventures you’re currently working on that you’d like to share with us?

I’ve just wrapped up a wedding in Bodrum and 2 corporate shows — one in London and the other in Peru. I can safely say that this life of an emcee shall continue as the stage is one place where I’m truly happy, all I need is a mic and an audience! 

However, being in this industry for so long has made me tap another strong potential. Given that I’ve seen the backstage workings of events up close & personal, I’ve now taken the reigns of the entire process from start to finish with my new venture in London, called ‘SUPAbility events & experiences’.  Beyond the usual event ideation & execution, the business focuses on weaving an entire experience around client’s requirements — from hotel stays to top attractions, technicals to talent, transportation to photographers, DJs, Thames Cruise, Bake Offs, Sherlock Holmes mysteries, broadway theatre — we have it all covered at the best rates possible! So if you are looking at London as your next wedding destination or bringing your corporate clientele for their incentive trips to the land of royalty…then I’m your girl! 

I truly believe in making lasting connections and repeat business — that’s what’s kept me going all these years. Relatability will always be at the core of what I do & client satisfaction tops my list! Chances are you’ve already worked with me many times, but if you haven’t yet, all I can say is get ready to be SUPA-amazed!