Issue 118 - December 2011

Manchester United and England defender Chris Smalling talks to RWD about life on and off the pitch…

Featuring: Chris Smalling, Seth Rogen, Scrufizzer

If you had asked me ten years ago what I'd be doing right now, writing this editor's letter would have not been one of my guesses. A famous Hollywood actor would have been the dream, though I could easily have been still working behind a bar.

It took a long time and a few career paths for me to become a journalist. I really wanted to be an actor, but the only roles I really saw were the bread ones that I was putting on plates as a waitress! After a little career rethink, I combined my love of music with an [I hoped!] aptitude for writing and came up with music journalist. After three years of more bar work, a bit of signing on and writing about any act for any magazine that would take me for absolutely no money, I finally started to see some relative success. I joined RWD six years ago as editor and I now also write for i-D Magazine, GQ Style, The Sunday Times and The Guardian. I'm very lucky to be able to be able to do a job that I love that has taken me all over the world and allowed me to meet some incredible people. But it took time, hard work and being flat-broke before I finally started to get somewhere!

This issue we look at some people who are beginning their journey - Daley, Scrufizzer, Tanya Lacey and many more - and those who are in the process of being the net big thing - our footie star cover star Chris Smalling and comedy genius Seth Rogen - as we take a look at going from Underdog to Top Dog! Everyone in this issue has worked long, hard hours to get to where they are. Nothing will ever be given to you; unfortunately it takes grind, grit, determination and dedication to become a rapper, singer, fashion designer, football player or film star.

Whatever your dreams and goals are, be prepared to work very, very hard to relaise them and also - and this can be hard - sometimes what you want to be and what you will can be two different things. I might not be hanging out in LA on film sets, but I do get to go there to meet Lady Gaga and Dr Dre! Don't be afraid to reevaluate your ambitions - you never know where you might end up.

Hattie Collins