Kamila McDonald, producer/presenter of On Stage, which airs on CVM TV, is as bright as she is pleasant. The Stanford alum, who’s currently wading through grad school applications, put time aside to share with us inside Fiction Lounge what she’s learnt about herself since Miss Jamaica and her ambitions of being the next Oprah.

What are you sipping tonight?

What I always sip. Merlot.

What is it about Fiction that keeps you coming back?

I love that it’s close to work and I really like it as an option for nightlife entertainment. Tonight is even more special because I’m sharing it with my Stanford colleague Shakisha O’Connor.

Socialite or homebody?

I think I do things in seasons. My job encourages me to be a socialite, the going-out season is coming up and I plan to take full advantage of that, but I do love to stay indoors as well.

You’ve lived in so many countries, what’s the best thing about having an international perspective?

Seeing how people from different cultures embrace Jamaica, and being able to sample different kinds of foods.

Flats or stilettos?

Absolutely stilettos!

What’s your style?

Sexy but classy; very girly. I love, love pink!

What’s in your clutch?

My make-up bag. got to have my eyeliner, mascara and lipgloss, my car keys and my BlackBerry.

Who does your hair?

Ital Hair Care. I’ve had my locks for the last 12 years and I’ve never cut my hair.

Who does your nails?

Ava’s Jus’ Nails in Manor Park.

What perfume are you splashing?

J Lo Live.

TV or a good book?

I’m always working and TV keeps my mind engaged and gives me lots of ideas to bring to my field, but there’s nothing like a good book, especially when it’s raining.

What are you reading right now?

Thirty Seconds to Air. it’s telling me that attitude and mindset play an important part in whether we succeed or not.

What’s your idea of

the perfect date?

I think a perfect date is when you’re able to have a really stimulating one-on-one conversation. I’m also a nature girl, so maybe a beach picnic where I make the baked goods. from scratch.

What’s your idea of the perfect man?

I believe there’s someone for everybody so my brand of perfect is out there somewhere. But to list qualities or traits, I’d say he must be as busy as I am, otherwise it won’t work. He has to be a man’s man with a bad-boy side; needs to be able to put me in my place sometimes and know how to make me feel like a lady.

What turns you off?

Dishonesty and someone who is not true to himself.

What do you think is your best character trait?

Altruism – always putting others before myself.

What do you think is your worst?

I’m always way too busy and I’m a perfectionist, and sometimes that can make me really compulsive and stress about everything!

What are your current projects?

Working with On Stage with a greater focus on investigative reporting and I’ve just started a boot camp called Jamrock Fitness. I also volunteer at the Child Resiliency Programme, which targets at-risk kids in the Papine area. At Stanford I had completed an honours thesis on portrayals of Africa in the media so I’m trying to get that published.

What’s your latest obsession?

Trying to accomplish all that and motivating people to stay healthy.

What’s the best piece of advice

you’ve been given?

Marcus Garvey: “If you have no confidence in self then you are twice defeated in the race of life.”

And 10 years from now?

I want to be producing and hosting my own show. I have ambitions of being the next Oprah.