Homeless Blogger Lands Internship at Elle Magazine
Filed under: News

Brianna Karp (aka "Bri"), the homeless blogger who landed an internship at ELLE. Photo courtesy Brianna Karp
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.
Bri poses with her dog, Fezzik. Photo courtesy of Brianna Karp
"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 So, I was über-relieved to find out that the offer was still on the table and hadn't been rescinded."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.












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CJ 8-26-2009 @ 8:09PM
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Stephanie 8-26-2009 @ 3:00PM
so she was homeless, but she still managed to afford a computer to blog on and to care for a dog...?
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griz 8-26-2009 @ 3:08PM
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
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
"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?
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RAE 8-26-2009 @ 4:44PM
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
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
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
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
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CJ 8-26-2009 @ 8:10PM
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
Maybe it was the dog who got the internship, cause i really cant tell who's bri. Thats a big %^$%n dog. lol
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scrappy 8-26-2009 @ 3:29PM
Scooby dooby doo.
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Jeff H 8-26-2009 @ 6:59PM
hahaha XD
richard 8-26-2009 @ 3:33PM
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 !!!
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Ally 8-26-2009 @ 3:33PM
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?
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Miss Q 8-26-2009 @ 3:55PM
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
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
Miss Q. Is it possible that you're the ignorant one?