Dr. Shabana Parvez, MD, FACEP, US Bureau Chief of The Desi Buzz and founder of ArlingtonIntegrative.com, sat down for an exclusive interview with Del Irani—acclaimed international journalist, anchor, and former presenter for BBC News and ABC News. In this exclusive interview, Dr. Parvez turns the spotlight on Del Irani, exploring her remarkable journey from Mumbai to the global stage, her passion for storytelling, and her commitment to amplifying underrepresented voices in media. With a shared commitment to impactful narratives and community empowerment, the conversation offers a refreshing and personal look at the woman behind the headlines.
Check out other interviews: https://thedesibuzz.com/category/interviews-editorial/
Watch the interview on YouTube
Dr. Shabana Parvez: Tell us a little bit, Del, as we get started about your background, and what inspired you to pursue this career in journalism, and like how did your, how did that shape your path to externalism?
Del Irani: My journey into journalism was unconventional. Born in India, I moved to Australia with my family at eight. Like many South Asian families, mine emphasized traditional careers—law, medicine, or corporate roles. Journalism wasn’t even on the radar.
I studied business and psychology, then earned a scholarship to Berkeley. After graduating, I wanted to explore, so I joined a media company in Europe. At press conferences, I’d ask questions, and people often assumed I was a journalist. That planted the seed—maybe this is my path.
Of course, I had my psychology and marketing degrees as a “backup” (very Indian of me!). But my real break came in 2007 when I returned to India. Timing was perfect: the 2008 U.S. presidential election was heating up, and I landed a role at Times Now, a major news channel. I started at the bottom—they said my accent was “too Australian”—but I worked my way up.
It wasn’t easy, but that hustle defined my early career.
Dr. Shabana Parvez: What would you say have been some of the most defining moments in your journey as a journalist?
Del Irani: Two experiences fundamentally shaped my career.
The first came early at Times Now when I covered two historic events: the 2008 U.S. presidential election of Barack Obama and the November 2008 Mumbai terrorist attacks. Because of my accent, I was assigned to international news – a perfect fit that became my training ground. Covering Obama’s victory was exhilarating, but reporting on Mumbai’s 9/11-like attacks was transformative. Being on the ground during the Taj Hotel siege tested every journalistic skill: rapid fact-checking, crisis reporting, and maintaining composure during breaking news.
The second defining moment was joining the BBC. After leaving Times Now and considering work in Australia, the BBC offered me a chance to return to India as a correspondent covering the trial of the surviving Mumbai attacker. This full-circle moment became my most challenging year – the BBC’s exacting standards were a trial by fire. But that pressure forged me into a stronger journalist and set the foundation for everything that followed.
These experiences taught me journalism’s highest stakes: the privilege of documenting history while upholding truth, especially during humanity’s most difficult moments. The BBC year in particular was make-or-break, and I emerged knowing this was exactly where I belonged.
Dr. Shabana Parvez: Of all the topics you cover – business, finance, lifestyle, current affairs – which stories have impacted you most personally?
Del Irani: (laughs) That’s like choosing a favorite child! Every story has something meaningful. But I’ll confess something nerdy – my heart has always been in business and finance. While entertainment might sound sexier, I love taking dry topics like inflation or interest rates and making them relevant. My challenge is getting that parent making breakfast to think, “This could help me save for my kid’s school” or “This affects my mortgage.” Breaking down complex economics into “why you should care” moments is what excites me.
Dr. Shabana Parvez: But you’re not just about numbers – you’ve interviewed celebrities too?
Del Irani: Absolutely! My interview with Shah Rukh Khan was a career highlight. As an Indian-Australian journalist at ABC, I had unique access when Bollywood stars visited. I hounded his PR team for months to land 20 minutes – and even got him to dance with me! (laughs) Meeting icons like Amitabh Bachchan and Vidya Balan were unforgettable perks of the job.
Dr. Shabana Parvez: What challenges have you faced as a woman of color in journalism?
Del Irani: The path wasn’t easy. Early on, I faced barriers – my accent was “too Australian” for Indian media, then later some assumed I got roles just for being a woman of color. When I anchored a senior breakfast show in my early 30s, critics whispered, “She’s only here for diversity.” Never mind my BBC credentials!
Dr. Shabana Parvez: You’ve moderated high-profile events for the UN and Reuters – what’s your approach to moderating?
Del Irani: Moderating is a natural extension of my anchoring work, but what I love is the live, in-person energy. Whether it’s UN events or corporate forums like the Safety Culture summit with Magic Johnson, the thrill is making complex topics engaging for the audience.
Take Magic Johnson – he completely threw out our planned seated interview and walked through the crowd high-fiving people. At first I thought “Oh God,” but it was brilliant! That’s the magic of live events – creating moments where audiences leave thinking “That was transformative.” My job is to balance the client’s needs with making content resonate personally with every attendee.
Dr. Shabana Parvez: How has your multicultural background (Mumbai/Sydney/US) shaped your work?
Del Irani: (laughs) It’s been my defining trait, though I used to wish I could just blend in. Growing up Indian-Australian, then working in India where they said my accent was “too foreign,” and now in America’s melting pot – I’ve always been “the different one.”
But here’s what I’ve learned: that very difference is my superpower. After five years in the U.S., I’m still finding my niche at NHK World, but my background helps me connect dots others might miss. Like you said, Dr. Parvez – having lived everywhere from Saudi Arabia to Canada – our experiences become this rich tapestry that helps us relate to almost anyone.
Dr. Shabana Parvez: Exactly! The key is embracing your unique perspective rather than conforming. My Caribbean roots combined with Middle East and North American experiences mean I can walk into any room and find common ground. That cultural fluency is a gift.
Del Irani: What beautiful advice. You’re right – our differences aren’t barriers but bridges. I’m taking that with me!
The reality? I’ve had to work twice as hard to prove myself, but that’s shaped me. Every opportunity came through persistence – cold calls, foot-in-the-door hustle. No one was handing me jobs because they wanted “an Indian-sounding Del.” I had to demonstrate my worth beyond how I look or sound. That struggle taught me resilience that still serves me today.
Dr. Shabana Parvez: How can media help bridge cultural divides, and how do you approach this in your reporting?
Del Irani: Media has a crucial responsibility in breaking down cultural barriers. It starts with diverse newsrooms – studies show they naturally produce more inclusive coverage. During my time in Australia, I made a point to cover underrepresented communities like the Islamic community, especially during peak Islamophobia. But beyond just reporting on challenges, it’s vital to celebrate their everyday stories too – like our Eid coverage that showed colleagues the warmth of these traditions.
Representation matters profoundly. Growing up, I rarely saw people who looked like me on Australian TV. Now, I hope young viewers of all backgrounds see themselves reflected and think “I belong here too.” For majority audiences, these stories reveal our shared humanity – like showing how Eid celebrations center family and food, just like Christmas or Easter.
Dr. Shabana Parvez: Exactly! These stories remind us how much we all have in common across cultures – the same values of family, connection, celebration.
Del Irani: Absolutely! It works both ways – communities feel seen while others recognize familiar threads. As for adapting my communication style across countries (laughs), my accent has become this global mix! But fundamentally, universal human stories transcend borders. While I might tweak references for specific audiences, the core remains: people everywhere connect to authentic stories about family, struggle, joy. That’s the power of media done right – it can simultaneously honor our differences while revealing our shared humanity.
Dr. Shabana Parvez: If you weren’t a journalist, what career path might you have taken?
Del Irani: I was actually on track for corporate marketing – my internships at companies like Sun Microsystems pointed me toward becoming a marketing or communications executive. Psychology was my other passion; I seriously considered clinical psychology. But as I matured, I realized I’d be too emotionally affected by patients’ stories to maintain professional detachment. So the business world likely would have been my alternate path.
Dr. Shabana Parvez: What’s your hobby or passion of yours?
Del Irani: (laughs) Well, I’m an enthusiastic but terrible golfer! I’ve tried for years to improve, but honestly, I just enjoy being on the course. Dancing is another love – though let’s just say my skills are more passionate than polished. I’d love more time for both.
Dr. Shabana Parvez: Any books or shows that particularly inspired you?
Del Irani: Two transformative influences:
- Oprah Winfrey’s show – watching a woman of color shatter barriers with such empathy and intelligence showed me what was possible.
- The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho – it found me in my early 20s when I was torn between safe corporate choices and chasing dreams. That book gave me courage to try journalism with a two-year trial period, thinking “If I fail, I can always go back to business.” Its message about following your personal legend still resonates deeply.
For anyone at a crossroads: take that first step in faith. It won’t be easy – I still tell myself “don’t quit” daily – but believing in possibilities can change everything. These two influences taught me that.
Dr. Shabana Parvez: How do you unwind after a long day of anchoring and moderating?
Del Irani: Yoga has become my sanctuary. While I’ve always been active with walks, discovering yoga has been transformative – not just for physical health but mental clarity. Some days I’ll even pause midday for a quick session when the screen fatigue sets in. That mind-body connection has become essential for me.
Dr. Shabana Parvez: As a physician, I always ask – how do you maintain physical and mental wellness?
Del Irani: (laughs) Oh no, now I’m being medically evaluated! But truly, yoga helps me reset both physically and mentally. That intentional movement creates space for recovery amid our fast-paced world.
Dr. Shabana Parvez: If you could interview any historical figure, who would it be and why?
Del Irani: Without hesitation – Mahatma Gandhi. Growing up Indian, his legacy was omnipresent, but as an adult I’m in awe of how he embodied mindfulness and non-violence despite unimaginable adversity. Him and Martin Luther King Jr. – their ability to maintain moral clarity and inner peace during turbulent times is something I strive to understand. Imagine the lessons they could teach about resilience and purposeful living!
Dr. Shabana Parvez: What’s your most memorable or embarrassing live TV moment?
Del Irani: (laughs) Where do I begin? Two disasters come to mind. First was during my breakfast show days in Australia – we called it “the black screen of death” when the teleprompter would suddenly go blank during breaking news. You’re live at 6 AM after three hours of sleep, desperately ad-libbing while your producer screams “Just keep talking!” in your earpiece. Breakfast TV is the Olympics of broadcasting – you need to be an instant expert on everything from hard news to pop culture while sounding coherent on zero sleep.
Dr. Shabana Parvez: That sounds terrifying!
Del Irani: But nothing compares to my BBC nightmare in Mumbai. one by time I was doing a live broadcast for BBC World News with Michelle Hussein on BBC World so I was really excited because I’m a huge Mishal Husein fan she was she was a big time presenter at that time and um so you know and I’m the top story because it’s about the the terror the terror terror attacks right the the surviving government’s trial and they go and here joins us Delirani and at that very moment. I’m looking down my camera and from my peripheral vision I can see that the court has been you know has been plugged into this external because we’re outside of this so many people like it’s India it’s Mumbai this all these people She asked because there’s lights and somebody had run and tripped over the wire. So the electricity gone. So I’m on camera and there is like, I’m completely like, there’s no lights. They’re like, tell, are you there? And I’m like, I’m still here and then I have to keep talking. And I can see my cameraman jumping. Like I have to keep the poker face because all this madness is going on behind me. He’s jumping over, he’s plugging it in. He’s backing some guy like back off. And all I can think is like, what is happening over here? Like, is this going to turn into a riot?
Dr. Shabana Parvez: How do you laugh about it now?
Del Irani: That’s the thing about live TV – the disasters make the best stories later! What feels like a crisis in the moment becomes your war story. Though I still get flashbacks when I see loose cables…
Dr. Shabana Parvez: What advice would you give aspiring journalists from underrepresented backgrounds?
Del Irani: First – you absolutely can do this. My journey proves it. But you’ll need three things: belief in yourself, relentless persistence, and willingness to knock on every door. A journalism degree helps, but real-world experience matters more. Cold call, intern, say yes to opportunities – that’s how you get your foot in the door.
Dr. Shabana Parvez: What’s been your secret sauce for success?
Del Irani: At every career stage, the challenges change but the solution stays the same – adaptability. In your 20s, you fight for experience. In your 40s, you navigate being “overqualified.” When I hit walls breaking into the U.S. market, I pivoted to NHK World where my international perspective was valued. Like you said earlier, Shabana – our multicultural backgrounds aren’t obstacles but superpowers. The key is finding where your unique voice fits.
Dr. Shabana Parvez: How do you maintain motivation in this fast-changing industry?
Del Irani: By showing up every day ready to work, but also being strategic. When one path closes, find another doorway. I’m a big believer in trying opportunities even if they’re not perfect fits – you never know what they might lead to. But the core is this: value yourself, trust your worth, and keep putting one foot in front of the other.
Dr. Shabana Parvez: Final Thoughts?
Del Irani: Never. Give. Up. This career will test you, but if journalism is your calling, persevere. Opportunities come when you stay open and ready. My journey from Mumbai to Sydney to global stages wasn’t linear, but every challenge shaped me. Yours will too.
Dr. Shabana Parvez: What an inspiring note to end on! Thank you, Del, for sharing your wisdom and journey with us today.
Del Irani: The pleasure was mine.
