 Among the many interviews she has conducted, her interview with Rod Stewart led to a friendship, as Mr. Stewart took notice of Smaldone's talent.Shortly after their second successful interview, Mr. Stewart personally requested Smaldone to interview him for his 2003 concert special, “.”

After 24 years at WLTW and many notable ventures, including co-presenting the 2000 Billboard Music Awards with Ryan Seacrest, and the 1996 Atlanta Summer Olympic Torch event in Rockefeller Center with Bob Costas, Smaldone felt it was time for a change.Smaldone founded Valerie Smaldone Media Worldwide, LLC a talent coaching, production company, and consultation agency.