This episode feels like ESPN meets E! News — but with receipts, tequila at 11am, and an Oscars gifting lounge empire. G Wayne sits down with Heather Mariana (yes… Mariana, not “Marinara sauce”) — a branding coach, event producer, and the woman behind some of the most talked-about Oscars & Emmys gifting lounges in Hollywood. Heather breaks down the behind-the-scenes game: How she went from sponsor → producer and took over the Oscars lounge after a legend passed Why her lounges are built different (same-night photo uploads, sponsor-first mindset, zero waiting) Owning factories + 490 formulas and white-labeling products you’ve probably seen at major beauty retailers The REAL Hollywood rule: don’t burn bridges(karma keeps receipts) Her 2026 vision: 100 brands at the Emmys… and a luggage sponsor so celebs can wheel the bag out Clean beauty, farmers market living, skincare routines, and why she’s single by schedule (vodka at 11, bed by 7) If you’ve ever wondered how people really build power in entertainment without being the face on camera… this is the playbook. Connect with Heather: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heathermarianna/ Linktree: https://linktr.ee/HMarianna Connect with G Wayne: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elevate_w_gwayne YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@elevatedgamepodcast Executive Produced by Harold Lefty Williams, Alex Parker, Kori Davis, and Eugene Parker
This episode feels like ESPN meets E! News — but with receipts, tequila at 11am, and an Oscars gifting lounge empire.
G Wayne sits down with Heather Mariana (yes… Mariana, not “Marinara sauce”) — a branding coach, event producer, and the woman behind some of the most talked-about Oscars & Emmys gifting lounges in Hollywood.
Heather breaks down the behind-the-scenes game:
If you’ve ever wondered how people really build power in entertainment without being the face on camera… this is the playbook.
Connect with Heather:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heathermarianna/
Linktree: https://linktr.ee/HMarianna