Breaking News!

I have heard from many newscasters that there is no budget for makeup in Cleveland television, so it’s every woman for herself.  In the past, many of the on camera personnel developed a style and didn't want to change.  In current times, anchors are asking for help or maybe just watching the DVR and making tweaks on their own.  On air lip color needs to be brought down and a bronzer is better than a blush.  Eye makeup needs to be a bit heavier; yet, full fake lashes are too much for the news.

A few years back, I was lucky enough to go to Washington D.C. and be Kelly O'Donnell's makeup artist for Cleveland Magazine.  Kelly is a native of Cleveland; she was a reporter for WJKW Ch 8 years back and now she works as a White House Correspondent for NBC Nightly News.  On that day, her shoot was postponed an hour due to loss of power at her home.  She was apologetic and frazzled while running in late.  Kelly expressed to us how tardiness isn't her forte'.  I had an hour and a half to spend with Kelly.  She was very friendly and open to my suggestions on styling.  I did have styling instructions from the magazine, and Kelly was a trooper through the shoot.  Upon departure from the studio, we left behind a huge crate of lights on the curb.  It wasn't noticed by security until we were 55 minutes away.  This really extended the trip going back, but the final picture was so stunning that one quickly moves past the set backs faced during the day.

In Cleveland, anchors and weather forecasters are asked to be at fairs, parades, charity auctions, and, sometimes, on magazine covers.  Betsy Kling, Maureen Kyle, Kimberly Gill, and Andrea Vecchio are all "cover girls" from Cleveland Magazine shoots, which I have been part of in the past.  All of the women brought such energy and grace to the shoots.  With a few outfit changes, one forgets they are news reporters and not fashion models.  A few months back, I was hired to take care of Robin Swaboda.  I must say, she was so VERY nice.  She said to me, "So what is your story?"  We talked as if we had met before.  My Grandma Charlotte LOVED Robin and I told her how excited she would have been if she was still alive to hear I was meeting her.  It was actually my own “Breaking News” that I was there.

As a young girl I liked watching the news.  As an adult I still watch, but do so online.  I am still a viewer today because I have met so many of these women.  I have connected with them and some now are even my friends. Regardless if the news is sad one day or weather will be ugly, the newscasters hold it all together.  They try not to panic the public, but inform or warn us.  Looking good counts, but really it's their sincerity that keeps us tuning in.

Eric Mull/Karen Siat

Eric Mull/Karen Siat

Eric Mull/Karen Siat