#MediaMonday – Kylee Cruz
Today’s #MediaMonday comes to us from AZ Family’s Kylee Cruz. Currently, she serves as an anchor on Good Morning Arizona on the weekdays and as a reporter on the weekdays.
The Arizona native grew up in Yuma and graduated summa cum laude from Arizona State University’s Walter Cronkite School of Journalism. She was selected as the Cronkite School’s Outstanding Graduate and was even the university’s Homecoming Queen her senior year.
Kylee, time to share:
Tell us about growing up? What were your passions?
I grew up in Yuma, Ariz., the winter vegetable capitol of the world. Most people just stop in Yuma on their way to California, but it’s a great spot full of good people, delicious Mexican food and a lot of farmland.
Growing up, I was always very curious. I loved to ask questions. I guess you could call me nosy, but most journalists are! I was involved in everything imaginable, but never very athletic. In high school, I decided to focus and get involved in almost every activity not sports-related. I was president of my class each year and Student Body President my senior year, which seems like forever ago!
Tell us how you got your start in television?
I got my start as a teenager working for my high school’s television station. I was hooked right away! To be honest, I knew early on I wanted to work in journalism. I used to practice reading the news when I was a little girl. I have my parents to thank. They were and still are avid news watchers. When the time came to go to college, it seemed like a no-brainer to attend ASU’s Walter Cronkite School of Journalism, one of the best journalism schools in the country. After my graduation from ASU, my mom and I packed up a U-Haul and hit the road for my first job in Spokane, Wash. After a few very long and cold winters, I moved back to Arizona and have been here ever since!
Tell us how you came to join AZ Family?
I got the job at AZ Family in the summer of 2014. You could say it’s hard to keep an Arizona girl away from the sunshine and her family. I started as a morning reporter for 3TV and CBS 5, covering a wide range of stories each morning. In 2018, I was promoted to weekend morning anchor for Good Morning Arizona. I still report a few days a week and fill in on weather and traffic. I do a little bit of everything and love it!
Tell us about the types of story pitches you want, if any?
I want to tell unique, original and impactful stories. I don’t want to do a story on something from a generic, mass press release that was sent out to hundreds of people. I want something that hasn’t and won’t be on other TV stations. On the weekend, I’m looking for visual and dynamic in-studio segments with great guests and content. When I’m reporting, I want interesting and meaningful stories that have a broad reach.
Favorite type of music?
Rap, pop, hip-hop, a little country and indie-rock – I like it all. Just depends on my mood!
Favorite color?
Right now, I like coral and turquoise although I do tend to wear a lot of black!
Favorite TV shows or movies?
I love anything on Bravo and HGTV! I really watch a range of shows. I’m a big sports fan so I watch games all the time. The news junkie in me loves watching the news regularly. I enjoy drama and comedies too. Right now, I’m binge-watching How I Met Your Mother. I’m also a Shonda Rhimes fan so I love a good Scandal or How to Get Away with Murder episode.
Favorite local restaurants or other haunts?
Oh, there are too many to name! Glai Baan might be my favorite. I also love Flower Child, North, Postino, Ingo’s and The Collins. They’re all in my hood and are definitely my go-to spots. If I’m going out for a special occasion, I enjoy Steak 44 or Hillstone. And, I can’t forget about my love for a good pizza. The Parlor, Base Pizzeria and Pomo are my favs. Can you tell I like to eat?
Any foods you hate?
I eat pretty much anything. The only thing I don’t like is condiments. Weird, huh? I’m not a fan of mustard, mayo and ketchup. Other than that, I like it all and I’m always down to try something new!
Best email: kcruz@azfamily.com
