| May I say that you are absolutely funny, and beautiful? because you are :) What inspired you to want to work as a news host? What type of music do you preform, and is it a hobby or professional? | I actually wanted to do music first, but my dad frowned on it, so when my aptitude test in high school came back saying i was good in history, reading comprehension, etc, it asked what i wanted to do in the field of communications. i looked at my pals paper who wrote down "broadcast news anchor". i said to myself: great idea! |
| Hey Robin! I've been watching your show for a long time, can I ask what are your morning rituals before the show airs that you go through? And how in the world do you stay so lively so early in the morning? Also, I love when you, Bob, and Jen all interact. Great chemistry. | Morning rituals: i read in and go through scripts on my treadmill desk at work. trust me, i dont go fast, but it'll wake ya up. |
| Hi Robin! I've never heard of you! What's your favourite marsupial? | Good to meet you!!! Here's a little about me: Link to www.hlntv.com I don't have a favorite marsupial... but I do love a three-toed-sloth! |
| You and Kristen Bell should talk. :) | Is she the one who cried at seeing one? i seem to remember something from the Ellen show. |
| What time do you wake up to do HLN? I've been watching you for years and I think you are absolutely hilarious! | I wake up at 2:30 am, if I have to wash and blow dry my hair; but 3:00 am if I am not washing my hair. Those are the days I wear my hair in a braid! I wake up at 3:30a, if I don't care about hygiene. Just kidding! lol. ;) |
| Thanks so much for this AMA, Robin! I've been watching the show for several years now, and without you guys, the mornings would not be fun. So, my question is: do you have any tips for how you overcame your battle with anxiety? | Hi there. its different for everyperson but one very good tip is to try to stay in the present instead of day dreaming forward imagining all the terrible things that can happen if you fail. that's just a movie we make up in our heads, ya know? |
| What has been the most embarrassing moment for you on television? How did you handle it? | Isnt it funny we dont remember how we embarassed ourselves, but remember other peoples bloopers. and believe you me i'm sure i've done some doozy bloopers myself. |
| Hi Robin Thanks for the ama session. What s the most exciting part of ur job? Best memories ? Who do u wanna have as celebrity in ur show? What do u like to do in ur free time? What was the best advice given to u in ur career?by whom? | "No is a complete sentence." A former co-anchor in Chicago told me that because I kept saying yes to extra shifts. |
| I'm in the gulf of Mexico. I'm also wondering if you'll answer any of my questions. | Ah you must be on an oil rig! regarding fluff: i hate wasting the viewers time. who has time in the morning anyway? so any story has to be interesting. and if its fun and uplifting, great. i love being mood enhancement tv for people in the morning. but as far as fluff meaning gossip yada yada, na...i dont like that. |
| Which would you rather fight: one horse-sized duck, or 100 duck-sized horses? | I would go for the horse sized duck, but I'm a vegetarian so I would prefer to pet the duck instead of fighting it. |
| Out of all of your passions (Morning show hostess, Singer, Writer...etc) which do you love the most? | I love writing the most, songs and news. |
| Have you ever said no to reporting a story? Whats the craziest moment you have had on TV? | My co-anchor accidentally said Mother Teresa had passed away when she hadn't! |
| Oh geez. This is going to be embarrassing. She did die. | Yes...i mean this was years before. i should have clarified the era of the moment. |
| Hey Robin! I absolutely love your fashion sense. I've always wanted to know where you go shopping for some of the items you wear on the air, especially your tops and jewelry? | Thanks! BostonProper.com, ruelala.com & INC at Macys! |
| Today, it has been 12 years 6 months 23 days (396,316,800 seconds; 6,605,280 minutes; 110,088 hours, 4587 days; 655 weeks) since your first day at HLN, how has the time since 9/11/01 passed in your personal and professional perspective, as an American and as a citizen of the world? The 911 Memorial, 7 and 4 WTC had already opened and next month, May 21, the 911 Museum will finally open, thereafter One WTC, Liberty Park and hopefully soon 2,3,5 WTC (symbolizing the Caring Hand Concept- The Palm is the 911 Memorial and the 5 extremities are the 5 Towers), will it be true for you also that until the whole WTC site is fully developed, there is still a big part missing? What are the Top 3 News Story of the your career? Why September 10, 2009 for the release of Morning Sunshine!: How to Radiate Confidence and Feel It Too ? Here comes the Sun and True Colors cover are very niceLikewise Better than me and Morning Sunshine. What is your favorite song from Count on Me and Brand New Day and why? Is there an insteresting anecdote behind the selections of song in your albums? Whose tops for your music, Amazon (to be anounced today), Apple iTunesTV, or Google Chromecast? Whose idea was the April fools event and why iPad and not another tablet on your set? Thanks you very much. Good Day | Hi... so many questions! My top three stories: if you mean "gets" interviewing three former Colombian hostages, interviewing and skydiving with President George H.W. Bush & interviewing Kenny Chesney right before I sang with him in front of 20,000 people. |
| How early do you go to sleep at night and wake up every morning? Do you ever wish you had a job where you could sleep in more? | I should go to bed at 7, but can't say I always do...I threaten when I retire I'm going to sleep for a full year. |
| My gf loves you sooo much. how do I get her to love me as much as she loves you? | Smile a lot and say yes, dear! ;) |
| Hey Robin, big fan of the show. My question is, what is your opinion on Nancy Grace an her style of reporting? | Link to www.hlntv.com |
| Good Morning Robin and thanks for being here. In your news career, have you ever had to do a story that either you completely disagreed with, or one that just left you saying WTF? afterwards? If so, could you elaborate? | Yes. At the local level, I had a boss who had me do a story about women shaving their faces to look younger. I couldn't believe I got someone to admit it on camera. She was brave! But it left me, as a journalist, thinking, WTF, did this really help anybody today? |
| Hey Robin I love watching you on my days off. Your show is really the only non-local news show I watch. I read in your book about your issues with confidence and every morning it seems you have done a great job of getting over those issues. With that being said, are you excited for WrestleMania this Sunday? Will you be hyping it at all on Morning Express? Even for just 5 seconds? | Hi! Love the WWE guys & gals. Got this piece of hardware from my buddy Sheamus! Link to twitter.com |
| Hi Robin! You rock the best shoes on television. How large is your collection? How do you decide which ones to wear on the show? | Hi! I've lost count! But when there is no longer space in my closet for them I have a policy that I must give a pair away to make room! Ask outr business anchor Jennifer Westhoven, she's gotten so many of my shoes! However, just the other day I was told I was wearing my boots too late in the season!!! |
| We know you are a great country artist, but when will you head into the rap game and drop some beats? | Ha! love that. maybe we should ask colt ford for some help :) |
| Thanks for the AMA. I was wondering if you have or would ever consider wearing less makeup for your broadcast? Do you have any choice when it comes to your on-air appearance? | Sure...i go back and forth on fake lashes or not. someday we'll all look back on the current fashions whether its cosmetics or clothes and go: what the hell is colorblocking? or why in the world did people where skinny jeans back then, mommy? lol. or...whats a smokey eye? lol. |
| Is singing the National Anthem A cappella at a major sporting event the most stressful thing you have ever done? If not, what is? | No, I love singing the National Anthem. I do have to say that I was nervous singing the first time for NASCAR. I've performed the National Anthem for NASCAR in Sonoma, Talladega, Daytona, Charlotte and for the NFL at a Patriots vs Falcons game. Here's my little secret though... I always write the words on a 3x5 notecard and hide in my outfit. I don't want to be the blooper at my own show. :) |
| Hi Robin. You are always so alive and active whenever I see you and it appears you have been... shall we say energetic... based on all you have tried in your life and your past work history you discuss here. Have you always been "energetic" naturally, or did you find it when you found jobs and projects you like to do? Also, do you sleep a normal 7 or so hours a night or are you one of those blessed with the ability to get an extra 2 or 3 hours in because you just need less sleep? | I guess people have probably always regarded me as a bit on the over-excited scale lol. but i think what you're seeing is this: a real passion for what i do, but also an excitement to impact you whether its with information or as an entertainer. even at parties. i gotta make ya laugh. lol. now...give me a checkbook, or a balance sheet...i lose all energy. |
| Do you smoke marijuana? | Nope never have. i was the preachers goody two shoe daughter. lol. |
| You didn't look all that nervous when you got punked. is your poker face that good? BTW, never, ever say "you can't punk me!" | They totally got me!!! I was trying to remain calm because I thought we were LIVE when Marlon went off (video: Link to www.hlntv.com )!!! That's not the first time they got me though... here's when The Rock surprised me live on air: Link to www.hlntv.com No poker face there!!! |
| Word is that sometimes you're out and about the CNN center and will take pictures with fans? Would this be true and how do I sign up? | Hi! It's true. On Thursdays we do the CNN Morning Express Tour, here's more info. Link to www.cnn.com |
| You have done so many questions about you, I have to break the streak and ask one about BVD. He seems funny with an "adult" sense of humor. Is he funnier off camera than on? | Yepper you guessed it. bob knows how to curse in other languages even. kidding. but when he needs to make a point (off camera of course) he doesn't bother minces words. lol. sometime we'll have to get him to tell you about his secret list of words he wants to get away with saying on the air without anyone noticing. mainly the fcc. |
| How did the 'Good morning sunshine' thing come about ? Its the hi-light of the show; I cannot hear that without receiving a burst of positivity. | My dad, when i was growing up, would wake my sister, brother and me up by saying "morning sunshine!". it was cheerful. but we also knew if we didn't start moving around and show some life, he'd kick our butts into gear so to speak. so morning sunshine is something i say to get you, the viewer into gear hopefully. lol. |
| How's it going Robin? First off I work overnights at a hotel and I have you on every morning. You always make my day bright with the morning sunshines. Thank you for being awesome! What is it like working with the crew? Do you guys hang out quite a bit outside of morning express or is it only during the broadcast? What is Bob like outside of work? He seems like he would be fun to hang out with. Last question. Are you gonna tour at all with the albums you are putting out? | Regarding touring, I have to have my butt in the anchor chair 5 days a week... I should come up with a weekends only tour. Would you come? So I can sing to you personally! |
| Are you and the crew gonna be at Dragoncon this year? I really hope so. I would absolutely love to meet you. | Hi! This is an extremely fun crew... even our 3am production meetings have a reputation of their own. A few years back, we all used to go to breakfast together but lives responsibilities have meant kids, sleep or other obligations... so growing up has limited our together time to mostly the weekends when we all can. |
| Do you find it difficult to find vegetarian food in the south? | Hi! It's not a regional thing... but I find it hard to find vegetarian food that truly vegetarian. Just the other day after eating a veggie dish at a very nice restaurant it was just then the waiter told me it was made with beef stock! That's NOT vegetarian! |
| I work early like you and find its almost an alt lifestyle. if i wanna do anything at nite, i gotta snooze for an hr in the afternoon due to my body clock. same for u? glad to see a fellow buckeye do well )) | O-H... I recommend people new to this shift to not take a nap! Doesn't that make you feel like you got hit by a Mack truck when you wake up! Most of the production crew do a "split-sleep" schedule: go home and sleep as soon as the show is over and then nap just before coming in (some as early at 11:30p the day before). But the on-air crew, most of us try to go to bed early and sleep 8 hours straight before coming in. |
| Hi Robbin, I usually watch your show around 4am West Coast time. The Morning Express Show has always had my respect because you actually provide the most news in the morning. | We actually do something called 'anti-flow' in our rundowns that keeps different topics coming in a short amount of time. |
| Unlike other networks that get bogged down/locked onto ONE topic for hours, your show keeps on moving...even when Prince William was getting married. Mad Props. Thanks. Thanks for adding some "sunshine" to my mornings! ooh and you genuinely have the funniest weatherman on tv! | Hi! Thanks for noticing! We like to keep things in the fast lane! |
| You are such a Beautiful woman and have a great singing voice have you ever thought of adding to your resume and trying acting? | Hi!!! My husband tells me I'm a bad liar and therefore I would be a bad actress because you have to actually convince yourself you are that person! However... he doesn't know the first thing about acting, so I think I could muster the right emotions... I just can't understand why ABC's Nashville hasn't called. |
| Hi Robin! I am a college student who loves watching your show before class every day :) What is your favorite thing about hosting Morning Express? | My team! |
| W00t w00t Robin is my fave anchor ever! My question, can we see you more involved in Nascar? I would love to see some solid reporting from you or some one-on-one interviews with a Carl Edwards or Tony Stewart. )If they can stay focused looking at you cause you are so gosh darn pretty! | Thanks!!! Carl has actually been on the show: Link to www.hlntv.com I think someday Carl and I should do a talk show that takes on Michael Strahan & Kelly Ripa! |
| Mrs. Meade, how long do you stay on your desk treadmill, how much do you like it? | I love it! I bought it myself as a way to exercise without noticing I'm doing it. I hate working out! |
| What music are you now? Not at this moment, but within the past few days. What's your favorite dessert? | Pumpkin Cheesecake and peanut butter cup ice cream! |
| Most people wake up with you, but i work nights so i go to bed with you, maybe try to say "goodnight moonlight" once and awhile for me? | I joke that if i ever did a show in the evening, I'd say -- "Evening Moonshine!" Lol. |
| Do you think journalistic integrity still exists in your profession? Edit: forgot a word. I think question was still answered quite well. | Yes i do and i'll tell you what, we have a standards and practices department that MAKES SURE its exists here. seriously. there is a department that makes sure there are no conflicts of interest in terms of the way stories are written, how things are appearing on air, and even sometimes what we are doing or saying on social media in our private lives. all morning long our copy editors and producers work to update and adjust scripts so they relect the most accurate information. i hope that answers your question:) |
| Hi Robin! I grew up watching your morning show. You're great. I'm interested in becoming a news anchor, and I was wondering if you could offer me any special advice. What should I expect? | I tell people "be ready to move around the country". i think some folks just assume they'll be doing news in a certain state or a certain city. but you are really at the mercy of supply and demand...when a good opportunity calls..whether its nebraska or alaska, you gotta take it if its gonna help you grow as a journalist. prepare your family now! momma needs to know that you won't always be home at holidays. |
| Hello! What would you say your favorite ride at Cedar Point is? Mine would have to be the Magnum! | You are a brave soul apparently! believe it or not i'm not a big fan of the coasters! but i used to work at cedar point in the summers for two years in college. now, i have a little condo there that i go to close by when visiting my family in ohio a ffew times a year. so its still close to m heart! what new rides are they bringing in this year? i remember reading something about it. bet your exctied. |
| Good Morning! I love your show and wake up to it every morning. I'm amazed at how natural and casual you sound on camera. Does that come naturally or is it something you have had to work at? | This sounds hysterical, if you picture it. but in college i used to read the newspaper outloud until i sounded like i WASNT reading. but nowadays it just comes down to talking with the viewer, you, and not "reading". i think about the person in the story actually hearing the story on tv and it completely humanizes the delivery imo. |
| Thanks for the AMA! Do you see yourself focusing on only music at some point? | I really feel like there's a reason im able to do both. meaning perhaps in the future in addition to news, i'll be thinking up some television show that combines both aspects into a never before done format |
| Have you ever done a salute to the troops for a JAG attorney? | Heya! We have! But we would love to do another!!! Send one in! Link to www.iReport.com |
| Typing "robin meades" into google brings up these results. Link to imgur.com. Your thoughts? | Who said this line..."It's better to be talked about than to be forgotten." LOL. |
| Hey Robbin! I'm a regular watcher of you and Bob! Do you guys ever get in trouble from your boss for your humor? I mean, I love it when you guys crack jokes on set, but on a few occasions, I thought to myself: "Looks like Robin & Bob are gonna be called to the principal's office!" | Not yet... ;) |
| Ignore if you would like, but did you quit smoking yet? i would never think you had the habit Link to www.youtube.com the electronic cigarette worked for me. | Dont smoke, never did. i depend on my voice! this is a funny urban legend i guess because of a few things 1) i have a deep voice especially when i'm tired. the more tired, the lower it gets. 2)this video is NOT a pack of cigarettes on the anchor desk. its an old flip camera that was hot then at the time. i'd shoot some of my podcast during the commercial breaks with it to give people a behind the scenes look. but thank you for your concern. glad you are well. |
| What would you say is the one must do thing while visiting Atlanta? And the one must eat at restaurant? | Hi! A must do is the Aquarium!!! It's very interactive... not your typical concrete and water building! You even get to PET certain types of rays! |
| As for restaurants... Empire State South! It's a great blend of country and city! |
| Great date ideas? | Actually there's a great international farmers' market here in Atlanta and it's a great place to go and explore foods you've never seen! If I was dating, that'd be a great way to get to know someone and it's free to walk around! |
| Big fan! Thanks for doing an AMA. My question for you, what was the hardest story for you to report and maintain your composure? | 9-11 for sure. |
| Do you ever have to re-shoot a segment if you accidentally say the time? Also, what is the most notable time something had to be censored or dumped live on the air? | Hi! The show is all the way live from 6a-10a ET. Can you imagine? I'm tired of hearing MYSELF after 4 hours! |
| 1) Do you ever think you'll move to GMA or Today? I watch Morning Express every morning, and you're absolutely the morning queen. 2) What happened to Jen Westhoven?! I miss your partner in crime! | Jen's on maternity leave, she'll be back this month! I can't wait, I've missed her so much! |
| What is your skin care regimen? Your skin is flawless and so healthy looking! | Honey, that is all smoke and mirrors! Thank you Mr. Lighting Director. ;) |
| How do you get your teeth so white? | My fab dentist! |
| Hi Robin, thanks for doing this, love watching the show when I get up in the mornings, my question is, what do you think of when people say that thing like the internet and social media have almost done away with news shows? | Hi! I think we all have our viewing habits. For some of us it is NO TV but others can't live without it! My nephew hasn't seen me live on TV in years. HLN really loves the interaction on social media and are looking for new ways to incorporate it into Morning Express every day!!! |
| Hey Robin! Big fan of yours -- watch you every morning and you always brighten my day! My girlfriend and I are going to Atlanta in October and would love to see a taping of Morning Express! Are there tours at the studio? | Well, my dear, I think you'll have a great time. We don't tape as it's live, live, live! We do have a VIP tour every Thursday, but it sells out quick! So you need to sign up here Link to www.cnn.com |
| Do you wear wigs? | Hi! No... but I seriously threaten that I want a snap-on hairdo that I wouldn't have to style every day. We actually toyed with the idea of me going blonde for April Fools! |
| Have you ever been panicked by a response a guest gave you because it wasn't what you were expecting and completely ruined your follow up? | I'm sure it has happened especially early in my career but now im comfortable listening to the answer before i hit a followup, ya know? glad you're wathcing. |
| Robin- where do you get all the cool tech stuff? iPad, little microphone, cool red keyboard thing!! :-) | We have an awesome business development team. They keep me supplied and re-supplied with gadgets when I break them. lol. |
| I have been a fan since Robin& Company. ...How you doin? | Thanks for being an early adopter! Doing great! Redditors keeping me on my toes! |
| How do you do running and typing at the same time, any techniques you can share, on how to type thoughts in cadence with run in harmony?:) | Running and typing would be hard!!! I'm just walking... 2 mph. |
| Which countries do u wanna visit? Any phobia? If it would be given to u to do a duet with an artist who would u choose? | I haven't gone to st lucia yet. have you? |
| Hi, Robin! Have you ever been to Maine? (I'm a big fan and I hail from Maine -- Go Black Bears!!!) | I have!!! I went skydiving with George H.W. Bush and the Army's Golden Knights in Kennebunkport. It was beautiful! |
| No question. Just a thank you for helping me get my butt moving in the morning. | Thanks for watching! You rock!!! |
| We watch you at dinner every night in Kandahar. I think I speak for every male here when I say thanks for wearing those boots all the time! | In kandahar, meaning you are in the service? |
| Would you ever consider doing a different genre of music. I see you perfectly suited for jazz. | That's a cool thought. how do you feel about americana style music? |
| Hey Robin. Thanks for the AMA. I am currently a Broadcasting Production major in college and I was wondering how you got into the business. Everyone says that Broadcasting is one of the harder careers to get in to. | If your college has its own channel you need to live there. Don't be a ghost major where you show up to class but don't do anything on-air. This way when you graduate you'll have something on tape that you can show around. |
| Hey Robin, I don't know if it's your natural personality, but you have the ideal on-air manner as far as I am concerned. Friendly, funny, smart without being 'perky'. I think you do a great job. | Thanks, that's me. i love my team and my job and i guess that shows through. you can't hide happy. lol. i'm so grateful you watch |
| Hey Robin! I am a Weather Forecaster (In the USAF) and there are like 5 of us that would like a BVD AMA!! haha. | OMG!!! Bob would be hysterical! I feel like he's a very good meteorologist. If you ever really pay attention... what he forecasts happens. Bob will even call us at home when there is a funnel cloud in the area. He's called me in my basement once! |
| Hey Robin! We watch you everyday in our history class and I'd just like to say we are your biggest fans! | Great to know about some of the classes that watch us for current events. and here the history class is too! |
| Robin! I love you! Thank you so much for the hysterics of Morning Express. I need that at 6:00 a.m. What makeup brands do you use for the show because I LOVE your makeup - it is flawless!!! | Hi! Thanks! I love MAC & Temptu! But the makeup pit crew at HLN is awesome, airbrush baby! |
| Seriously Robin, you are far and away my favorite news host. I generally avoid TV news like the plague, but HLN is the exception because your personality comes right through the screen. Thanks for what you do. Now if only HLN was available in HD on FIOS... :/ | HD? oh lawdy. scares me lol. |
| Good morning Robin. watching your show everyday is a great way to keep in touch with what is happening. Your presentation and humour with Bob is always a nice lift to the day. | Thanks so much for watching!!! Bob rocks! |
| Robin.. no question.. just been watching you every morning since 2003.. you are the best as is your entire news team!! keep up the good work!!! | Hi Rockstar! Thanks so much!!! |
| Hi Robin! Thanks for being my alarm clock! | Hello!!! I personally HATE alarm clocks but I appreciate the sentiment! HA! |
| No question, but I've been watching you every morning since I was 15, and I wanna say thanks for brightening my days! You, Jen and Bob are fantastic! Morning Sunshine! | Awww! Thanks so much for taking the time to say so. See you tomorrow morning? |
| No question. I just wanted to thank you for the Salute to the Troops you do every morning on your show. It always makes me feel proud. Edit - wording. | It's my favorite part of the show! Thank YOU for your service. God bless. |
| Hey Robin! I love waking up to your show every morning you are really cheerful and put me in a good mood. That being said, today is my birthday and all I want is to see your amazing boobs. That would be the best birthday present ever. Thanks and keep up the good work! | Uh huh. |
| I love watching Morning Express! Robin, you are so energetic and pleasant on the eyes 1st thing in the morning! Bob is awesome too!!! When does Jennifer get back! Miss her!!! | Hi!!! Jen gets back at the end of the month. She gave birth to a beautiful baby girl. |
| Morning Robin. I've been a fan since 2005 and have Tweeted you a couple times, however, you've never responded. Still watch your morning show, not as often (work schedule). Be nice to get a response. #Stillafan. | Glad to know you are watching and tweeting! #appreciateyou. |
