It hasn’t been so long since Kristina Guerrero graced the studio of “Great Day S.A.” on KENS-TV where she hosted the local morning show for nearly three years.
At the end of 2007, Guerrero made a jump to Los Angeles where she became a correspondent for “Inside Edition” for a few months before joining the E! Network as a web-based reporter. Three months ago, the network made Guerrero their first-ever Latina correspondent and host on “The Daily 10” and “E! News.”
How’s life in L.A.?
You know, it’s pretty amazing. I’ve been here in L.A. for a year and a half. To get the opportunity to work at E! is amazing. There are so many people that would kill to do what I am doing. It’s a big honor for me and a huge responsibility. Sometimes I wonder how I got here. I ask myself, “Did they call the right girl?â€
Now, when you left San Antonio I saw you on “Inside Edition” a couple of times and then all of a sudden you weren’t there anymore. What happened?
Yeah, I went to “Inside Edition” first, which ended up not working out for me. It just wasn’t the right fit for me. I needed something a little more young and fun and irreverent and hip. [“Inside Edition”] just didn’t really fit my personality. I was there for about nine months before E! came knocking at my door offering me a position. It just made so much more sense for me to make the switch.
How has it been on the set for you since you’re the newest member of “E! News?” What did you bring to their team that they didn’t have before?
It’s been a great fit for me working with Ryan Seacrest and Giuliana [Rancic] and sharing reporting and correspondent duties with two other fantastic and talented people, Jason Kennedy and Ashlan Gorse. My whole thing – especially in San Antonio – has always remained the same: I’m just myself. I love talking to people whether you’re a man on the street or a big-time celebrity. I just really genuinely love interviewing people. I think I bring a lot of that genuine attitude to the show. I’ve really been able to mesh well.
Who have you interviewed recently and how did it go?
Recently, my most exciting and fun and worthwhile interview was with Hugh Jackman, who is the nicest guy ever. He makes you feel like you’ve known him for years. I actually interviewed him as a production assistant years and years ago.
How does E! fit into your career goals? Is this another stepping stone or somewhere you can see yourself long-term?
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Right now E! is another great place for me to build my talent. I’m on a mission to be great at anything I do. I’ve accomplished a goal. That was to have fun and make a career out of it. What else can I do where I can have fun and make a career out of it? E! is exactly the place I want to be right now. Honestly, I’m just enjoying the moment right now. Anything that comes after this is just bonus.
Is being the first Latina on E! also a bonus for you?
It’s huge. I’m so proud that I have a story that is unique and that I can bring my background to the network. It’s not just about my last name or how I look, but to bring my culture to the network is just amazing.
What have you learned about the whole idea of celebrity since you’re now so close to it?
The thing about celebrity and celebrity news is that we just don’t take it that serious. It’s entertainment. We’re not saving lives, we’re just entertaining people. When it comes to celebrities they’re just like us. They’re just making movies and doing reality TV. It’s all in good fun.
I’ll be honest. I’ll watch “E! News” but as soon as another story on “The Hills” or Spencer Pratt or Heidi Montag comes out, I’m reaching for the remote. Do you ever get to work and ask your producers, “Why are we covering this again?â€
(Laughs) You know, we get it. We totally get it. Even in our scripts it’ll say, “Okay, enough already!†So, honestly, we’re like, “These guys again?†But we wouldn’t be covering it if people weren’t watching. It’s a guilty pleasure.
I’ve never been a fan of the question “Who are you wearing?†Do you like asking that question? Do you like answering it?
(Laughs) You know, I’ve never been fashion-forward. I have a stylist. If I didn’t I would go to work in my cargo pants and flip flops. But, you know, [“Who are you wearing?â€] is really just a great opening question to break the ice.
Hi Kristina, I’m from Laredo, TX & will be going with my g/daughter to LA in Jan 2012 for a wk for the IPOP Auditions hope to see you there!!! We used to watch you in Great Day SA (San Antonio TX)!!!!!