In a borrowed suit, oversized heels and a bright eyed, newly graduated determination, Whitney Reynolds ‘07 walked into NBC and “pitched her booty off” with hopes of fulfilling her lifelong dream. From a young age she wanted to be a host for her own talk show, but it took perseverance and years of growth to get to that studio only a few years after graduating from Baylor.
A variety of experiences in her early 20s, including doing crunches with Diane Sawyer on Good Morning America as a junior in college, falling out of her chair as a news anchor, and forgetting her name – all of which made the air, helped Reynolds pave a path to create the successful Whitney Reynolds Show.
“I fell on my face so many times,” Reynolds said. “But, it was all for the experience and to get better. I still knew, even in those moments, that my higher calling was to create my own show … so when I was given these opportunities … I took them.”
Reynolds persistently pursued her childhood dreams to tell people’s stories.
“At an early age I knew I was going to do this, I just didn’t know how I was going to,” Reynolds said. “While most of my friends were dressing up as their favorite Disney princesses, I was dressing up as Sally Jessy Raphael in our living room and interviewing anyone who would let me.”
She says her goal was never to be famous but instead tell stories that would make a difference. Reynolds and her team have committed to never waste a show and to always present topics that need to be heard, like rape on college campuses and wellness which is part of the new season that started April 10. The host credits Oprah Winfrey for revolutionizing the world of talk shows by building worthwhile segments.
“It was really cool because in the years I was actually investigating how do I do this? How do I become this? How do I keep going after this dream? Oprah transformed the world of talk TV,” Reynolds said. “She took it from this trashy type ‘Who’s Your Mama’ to class. It became about bigger stories unfolding.”
After creating a topic-based show out of Chicago like Oprah’s, Reynolds began to tell people’s stories which made lasting impacts. In return, Reynolds said she has been touched by many of the people she has interviewed, like Jacob, who she said has changed her life forever.
The TV host witnessed the little boy meet his bone marrow donor on her stage. He passed away soon after but Reynolds said that she will never forget his smile. She went on to say that she is committed to always leaving people with hope and though she and her staff might not know all of the answers, they will connect people who will. Reynolds graduated from Baylor in just three years and took advantage of the Baylor in New York program during her second year. While in New York, she interned at Good Morning America (GMA), where she made connections and gained confidence.
“I always say I was just running around in cheap high heels. I can thank those heels for my bunions,” Reynolds said. “I did anything and everything they would let me do. It was one of the most exciting times of my life and also one of the most exhausting.”
Reynolds spent a year as an intern and a couple of years as a news anchor in the tiny Texoma, Texas, all the while, sharing her vision with anyone who would listen. She moved to Chicago in the midst of the recession, which resulted in the loss of a job she thought was secure. Temporarily working as the spokesperson for a real-estate company led her to meet a woman from NBC who encouraged her to pitch her ideas. Because of the nature of the topics she chose to cover, Reynold’s show moved to PBS a year after working with NBC.
“I will never forget, before I left [GMA in 2007], I went into the very high up people’s office and said ‘You will one day see me have my own show,’ Reynolds said. “And they were like ‘Okay, okay. Thanks for your time at GMA.’ And then sure enough, I’m now friends with some of them, it’s all very full circle. They’re like, ‘You did it, Whitney!'”
Reynolds recently had twins and said her breast pump does not leave her side. Between managing a show and simultaneously managing a family, with her husband’s support, she said she is dedicated to running the show faithfully and consistently.
“I still make all of the phone calls,” Reynolds said. “I have a wonderful team. I now have a staff, I have a studio with beautiful chairs that shine like GMA’s did and lights and all of that kind of stuff, but I still am me. I still want to grow and I still want to make a difference in the show. And I still want to pick up the phone and call people. We want to stay true to who we are.”
From frying her hair off with a relaxer her second week of college, which “made [her] leverage more of my personality when it came to new friendships and Rush and was also an interesting ice breaker,” to offering to sing in front of a crowd on her first day interning at GMA, Reynolds said she has learned she must embrace who she is and who she is meant to be in order to fulfill her calling in life. Reynolds still confidently praises Baylor because of the large role it played in her life and shaped who she has become.
“When I talk about Baylor, I can’t help but smile,” Reynolds said. “The memories, the friendships and the lessons learned were incredible … No matter what Baylor is going through or what could be publicized, the Baylor I know is good. We stand on values and I am really proud to call Baylor my alma mater.”
Reynolds is expanding her visibility, with a new column in Chicago Woman magazine and a new market, Pittsburgh, joining her current stations in Chicagoland/Indiana and the Quad Cities.
How did your Baylor Experience shape your life?
Baylor NY helped open the door to industry best like Good Morning America. There I created relationships that have helped me throughout my television career. I also discovered I could sing when I was given a solo to perform with Pi Phi in Pigskin. Singing is now not only part of my daily life but also my twins. I sing to them every night before bedtime.
Which Baylor professor had the greatest impact on you and why?
John Cunningham helped me learn how to speak publicly. Talking has always come naturally, but he helped shape this area professionally. Emceeing and giving speeches are a huge part of my business and I am forever grateful. (Editor’s Note: Professor Cunningham’s Interviewing class is included in our Great Classes feature on page 50)
My favorite place on the Baylor campus is … The Bear Trail. So many conversations, new friendships, and life decisions happened on those walks.
My superpower is … Getting people to open up. It’s amazing the extra info that comes out in my interviews or in the grocery store line. My husband says we should add 45 minutes to wherever we go because of this superpower.
I’m being inspired right now by … My 6-month-old twins. They wake up every day with a smile and zest for life. They don’t dwell on the past or worry about the future. They find joy in the now.
My creative process begins with … A run on Lake Michigan and a dancing/singing session to Whitney Houston. The best piece of advice I’ve ever gotten is … You do you and do it well.
The lesson I learned from my biggest success was … Starting my show taught me, you really can do anything your heart desires even if people say it’s impossible. Dreams really do come true.
I get exercise by … Running and carrying my twins up and down our stairs.
The advice I give young college graduates is … Don’t rush love. True love will always find you.
My favorite app is … Arlo, our home security camera app. My husband likes it for safety. I like it because I can see and grab my online packages before he has a chance to.
One cool thing that’s on my bucket list … Host SNL (Saturday Night Live).
My most prized possession is … My blankies. Yes, I am a 30-year-old woman and still sleep with my baby blankies.
The best gift I’ve ever received is … Going to the doctor and discovering two heartbeats.
If I could have one meal from the road again, it would be … The Chicken Nuggets Extra Value Meal at McDonald’s. Extra BBQ sauce.
Every woman (and man) should know how to … Hand-write a thank-you note.
I relax by … Turning off my phone.
