PLP Exclusive Interview With Alicia Jacobs - Introduction

Jenna Zine: I'm not the only one who's tapped you for an interview in the past several months. What's it like being both on the news and a part of the news? Being a native Las Vegan, how has it affected your reception in your hometown?

Alicia Jacobs: Yes, it's been pretty amazing. I certainly feel as though I've paid my dues to an extent. I've worked very hard for many years. I believe I've established myself as a credible journalist, as well as a great source of information for national media outlets. I've been doing appearances on various CNN & HEADLINE NEWS programs and I love it! In addition, ACCESS HOLLYWOOD & EXTRA have also been using me. I had a great meeting at E! a few weks ago. I can't say much, but it's regarding some new programming for the fall. The flip side is that, as crazy as it may seem, not everyone is happy to see you succeed. For example, there's a local newspaper columnist who has actually been bashing me a bit for being "over exposed." When he phoned me for an interview, regarding one of the two columns he's written about me, he actually asked me if I thought my "being all over the media" detracted from my credibility as a journalist. He also questioned the fact that I have close friends who happen to be celebrities and whether that makes me an impartial observer. I was really stunned by those questions. I explained that my opinion, as well as garnering national exposure, simply makes me more valuable to KVBC, our viewers and readers of my blog. And, having friends in the entertainment industry gives me an enormous advantage to access of great sources over my competitors. I also told him that my integrity has NEVER  been questioned. The whole interview was really quite strange... bordering on insulting and self-serving on his part. I was instantly reminded of something Danny (Gans) always said to me when he was frustrated by the local media, "AJ, it's hard to be a hero in your own hometown." Danny was very wise. Guess what? Here's an exclusive: there's a chapter with that exact tiitle in his upcoming autobiography! [Alicia was a very close friend to famed Vegas entertainer Danny Gans. We'll be covering that topic tomorrow.]

JZ: KVBC seems like an amazing station - everyone there is hooked into the heart of Vegas. It must be so rewarding to be on the air in your own hometown! Though you mentioned not everyone is supportive of success, you receive great backup from your station and your General Manager in particular. In an industry that doesn't always support women, it must be nice to have a woman as a General Manager. Tell me more about her.

AJ: I'm so fortunate that I work for an amazing boss. Our General Manager, Lisa Howfield, has always been so incredibly supportive of both my work and myself. I always give her the respect of getting her blessing whenever I'm asked to do an outside project and she always gives me great advice. I really value her opinion; she has no agendas, just my best interest. In fact, she's always encouraging me to do as much as I can. She's also a great role model for me: she's an amazing business woman, wife and mother. She gives me hope that someday, maybe I can "have it all too." It's crazy, she's this beautiful petite blonde, very off-putting because she's a total dynamo. She was just named, "General Manager of the Year," for the entire country! I guess what I'm saying is that I feel very blessed to work in this environment.

[For more on Alicia's career goals, aspirations, life in Las Vegas and charity work continue scrolling down.]