We were lucky to catch up with Tiffany Lady T recently and have shared our conversation below.
Tiffany , looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Can you talk to us about how you learned to do what you do?
Learning the craft sometimes comes with your dream/goal being crushed. When I was in college at Bowie State University, I met one of my favorite radio hosts and she said “do not major in Broadcast Journalism because you need something (another job) to fall back.” I had just started learning broadcast skills and my goal was to be on TV/Radio/Acting so her words crushed my dream for a second. Who am I kidding? Her words crushed my spirit. Also, I had just changed my major from Sociology; Law to Communications, so yea there was that too. However there was a little voice inside of me that said “Don’t give up!” So I kept chugging along, despite feeling extremely discouraged. In undergrad I learned the basics of media broadcast, PSA announcements, jobs in the broadcast field and media law. In grad school at Full Sail University I learned how to execute stories/PKGs/article writing, reporting news, how to work a video camera and video editing. All of these skills are essential to working in the broadcast industry and will lead you to success.
Learning the craft also means finding your own voice. I’ve always had the “gift of gab” as many people call it, but I also had to have my own personality. It took me years to realize that just being myself, or being who I am and letting my personality shine would push me further along in life and my career. I wish I had known that sooner and I have radio host Donnie Simpson to thank for that. During my interview with him back in 2015 for a local newspaper, I asked him for advice and he literally told me “Be yourself and don’t try to be anyone else.” I laughed at him thinking he was trying to be funny. But he explained when he first started out in radio he was trying to imitate his favorite radio host and it only kind of worked. Then he found his own voice and his career took off. I took this advice to heart because I was struggling to get to where I wanted to be in life. I was struggling to find my own voice. But actually, my voice was always there but it was just waiting to be unleashed. That’s a process that can’t be sped up because it’s all apart of the journey.
Tiffany , love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
I am Tiffany “Lady T” Watson! Here’s my backstory….
I received my bachelors degree from Bowie State University and I received my master’s degree in New Media Journalism at Full Sail University. I was Valedictorian and won the Advanced Achievement Award at Full Sail University. I was a freelance newspaper reporter at the PG Sentinel newspaper, writing feature stories.
In 2015, I became a full-time reporter at Southern Maryland Newspapers, writing for The Maryland Independent. While doing that I had 2 radio shows and was also a movie critic/blogger for The BobbyPen, an award-winning blog.
In 2016, I started commenting on stories/topics on TMZ LIVE.
In 2017, I started working at FOX45 as an Assignment Editor/Content Creator, writing articles, updating social media, working on breaking news, and so much more.
In 2019, I finally got the opportunity to be on-air! I pitched an entertainment news segment, called Spilling The Tea W/Lady T, to the producer of BMore Lifestyle on MyTV Baltimore and they loved it. I was on once a week.
In September 2020, I was able to host BMore Lifestyle and launch its new programming schedule on FOX45 while our show’s host was on leave due to surgery.
In 2021, I was nominated for an Emmy Award as a host of BMore Lifestyle.
Our “Lemme Tell You” segment, a title I coined the phrase for, airs LIVE Monday-Friday on BMore Lifestyle with several contributors, including myself. discussing trending topics.
The “Spilling The Tea w/Lady T” segment airs LIVE on BMORE Lifestyle every Tuesday and Thursday on FOX45 at 11:30 AM.
I am also a comedian. I have opened for comedians such as KevOnStage and Tommy Taylor Jr.
I was also featured in a Popeyes commercial
I am now an award-winning journalist, an Emmy-nominated TV host, an Assignment Editor/Content Creator, Comedian, and Social Media Maven.
My ultimate goal in life is make people laugh and smile on all types of broadcast platforms – TV shows, movies, etc..
Honestly, I am truly proud of my brand I created….Follow me at @myfairladyt on all social media platforms.
I wanted my brand to standout and be different but still be apart of my personality. One of my mentors told me “if you don’t believe in your brand then neither will anyone else.” It’s harsh but true.
Everyday I bring the funny on-air so that means I have to be quick on my feet, prepare witty punch lines but most of all….I always have to have something to say. That can be tough but I feel like I rise to the challenge everyday.
Have you ever had to pivot?
Have you ever had a plan in your mind that went in a totally different direction? That was me 5 years ago going from newspaper reporter to being Assignment Editor in TV news. I went from being the eyes and ears of news in the streets to being the eyes and ears of a newsroom from a desk. It was not a smooth job transition at all for me. I was extremely nervous and anxious because breaking news kept happening. I was struggling to keep up and it was kind of embarrassing. But I was in the big leagues, at an award-winning TV station and had to pull it together. My life changed in a flash when I got into TV news and with barely anytime to really adjust , I jumped in with no life vest.
I got more training as time went on and made some great friends in the industry who helped me along the way. My news judgement changed, my reaction time to breaking news got even better, and I was writing web articles faster than before. Soon I gained the trust of my fellow employees and it felt great to be apart of a team that actually wanted to help me get better. “Being an Assignment Editor is a thankless job,” my News Director used to say. So many great anchors, reporters, sportscasters, photojournalists and hosts started their journey off at the Assignment desk and it has made them so successful. Personally, I went from Assignment Editor to Entertainment Correspondent to TV Host, just by learning, shadowing others and being resilient.
You MUST learn the basics of how a newsroom works in order to achieve your broadcast goals. It’ll jump start your journey towards making your dreams a reality.
What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?
A laugh, smile or smirk, honestly, even a full belly laugh or holler that ends with a viewer/fan hitting the table is the most rewarding part of my job. If I don’t make you say “OH MY” at least once from my jokes then I didn’t do my job that day on TV. I love when people come up to me and say “please don’t ever change” and “girl you crack me up.” It keeps me motivated. It inspires me to keep going on-air, being my true self. It forces me to let my fun, energetic personality shine daily.
There is literally a woman who drives by the station several times a week, going 65 mph in a 35 mph zone, and she yells “LADY TEEEEEEEE” and waves. I don’t know her but I love it and I hope she keeps doing it. I hope she also slows down but some mornings I need that motivation to get going.
Sometimes the most rewarding part of your job is the joy you bring people. And that makes my soul feel oh so good…
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.myfairladyt.net/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/myfairladyt/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/myfairladyt/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tiffany-lady-t-watson-9aa57087/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/myfairladyt
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/LadyTonTV/videos
Image Credits
Photos of Lady T spilling the tea and in-studio or in the field are courtesy of FOX45, Headshot photos courtesy of Jackie Hicks Photography