Seneca College - RED 2017 - 27

1990s

Rocking the world of
entertainment

PHOTO: JOANNE RATAJCZAK

Traci Melchor
AS A YOUNG GIRL, Traci Melchor found her calling in
entertainment and has never looked back.
"I was at the Victory Tour concert, featuring
Michael Jackson and the Jackson family in the 80s.
I watched as people went backstage and I didn't
understand why I couldn't go," says Traci. "My mom
explained that these people were going backstage
because they were reporters. That moment was when
I knew I wanted a career in entertainment."
Traci's passion for the industry grew as she spent
her adolescence at concerts and devouring hours of
television. In the 90s, Canadian broadcasters didn't
have entertainment news shows, so her plan was to
move to New York and become an entertainment
writer. However, with the help of her high school
guidance counsellor, Traci decided that her skills in
performing arts made television broadcasting a good
fit and she found Seneca's Broadcasting-Radio and
Television program.
"I fell in love with the program at Seneca," says Traci.
"I still remember all of my professors because they
were so generous with information and gave realistic
advice about working in the television industry. All of
those long nights in the edit bay and tight deadlines
really prepared me for my career."

Traci's first job after graduation was as a front-desk
receptionist at Citytv. Taking the advice of one of her
professors, Traci would stay after work to learn from
her co-workers, including camera operators, editors
and news anchors. It wasn't long until Traci landed her
first on-air role as host of the legendary MuchMusic
hip-hop show RapCity.
Fast-forward a decade, after a stint in Los
Angeles, Traci joined CTV as a correspondent for
Etalk. Since then, she's interviewed the who's
who in entertainment and culture: Madonna, Dwayne
"The Rock" Johnson, Beyoncé and Maya Angelou, to
name a few. One of her most memorable interviews
was with Oprah Winfrey, who told Traci her questions
made her "salivate."
Off camera, Traci juggles her busy life with the
schedules of her 12-year-old twins, Phoebe and Phoenix,
who help her stay up to date on entertainment news.
Reflecting back, Traci says that her career came
full circle in 2009 when CTV sent her to Los Angeles
to cover Michael Jackson's public memorial
service. Downtown Los Angeles was locked down
for the service, but her media pass allowed her access
to the event, where she reported onsite alongside
renowned broadcasters like Barbara Walters and
Katie Couric.
"It was incredible to have the duty of honouring
the legacy of the man that brought me into the industry," says Traci. "My advice to Seneca broadcasting
students is no matter what your job is, entry level or
CEO, you've got to show up every day and give it your
all. Be mindful, be kind and always stay fabulous!"

Traci Melchor is Senior
Correspondent for CTV's
Etalk. Follow her on Twitter:
@stayfabulous and
Instagram: tracimelchor

I still remember
all my professors
because they
were so generous
and gave realistic
advice.

RED

2017 27

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