Frances Rivera is an anchor and correspondent at MSNBC, and currently reports on ‘MSNBC live with Thomas Roberts’ 1pm-3pm.
Frances joined MSNBC in 2014 from WPIX-TV CW 11 in New York City where she was a morning anchor. Before that, she spent 10 years at WHDH-TV NBC 7 in Boston first as a morning anchor, then later as the main co-anchor of the station. While at WHDH, Frances was part of the first female anchor team in Boston when she was paired with Kim Khazei in 2009. She was also recognized repeatedly with several Boston/New England Chapter Emmy nomination. In 2003 and 2007, she won the Emmy award for 'Outstanding Anchor.' Frances has also worked on-air at KWTV-TV in Oklahoma City, OK and KFDX-TV in Wichita Falls, TX. She's also been behind the scenes at CBS News, and as a freelance co-host and reporter for PBS.
A native of the Philippines, Frances immigrated to the United States when she was three years old and was raised in Texas. She went back to the Philippines for college and earned a Bachelor's degree in journalism from the University of the Philippines.
1. What kind of phone do you have, and what are your favorite apps?
Two iPhone 5s – one personal and one for work.
My fave app is FosCamPro so I can spy on everything happening at home in real time. Being able to see, hear and talk back to anyone at home via this app is life changing! Especially when I’m away from my two young kids. My other favorites are Seamless & Yelp for food and meals; and Pandora and Songza for music.
2. Favorite and least favorite news topics to cover (besides violent crime)?
Favorite: Breaking news and Lifestyle segments.
Least Favorite: Anything Financial – I’m awful with numbers.
3. If you weren't working in TV news, what would you be doing?
Interior Decorator/Stylist
4. What was your favorite cartoon growing up?
I loved Star Blazers. I can still sing every word of the theme song – both versions.
5. When you have 30 minutes of free-time, how do you pass the time?
Deleting photos from my iPhones. I have so many that I have no more storage! I just can’t bring myself to delete any pics or videos of my kids.
6. If you could travel anywhere, where would you go and why?
Every country in Asia. I’m Filipino and try to visit Asia every couple of years, but with my work schedule it’s tough to break away longer than 2 weeks. A trip less than two weeks is just too short of a visit especially when factoring in the time difference and jet lag recovery.
7. Given the choice of anyone in the world, whom would you want as a dinner guest?
My husband’s biological Mother and Father. He’s adopted and has never had success in finding them.
8. Do you collect anything?
No, but I have issues cleaning out my closet and can never part with clothes and shoes – even if I haven’t worn them in years.
9. What are the top 3 played songs on your iPod?
Every night at home we have dance parties where I play DJ for my 2 and 4 year olds. The top requested songs are Taylor Swift's Style, Katy Perry's Dark Horse and The Lorax Movie's How Bad Can It Be.
10. What is one of your favorite quotes?
Anything from the @GodPosts Twitter account. I can’t even count how many screenshots I’ve taken of so many inspirational quotes.
11. What was the last experience that made you a stronger person?
The six months in 2013 when I wasn’t working. During that time it became clear that my sole purpose and priority is being a mother - raising decent and productive human beings and any advancement or success in my career is all bonus.
More about Frances Rivera
No endorsement between NBC News and New England One is implied or intended by Frances Rivera's participation in "11 Questions"
