You see them on TV and listen to them on the radio. Their faces and voices are recognized, respected, criticized and even adored, but out of the studio, these neighborhood stars are not so different from us — they exercise, stuff their faces, idolize heroes, love their kiddos, and dream of faraway places. And despite their high-profile jobs, they don’t take themselves too seriously.
Cynthia Izaguirre: WFAA-Ch. 8 “Daybreak” anchor
How did you end up in your line of work?
I’ve always loved to write and had a genuine interest in current events. I actually grew up here watching Channel 8, so after I graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School, it was just a natural progression for me to pursue a college degree in journalism. It took me 10 years in the professional field to make my way back to Dallas, but I finally did it. It feels like a dream come true to be on-air in your hometown. This community gave so much to me — I wouldn’t be here on-air if it weren’t for the opportunities and support I received while growing up here.
What is it like being a public personality?
I get recognized often, which is always rewarding. It’s especially rewarding to be back in my hometown and have people say “welcome home”; that gives me goosebumps.
What drew you to our neighborhood?
When I was moving back to Dallas, I looked in Uptown and over in the M Streets, and while both those areas are charming, it didn’t feel like home to me. I grew up right off LBJ, so this area just felt natural to me. When I was growing up, my mom used to drive around the neighborhood I live in now and daydream about living here one day. She’d look at all the houses that were being built here and imagine what it would be like to live in one of them. She never got to live in one of them, but her daughter did.
How does that make you feel? And how does your mom feel about it?
For me, it’s very fulfilling. And for my mom, it’s a great source of pride for her. Both my parents came here from a Third World country, and like all parents, they always wanted me to do better for myself than they did. She always says she sees progress in our family, so I think there’s a lot of comfort for her in that.
What are some of your favorite hangout spots?
I was raised on South American food, so I love Latin food. There’s a great little Cuban place called Caribbean Café near Belt Line and Webb Chapel that I frequent. It’s very authentic and good.
What books would we find on your nightstand?
Lately I’ve been going back and re-reading all the classics. Right now I’m reading “All Quiet on the Western Front”, and I just finished “The Old Man and the Sea”.
What would people be surprised to find out about you?
I love to salsa dance. It’s just in my blood — that Latin rhythm, I suppose. One day, I’d love to open my own little salsa studio. I also used to raise parakeets, and I’ve been thinking about taking that up again. I’m thinking of getting a parrot, but that’s a big commitment.
If you hadn’t been a TV reporter, what would you have been?
I would probably be working for the Peace Corps. I feel this great need to just do whatever I can to help people in underdeveloped countries.
Troy Dungan: WFAA-Ch. 8 retired weather anchor
How did you end up in your line of work?
I grew up in Hillsboro near here and started out reporting on local sports for a little newspaper out there when I was in high school. I really enjoyed it, so I studied broadcast at Baylor. I was working at a station in Florida when, as fate would have it, someone said to me, “Hey kid, we need someone to do the weather.” So I did.
So that’s when your career in meteorology began?
Well, from [Florida] I went to a station back in Texas, and [the producers] got me daily lessons with professional meteorologists. I took those lessons for about a year and a half, so it was really learning on the job. That’s a very rare story; I don’t think you’ll hear that often.
You retired almost two years ago. What’s it been like since then?
I was on-air in Dallas for 31 years, but I’ve been in the business for more than 50 years. After that many years of doing the same thing, no matter how much you love it, you’re ready for a change of pace. I’m doing commercial work now. I enjoy that because you can shoot several spots in one day and then stockpile them, so you don’t have to go to work every day, which is really nice.
What are some commercials we’ll spot you in?
I’ve done radio commercials for Lon Smith Roofing, and American Radiant Barrier. And on TV, I’ve done commercials for Hearing Solutions, Perma-Pier Foundation Repair, and Lon Smith Roofing. It’s neat to turn on to turn on “Nightline” and see me selling things.
What is it like being a public personality?
People still come up and say they miss me and tell me how much they enjoyed my time on-air, so that’s always rewarding. After being in someone’s living room for so many years, you virtually become part of their family; they feel like they know you. When you’re on TV, you do lose a lot of privacy. People have a curiosity about what you’re like off-air, so they want to speak to you, and it’s up to you to foster that; you need to thrive on that interaction. If you’re on TV and don’t like being recognized, you’re in the wrong business.
What drew you to our neighborhood?
We moved here from Detroit in 1976 and we had three days to find a new home. We came to this neighborhood, saw this house, and fell in love with it all. We’ve lived in the same house for 33 years now. It’s like a little village in this neighborhood; you go to Albertson’s, and you see the same people every time. All of my kids went to Bowie Elementary. I remember back when Bowie was the largest elementary school in the district — and then it became the smallest, and now it’s growing again. I’ve been here long enough to see the neighborhood go through cycles. Kids grow up, move away, and the next generation comes back to raise families. Even for my own kids, who are now all grown, this is home because this is where they grew up. This neighborhood will always be home to my family.
What are some of your favorite hangout spots?
Dos Rios is a regular spot for us when we want Tex-Mex. And we love Normandie Alliance over in North Plano; the couple that runs it is just delightful.
What would people be surprised to find out about you?
I love to travel. We went on a trip with [longtime Dallas radio personality] Ron Chapman and his wife. They were living on this ship, sailing the world. They asked us to go to the Mediterranean with them, and it was amazing. You can know someone for 30 years, but you really don’t know them until you’ve spent nine days in close quarters with them. If you really want to get to know someone, you should travel with them.
Victoria Snee: MIX 102.9 morning show co-host
I understand you actually got your start on TV.
Yes, I was in TV broadcast for about 10 years. I was actually a celebrity reporter for Channel 33.
Drop some names of celebrities you interviewed.
I interviewed Brad Pitt — he’s just as gorgeous in person as he is on screen. I’ve also interviewed Johnny Depp, Will Smith, George Clooney — just to name a few. I especially like Vince Vaughn; he’s so funny. Those characters you see him act in movies are truly second nature to him. Some of [the celebrities] are great and down to earth, and some of them … well, it’s OK if it’s the last time I talk to them.
So which do you like more, TV or radio?
I loved TV and radio for different reasons. I really enjoy radio work because it allows me to be a part of my listeners’ lives more than TV did. Being on a radio talk show is a great way to get to connect with people. I get to share parts of my life with them.
What’s it like being an on-air personality?
I love to meet listeners, and I love when people come up and repeat stories that they hear me tell on-air. I have a true passion for fashion and beauty, so I do a little beauty segment on the show. I love it when someone comes up to me and tells me a mascara that I recommended has practically changed her life. There is nothing better than having someone tell me I help get their day off to a good start in the mornings. For me, that’s the biggest compliment.
What are some of your favorite neighborhood spots?
I’m addicted to RA Sushi; I’m a mainstay there. We love Jasper’s for Sunday brunch. Neiman’s is my favorite store because I can shop and eat there, so what’s not to love?
Where are we likely to find you on a Saturday night?
Honestly, in church. We’re Catholic, so we go to Saturday night mass so that we don’t have to wake up early Sunday morning. Saturday night is traditionally a family time for my husband and I. We always go to mass, and then to my mom’s house for dinner, or we’ll go out to dinner with some friends.
What book would we find on your nightstand?
A big ol’ copy of In Style or Vogue. I also love tabloids, like US Weekly and People. I’m a magazine junkie — I’m not into books much, like I probably should be.
Are there any charities that are near and dear to your heart?
There are two that I’m heavily involved in: I’m on the style council for DIFFA [Design Industries Foundation Fighting AIDS]. I’m also a mentor for the Dallas Elevators, which partners with the Boys and Girls Clubs. We even had one of the kids from there in the studio so they could see what happens at our station behind the scenes — that was really neat.
What would people be surprised to learn about you?
I am really into baking. I love to bake cookies, cake, anything like that. I think I had this dormant baking gene in me that I’ve recently discovered.
What’s your specialty?
I can make a really, really good apple crisp.
