News Anchor Tyrah Majors Shines Bright In The World Of Journalism
Who is Tyrah Majors?
Hello! I’m Tyrah Majors, a news anchor, children’s book author, and talk show host. Above all of that, I’m a daughter to loving parents and a sister to three siblings. I’m born and raised in San Diego, California! I’m totally a beach girl at heart, but I traded the sun for some clouds in Seattle, Washington where I currently anchor and report the news at KOMO 4, the city’s ABC News affiliate.
Prior to you becoming a news anchor, you were a child model, representing companies such as Disney, Coca-Cola, and Papa Johns, to name a few. Talk about these experiences and the early lessons that came from them.
Working as a model during my childhood and teenage years was my introduction to the entertainment industry. Before my mom, Sheneka Majors, became a talent agent, she saw a spark in my siblings and I, so she started taking us to various auditions and castings up and down Southern California. I loved it immediately — I’ve always felt comfortable being in front of the camera and talking to people. I booked a lot of gigs, and that was always fun. A great way for a kid to learn about making and managing money! Of course, not every audition was a success. In fact, I probably got more no’s than yes’s, which taught me at an early age to have perseverance and to always try my best. Working in front of the camera prepared me for my current job in so many ways. I’m not fearless. Stage presence matters!
As a two-time college graduate from California State University (Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism) and University of Southern California (Master of Science Degree in Journalism), what were some transferable skills that you took from college and utilized in your internship days at TVSB?
Literally everything! TVSB is a public television station in Santa Barbara, where I had my first internship while attending school at the community college there. I learned the basics of how to shoot, edit, and work lighting-audio equipment. This is a skill every journalist needs to have these days. My internships that followed (NBC, FOX, and MUSE) all taught me something different about the news industry. It’s not required to have as many internships as I had, but I thought it was important for me to try everything and work in various newsrooms to find what I liked. I studied every single reporter, anchor, and producer I shadowed. When working in my student newsrooms at USC and CSUF, I kept those individuals in mind when it came to my own work. I recommend every student (no matter what you’re studying) pick up an internship opportunity during college. Not only will it make you stand out on a resume, but it’ll give you hands-on experience and help you confirm whether this is a job you really want to do.
You’ve worked at several television stations in California (NBC 4 Los Angeles, NBC 7 San Diego, FOX 5 San Diego, and MUSE TV), but in late 2020, you relocated from working at KBAK FOX58 in Bakersfield, CA to now working at KOMO News in Seattle, WA. How was this transition like for you from a personal and professional aspect?
Such an amazing transition! Professionally, moving from a smaller broadcast news market to a top 15 market (Bakersfield was #125, Seattle is #12) was challenging at first, but a good challenge. I still pinch myself thinking about how far I’ve come in the business at such a young age. There are tons of differences — the way each city covers news stories, topics viewers are interested in, the experience of the journalists I work with, etc. Working in Seattle has been a great opportunity to grow in the industry. I’ve picked up traffic anchoring, which is a new skill for me, and I’m learning new and creative ways to enhance my storytelling. The move to the Pacific Northwest has also been a positive challenge personally. This is the furthest I’ve ever lived away from home! I’m still just a two-hour flight away from my friends and family, so I don’t miss them too much. However, I’ve had the chance to really learn more about myself. Being comfortable with being alone more and starting fresh in a brand-new environment during a pandemic is something I’m proud of.
What’s the most rewarding part about being a news anchor?
The most rewarding part about being a news anchor (and I’m sure all journalists can attest to this) is the impact I can make on people’s lives. We all need information about what’s going on in the world. Whether its local news happening in your neighborhood, news coming from the White House, or the latest celebrity gossip from The Shade Room — yes, I follow them religiously — it’s all important and necessary. When I provide coverage on an important topic or something that has been overlooked, I love hearing from the people it affects directly afterward. It’s all about providing a service to the ones watching us or reading.
How do you maintain balance and discipline with such a hectic work schedule and early start times?
A great question! I really have grown to value self-care during the pandemic. I make sure I do my work and always give 100% in everything I do, but I know when it’s time to unplug. After my shift, I may tie up a few work-related loose ends, but not for long. I try to stay in tune with my hobbies — reading, drawing, watching movies or talking to my family to make sure I’m taking care of myself mentally. I think it’s essential to have a clear mind, relax and not let work consume you 24/7. When I do things I enjoy, I feel rested. That makes it ten times easier to wake up at 2:30 AM for the morning news.
Aside from being a news anchor, you’ve also created personal projects such as your talk show, Major Moves with Tyrah Majors, and your children’s book, Grammy and Me. What are some other projects that you’re currently working on?
Thank you for asking! I’m currently still working on those projects. I’ll be releasing a new set of Major Moves episodes on IGTV and YouTube soon — I’ve got some dope young business owners with great stories to tell being featured. I’m also continuing to market my children’s book, Grammy and Me. Now that the pandemic is slowing down, I hope to get out to more schools and libraries in the Seattle area and beyond to share with kids. Stay tuned for the second book.
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