At 24 she became one of the youngest senior broadcast journalist at the BBC. She has interviewed the likes of Maya Angelou and Jay Z and is now a presenter and journalist for ITV, and when she’s not reading the news she’s often found mentoring young people. So who is the woman behind the face we have grown to love? Krystal caught up with Charlene White to find out.
What inspired you to be a journalist?
I grew up in a generation before the internet really blew up into the phenomenon it is now. So, back in the mid-90s newspapers, radio and TV news were the only links to finding out what was happening in the rest of the world. And that fascinated me. I wanted to be a person that told stories that the world needed to hear about.
Who’s been the worst person you’ve interviewed?
Eugh. That would be an old US RnB boyband called Pretty Ricky. Not a braincell between them. They’d been coached heavily when it came to interviews, so every answer was rehearsed. In song. So I’d ask them a question, and they’d sing the answer back – sometimes in harmony. It took every strength of by being not to just walk out. Instead I took the other option: catch them out. At the time, the huge floods had ravaged New Orleans. So I asked them about that, and any family back home. They didn’t have a “harmonised” answer to that one. So their press officer stopped the interview.
Do you feel pressure to look your best, on and off screen?
On screen, yes. Off screen, not so much. Part of the job is to make sure that you look presentable, wear the right colours, and wear clothes that suit my shape. I made a lot of mistakes in my early years, and viewers have a habit of pulling you up on it – especially on email. But once I found my flow, I think I’m a lot better at it now.
Why is it important for you to work with young people?
My mum was a social worker, and I think that’s where my need to give back comes from. I was lucky enough to have been raised in a great family, with parents who supported me every step of the way. They worked hard to give me a good education, and gave me the values which I live by today. Not everyone’s so lucky to have that support, so I think it’s important to help young people by giving them a bit of guidance and help. I know we all live incredibly busy lives, but even if it’s just an hour a month – you could end up changing the course of someone’s life for the better.
When you have time to yourself do you prefer to read a book, watch a film or listen to music?
One of my best friends is a total movie addict, and is also my gym buddy. So when our days off tally, it’s usually a spin class, a good old gossip about boys over dinner, and a movie. And of course, music is a given. I can often be heard belting out some 90s RnB classics in a little corner of South East London.
Who’s the person who really makes you laugh?
That would probably be another good friend of mine, Jacqueline. We have email/BBM convo’s all day everyday, and I have often had moments when I’ve burst out laughing on the train – and thus look like a totally crazy-lady. Her dry humour is legendary.
In 10 years’ time, you hope to…
Be married, with a gang of kids around my ankles…be they from my DNA, adopted or fostered (I want to give a good home to children who need one too). I’d love to have a big family. Although I visited a psychic on my 25th birthday and he said I’d only have 3. I’m determined to prove him wrong!
I loved your interview with Charlene White. I’ve often seen her on daybreak reading the news and to be honest I have always been interested by her. She is young and obviously a woman of colour , which is always good to see .
However she can come across as being slightly cold…. Oops! However your interview showed a more human and friendly side to her, some of her comments made me smile,so now we have a small insight to the woman behind the mask . A good piece Krystal Mag, keep em coming.