Today we’d like to introduce you to Leyla Gulen.
Hi Leyla, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
My story begins in Los Angeles, California, where I was born and raised. My parents met after my father moved and settled in this country from Istanbul, Turkey. Living in a bi-cultural household I learned early on the beauty of how two very different cultures can meld into harmonious existence. The exposure to a different language, customs, and food opened my eyes to a world beyond from a very young age, which is probably why I am a journalist today. It was also the witnessing of my parents’ hard work and sacrifice to build their dreams and a foundation for me to realize my own that has been a lifetime of inspiration. My constant curiosity to learn about others, their stories, and across all disciplines began to bud as a child always asking, Why? How? Who? Where? When? While these questions became the fundamentals for my profession today, my energy was directed into a much more physical form of exploration and learning as a ballet dancer.
By the time I was 16, I moved to New York City where I studied and performed with the School of American Ballet and New York City Ballet. A life-changing experience that honed my notions of hard work, discipline, focus, sacrifice, achievement, creativity, and expression.
Once I was ready to hang up my pointe shoes, I headed for college. At the University of Southern California, I studied print journalism, but it was a single radio class that captured my heart.
Before graduating, I took jobs at two of LA’s flagship news radio stations, cutting my teeth shoulder to shoulder with industry veterans who remain my friends to this day. What I learned under their example and unforgiving deadlines was the strength of my own mettle and the addictive nature of the breaking news cycle. I parlayed everything I learned into my first TV job at KCBS-TV as a traffic reporter. From there I moved to San Francisco where I continued to cover traffic, weather, and arts and entertainment at KGO-TV. These invaluable experiences led me to where I am today.
I took a leap of faith and moved to where my heart beckoned. Across the country to the South where I became a news anchor at FOX24 in Charleston, South Carolina. Before completing my first year on the anchor desk, I was blessed with the opportunity to do something I had always dreamed about, and that is to host my own daily talk show. Five years later, FOX24 News Now continues to bring the Lowcountry community together every day, boasting some of the most esteemed members of our community and beyond.
What gets me excited about waking up every day and going to work is that no two days are the same and I know I will come home wiser than when I left.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle-free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
Nothing is ever perfectly smooth. But it’s the obstacles God throws in our direction that teaches us what we’re really made of and to appreciate and use the gifts we’re bestowed. In fact, it’s the challenges that make the victories sweeter and it’s the adversity that helps us manifest a better version of ourselves and the future. I can’t think of a better example of sheer excruciating despondency than when my father passed away. While his passing will forever leave a hole in my heart, the experience of losing a parent and the understanding and gravitas of what it means to carry the responsibility of his legacy makes giving up or giving in an impossibility.
In many ways, such a profound loss allowed me to live more deeply and recognize how boundless life’s gifts truly are.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
As a journalist and TV show host, I get to interview people from all walks of life. From professionals to artists, scientists and entrepreneurs, politicians to addicts…everyone has a story to tell. I think what I’m most proud of is building my talk show and creating a platform for the world to learn something new.
While it’s intimidating to be asked question after question with cameras and lights pointing at you, I’m told I have a gift for making the interviewee comfortable and taking a true interest. I have great empathy for my subjects and want to see them succeed. If I can do that at the end of the day, I’m a happy person.
How can people work with you, collaborate with you, or support you?
I am always open to story pitches and being introduced to new people, places, and things. If I had a wish list, it would be to do what I do on a broader scale and with an even bigger audience (and budget!). The best support is to have viewers watch and give feedback, both good and bad. I’m always wanting to grow and learn.
Contact Info:
- Email: lgulen@foxcharleston.com
- Website: https://foxcharleston.com/news/news-now/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leylagulenfox24/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LeylaGulenFOX24
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/LeylaGulenFOX24
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/FOX24NewsNow/featured
