5FM's Nadia Romanos, who loves cake and radio, is always breaking the news.
Smiling disarms everyone. 5FM's Nadia Romanos can unlock entire armies with her beam. She is warm, kind, and affable – every positive adjective in the dictionary. Even when she's reading the news, Romanos delivers it as designer sneakers, so it's easy to wax lyrical about her.
This year marks my 10th year as a news reader at 5FM, now as a digital contributor, and my 13th year as a broadcast journalist. This included appearances on the once infamous ANN7, where Romanos covered some of the biggest news events of the past decade, including Madiba's funeral and Oscar Pistorius' trial.
Working at 5FM made my dream come true
Getting the job at 5FM was a dream come true. “I was obsessed with 5FM when I was a student,” Romanos said. “I never imagined that I would end up where I would end up. There was always 'them' on the other side and 'me' on this side. “But sometimes, the universe has a way of surprising you,'' she said. When she was still in school, a teacher made her feel like she could realize her ambitions.
“She once said to me, 'Good luck. Let's see what happens.' And that stuck with me,” she shared. After graduating from high school, she pursued a one-year course in drama, which also included a bit of radio broadcasting. “I loved it. I didn't understand it yet, but the seed was planted there.”
After that, Romanos' career focused. She studied journalism at the University of Pretoria and radio was also part of her course. “I tried really hard to get into campus radio,” she said. Eventually, she won a position as a news presenter, a job she was comfortable with.
ANN7's fairy tale movement
Television journalism came next, and a few years after she first grabbed the microphone, ANN7 gave her a chance. “I loved field reporting, but the work was hectic,” she said. “Sometimes I get called to cover a protest three hours away, spend a day there, and then have to rush back to report on another story,” she said, adding that she was exhausted. . Still, she didn't rule out returning to the media at some point.
Just like in a fairy tale, Romanos received a phone call that changed everything. “When I got the call from 5FM, there was no hesitation. I haven't looked back since,” she said. Her ten years at 5FM have been an uplifting whirlwind. “I've done some crazy things, like skydiving, for example. I'll never do that again,” she laughed. “It was fun but scary. I think that's why I'm afraid of heights!”
But the real highlight is the people she met. “From a woman just doing her job in a supermarket in a small town to the biggest celebrity in the world, it was incredible,” she said.
Romanos interviews people
If there's anyone whose name can be mentioned at a dinner party, it's Romanos. One of her most memorable interviews, she said, was with Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson. “He was very attentive and kept saying my name throughout the interview. It's a small gesture, but it's not like he's just driving to another press event. I felt like I was there.”
She said interviewing local stars is her first love and supporting local talent. “South Africa has it in abundance,” she said.
Romanos traveled extensively for work, taking him to Spain and London, and even went on a heritage tour with his driving team every September. We were lucky enough to kayak past a seal colony. I also went snorkeling with dolphins,” she said, sharing that these experiences were surreal for her and something she will never forget.
The first time she read the news was on the Drive show, but before the recent time slot change, the adventure was born. Romanos is currently breaking the news at lunchtime with Lulu Odiva. The new gig is already blossoming into a new journey, she said.
baking cakes is a big love
At home, Romanos is a baker. And it's not just a hobby. It is a family tradition passed down through generations. “My aunt was an amazing baker and provided restaurants like Tasha's with amazing cakes and cheesecakes,” she said.
Growing up surrounded by the comforting aroma of baked goods, Romanos found comfort in the kitchen.
“Just smelling something baking in the oven makes me feel good,” she said.
It wasn't long before she started experimenting on her own, starting with flapjacks at just 10 years old. “It was easier than I expected, and I was hooked from there. Baking became a therapeutic act, especially for my sister. When I was having a bad day, I would go to the kitchen in the middle of the night and make brownies. ” she said.
Her cakes were a hit with her friends and family, and she received many orders. However, her work schedule slowed it down a bit. “Maybe someday I'll open a coffee shop,” she hinted.
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