Alisyn Camerota
Learn the biography of Alisyn Camerota—American journalist, anchor, and author—her rise from local news to CNN, her books, awards, personal journey, and memorable observations.
Introduction
Alisyn Lane Camerota (born June 21, 1966) is a prominent American journalist, anchor, and author known for her work on CNN and before that on Fox News. Over a journalism career spanning more than three decades, she has covered major national and international events, tackled sensitive issues, and brought a personal voice to public conversations. Her writing, interviews, and public statements reflect her commitment to authenticity, fairness, and storytelling. This article explores her life, career, personality, and some of her notable quotes.
Early Life and Family
Alisyn Camerota was born on June 21, 1966, in Shrewsbury, New Jersey.
Her youth was not without challenge. In her 2024 memoir Combat Love: A Story of Leaving, Longing, and Searching for Home, she reveals that after her parents’ divorce, she experienced instability, including periods where she lived on her own starting around age 16, faced emotional distance, and struggled to find a stable home.
These early experiences shaped her resilience, empathy, and deep interest in human stories. She has spoken about these adolescent years candidly, acknowledging both pain and growth.
Education and Early Career
Camerota attended American University in Washington, D.C., earning a degree in broadcast journalism.
After college, she worked at local news stations: WHDH in Boston and WTTG in Washington, D.C. America’s Most Wanted and for Ted Koppel’s documentary unit at Koppel Communications.
These roles cultivated her reporting skills, on-camera presence, and ability to navigate complex stories at both local and national levels.
Career and Achievements
At Fox News
In February 1998, Camerota joined Fox News as a correspondent for its Boston bureau. Fox & Friends Weekend and working on Fox & Friends First.
During her time at Fox News, she also started a blog called In The Greenroom on the Fox & Friends website and appeared in various capacities on the network’s programming.
Later, she publicly spoke about being sexually harassed by former Fox News CEO Roger Ailes, and about constraints on editorial freedom at conservative media platforms.
In March 2014, she left Fox News after a 16-year tenure.
At CNN
On July 14, 2014, Camerota joined CNN and began co-anchoring New Day, a morning news show. New Day, with her addition leading reportedly to increased viewership.
Later, on April 19, 2021, she took on another role co-hosting the afternoon edition of CNN Newsroom (2 – 4 pm) alongside Victor Blackwell.
In September 2022, Camerota was tapped as an interim host for CNN Tonight during the midterm elections, hosting the 10 pm hour.
On December 8, 2024, Camerota announced her departure from CNN after more than a decade with the network.
Major Coverage, Accolades & Publications
Throughout her career, Camerota has reported from the front lines of critical events:
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Hurricane Harvey (Houston)
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Terror attacks in Paris and Brussels
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The Parkland school shooting — she interviewed survivors and representatives soon after the tragedy
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The #MeToo movement, sexual harassment, and related social justice issues
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Breaking news, such as on-air arrests and racial justice protests
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International stories including coverage of conflicts and global developments
She has earned awards and honors: two Emmy Awards for breaking news coverage, an Edward R. Murrow Award for her reporting on Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico, and a duPont-Columbia Award for coverage of Jamal Khashoggi’s murder.
Beyond journalism, she is also a writer. Her debut novel, Amanda Wakes Up (2017), is loosely based on her experiences in cable news and was selected by NPR as one of the year’s best books. Combat Love, in which she reveals previously untold aspects of her personal history.
Historical Context & Milestones
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1966: Born in Shrewsbury, New Jersey
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Late 1980s–early 1990s: Early journalism work at local stations, America’s Most Wanted, and documentary work
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1998: Joins Fox News as correspondent in Boston
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2007: Launches In The Greenroom blog on Fox’s platform
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2014: Transitions to CNN as anchor on New Day
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2021: Begins co-hosting CNN Newsroom in the afternoon
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2022–2023: Hosts CNN Tonight during primetime elections
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2024: Publishes memoir Combat Love and announces exit from CNN
Her career maps onto a changing media environment: the rise of 24-hour cable news, the influence of opinion journalism, the #MeToo era, and evolving expectations of transparency and authenticity in journalism.
Legacy and Influence
Alisyn Camerota’s legacy lies in several areas:
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Bridging journalism and personal narrative. She brings her life story into her journalism, making complex issues more relatable.
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Courage in revelation. In Combat Love, she bares personal trauma and family secrets, challenging norms about how “anchors” should appear.
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Championing vulnerable voices. Her coverage of movements like #MeToo, and her interviews after tragedies, demonstrate her attentiveness to human stories and accountability.
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Mentorship and inspiration. Her path—from local news to major networks, writing, and meaningful journalism—serves as a model for aspiring reporters.
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Adaptability. She has moved across network environments (Fox → CNN), navigated shifts in media, and balanced journalistic roles with authorship and advocacy.
Personality and Talents
Camerota is known for her tenacity, empathy, and directness. She asks tough questions while maintaining compassion. Her upbringing, which involved instability, taught her resilience and self-reliance, qualities she says sharpened her reporting acumen.
She is willing to be vulnerable and transparent, seeing that as strength rather than weakness. Her decision to write Combat Love is a proof of that.
Her writing style in both fiction and memoir leans toward candid insight, drawing from her journalism instincts, sense of narrative arc, and emotional honesty.
On a personal level, Camerota was married to Tim Lewis from 2001 until his death in July 2024 after a battle with pancreatic cancer.
She has also publicly shared her experiences with infertility and her work supporting related causes.
Notable Quotes by Alisyn Camerota
Here are a few statements by Camerota that capture her voice, values, and perspective:
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“I was in survival mode for many years.” (from Combat Love)
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On sharing her truth: “There’s something about an anchor woman … nobody thinks that you’ve ever had a hard day.”
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On the process of healing through writing: “I hated to involve my mother, but in doing so, we reconnected and understood each other more deeply.” (on Combat Love)
Because her memoir and public interviews are quite recent, more of her quotes are emerging and will likely resonate more over time.
Lessons from Alisyn Camerota
From her life and work, several lessons stand out:
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Vulnerability can strengthen credibility. Revealing personal struggle need not undermine professional voice—it can deepen it.
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Persistence through instability matters. Early hardship didn’t stop her; it shaped her.
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Commit to telling hard truths. Whether covering tragedies or difficult personal experiences, Camerota has leaned into confronting discomfort.
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Balance roles thoughtfully. She has juggled journalism, authorship, motherhood, and advocacy.
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Growth includes reconciliation. Her willingness to revisit her past suggests that progress often requires re-engagement, not avoidance.
Conclusion
Alisyn Camerota’s journey is more than a career in broadcast journalism—it’s a story of transformation, survival, and authenticity. From New Jersey to Washington, from local news rooms to major cable networks, and from public reporter to author of a candid memoir, she has navigated the intersection of personal and professional truth with courage. Her legacy invites us to see journalists not just as conveyors of news, but as human beings shaped by story—and to believe that telling one’s own story can be part of one’s work.
If you’d like, I can dig deeper into her memoir Combat Love, or compile a more extensive list of her interviews, quotes, and public speeches. Would you like me to do that?
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