Today we’d like to introduce you to Victoria Rajkumar-Prieto.
Hi Victoria, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Where do I begin? Oh yeah, in the video tape edit bay at the iconic WSVN Channel 7 News. I’ll never forget walking starry-eyed into that neon-lit newsroom for the first time. I grew up watching the giants like Belkys Nerey and Craig Stevens; doing a little dance to the Deco Drive theme song when it came on the tv. The “yes” I got from the hiring manager, who I’ve mentally thanked every day since then, would set the course for my next 15 year professional career. I had just graduated from Nova Southeastern University with a Bachelor’s in English – I know what you’re thinking, and yes, I’m just as surprised as you that I found a job. I spent just over two years working at WSVN. I started by logging video, working in the edit bay setting up live shots, rolling on live events, watching history unfold in real-time. I would eventually beg the Morning Executive Producer for a shot at becoming a News Writer. He gave me practice stories to write scripts and would critique them with intense scrutiny – honest, real feedback that would either make you or break you. I chose the former and respected him all the more for his delivery. Eventually, I said goodbye to The Plex, where no one seemed to want to leave (can’t say I blame ’em), but I wanted to move up. I got that next big opportunity at WPLG Local 10 where I worked as a News Producer. Looking back on this, how did a kid from North Miami Beach end up working at two of the biggest news titans in Florida? To this day, I’m still geeking out. I later left WPLG to try my luck “making it big” in California. I’ll spoil the ending for you, that didn’t work out. I made my way back to Florida, but landed in a city I had never been to, St. Petersburg. I joined Bay News 9, a 24-hour local news station. Which I thought, at the time, would be a stepping stone to 24-hour networks like CNN, ABC, or FOX. I ended up falling in love with the community and the area and have called Tampa Bay home now for 10 years. At Bay News 9, I worked as the Executive Producer of Special Projects – winning Emmys for my live specials, leading teams through breaking news and hurricanes. I found my niche at being the go-to person for almost everything, including developing new tv programs. I was the first Executive Producer brought on to launch Spectrum News + – a national news program designed to play with the “big boys” of news outlets. Imagine my surprise to see Spectrum News + featured in a Marvel movie! ‘Captain America: Brave New World’ for those wondering. I ended up connecting with FOX 13 Tampa Bay about a new “statewide” newscast project they were working to get off the ground. At the time, it was sold as politics-based, which I have done and could do again. Well, the project ended up developing into the exact opposite – entertainment news! Something I had never done and had only watched when I was bopping along to the Deco Drive theme song ages ago. I said to myself, amid conversations about “quirky gator videos,” “python wranglers,” and “most tannest person forecast”…I am so screwed. But! I have an open mind and an abundance of 12-year-old humor, my second thought was… “challenge accepted!” And ‘Florida Tonight on FOX’ was born. I launched the show this past March and it’s been climbing in the ratings ever since! So who am I now? I am the Executive Producer of a new hit local news show that I’ve molded into a 30 minute lovefest for Florida. As a born and raised Floridian, I love every inch of our oddball state, and I tapped into that spirit with a show aimed at bringing locals together for half-an-hour to talk about the weird, silly, and uplifting stories and interviews that you’d talk about with your own family and friends. I don’t know what comes next from here, but I do feel a little more certain when I get email after email from viewers writing in to say… “this is my new favorite show!”
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Nothing in this life is easy, I’ll start there. I personally embody the underdog spirit. I’m not sure if it’s a mixture of being unusually hopeful or just plain delusional. Without totally bumming you out, I didn’t have a great home life, and in my 20’s I couch-surfed at friend’s or family’s homes for a time. I always felt so lost. Career-wise, I’ve had so many doors slammed in my face I will never again have a need for fiber supplements. For some reason, in my silly brain, every “no” got me closer to my “yes.” I simply never stopped trying. I tried when I was hurt, when I was sad, when I was sick, when I was broke, when I was fat, when I was thin. Every version of me that was never good enough for my parents, boyfriends, fake friends, or prospective bosses… I never stopped trying. Who I am now looks back on that girl and thanks her. How did she do it? God knows. But I’m glad she did, because this version sees that same drive in others who are just starting their journey. Now, I get to help them find their way. Whether it’s prying open that door that never opened for me, or offering advice or a silly story to remind them that failure is part of the human experience, and to just keep going. Better yet, keep going, keep succeeding — out of spite! Yes, I’m petty like that. Let’s keep it real.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
Professionally, I am known as the architect of new local news programming. Think of it this way, a network executive pitches an idea for a new newscast or show, but needs someone to develop and deliver it into reality with all the bells and whistles. That’s me! I am a researcher, writer, producer, manager and creator. I could spend hours dissecting a newscast or tv show for fun, critiquing everything from graphics to story placement to the tone of how a story is delivered. I especially enjoy writing. My writing style is conversational and thoughtful. I write for viewers they way I’d want complex issues explained to me – without opinion or bias. I am most proud of the segments I’ve written and produced that sparked an important conversation or raised awareness of an issue that’s flying under the radar. What sets me apart, I think, is my genuine need of wanting people to connect and talk about serious issues without external interference. Human-to-human, let’s chat and learn about each other so we can move forward together, is how I base my writing and producing style.
Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
Thank you for taking the time to learn about me, who I am, who I’m becoming. If you ever find yourself stuck, I hope you carry with you the knowledge that it does get better, but it takes a whole lot of effort – but you’ve got this!
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @victoriaprince__
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoriarprieto/
