Today we’d like to introduce you to Kirsten Savik.
Kirsten, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
My whole journey started when I was around 19, I had just dropped out of college after only 1 semester because I honestly had no idea what I wanted to do. I knew that I wanted to learn Spanish though, so my best friend and I moved to the Dominican Republic to live until our money ran out. (It did, after five months.) That was really my base of the language. When I returned to Minnesota, I went to a Bachata concert and my first boss in radio said to me “How are you Gringa, and you speak Spanish, and dance bachata and salsa” so he invited me to 1530am La Picosa Radio in Shakopee Minnesota in which at the time thought was cool. I didn’t realize it would become my career. Interning for a couple of years turned into getting hired and I was there for 5 years total.
Since then, I have worked at English/Spanish and Spanglish stations but have found my home here at TU949.fm. Enrique Santos and Iheartradio really gave me this opportunity after moving to Miami. It takes a lot to believe and choose a “Gringa” to be a personality on your Spanish dominant station. And I am so appreciative of that. He gets me, and he sees how much I love Latinos and culture.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Haha, NOOO.
I think winning over Latinos was a struggle. I think when I speak about the difference in cultures, something is being offensive but in reality, I’m just bringing up a topic that’s interesting. I love talking about how different things are and the beauty or awkward moments in both.
What else should we know? What do you do best? What sets you apart from others?
Well, I have my show in Spanish on TU 94,9 here in Miami Monday through Friday 10 am after Enrique Santos to 3 pm.
Lately, I have really tried to curate content for social media. I love being relatable. I hate the pressure to look and be perfect on social media because it’s not reality. I am a mom, I take off my bra the moment I get home and wear oversized sweatpants or leggings daily. It’s just there are times to feel gorg, and times to be real. I like showing both.
I am most proud of being a mom. I know that’s not really a part of my “brand” but it really has made my life more joyful which I feel has helped me on air. I talk more about being a mom, struggles, etc.
What sets me apart from others? I’m a white girl speaking Spanish on the radio in Miami. To my knowledge, there aren’t any other gringas doing this lol.
What moment in your career do you look back most fondly on?
Easily the moment that I got hired at Iheartmedia. It is such an incredible brand, and I had dreamed of working for Enrique Santos, and to get that meeting and a phone call with the news, I cried. Coming from Minnesota, working on AM radio to MIAMI FL on the top Spanish radio station. It’s just mind-blowing.
Contact Info:
- Website: tu949fm.com
- Phone: 18774578888
- Instagram: lagringamaslatina
- Facebook: facebook.com/tu949fm
- Twitter: twitter.com/tu949fm
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