April Sutton Runway Magazine Interview
April, you have such an amazing background and have mastered broadcast television! You were the first hired Hollywood on-air talent for the BET television network. Did you aspire to be an on-air talent?
Yes, I was inspired to be a television broadcaster. I specifically majored in Television Journalism and completed my Master’s Degree in hopes of being hired as a TV reporter.
You were inducted into the Broadcasters Hall of Fame in 1993 for being the youngest inductee, in addition to your fabulous reporting ability on BET. That is an extravagant privilege and achievement. How did that change your career?
Making history as the youngest inductee in the Broadcasters Hall of Fame in 1993 was a real honor. The recognition was huge for me, and more people in the industry became aware of my work in Hollywood.
You’ve interviewed at the Oscars, Grammys, Emmys, and multiple red-carpet events. What do you like most about interviewing all kinds of talented people?
Interviewing Hollywood celebrities as a TV reporter has always been a serious job and career for me because each person is different in answering questions. Interviews become more enjoyable when a celebrity is specifically promoting a new movie they are starring in. A music artist is usually more excited when promoting their new album. However, journalists often have to push deeper and ask serious, hard questions—especially if a celebrity is in the middle of a controversy.
I noticed you’ve interviewed some names that are still present in today’s media. If you had a chance to re-interview any of these people, who would it be? You interviewed some pretty significant faces—are there any that surpass another based on your experiences?
It would be great if I could re-interview Muhammad Ali because of his witty words and to hear more about his thoughts on being a global sports figure and supporter of equality and human rights. They are no longer here, but I had the pleasure of interviewing both Muhammad Ali and other legendary figures about their careers and the sacrifices of being international superstars.
I also interviewed Michael Jackson many times and even had the pleasure of visiting Neverland. When Michael received his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, I covered it for BET’s 40 million TV viewers. He had a fun, friendly personality once you got to know him. Yet when it came to music, he was serious, consistent, and highly disciplined. MJ was very detailed and focused on every aspect of his concert performances and music videos. If I had the chance to interview him again, I would ask: What is your message to the world today in this new era of A.I.? How would you use this new technology to create music and videos for the world?
Television today is not an easy place at the moment. For those like yourself who desire to be in broadcast television, what advice would you give them today?
For young people interested in becoming television broadcasters, I recommend earning a college degree in the field and studying current network news anchors. It takes more than good looks to last in this business. Being a television reporter requires strong writing skills and the ability to think on your feet. You must be able to communicate breaking news stories on the spot with little time to prepare. If your only motivation is to be rich or famous, then you have chosen the wrong career path.
Do you think because of the streaming networks, broadcast television or live on-air television is changing so much it may become obsolete? Do you think it’s changing for the better or not so much?
Time will ultimately dictate how the field of broadcasting advances into the future. Artificial intelligence is on the horizon. Will there be robots reporting the news one day? We will have to wait and see.
Thank You April Sutton!
Interview by Samantha Goldberg
