Zara King became a household name over the course of the last two years, with the Virgin Media News correspondent giving the nation updates on what was going on during lockdown after lockdown.
While some might find a job like Zara’s exhaustive, for the Waterford woman it has been a dream come true.
VIP Magazine caught up with Zara between her hectic schedule, where she revealed that she had always dreamed of becoming a journalist.
“I feel so privileged knowing I’m in the role I always wanted while I was growing up! I think she’d be delighted that it all worked out,” she tells us.
“I was the kind of child who’d interview everyone I could, my mam always said I wouldn’t leave anyone alone! Because I was an only child, I was probably half trying to entertain myself, but I was also addicted to news from a young age, and the news was always on in the house.
“I did have a year or two where I wanted to be a vet instead, I was mad into horses and animals when I was growing up, but having to put animals down was a dealbreaker for me so I went back to journalism!”
She goes on to reveal that it was actually Westlife that helped her get her first gig in journalism!
“Yes, and it’s a funny story actually — the first time I went into a radio station was because Louise Heraghty was going in to do a phone interview with Shane Filan, and she knew I was really into Westlife – I was only 14 at the time – and so she said I could join her for it.
“I was like, this is the dream! As chance would happen, they couldn’t get him on the phone so the interview never happened, but as I was leaving, the producer said he needed someone to review a play on the show…and that’s how it all began! And I was only in there for a Westlife interview that never happened.”
To read the full interview, including how Zara does her signature smokey eye, pick up August’s issue of VIP Magazine on shelves now for €2.20.
