Melissa Gonzalo

Name: Melissa Gonzalo

Hometown: Montebello (a suburb of Los Angeles, CA)

City of Residence: Phoenix

Current Position: Weekend Morning Anchor/Reporter

When you joined 12 News: October 2006

College Graduated from: UCLA undergrad, USC grad

Interests/Hobbies: Dancing, listening to music, meeting people, discovering new restaurants, wine tasting, traveling, spending time with friends and family, especially my nephews and nieces

Favorite Music: Latin, trance, alternative rock

Favorite Song: Can't pick just one!

Favorite Food: Spanish (paella), sushi, Mexican, Italian, and I can't forget In N' Out burgers...I love all food!

Favorite Color: Yellow (it's happy)

Favorite Travel Destination: Spain, specifically Leon, where my parents are from

Pets: none

Children: None

Favorite Sports Teams: Hmm, don't really have one, but since I live here now, I should say the Suns! and the national Spanish soccer team

Favorite Moment in Broadcasting: When I got nominated for an Emmy for a story I did on professionals from Latin America who move to the U.S. and work blue collar jobs

Why you decided to work in TV: It was my calling!

Where else you have worked: I started out writing for a magazine in Los Angeles called "Latin Style", then I worked for a Latin music website called eritmo.com where I started getting my on-camera experience, then I hosted a live, bilingual music show in Los Angeles called "LATV Live." I also worked as a correspondent for Telemundo's bilingual entertainment network, mun2 where I covered Hollywood premieres. I then switched to serious news and went to Bakersfield, CA to report and anchor for Telemundo and NBC there before moving here.

What you love about living in Arizona: Discovering all the great new places, such as gorgeous Sedona! also, all the great restaurants and the nightlife

First Story Reported: Can't remember, but I remember my first interview was when I worked for Latin Style and interviewed Latin star Carlos Ponce

Your First Job: Sweats N' Surf at the mall when I was a senior in high school

Your Heritage: my parents are from Spain

Your Biggest Pet Peeve: Flakes!

What I'm Passionate About: Food and music!