FOX Anchor Nicole Petallides: “I’m Just All News All The Time”

Petallides served as the first voice to ever air on FOX Business Network, during its initial launch in 2007. In addition, the Greek-Cypriot-American converses with business experts on FOX News Channel, SKY News and FOX News Radio.

In our interview below, the stunning mother of two reveals her first big break, career highlights, what drove her to journalism, proudest moments, ethnic background, and more.

Maria Athens: Did you always want to be an on-air journalist?

Nicole Petallides: I considered acting and singing but gave myself a reality check that a journalist was probably a better decision, especially since I wanted to stay in New York with my big Greek family. My mother, Fannie Holliday, founded and published the Greek newspaper Proini, so it was already something that interested me very much.  

I love all news subjects including business, sports, politics, entertainment and human interest stories. I'm addicted to news and learning. I do not watch television's hottest shows or go to the movie theater, I'm just all news all the time.

Maria Athens: Can you offer us an overview of your career?

Nicole Petallides: I get in early each day to the FOX headquarters where I gather all the news I may use for the day. I also get hair and makeup, then head to The New York Stock Exchange. My producer and I have more than twenty business news hits each day. Early in my career I tried to be an on-air reporter and everyone told me "no" for the first ten years. Finally I got the chance with a business report at Bloomberg and I've been thrilled ever since.

I speak with experts in business and appear on FOX Business, FOX News Channel, SKY News and FOX News Radio. I regularly meet highly accomplished individuals, and some fantastic celebrities too. Check out my celebrities album on my Facebook page. www.facebook.com/NicolePetallides

I graduated from The American University in Washington, D.C., with majors in business and communications. I worked at Bloomberg prior to FOX, also CNBC, WSJ-TV, FOX-5 Good Day NY, NY-1, CNN & News 12 Long Island.

Maria Athens: Can you describe your experiences as one of the first anchors to work at Fox Business Network since its inception?

Nicole Petallides: It's so incredibly gratifying to think of our FOX Business Network Launch in October 2007. I love that historically I was the first voice on the network at 5:00 a.m. when I carefully said, "Welcome to the new FOX Business Network, I'm Nicole Petallides." My co-anchor Jenna Lee and I were thrilled with FOX President, Roger Ailes by our side. FOX Biz has grown in viewership ever since and we have a great team.

Maria Athens: What have been the most profound stories that you have covered?

Nicole Petallides: I believe our great recession 2008/2009 was a huge story and brutal to follow and report each day as the economy shrank, the stock market sold off and companies were announcing layoffs every single day. Now the market recently hit record highs and the economy is much improved since that difficult time. I hope for continued improvement in Greece and Cyprus too.

Maria Athens: What professional and personal feats are you most proud of?

Nicole Petallides: I'm proud every day to be a part of the FOX Business Network and to have this exciting job for nearly 8 years. I cover the biggest stories around the world. I'm blessed to have a wonderful supportive husband and two sons who are my everything.

Maria Athens: Can you describe your Greek-American background?

Nicole Petallides: My parents were both born in Cyprus. My mom always dreams of taking our family back to Kyrenia one day. I embrace my Greek heritage and am very proud to be an American. I speak enough Greek to have a fun conversation in a restaurant, but my Greek is far from perfect.

We keep our traditions and speak some Greek at home. We also attend the Greek Orthodox Church. My husband's family is from Castoria, in Northern Greece. My husband and I are both first generation, so there are lots of Greek accents and Greek conversations at our big family gatherings.

Maria Athens: Do you travel back to the homeland regularly?

Nicole Petallides: Sadly, not as much as I would like. My husband Nick and I took a great trip on a yacht visiting 9 Greek Islands in 7 days before having our kids. It was glorious. Later after the boys were born we went to both Greece and Cyprus, but it has been too long, we hope to visit soon.

Maria Athens: How much of an influence has your ethnicity played in your life?

Nicole Petallides: Plenty. It's wonderful. I have a dynamic family young and old, more than 15 first cousins whom I adore, and our Greek traditions keep us all together. It gives us great focus and appreciation of the people and traditions we value most. I'm grateful to the Greek community for the support throughout the years. I especially enjoy hosting the televised program of the Greek Parade each year with Ernie Anastos live on 5th avenue, NYC. It's on March 29th this year.

Maria Athens: What is your advice to aspiring on-air news reporters and anchors?

Nicole Petallides: Apply for any internship you can get, plenty of hard work, the utmost professionalism and a positive attitude. Be willing to work all the time, ask to help with anything from changing paper to writing a story, and get lots of advice from mentors as often as you can. And, do not worry about fame or fortune. You're a journalist, not a reality TV star.

Maria Athens: What's next for Nicole Petallides?

Nicole Petallides: Thanks for asking but it's hard to say, I really love my current job.  Check it all out on social media: 

https://twitter.com/npetallides

https://www.facebook.com/NicolePetallides