Lauren Sanchez is about to embark on a new chapter in her life — tying the knot with Amazon founder Jeff Bezos.
But before becoming Mrs. Bezos, she had quite an impressive and colorful career as a television journalist and host.
Many might remember her from shows like Fox 11’s Good Day LA and Extra TV, where she was a familiar face conducting interviews and reporting on various stories.
Her journey in the media world wasn’t always smooth sailing though.
Along with moments of success, including winning an Emmy, Lauren also had her fair share of on-air slip-ups that fans still talk about.
Overcoming Dyslexia and Finding Her Path
Lauren’s story is one of perseverance.
Early on, after getting turned down for a stewardess position at Southwest Airlines, she decided to go back to school.
While attending El Camino College in Torrance, California, she rediscovered her passion for journalism.
It was also where a teacher changed her life by encouraging her to get tested for a learning disability — she found out she was dyslexic.
The teacher told her, “You’re not dumb, you’re just dyslexic. Let me give you tools on how to write.”
That support came with a simple gift: a pocket dictionary Lauren kept with her at all times.
This moment sparked a transformation — from barely scraping a 2.0 GPA to making the dean’s list and earning a scholarship to the University of Southern California (USC).
Building a Journalism Career with Highs and Lows
Lauren transferred to USC in 1992 and worked as a desk assistant at KCOP-TV while studying.
By 1994, she left school to chase her dream full-time, landing a reporting job at KTVK in Phoenix.
Over the years, Sanchez became well-known for her roles on KTTV Fox 11’s Good Day LA and as an anchor for Fox 11 News at Ten.
In 2009, she joined Extra TV as a weekend and special correspondent.
She also hosted the first season of So You Think You Can Dance in 2005.
Despite her accomplishments, not every on-air moment was flawless.
There are some classic cringe-worthy incidents that highlight the unpredictable nature of live TV.
The Fiancé Mix-Up: A Cringeworthy Interview Moment
During her brief stint hosting So You Think You Can Dance, Lauren famously stumbled when interviewing a dancer.
She mistakenly asked about the contestant’s “dad,” not realizing she was actually standing next to the dancer’s fiancé.
The awkward exchange was caught on video and later shared on TikTok, sparking laughs and some secondhand embarrassment.
When the dancer corrected her, saying, “My boyfriend,” Lauren quickly tried to recover by calling him her fiancé.
Variety’s 2005 review even described her hosting as “superfluous at best,” highlighting this gaffe as a particularly embarrassing moment.
When Bill Clinton Put Her in Her Place
One of Lauren’s more high-profile interviews was with former President Bill Clinton in 2010, shortly after he underwent heart surgery.
The conversation took a tense turn when Lauren asked if the surgery changed his lifestyle habits.
Clinton calmly corrected her assumptions, explaining that doctors advised him to exercise more and get more sleep.
When Lauren joked, “So we know that’s not gonna happen,” Clinton sternly replied that he was indeed making those changes.
This back-and-forth showed that even experienced journalists can be gently shut down by their interview subjects.
On-Air Interruptions and Awkward Laughs
Lauren’s live TV moments didn’t stop there.
In 2011, during a broadcast of Good Day LA, she famously interrupted her co-anchor mid-sentence while discussing a controversial radio host.
The co-anchor began, “It’s just out of context…” but Lauren cut in with, “Ooh, I’m looking forward to watching TMZ.”
Then in 2012, during another Good Day LA episode, Lauren couldn’t hold back her laughter after her co-anchor Jeff Michael made a rather inappropriate joke about the child pageant show Toddlers & Tiaras.
When Jeff remarked on how the mothers were “painting their daughters up like hookers,” Lauren laughed heartily but agreed with his blunt comment.
What’s Next for Lauren Sanchez?
From overcoming dyslexia to interviewing presidents and making headlines for her hosting blunders, Lauren Sanchez’s career has been anything but dull.
As she prepares for her new life with Jeff Bezos, it’s clear that behind the polished TV persona is a woman who has grown through challenges, humor, and a few unforgettable on-air moments.
What adventures lie ahead for Lauren? Only time will tell — but one thing’s for sure, she’s ready for the next chapter.