1990s

“I still remember all my professors because they were so generous and gave realistic advice.”

Rocking the world of entertainment

Traci Melchor

AS A YOUNG GIRL, Traci Melchor found her calling in entertainment and has never looked back.

“I was at the Victory Tour concert, featuring Michael Jackson and the Jackson family in the 80s. I watched as people went backstage and I didn’t understand why I couldn’t go,” says Traci. “My mom explained that these people were going backstage because they were reporters. That moment was when I knew I wanted a career in entertainment.”

Traci’s passion for the industry grew as she spent her adolescence at concerts and devouring hours of television. In the 90s, Canadian broadcasters didn’t have entertainment news shows, so her plan was to move to New York and become an entertainment writer. However, with the help of her high school guidance counsellor, Traci decided that her skills in performing arts made television broadcasting a good fit and she found Seneca’s Broadcasting—Radio and Television program.

“I fell in love with the program at Seneca,” says Traci. “I still remember all of my professors because they were so generous with information and gave realistic advice about working in the television industry. All of those long nights in the edit bay and tight deadlines really prepared me for my career.”

Traci’s first job after graduation was as a front-desk receptionist at Citytv. Taking the advice of one of her professors, Traci would stay after work to learn from her co-workers, including camera operators, editors and news anchors. It wasn’t long until Traci landed her first on-air role as host of the legendary MuchMusic hip-hop show RapCity.

Fast-forward a decade, after a stint in Los Angeles, Traci joined CTV as a correspondent for Etalk. Since then, she’s interviewed the who’s who in entertainment and culture: Madonna, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, Beyoncé and Maya Angelou, to name a few. One of her most memorable interviews was with Oprah Winfrey, who told Traci her questions made her “salivate.”

Off camera, Traci juggles her busy life with the schedules of her 12-year-old twins, Phoebe and Phoenix, who help her stay up to date on entertainment news.

Reflecting back, Traci says that her career came full circle in 2009 when CTV sent her to Los Angeles to cover Michael Jackson’s public memorial service. Downtown Los Angeles was locked down for the service, but her media pass allowed her access to the event, where she reported onsite alongside renowned broadcasters like Barbara Walters and Katie Couric.

“It was incredible to have the duty of honouring the legacy of the man that brought me into the industry,” says Traci. “My advice to Seneca broadcasting students is no matter what your job is, entry level or CEO, you’ve got to show up every day and give it your all. Be mindful, be kind and always stay fabulous!”