Where are They Now?? Vol. 2

Have you ever heard an old-school or throw back song on the radio and you were left to wonder what ever happen to so and so? Or have you ever see an older movie that starred an actor or actress you liked but you were left wondering what ever happen to them? Or have you ever been watching sports and think like hey what ever happen to so and so he was the #1 draft pick? Well with this blog we will attempt to answer the question "Where are they now?" Through a little research we may actually be able to answer the question or we may find nothing and just further prolong the unsolved mystery of what happen to that particular individual.

In this edition of "Where Are They Now?" we will be profiling TV journalist, talk Show Host, producer, writer, voice-over talent and actress Rolonda Watts aka Rolonda or just Ro.

Rolonda graduated Magna Cum Laude from Spelman College in Atlanta, where she double-majored in Theatre Arts and English. She then went on to receive her Master of Science degree from the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism. Born in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, after graduating Rolonda returned home and began her career working at WFMY-TV in Greensboro, NC as a general reporter. She later worked at the New Jersey Network as a reporter and anchor. Her next move was to WNBC-TV in New York where she anchored local morning news cut-ins for the "Today Show." Ro was nominated for an Emmy for "Live Spot News Coverage" she did at a deadly train crash. She would then move on to work at WABC-TV in New York where she anchored, reported, and moderated a weekly political forum "Eyewitness News Conference."

In 1987, Rolonda would venture outside of local news and hosted the show "Attitudes," which aired on cable station Lifetime Television. She was nominated for a Cable Ace for "Best Talk Show." The following year she would join "Inside Edition" news magazine where she was a senior correspondent, producer and weekend anchor. Inside Edition was syndicated by King World, who also syndicated The Oprah Winfrey Show. Owner of King World Roger King went on to offer Rolonda an opportunity to host her own talk show.

"Rolonda" the talk show is probably what most people remember Ro for best. Her show began in 1995 and most of Rolonda's show topics possessed a great deal of integrity. Following in the footsteps of the talk show queen Oprah, Rolonda was supervising producer and also one of the show's owners. The show was produced under King World and Rolonda's own company Watts Works Productions. However, after 4 seasons the show would eventually come to an end. In an interview with Soap Opera Digest Rolonda conveyed that audiences were looking for something more controversial when it came to talk shows. "Audiences were saying, "Well, that was really nice of you to be so respectful, but where's Jerry [Springer]?" We had to make a tough decision, either we go that route or we find something else to do."

Well Rolonda would move on to do just that and find something else to do. Next she would pack up and move to Hollywood. Rolonda began doing acting roles and appeared in many episodes of some popular television sitcoms, and Drama series including: Smart Guy, Sister Sister, The Jamie Foxx Show, The Steve Harvey Show, The West Wing, The Division, 7th Heaven, The District, For Your Love, One on One, Boston Public, Yes Dear, My Wife and Kids, and Jag. Although none of these roles (except Sister Sister) were ever more than an episode or 2 at at time, she stayed working. Eventually, she landed recurring roles on 2 different Soap Operas, The Bold and the Beautiful and Days of our Lives. Also she did voice overs for a cartoon character on Disney's Proud Family and in the animated TV series Curious George. She also played in Spike Lee's movie Girl 6, and played the lead role in Dorothy Dandridge: An American Beauty. Rolonda also hosted the TV show Lie Detector on Pax-TV and is the announcer for the Judge Joe Brown Show and the announcer on the new TV game show Temptations. Not to mention she appeared on Live With Regis and Kelly where she traveled cross-country as a judge for the show's “Great American Co-Host Search." Plus, she has done numerous voice over commercials for well known companies such as Western Union, South West Airlines, Big Lots, Wendy's, Tropicana, Aleve, Boeing, Wells Fargo Bank, and Alka Seltzer.

Needless to say that although one door closed (her talk show), Rolonda had plenty more to open for her. From 2006-2007, Rolonda hosted her own radio show until the network GreenStone Media closed down. Also, Rolonda has recently complete her first novel entitled "Destiny Lingers." "The steamy novel is about a news reporter who breaks down after discovering that her husband is having an affair with her best friend. In a desperate move to get her life back on track, she returns to her childhood home, where she rediscovers her first love." The book is presently being shopped to publishers. Rolonda is also set to star as the role of Josephine Baker in the upcoming silent film "Return To Babylon."

As far as love life at age 49 Rolonda has taken a page out of the "How Stella Got her Groove Back" book and is rumored to be dating 28 year old NFL player Ataveus Cash (Washington Redskins). I'll pause so you ladies can let out a collective "You Go Girl!!" ... But regardless of what we may have thought Rolonda's career has far from fallen off and she continues to strive for success.
For More Information on Rolonda Check out her Website:
http://www.rolanda.com/



--C-Recks--