CY-FAIR PEOPLE
Q & A with
KHOU Channel 11
News Host
Lily Jang
Spirit of Texas’ Lily
Jang is a hometown gal
anchored in Cy-Fair
Written by Gail G. Collins
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A graduate of Langham Creek High
School, Lilly Jang loves having the
opportunity to tell her hometown’s
stories on KHOU Channel 11
L
Lily Jang is an Emmy-nominated news anchor who loves
greeting her hometown on Channel 11 each weekday
morning. Growing up in Northwest Houston and graduating
from University of Texas, her heart is where her boots are.
The self-proclaimed fitness fanatic, world traveler, and social
media queen is all about Houston, all of the time.
everything from fitness crazes and workout routines to food,
fashion, and Facebook stories. It’s across the board, and I
welcome our community’s story ideas.
What do you enjoy about living
in the Cypress area?
I was the founder of an Asian-American Sorority at UTAustin bringing unity and a voice to Asian-Americans.
Today, there are 48 chapters of Alpha Kappa Delta Phi
across the country and Canada. In the Amarillo and
Birmingham TV markets, I was the first and only AsianAmerican reporter. I’ve mentored many students, and I hope,
somewhere, a little girl has decided to become a journalist
because she watched me on TV and said, “If she can do it, so
can I.”
I have so many wonderful memories of growing up in CyFair! After decades, my parents still live in the same house
I grew up in, and my bedroom is still the way it was when I
left for college. I went to Lowery Elementary in Copperfield
and Labay Junior High when they were brand new schools.
Langham Creek High School was a National Exemplary
School by the time I graduated. My first job was a cashier at
Randall’s and I was also an aerobics instructor at Gold’s Gym
on Highway 6. I am so lucky that my parents decided to raise
my older brother and me in the Cy-Fair area. It will always
be home.
How did you get started in TV?
I knew in 9th Grade I wanted to be a journalist. I chose a Top
10 journalism school and packed my bags for the University
of Texas at Austin, where I studied Broadcast Journalism. As
I was finishing my senior year and interning at Austin TV
stations, I sent out my resume reel across the country from
Arkansas to Montana and everywhere in between. I was
fortunate to land my first Anchor/Reporter job at the CBS
station in Amarillo, Texas and stay for an extra year in this
great state.
What challenges have you had
along the way?
I wouldn’t consider anything I’ve encountered “challenges,”
but rather, “experiences.” My first three TV markets were
Amarillo, Texas; Birmingham, Alabama; and Seattle,
Washington. I didn’t know a soul so it was lonely at first,
but I found a way to make them home. I look back at what
wonderful people there were in all three cities and how they
welcomed me with open arms.
What major accomplishment
makes you proud?
Does your family enjoy seeing
you on TV?
My mom and dad watch me every single morning before
work. When I have a bad hair day, I hear about it!
What advice do you have for kids who
might be interested in anchoring?
If anyone wants to become a broadcast journalist, I say go for
it. It’s not an easy field to get into. It requires moving all over
the country to pursue your dreams, but that’s the beauty of
it. It’s a high-stress job with hourly deadlines, so journalists
have to thrive under pressure. No day is the same, and it
allows your creative side to shine. I love it and welcome any
questions as well as offering critiques for submitted resume
reels. It’s all about paying it forward, while giving back. CFM
GAIL G. COLLINS loves traveling and telling
people’s stories like Lily’s, and was thrilled to chat
with the anchor.
Describe an average day.
Are you ready for this? My alarm is set for 2:45 a.m. Monday
through Friday. I hit the ground running, and I’m at my
desk at 3:15 a.m. proofreading scripts while doing my own
hair and makeup. See how glamorous the TV news industry
really is? We are live on the news from 4:30 - 7 a.m. I have
a couple of live cut-ins during the CBS Early Show, and
depending on the day, I head into the field to file a human
interest report. I’m typically done by 11 a.m., when most
people are just kicking it into high gear!
What do you love about bringing
stories to your audience?
Each one of us has a story to tell, and I get the honor of
telling it. I don’t have an assigned franchise, but I cover
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Jang’s favorite activities
include running in Memorial
Park, dining out, and cheering
on the Houston Texans
CY-FAIR MAGAZINE • 67