PHOENIX - It isn’t always the big events that make us turn our head when we hear about politicians, celebrities and athletes.
Sometimes, we just want to know that when you boil it down, they’re all people like us.
What's in their fridge? What are they reading? What do they do in their off time?
Each week, ABC15.com is asking 10 questions of an Arizona leader or celebrity.
But don't jump to any conclusion. These aren't the typical interview questions.
Instead, they're questions that let you get to know the person – in ways you probably don’t already.
In this article, it's all about getting to know ABC15's own Connie Colla.
Connie is an Emmy award-winning host who has been a familiar face in Arizona for over a decade.
Starting Monday, Sept. 19, Connie joins anchor Kirk Yuhnke weekdays on ABC15 Daybreak.
Connie made her return to Arizona after leaving in 1995 at the height of her career as co-anchor of the Valley’s number one morning show at KPNX and host of a popular radio show for Variety 104.7.
She moved to Philadelphia to join a new morning show at WCAU-NBC10, saying, "It was a huge opportunity and I love the building process so I had to go.”
After helping bring “News 10 Today” to a strong second in the market, Connie took a break to spend time with her first child, Sophia, in 2000, but before long she was back to work on several other television projects.
In her free time, Connie and her husband Dave love to remodel homes. To date they have renovated 6 homes, four outside Philadelphia, one at the Jersey Shore and their current home in Scottsdale.
Connie is a member of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences (NATAS) and a Board Member for The Associated Services for the Blind.
Much of her charity work focuses on women and children. She has spent several years as a host of "The Children's Miracle Network Celebration" for the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia.
Her work as a producer on that project with CMN received an Emmy.
Connie was born and raised in the "Big Sky Country" of Great Falls, Montana and is a graduate of Montana State University.
She and her husband have two children and a crazy dog named Buddy Love.
While Connie is probably a familiar face, you probably couldn't guess her favorite movie, until now:
10 Questions for Connie Colla:
1. What is your all time favorite movie or song?
Oh my gosh really?! I can’t do it with music, I love too many. This is like picking a favorite child! OK, movies: "The Color Purple". No, "The Hangover", gosh that was funny. Oh! "Finding Nemo"! “Just keep swimming, just keep swimming...” Rats, that was three.
2. Do you have a smartphone? If so, what's your favorite app?
Yes I do… actually, I just got a smartphone and so far, I’m not feeling too “smart”. My 11-year-old daughter has lined up “Smartphone 101” classes for me... until then my favorite app on my iPad is TED… hmm... or Angry Birds. Gosh all these favorites!
3. Who do you count as your mentor(s)?
Well certainly Jane Pauley was the woman I admired most as I was growing up in this business, now it’s Diane Sawyer. But Katie Couric I know personally and she has probably taught me the most about seizing life and opportunity when it knocks. By the way, don’t ever arm wrestle her… she has amazing strength “off air” too.
4. What was your very first job?
In TV: Photojournalist. In life: Paper Girl. I was 11 and rode a pretty fabulous purple bike with a floral banana seat on my route.
5. If you could change one thing about yourself what would it be?
My tear ducts. They spring forth water at the craziest moments… like the long distance commercial where the elderly lady might not make it to the phone and her grandkids are calling... kills me. Absolutely while watching every episode of "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition". I tear up when they say “These appliances are brought you buy Sears.” I think “Wasn’t that just SO nice?!” You don’t’ even want to see me when they all yell “Move that bus!” In fact, my husband will catch me tearing up at a movie and tell the kids, “Oh…look out kids, Mommy’s about to 'Move that bus.'" I’m just a softy, have been all my life. Dang tear ducts.
6. What do you consider your greatest success?
My marriage and children. There is a reason people don’t stand over you at your funeral and ask each other why you didn’t spend more time at work. But they do remember the great love you had for your family and hopefully your family does too.
7. Tell us something about you most people don’t know?
I did one night of stand up comedy to a packed house at the Comedy Cabaret in New Jersey. It felt like jumping out of a plane without a parachute! They laughed, I loved it… I retired.
8. If you could have dinner with any three people, living or dead, who would they be?
Wow this is tough! OK, Jesus, Michelangelo and my Grandma Alice.
9. What is in your fridge right now?
Lots of fruits and vegetables, eight kinds of gourmet cheese, homemade pasta, yogurt, and gooey fudge brownies.
10. If
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