20 Questions with Local 4 News Traffic Reporter Kim DeGiulio (2024)

Local 4 News traffic reporter Kim DeGiulio shares all things about her career, wedding and favorite things about Detroit in 20 questions.

By Chelsie Dzbanski

Featured image by Holden Photo

1. Tell us about your background and profession.I grew up in Dearborn in a larger family. I have three brothers. We all attended Dearborn High School. After high school I went to Arizona State to attend their broadcast journalism school, and I graduated from there in 2012. Since then I’ve had all sorts of jobs. I’ve worked at the auto show as a product specialist, I was an on-air host for the Detroit Pistons and an event host for Radio Disney. I got my first job in local news five years ago in Ohio. I started at WDIVthree years ago.

Via @kimdegiulio

2. How did you get started in the industry?I put together all of my best on-air work from college and my job with the Detroit Pistons. I sent my reporting reel all around the country. I was extremely happy to accept my first reporting job as a morning show reporter in Toledo, Ohio.

3. What inspired you to study broadcast journalism?Did you always want to be a news reporter growing up?I was very comfortable speaking in front of an audience when I was younger. I loved it! So, I knew I wanted to do something with public speaking. I fell in love with Arizona State University when I was visiting Arizona for spring break with my family in high school. I started to get really interested in the broadcasting program they had there. They were building a brand new campus for the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication in downtown Phoenix. I knew I wanted to attend so I applied to ASU on the first day high school seniors were allowed to apply. Needless to say, I got in, and the rest is history!

Via @kimdegiulio

4. What is your favorite thing about your job?The people I get to meet. I do so many stories and meet the coolest people. From people just trying to make a difference in their neighborhood to interviewing high-profile celebrities — it’s all amazing! I’m certainly never bored at my job.

5. Can you share some of your career highlights or moments you are most proud of thus far?The day I got to interview Snoop Dog was pretty amazing. I was so proud of myself for keeping my cool around him. Haha! But honestly, I’m proud of myself every day. It’s a job that many people think is easy, but it’s not. You have to wake up super early (3 a.m.), then get yourself to look presentable, then be on live television in front of thousands of people! It’s not easy, but I love it!

Via @kimdegiulio

6. Who do you look up to in the broadcast journalism industry?I love Savannah Guthrie from the “Today” show. She’s my idol. I’ve heard that she comes to work early just to make sure she’s extra prepared for the show, and I think it shows! She nails every interview she does, and I’ve seen her do some really tough ones. I would love to meet her one day!

7. What does a typical day/week look like for you?Our morning showstarts at 4:30 a.m. I get upat around 3 a.m.on the week days. After three years at this job, it hasn’t gotten easier! After the show I get to go to cover a story that will air on the evening newscast. After work I usually take a much needed nap. After my nap I try to work out (keyword *try*). Then I make dinner for me and my husband. After dinner we usually watch some TV together or just hang out. That’s my favorite part of my day. I usually go to sleep way too late. I’m such a night owl.

8. What’s your best advice for being on live TV?Have a short memory! If you mess up once, forget about it fast and move on! Don’t let it mess you up even more. Just take a deep breath and remember you’re only human. Even the best on-air personalities mess up.

Via @kimdegiulio

9. If you weren’t a news reporter, what would you be?A teacher! I love kids. I was a camp counselor in my college years (that’s how I met my husband, Kevin). I loved it! Every time I get to go into a school to cover a story I think to myself, “I can see myself working here.”

We featured you on the cover of SEEN’s wedding issue, so we have to ask…

10. Your favorite moment from your wedding day? So many to pick from. However, I’d have to say the best moment was walking down the aisle with my dad. Right before I walked down the isle I was starting to get a little nervous. I was letting all of the emotions get to me. Then those doors opened and every single person in this beautiful church was smiling at me. I actually lost sight of Kevin for a second because my eyes were just looking around at all of the people who came from all over the world to see this happen. My friends and family still make fun of me for how big my smile was when I was walking down the aisle. I’m pretty sure my cheeks were sore by the time I got to Kevin!

Courtesy Holden Photo

11. What did you find to be the most fun part and the most challenging part about planning a wedding?The wedding dress shopping was so much fun! Seeing yourself in a wedding gown for the first time is crazy! It’s something you always dream about! I felt like a princess trying on so many beautiful dresses. I kept my dress shopping really simple. I went with just my mom to a bridal shop in Milford where my parents live. I wanted it to be just me and my mom because that’s how we had always picked out dresses for homecoming and prom in high school. I knew I could trust her opinion.

Via @kimdegiulio

13. Where did you spend your honeymoon? Can you share any memorable moments or fun things you did?The honeymoon was a complete surprise. Kevin loves to surprise me. I was getting overwhelmed with the planning so he insisted that he take that worry off my plate. I didn’t find out that we were going to Beverly Hills until we got to the airport two days after our wedding. We stayed at the nicest hotel I’ve ever stayed at in my life. The most memorable part of our honeymoon was a gift that was given to us from some of Kevin’s friends. They arranged for us to take a helicopter ride over Malibu to watch the sunset. It was amazing! I’ll never forget it!

Via @kimdegiulio

14. In our February wedding issue, you mention that you and your husband were long distance for some time before you were both able to settle down in Detroit. Can you share any advice for couples who are currently in a long distance relationship?Yes! Stay positive. You have to work really hard to make it work. If you’re not willing to work hard for the relationship to sustain itself then you’re probably with the wrong person. Long distance can really test a relationship. When I was living in Arizona, Kevin was living in Michigan. When I moved back to Michigan, Kevin moved to Spain. When Kevin came back to Michigan, I moved to Ohio (yay driving distance!). In 2016 I moved to Detroit and finally in 2017 so did Kevin! It was a long journey, but I honestly wouldn’t change it. All of the time we spent in a long-distance relationship made me realize that he was worth it. I knew I wasn’t in the relationship just because it was convenient. It was hard, but we both worked like crazy to make it work, and that’s how I knew I was going to be with Kevin forever.

15. Where do you see your life as a married couple five years from now?Hopefully as parents!

Now on to some local love…

16. Your current favorite local spots for breakfast, lunch and dinner?Breakfast – .Lunch –Mudgies.Dinner – Grey GhostandBuddy’s Pizza.

17. Your favorite place to shop locally in Metro Detroit?Eastern Market. All of the best local vendors in one spot with lots of free food samples. Can’t beat it!

Via @kimdegiulio

18. Favorite thing to do on a weekend in Detroit?Morning run on the RiverWalk, then bike toEastern Marketto pick up some groceries for the week. Grab a coffee at Germack, followed by a smoothie at Beyond Juice and then grab a beer atEastern MarketBrewery. In the evening onthe weekendI love to see a show, or a sporting event and have dinner at one of the amazing restaurants downtown!

19. What do you love about Detroit?The people! Everyone smiles at each other here. We are surrounded by good people in this city. People who want to help each other and give back to their community. I’ve lived in other places, and that’s not the norm. We’re lucky to have that here. I love telling people I’m from Detroit!

Lastly…

20. Favorite quote or words to live by? “You miss 100 percent of the shots you don’t take!”

Read more about Kim DeGiulio and Kevin Yarows’ Detroit wedding that was featured in our February wedding issue!