UR IT Magazine February 2016

Jami
Kinton
Jami Kinton is a professional model,
actress and host residing in Cleveland,
Ohio. A former news reporter, Jami
is about to begin her sixth season
hosting for the Cleveland Indians. She
also hosts for Fusion LIVE and works
in promotions at CBS Radio. Jami
owns her own social media company,
KINTON MEDIA GROUP, and has
worked in TV and film production for
the last 14 years.
Living
her
Dreams
U can too!
I embarked on
the seven-and-ahalf-hour
trip to “When
Washington D.C. last month, I
was set to work on the production
side of the National Christmas
Tree Lighting for PBS. It would be
my second year in a row and I
was excited – but nothing could
have prepared me for one of the
greatest, most thrilling moments
of my life.”
Let’s go back…
To give you a little background,
I’ve worked on both sides of the
camera for the last 14 years. I
started modeling and acting right
out of high school, everything from
commercials for Wendy’s and Target
to print work for banks, clothing
lines and hospitals. I was even on
the box of a Fisher Price toy piano.
But production work also intrigued
me. I started in college as a
production assistant for a TV show
called “Cell Dogs” on Animal Planet
and since then have worked on
numerous commercials, films and
reality shows including “America’s
Got Talent,” “The Voice” and my
favorite “The National Christmas
Tree Lighting.”
My goal has always been to work
professionally in entertainment and
I’ve been so lucky to do this on a
variety of platforms.
Other guest artists would include
Aloe Blacc, Fall Out Boy, Tori Kelly,
Crosby Stills and Nash and more.
The night before the lighting was
our big rehearsal. I was sitting in
the TV truck when I heard that, for
some reason, Reese would not be
coming in until the next day.
That was when opportunity struck.
I told the director I had experience
reading a teleprompter and would
love to stand in for Reese. The
suggestion was a long shot, but
somehow…it worked!
The next thing I know, I’m standing
backstage with the celebs and
everyone is introducing themselves.
I looked around and said, “I’m Jami!”
(As if anyone knew who “Jami” was.)
I never even had a chance to look
at a script before I was standing on
the back stage stairs with the stage
manager’s hand on my back: “OK,
go ahead,” she said.
I walked on stage to the little T
marked toward the front, looked
out into the bright lights and saw
the gigantic teleprompter begin to
scroll.
“Good evening and welcome to
President’s Park here in Washington,
for the 93rd annual National
Christmas Tree Lighting!”
Last year, Tom Hanks hosted the
lighting and it was incredible to meet
and work with him. When I learned
Reese Witherspoon would be hosting
this year, I was thrilled again.
The production set up is massive
and about a three-week endeavor.
Upon arrival, one of my first jobs
was to assist in the set up of Miss
Piggy’s dressing room. So fun!
32 JAMI KINTON
JAMI KINTON: LIVING HER DREAMS
33