ONCE UPON A TIME WITH JANELLE WANG

Once upon a time, Janelle Wang was a determined young girl growing up in Palo Alto. Whatever the activity she applied herself to, she worked hard to excel at it—whether piano lessons (which she began taking at age 3), academics, gymnastics, or cheerleading at Gunn High School. Professionally, she has remained the same way. Wang relocated to Oregon to break into the television news industry, landing a job as an anchor for Medford’s top-rated morning show. In 2003, she returned to the Bay Area to work for ABC7 as a news reporter, covering the Scott Peterson murder trial, the steroid scandal in professional sports, and the deadly Paso Robles earthquake. Now she co-hosts an entertainment and lifestyle program, The View From the Bay, which airs live on ABC7 every weekday at 3 p.m. Although the tone of the show is fun and lighthearted, she still takes her job very seriously.

1. Other than family, who were the most influential people in your life when you were growing up? Why? I would have to say my teachers. My high school math teacher made learning fun. My piano teacher taught me discipline and showed me the joy of music, which I still cherish today. My gymnastics coach showed me that I can accomplish anything with hard work.

2. Who in your family were you closest to? I would have to say my mom. My father was the traditional strong educator type. My mom was more expressive and affectionate. I’m the same way, so I knew I could pour my heart out and talk to her about anything.

3. When you were a child, what did you imagine your adult life would be like? I knew I would have a good life because my family has always been so loving and supportive. I’ve always admired my parents and their values. I want the same thing for my family someday. As for my career, I knew I would excel. My father was so dedicated and such a hard worker that I knew he would push me to succeed in life.

4. What was your first pet? Do you remember any funny stories about that pet? I had a pet cockatiel named Foster. He was a sweet bird. He was even potty-trained. His cage would always be open, so he could fly anywhere in the house, and when it came time for him to go to the bathroom, he would fly back to his cage, do his thing, and then fl y out again.

5. What was your favorite thing to do as a child? I loved to play in the swimming pool and just goof off. My sister and I also used to take the mattresses off the beds and line them down the stairs to make a gigantic slide. It was so much fun. My parents never knew we secretly did that.

6. What was your favorite TV show? The Cosby Show. I loved that show. Whenever it’s on TV, I still watch it. It makes me laugh, even after seeing each episode at least five times.

7.Who was your first celebrity crush? Ralph Macchio in The Karate Kid.

8. Who was your favorite superhero? Which of his or her characteristics did you most admire? Wonder Woman. She’s independent, strong, and gorgeous. Lynda Carter was actually just on my show, and I was in awe. She’s still stunning. She has the most beautiful hair and eyes I’ve ever seen.

9. Did you have a favorite outfit while growing up that looking back on it now, you really regret? No way. I loved all my outfits: the IZOD shirt, Jordache jeans, and Keds sneakers. I used to wear two T-shirts with two pairs of matching socks. I was very matchy-matchy.

10. What is your most prized possession? Why? My photo albums. I’ve always enjoyed taking pictures. I have photo albums for every stage of my life. It’s fun to look back and remember all of the wonderful moments. For something not as sentimental, it would be my Palm Pilot. I have so much information in there that I know I’m going to regret not HotSyncing it to my computer.

11. What was your first job? When I was 16, I was a yogurt server at Penguin’s Frozen Yogurt parlor. We were robbed once while I was on duty. The thieves pretended they had a gun. We were scared and gave them the cash out of the register. I worked with police to nab the crooks, and we caught them.

12. What did you do with your first paycheck? I probably spent it on food. My girlfriends and I used to eat mozzarella sticks at Chili’s all the time.

Read the rest of our Once Upon a Time with Janelle Wang feature in San Jose Magazine September 2007 issue.

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