Photos by Ben Droz. Location: Rosewood Washington D.C.
Kelly O’Donnell (Photo by Ben Droz; taken at the Rosewood Washington D.C.).
For a journalist with a 30-year career who has covered all three branches of the federal government, including four presidential administrations; traveled to all 50 states and to 60 countries on assignments, – not to mention warzones; and covered major events such as the Oklahoma City bombing, the Shuttle Columbia explosion and September 11 attacks, Senior White House Correspondent for NBC News Kelly O’Donnell has seemingly reported on it all. Having thick skin and asking tough questions comes with the territory. What doesn’t perhaps, is shifting attention to herself.
In person, O’Donnell is warm, approachable and unfussy – arriving to our photo shoot at the Rosewood Washington D.C. along the C&O Canal in Georgetown in classic pants and a light purple sweater. She readily admits that clothing “isn’t her thing”. When the camera is ready, however, what’s truly effortless is her smile.
Now, as president of the White House Correspondents Association (“in many ways, a second full-time job, she says), and head of the organization’s glamorous annual dinner and roast this April (with SNL’s Colin Jost headlining), O’Donnell will radiate that smile again as she takes the stage amid a room full of her colleagues, sources and subjects.
Before any comedic darts are aimed at this event that melds media and political elite, we fired a barrage of 31 questions on O’Donnell via email and discovered more about her “artform” of interviewing and worries over the upcoming U.S. election, plus “burger night” with neighbors, Irish bars, “Line of Duty” binge watching and that “Fast Car” song that’s still stuck in her head. >>
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(*The interview has been edited for length and clarity.)
Kelly O’Donnell (Photo by Ben Droz; taken at the Rosewood Washington D.C.).
WHAT ARE YOUR GOALS FOR THE UPCOMING WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENTS ASSOCIATION DINNER?
Laughter is unifying and restorative. I hope our dinner will bring a little of that magic
to Washington again this year. We gather to celebrate the First Amendment, honor stellar journalism and support student scholars. Amid the buzz and black-tie pomp, we think one night of cordial, well-intentioned conversation across political divides and among reporters and government officials can encourage civility and good will.
YOU HAVE BEEN IN THIS BUSINESS FOR SO LONG AND HAVE SPOKEN TO SO MANY PEOPLE AROUND THE GLOBE. WHAT IS YOUR APPROACH TO INTERVIEWING?
Interviewing is an art form that has been improved, refined and enhanced over time. Research your subject to learn about them and what they are likely to say on the topic and try to find something fresh or revealing that goes beyond the expected answers. I learned to end an interview by checking, “Is there anything I didn’t ask you that you would
like to add?” Remarkably that often leads to one of the more interesting, memorable or well-composed responses from your subject.
HOW HAS YOUR APPROACH CHANGED/EVOLVED PERHAPS OVER THE YEARS?
Experience makes you better. Find ways to set people at ease because most people are a bit nervous giving an interview.
WHAT IS THE SKILL YOU NEED THE MOST TO DO WHAT YOU DO?
Careful listening is critical to be able to discern what is new, evolving, contradictory or unexpected in answers newsmakers give or in officials’ planned comments. Much of my work happens in live reports without planned scripts. Being able to focus on facts and context quickly helps me organize my approach to telling the story in real-time.
TELL US ABOUT YOUR CURRENT ROLE AS SENIOR WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT FOR NBC NEWS.
WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT THE JOB?
Each time I walk through the White House gates, I feel a deep sense of history and the potential for something totally unexpected and consequential to happen that very day. Our NBC News White House Unit is a very tight group. My fellow correspondents and producers are among the most talented and collaborative journalists. We work in a very confined space in the West Wing, which quickly makes colleagues more like brothers and sisters.
WHAT IS MOST DIFFICULT ABOUT IT?
The erosion of trust and confidence in quality information. It is more challenging today for the public to find accurate and varied sources. We need reliable resources more than ever to make choices about the policies, leaders, and government we want.
WHAT TROUBLES YOU LEADING TO THE NOVEMBER U.S. ELECTION?
My biggest worry is that people will tune out and not give their vote enough careful consideration. It’s up to voters to select the kind of government we want.
WOMEN IN BROADCAST ARE OFTEN JUDGED FOR THEIR APPEARANCE. HOW HAVE YOU MANAGED THIS OVER THE YEARS?
I have a trusted circle of friends who can share tips and ideas. Tune out ugly noise and be open to reasonable
feedback. The truth is that for everyone the mean stuff hurts. Don’t read the comments. The haters out there really have no clue. Choose to be kind.
HOW DO YOU TRY TO BE A ROLE MODEL FOR WOMEN IN THE INDUSTRY?
I believe there are practical lessons to be found in every long career that someone else can examine for guideposts on their own unique path. With that in mind, I am happy to share my take and my observations with others, especially young women in my field. Those who seek out advice and then follow it are on their way.
WHAT IS STILL ON YOUR BUCKET LIST?
Maybe I will be in the game long enough to begin a question with “Madam President.”
TIPS, TV, TREATS AND MORE:
LIFE MOTTO: “Gratitude makes optimism sustainable.” I heard Michael J. Fox say this and felt the power in those words instantly.
APPS USED MOST: Slack and Otter for work. Airline apps when I am on the road and Instagram for a habit-forming scroll with the algorithms.
LAST SONG SANG: “Fast Car” has been stuck in my head since the Grammys and, well, really since the ‘80s.
LAST VACATION SPOT: The Outer Banks of North Carolina.
LAST BINGE WATCHED SHOW: “Line of Duty” on Brit Box and any episode of “Dateline NBC.”
GO-TO TRAVEL TIP: Travel packing cubes are a must to keep everything organized and easily accessible.
FAVORITE TREAT: Mango sorbet.
MOST TIME AWAY FROM PHONE/EMAIL/TEXTS: Likely (and sadly) that is measured in minutes and not hours.
BIGGEST PET PEEVE: Phone calls taken on speaker or FaceTime in a public place. Am I right?
See the complete interview in the March 2024 print edition.
