Host with the Most: Katie Rooke

How did you end up hosting at the LC?

At first, I was modeling, but that was only for like two minutes. While modeling, I met people from a company who needed a host to do conventions and talk about products in front of large crowds. I was like, “Sure! Yeah, why not?”

When I was presenting at these events, I was basically selling products, but it was more of a soft sell. We traveled and went all over the place. Eventually, someone from a home shopping channel saw me and asked if I’d come audition. I was like, “Sure! Yeah, why not?” That phrase is pretty much my life, and that’s how I kind of fell into hosting.

What was your childhood like?

I’m the youngest of three, and I came from a great family. I grew up in Lake Tahoe, which is a very recreational place. That’s part of the reason I love the outdoors and nature. I’ve always had a wild and outgoing personality, so I’m always willing to try new things. As a kid, I went out for every sports team. Even if I didn’t play the sport, I was always like, “Oh, softball? Sure! Why not?” It was so much fun. I guess I’ve always had that mentality as I was growing up. Always taking on new challenges. My parents never told me, “Maybe you should think about that for a second.” They were always fully supportive and encouraging.

What is your favorite gemstone?

I’ll have to tell you my top three because I don’t just have one. They are sapphire, apatite and tiger’s eye. I love sapphire because it’s my birthstone and it’s just fabulous.

I fell in love with apatite while I was learning about different stones during my GIA courses to become an accredited jewelry professional. As I was going through my courses, I came across the gemstone apatite and thought to myself that that’s a really weird name. When I saw a photo of it, I thought it looked really nice, but when I saw it in person, it took my breathe away!

As for Tiger’s Eye, I’ve always had a love for it because my grandmother would always wear it. She used to wear this really big tiger’s eye ring, so when she would talk with her hands like me, that’s all I could stare at.

What is your favorite thing about working for the LC?

I’ve worked for other home shopping channels and have had a lot of hosting gigs, but I have to say that it’s so nice to be in an environment where there are no big heads. I hate to sound so cliché, but the truth is that it really is like a family. It’s so nice to be in an environment where nobody thinks that they’re better than anyone else. We can honestly connect and chat with one another, and the president welcomes new ideas. I think it’s amazing. I’ve never had that anywhere else I’ve worked.

How do you connect with your viewers?

I’m a big goof ball, and I never take myself seriously. When people shop with me, I want them to have fun. I want them to not just buy jewelry, but to also feel like they’re hanging out with a friend. I try to be humorous and self-deprecating in my presentations because that’s just me. I think that’s one of the things I also like about what I do. I feel like I can make that connection with viewers. It’s nice to feel like I can be myself and they’re not expecting someone who never jokes around. They expect me to be silly and it’s so much fun.

What is the silliest thing you’ve done on air?

I was actually working for a different channel at the time, and during a show, I was challenged to a dance off on air. We had boxes that we could stand on, and I did goofy little dances. Of course, my adventurous attitude led me to participate. Although I like to believe I have good rhythm, my dance wasn’t very impressive. Afterwards, there was a very awkward and slow applause. But it was fun, and I learned not to do that again.

Do you have anything else to add about yourself?

I try to live my life with a “be kind to one another” attitude. I think that in this world, especially in this day and age, it is so easy to slip into negativity. I think we should all be positive, love one another and be kind. We can create whatever kind of world we want by spreading that kind of love. Above all, if you could be anything, choose to be kind.