She's one hot mama
Working mother Tara McCool named sexiest woman five years in a row
Tara McCool hasn't been feeling very sexy lately – she can't even blow dry her hair because it makes her feel nauseous. But you'd never believe that if you tuned in to Global News: Morning Edition, which she co-anchors with Gord Gillies.
As most people grunt their way through their first cup of coffee, McCool is already on the air and looking good – and even if she thinks she's having a bad hair day, a lot of people still ask where she gets it done (Jason Pierce at Josef Saliba, FYI).
McCool's frank and personable manner – she insists that she's a complete mess and is surprised that she was chosen Calgary's sexiest woman for the fifth year in a row – are just part of her charm.
"When I heard, I was like, 'Oh, I love them – that just makes me feel so much better,'" says McCool, who is just over three months pregnant and has been battling morning sickness. One of the more unusual side-effects has been an aversion to hot blowing air – in other words, her blow dryer – but the queasiness is passing.
"I'm just starting to feel human again, so (the news) couldn't have come at a better time to lift my spirits," she adds.
McCool and her husband, Kevin Heise, have a daughter named Indya who will be two in September. About seven months after she was born, McCool joined the morning show at Global, the same type of program where she got her start in television several years ago.
McCool was going to school in New York for something completely unrelated to journalism when she went to good Morning America to complete a mandatory co-op program. She had been planning to get her degree and then run her own clothing store, but during her work term, everything just fell into place.
"When I started working for Good Morning America, I really enjoyed it," she says.
Still, McCool was more interested in working behind the camera as a producer. She interned at MTV, where she gained more experience, and then Joe Siegel's producer at Good Morning America called and wanted her back, so she interned there and became interested in movies. That led to a move to Calgary and The Movie Show, where she eventually ended up on camera, reporting and doing interviews, as well as producing.
"I never figured I'd be in front of the camera," McCool says. "This is where I fell and now I really enjoy it."
She eventually ended up at A-Channel, reporting and anchoring the evening news, but then took some time off after Indya was born. When she heard that Barb Mitchell was leaving Global's morning show, she decided to apply.
McCool laughs, admitting that when she worked at Good Morning America, she couldn't believe anyone would want to get up that early in the morning. But now, as a mother, the job is perfect.
"I can spend the day with my daughter, so it works out beautifully," she says, adding that she's very fortunate to be able to work without having to sacrifice time with Indya. "I pretty much have the best of both worlds."
She plans to take some time off when the next baby comes, then return to work.
"I love working with Gord and the crew here are so much fun," McCool says.
Our telephone conversation is interrupted when someone has trouble locating the gum they know is somewhere in her candy drawer – McCool laughs and says she's known for her sweet tooth, although not many people want the salty licorice candy that's her favourite. When she takes a break from the interview to help them find it, there's a definite sense that she is as friendly as she looks.
Tara McCool is juggling a career and a family, not to mention working crazy hours and struggling with morning sickness – and she's doing it all with a smile and a sense of humour. Now that's sexy. |
