Collins talks about her path from press briefings to prime time

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📝 Kaitlan Collins goes straight to ‘The Source’

By Leighton Rowell Lima

CNN anchor Kaitlan Collins

In just six years, CNN’s Kaitlan Collins has covered a lot of ground for the network — from her role as a White House correspondent to morning host and now anchor of "The Source" at 9 p.m. ET.

Along the way, the Alabama native has covered two presidents, a global pandemic and the war in Ukraine.

We recently chatted with Collins about her move to prime time and the defining moments of her career at CNN.

“It’s been such a joy to grow as a reporter and anchor and to do so while working alongside some incredible colleagues.”

- Kaitlan Collins, anchor

What has your journey from correspondent to anchor at CNN been like?

Totally thrilling. My whole life changed after I started at CNN. I remember being blown away by the level of resources and the roster of talent at the network when I was hired. It’s been such a joy to grow as a reporter and anchor in that environment and to do so while working alongside some incredible colleagues.

How have the first few months of “The Source” been going?

"The Source" is off to an amazing start. It’s been six weeks since we officially launched and two months since we got on air. The entire team has coalesced around this mission of pressing newsmakers on the biggest issues and bringing new reporting to our viewers. I couldn’t have done it without them, and it’s been fun to watch our team grow in that process.

You’ve shown that you’re not afraid to ask tough questions. How do you keep cool under pressure?

I think it’s important to remember it’s not about you. You’re there to ask questions, and you can’t do so if you lose your cool. Walking into any interview fully prepared is the best way to set yourself up for success, so you can handle any direction the questioning goes.

Any stories you’ve covered that stand out on both Biden and Trump’s administrations?

Oh, man. Too many to list here. Covering former President Trump was a whirlwind, but the coronavirus pandemic was something no one expected. It changed how we report — getting tested on a daily basis, wearing masks in White House briefings, being socially distanced from government officials — but it also took on a new level of gravity. People were at home watching our reports and making life-changing decisions based on them. The pressure was on. Then, when covering President Biden, Russia invaded Ukraine. I can remember that first night at the White House when we realized (Russia’s war on Ukraine) was actually happening after weeks of speculation. It was nearly 10 p.m., all of the lights were off except in the CNN tent on the lawn, and we were there until 3 a.m. After that, the world changed.

Video: Kaitlan Collins speaks with former Attorney General Bill Barr following former President Donald Trump's third indictment.

You hosted a town hall with former President Donald Trump in May — his first appearance on CNN since 2016. How did your experience covering his administration prepare you to fact-check him in real time?

I think I was well-prepared to fact-check him because I’ve covered him extensively for so long. Trump often repeats his false statements ad nauseam, so you usually know what to expect. To prepare, I rewatched all of his recent interviews, debates and town halls from the 2016 campaign cycle.

What lessons from your reporting in the field have been relevant or useful as you’ve settled into your anchor duties?

Being a reporter helps make you a better anchor. For one, we try to bring new reporting and insight to the show every night. But it also gives you a better understanding of what you’re covering; you’re talking to these people on a daily basis, so you can get a sense — even off the record — of what’s going on behind the scenes, and that can inform our coverage.

Describe the types of stories you hope to bring more attention to on “The Source.”

Undoubtedly, the 2024 election will dominate the news cycle for the next 16 months. But we also want to bring the audience other stories that are just as important. The Spanish soccer upheaval is a good example of that. It's this reckoning in a major women's sport and has gotten the world's attention.

Tell us what advice you would give young women interested in a similar career path.

I would tell them to keep an open mind and pursue every opportunity that comes your way when you’re just getting started. You can’t get experience until you start, so start where you can and go from there. I think the best way to get your foot in the door and to show you’re serious is to work hard, be willing to stay late and say yes to the extra opportunities that everyone else is turning down.

If you could pick one person to interview, who would it be?

Alexey Navalny. Hands down.

📺 Kaitlan Collins is chasing the facts, asking the tough questions and connecting with her sources in prime time. "The Source" airs weeknights at 9 p.m. ET only on CNN.

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