28
The talk show host also reveals why she calls her 28-year-old self the knockoff Jennifer Aniston.
Tamron Halls first day in Chicago didnt go how she expected.
It was a reminder of how life changes in a flash.
I think it was the first time I tried to make a sensible decision with my life.
Faced with a new beginning, Hall tried to reconnect with her younger self.
For me, it was important to find the 28-year-old version of myself.
Find that person that was willing to take the risk.
I had to leave the 48-year-old me to the side and say,Let 28-year-old Tamron fight this out.
Unsurprisingly, she came out on top.
Its easy to go to the last page, but what did it take to become that person?
Take me back to 1998, when you were 28.
How were you feeling about your life and career?
I felt so excited and so lonely at the same time.
I was living in corporate housing.
Its a real career move when they pay for your housing.
But I was there by myself with my bird.
The 28-year-old me was incredibly optimistic but also frightened by life.
Its such a critical age because you are definitely far away from college now.
This is when youre putting on your armor.
But I felt like a child in so many ways, too.
What was your work-life balance like at 28?
I was too naive to know I was supposed to have a work-life balance.
I dont think I could have succeeded if I had been preoccupied with that.
Who was your role model at 28?
I drove by Harpo and took the famous pictureoutside the sign.
Whatever they were serving in that food court, I probably spent my whole check on it.
The 90s were quite the time for fashion.
What were your on-air looks like at the time?
I guess I was the knockoff Jennifer Aniston.
You know howeverybody wanted the Rachelthen?
There were some women who wanted the Tamron.
After you parted ways with NBCyou said, Im not Tamron from theTodayshow.
You continued to say no to opportunities that didnt serve you or that you felt were insulting.
Is that something you would have said or done at 28?
When I left theTodayshow,I was absolutely heartbroken.
I thought it was my dream job.
But there was something in my mind that kept saying,This is a good movie.
Lets see how it ends.That made it a lot less frightening.
What advice would you give 28-year-old Tamron?
I might focus a little bit more on my love life.
I dated, but I dont think I was dating for keeps.
Work-wise, I made a lot of smart decisions.
What would your 28-year-old self think of your life now?
I think shed say, You did good for yourself.
I hope Ive made her proud.
Its hard sometimes not to focus on the challenges.
you could go down that well where you think about how difficult it was.
But I tell people if I keep looking at the roadblocks, I dont see the road.
And I actually like being on this road.
This interview was edited and condensed for clarity.
This article was originally published onMay 22, 2023
