Developing My On-Air Style: From Natural Speaker to Media Pro
- Nov 18
- 2 min read
By Dr. Letitia Wright
CEO of Wright Place Studios and Host of Go Shop America
I’ve always been comfortable in front of an audience. Growing up, I was that girl who'd raise her hand first. Whether it was speaking at church, speech competitions, leading a school assembly, or just grabbing any microphone someone would hand me. There was something magical about connecting with a room full of people, watching their faces respond to my words. So when I transitioned into television, I thought, "I've got this."
Learning to Be Intimate, Not Just Impressive
On stage, everything is bigger. You project your voice, use expansive gestures, make sure the person in the back row feels included. But on camera? All that energy can feel overwhelming, even fake. My first on-air appearances were technically good, but something was missing. I sounded polished, but I wasn't connecting. The camera picks up everything, not just what you say, but the energy behind it. I had to learn how to tone down the performance without losing my power.
The shift happened when I stopped thinking of the camera as an audience and started treating it like a friend. Now, when I look into that lens, I picture one woman. Maybe she's curled up on her couch, scrolling through her phone, looking for something genuine. My job isn't to impress her. It's to reach her.
The Magic of Pauses
In public speaking, silence feels risky. You keep the momentum going, afraid to lose people's attention. But on television, I discovered that silence is often where the real magic happens. It gives viewers a moment to breathe, to really absorb what you've shared.
Learning to pause changed everything for me. I started trusting that my message didn't need to be rushed or over-explained. Sometimes, the most powerful thing you can do is simply be still and let your words land.
Developing My Signature Style
Over time, I've found my rhythm: warmth first, wisdom second, a little wit to finish. It's the balance that feels most authentically me. And here's the thing, people can tell when you've found your genuine voice. It's the difference between reciting lines and actually living them. These days, when I step onto a set, I don't "turn on" a TV persona. Instead, I tune in to the energy around me, to the heart of the message,
and most importantly, to that invisible thread connecting me to every person watching.
The Real Lesson
What I've learned is this: you don't become great on camera by trying to be bigger or better. You become great by refining what's already uniquely yours. I am talking about your voice, your presence, your truth. Because the camera doesn't just capture what you look like. It captures who you really are.
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