Taylor Rooks is one of the biggest names in the sports media world today, but there is a notion that she only got a seat at the table due to her looks. Rooks was asked about that during an appearance on The Underground Lounge and stated that hard work is what has gotten her to the point where she gets interviews with top NBA stars.
“My point is, to minimize somebody’s skill or capabilities, or talent, to the fact that they maybe look good to you, is just such a disservice to all the work that they have put in,” Rooks said. “And to think that all it takes to be in this space is to be attractive is also just incredibly disrespectful.
“You have to be good with your words,” Rooks stated. “You have to be disciplined. You have to know how to ask a question. You have to know how to work with people. You have to be knowledgeable about the sports. You have to put in real work to be able to do this at the level I’ve been able to do it.
“Anyone that minimizes it to anything other than that, I have been nominated for two Emmys, I host national NFL coverage and national NBA coverage,” Rooks continued. “I do sideline, I host, I anchor, I’ve been doing this since I was 18 years old. Nothing about anything you see about me is a fluke.
“I’m here because I’m great at the job and because I’m incredibly respected,” Rooks added. “And it takes more than just being good-looking to do any of those things, and that’s something that everybody knows.”
Rooks stated she isn’t bothered by the perception that her looks are the only reason, but feels it does minimize her in many ways. Co-host Lou Williams stated that the problem is caused by the players acting in a different way when speaking to her as compared to others.
We have seen clips of Jaylen Brown and others making outrageous statements when Rooks interviews them. The 33-year-old acknowledges players do change when speaking to her, but believes that’s down to the questions she asks.
“I do believe that they change, but I think it’s because I ask different questions,” Rooks said. “People try to put the onus on thinking like I’m attractive, and really, it’s my preparation. It’s like how comfortable I make people feel.”
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Rooks did make it clear later on that she isn’t denying that pretty privilege exists. She added, though, that if you go by the perception people have, then any pretty woman would succeed at this job. That, of course, isn’t the case. Only a few are able to make it big, and Rooks deserves credit for the work she has put in.
