Natalia Andrea (born August 18, 1976, in
Barranquilla,
Colombia) is a Colombian journalist and news anchor in the United States, three time
Emmy Award winner, news anchor for "Mega News" on
Mega TV and "TV Realtor" at Real Estate TV show "Esta Es Tu Casa" on Mega TV network, previously affiliated to
Univision Network, and the show
Primer Impacto.
Biography
Born to journalist parents, Natalia Andrea always had a passion for written works. In her youth she competed in writing contests. She won speech and poetry competitions as well as literature prizes.[1]
In 2001, Natalia was hired by the
New YorkTelemundo affiliate
WNJU as a reporter for Noticiero 47.[5][6] With only one month on the job, she covered
the WTC terrorist attacks, being one of the first reporters on the scene at
Ground Zero.[7][8][9] Her work was noted in the book, "Running Toward Danger: Stories Behind the Breaking News of September 11",[10] and she was featured on the 9/11 Tenth year exhibit on the
Newseum on Washington, D.C.
After just 18 months working as a morning reporter, Cruz became
news anchor on
WNJU, now part of
NBC, and received the 2004
Emmy Award as Best News Anchor for Tri-State area (
NY,
NJ, and
CT).[11][12][13]
She was nominated the following year for five awards, winning another
Emmy Award, this time for Best Newscast in 2005.[14] Additionally, Natalia won the
ACE Award as Best News Anchor in 2005.[15] 2006 saw Cruz win her third
Emmy Award for Best Series of Social Interest.[16]
In July 2011, Cruz was promoted to Anchor for Primer Impacto Extra,[23] broadcast on the weekends at 5pm / 4pm center;[24][25] replacing Weekend Anchor
Satcha Pretto who left the program to become the new News Anchor for
Despierta America instead of
Neida Sandoval.
In 2012, Natalia hosted "Es el momento"[26] Special "Primeros pasos hacia el éxito", Highlighting the Importance of Early Childhood Education; recorded at
The White House featured artist
Shakira and U.S.
Secretary of EducationArne Duncan among other experts.[27] In March 2013 she conducted from the studios, Univision's first time ever live broadcast of Easter Mass from
Vatican City celebrated by
Pope Francis.[28]
In July 2016, she was appointed anchor for the TV show "Lo Mejor de Primer Impacto", Sundays at 5 pm / 4 pm Center on
Univision. She continued at
Univision until May 2018, after 12 years with the network.[29]
Starting in December 2018 is the news anchor for "Mega News- Edición de la Tarde" at 5:30 pm (EST) / 2:30 pm (PST) on Mega TV[30][31][32] in addition to host and executive producer of the Hispanic Real Estate TV show "Esta Es Tu Casa" on weekends at Mega TV.[33][34][35] The schedule for MegaNews with Natalia Cruz was expanded to an hour, starting at 5 pm (EST) / 2 pm (PST) since April 29, 2019.[36][37]
"Latino Show Awards" for her career trajectory on journalism. Medellin, Colombia, October 25th, 2017.
Award "Premio Estrellas Digitales" as News anchor Influencer of the year 2017. Coral Gables, June 9, 2017.
Award "Angel de Impacto 2016" on Pasarela Angels of the Happy Family Foundation. Miami, October 1st 2016.
Award "Mujer de Inspiración 2016" by 'Perla de Esperanza' Foundation. June 2016.
Acknowledgment by "Latino Show Magazine" for her outstanding career and work with the Latino community in the United States, and for her 10 years of leadership with the TV show 'Primer Impacto'. April 2016.
Jury at "Premio Águila" 2015, 2016 & 2017, first and only international award for Hispanic media on the Christian industry.
Award "Congo de Oro" by
Carnaval de Barranquilla Internacional to Best Report 2015, given at Calle 8 Festival in
Miami on March 13th, 2016.
"National Godmother" at the Colombian Parade of New York in July 2015.
"Premio Colombia 2013" The Maximum award for Colombians abroad, because of their personal values and services to the international community. Miami (Nov 23rd, 2013)
"Guest of honor" at the
Bicentennial of
Barranquilla by the Major Office of Barranquilla City. 2013
One of the 13 "Top Real Women in Fashion 2012"
One of the 19 "Most fashionable people of 2011" in Miami
Featured on the 9/11 Tenth year exhibit on the
Newseum on Washington, D.C., 2011
New York Latin Award 2008 as best national TV reporter.
5 Nominations to Emmy Award 2005 including one as second consecutive year as best News Anchor/Host, Best Political Segment, Best Special Coverage, and two for best Newscast.
"Nemqueteba" Prize 2004 by Colombians Breaking Barriers, on the Symposium "Promoting the development of the Latin Community" in recognition for her work in favor of the improvement of the Hispanic community in United States of America.
Honor of Merit 2004 by Colombian Civic Center, in recognition for her dedication and support to the Hispanic community.
Several times Godmother of Latin festivals, including: NY Colombian Independence Festival, NY Colombian Parade, Hispanic Parade of New York, Hispanic Parade of New Jersey, Hispanic Parade of Bayonne, NY Puerto Rican Parade, NY Dominican Parade, Cali Fair of Elizabeth.
Master of ceremonies for events and community forums in New York, New Jersey, Florida and Washington DC
^Trost, Cahy; Alicia C. Shepard (2002). Running toward danger: stories behind the breaking news of 9/11.
Newseum. p. 133,208,209,212.
ISBN0-7425-2316-0.