Arthel Neville has been an inspiration to many young black girls around the world. In her time at the forefront of American media, the 60-year-old has proved that if you work hard enough, you can always achieve your dreams. Even though Arthel’s path has not always been straightforward, she persevered and managed to make a place for herself. The new face of the FOX Network, Arthel has been associated with a ton of different shows. In this article, we take a closer look at the wiki-bio of Arthel Neville.
Wiki/Bio Facts
Fact | Description |
---|---|
Full name | Arthel Helena Neville |
Date of birth | October 20, 1962 |
Age | 60 |
Place of birth | New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S. |
Zodiac sign | Libra |
Nationality | American |
Ethnicity | Mixed |
Gender | Female |
Sexuality | Straight |
Education | St. Mary’s Dominican High School, Xavier University, University of Texas at Austin |
Occupation | Television news anchor and reporter, television personality |
Employee | Fox News Channel |
Parents | Art Neville and Doris Neville |
Siblings | Ian Neville |
Spouses | Taku Hirano (m. 2001), Derrick Lassic (m. 1995; div. 1998) |
Relatives | Aaron Neville (uncle), Ivan Neville (cousin) |
First job | General assignment reporter at KVUE-TV |
first job after graduation | reporter/anchor for WWL |
First African-American woman to host a nationally syndicated entertainment news magazine program | Extra (1994-1996) |
First high-profile black female entertainment reporter | Extreme Close-Up (1991-1994) |
Interviews with Hollywood stars | Over 200, including Will Smith, Tom Cruise, Sharon Stone, David Bowie, Whitney Houston, and Sade |
Other shows hosted or appeared on | Talk Soup, American’s Newsroom, The Arthel & Fred Show, The Arthel Neville Show, America’s News Headquarters, Fox & Friends Weekend, Days of Our Lives, Dallas, Fire in the Sky |
Other activities | Co-producer of Extreme Close-Up, writer and actress in Fire in the Sky |
Awards | Distinguished Alum at the University of Texas at Austin, DeWitt Carter Reddick Award from the Moody College of Communication in 2017. |
Early Life
Arthel Neville was born on the 20th of October 1962, in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA. Arthel was born to Art Neville and Doris Neville and spent much of her childhood with her brother, Ian Neville. Arthel’s father is a well-known figure in the music world. He played the keyboard and is also a founding member of the Grammy Award-winning group, Neville Brothers.
After passing her matriculation exam from the St. Mary’s Dominican High School, Arthel moved to New York to make it out as a model. She continued her education and enrolled at Xavier University to study prepharmacy. She later switched to Journalism and enrolled at the Southern Methodist University. She later transferred to the University of Texas at Austin where she continued her bachelor’s degree while working as a reporter.
Professional Career
Arthel began her professional career while she was working for her Bachelor’s degree. She landed her first job KVUE-TV where she was assigned the role of a general task correspondent. After graduating, Arthel moved to New Orleans and started working for WWL as a journalist/grapple. A few years at WWL and Arthel moved to Texas Houston’s KHOU-TV. She did so in 1988 but moved backed to New Orleans after a short while.
Arthel’s first big break came in 1991 when she was asked to host Extreme Close-Up. During her time on the show, Arthel hosted for over 300 episodes establishing herself as the country’s first prominent black female stimulation columnist.
In the years that followed, Arthel worked for the rights of African Americans and hosted similar programs. She also hosted the Miss USA pageant in 1994. In 1997, Arthel joined Fred Roggin to host the daytime program, Arthel and Fred on NBC.
Things changed for Arthel who left NBC in 1998 and joined the FOX Network. During her time in the FOX network, Arthel has handled a series of programs including America’s News Headquarters, America’s Newsroom, and Happening Now. Arthel also got the opportunity to work with Megyn Kelly on America Live. Her recognition to media was recognized in 2017 when she was handed the Moody College of Communication’s DeWitt Carter Reddick award.
Personal Life
Arthel Neville is currently married to Taku Hirano and the pair have been married since 2001. Before Taku, Arthel was married to Derrick Lassic. She met Derric in 1994 who is a former Dallas Cowboy and an NFL free agent. The pair got married in the following year but things weren’t meant to last. They subsequently divorced which was finalized in 1998.
Arthel met Taku in 1999 during a concert where Taku was performing. The pair fell in love and after two years of dating, got married in 2001. In 22 years of togetherness, the pair are yet to have any children.
Controversies and Rumors
Arthel Neville is known for her outspoken and sometimes controversial opinions on various topics, especially politics and social issues. In recent years, she has faced criticism from some viewers and fellow Fox News contributors for her perceived bias against former President Donald Trump and his supporters, as well as her advocacy for gun control and racial justice.
One of the most notable incidents that sparked backlash against Neville was in March 2021, when she suggested that spring breakers who refused to wear masks had “too many freedoms”. This remark prompted dozens of angry tweets from Fox News fans who accused her of being a communist, a fool, and an idiot. Some even demanded that she be fired from the network. Neville did not respond to the online attacks, but she later clarified that she was not advocating for limiting people’s freedoms, but rather for following the public health guidelines to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
Another incident that drew criticism from some Fox News colleagues was in May 2021, when she pleaded for gun control after a series of mass shootings in the US. She said that “prayers are not enough” and urged President Joe Biden to take action to prevent further tragedies. Her guest, Fox News contributor Griff Jenkins, argued that Biden was not uniting Democrats and Republicans on the issue and noted that Biden also failed to do so as vice president after the 2012 Sandy Hook, Connecticut, school shooting. Neville defended her position by saying that she was speaking as a human being who was tired of seeing innocent lives lost to gun violence.
Neville has also been accused of being a closeted Democrat who supports Joe Biden and his policies. In September 2020, former Democrat and civil rights attorney Leo Terrell called out Neville for claiming that Trump was “pandering” to the Black and Latino communities. Terrell said that Neville should hide her Democratic support for Biden while broadcasting on Fox News. He also said that he was disappointed in Neville, whom he considered a friend. Neville did not directly address Terrell’s comments, but she thanked him for his friendship and said that she respected his opinions.
Despite the controversy and rumors surrounding her, Neville has also received praise and admiration from many viewers and colleagues for her professionalism, integrity, and courage. She has been described as a trailblazer and a role model for women and people of color in journalism. She has also been recognized for her achievements and contributions to the industry.
Net Worth
Arthel Neville has a long and successful career in the media industry, interviewing celebrities, hosting entertainment shows, and covering breaking news. Arthel Neville’s net worth is estimated to be over $1 million as of 2023. Her main source of income is her salary as a journalist. She also earns money from other projects and endorsements.
Physical Traits
Feature | Description |
---|---|
Height | About 5 feet 5 inches or 165 cm |
Weight | About 55 Kg or 121 pounds |
Face | Oval-shaped with high cheekbones and a pointed chin |
Eyes | Brown, almond-shaped, and expressive |
Hair | Black, curly, and shoulder-length |
Ears | Small and close to the head |
Body | Slim and fit |
Tattoos | None visible |
Piercings | Earrings on both ears |
Smile | Bright and wide, showing white teeth |
Dress style | Professional and elegant, often wearing suits, dresses, or skirts in solid colors or patterns |
Accessories | Minimal, such as a necklace, a bracelet, or a ring |
Makeup | Natural and subtle, enhancing her features without being too flashy |
Shoes | High heels or flats, matching her outfit |
Voice | Clear and confident, with a slight Southern accent |
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