Interview by Ansley Goodson | Images by Al Blanton and courtesy Carly Laing
Carly Laing grew up as a small-town girl in Cordova, Alabama. From a young age, her larger-than-life personality and unwavering determination demonstrated her willingness to turn dreams to realities. After studying mass communications at the University of Montevallo, Carly stepped onto the reporting scene in Lafayette, Louisiana, quickly capturing the hearts of those watching at home.
Recently, Carly’s dreams led her to her home state of Alabama as the 4 p.m. anchor for WIAT CBS 42 News in Birmingham.
We recently caught up with Carly and asked her a few questions about her new gig at CBS 42 and her life thus far.
78: Growing up in Cordova and graduating from Cordova High School, what is a lesson from home that stayed with you?
CL: Something that Cordova taught me was to take pride in where you’re from. Growing up, I couldn’t wait to move away, but I didn’t realize until I left how special it is to grow up in a small, close community like Cordova. I have such an appreciation for this place and the wonderful people in it. Everyone is so proud to call Cordova home and that is something that I’ve taken with me. There is so much value in growing up in a small town and it’s helped shape who I am.
78: At what age did you become interested in a career in broadcast journalism?
CL: I became interested in this field in high school. Trying to figure out what you want to do for the rest of your life at 18 is overwhelming, but thanks to my wonderful mother pushing me along I found what I wanted to do and created a plan to make that happen.
78: Where is your dream vacation destination, and what does it consist of?
CL: My dream vacation is Egypt. I’ve always had a fascination and appreciation for the Egyptian culture. I would love to go there and see the pyramids and how one of the most ancient places in the world operates. It would be a dream come true.
78: What is your go-to Starbucks order?
CL: My go-to is a grande skinny vanilla latte. Sweet and simple.
78: Did you ever dream that you would compete in Miss Louisiana USA, all while maintaining a career in broadcasting? What prepared you most for that journey?
CL: I always enjoyed pageants. I competed in them in high school. Being in Miss Alabama was a dream of mine, but life always throws you curveballs. Taking on Miss Louisiana while adjusting to a new career was scary and exciting. I’ve always been ambitious, so I thought,why not make my dream of Miss Alabama happen here in Louisiana?I’d say my previous experience with pageants and my mom always cheering me on made me ready to take on a big goal like that. She taught me to be independent and work hard, so that’s what I did. I committed, I worked hard, and I had a blast doing it.
78: Self-care is so important in today’s world. What bit of insight can you give us about your routine?
CL: Self-care is so important and it’s much more than just a skin care routine. I try to keep a nice balance. I always wash my face at night and never sleep in my makeup. It’s so bad for your skin and there’s nothing worse than waking up with goopy mascara in your eyes. I have a little routine at night and in the morning that I follow, but the main thing is just washing your face. I also make my bed every morning. Something about that process makes me feel accomplished first thing in the morning and it’s always nice to climb into a nicely made bed at night.
Movement is something I also try to incorporate. Working out looks different for everyone, but if you’re moving and treating your body well, that’s all that matters.
Finally, I read one book a month. Reading at night is a great way to relax your mind especially in a career filled with deadlines and adrenaline. I love learning even it’s just hearing someone else’s story in a book; you can always learn something new.
78: Who is your favorite musical artist/group?
CL: This is always a tough question. I love all kinds of music and am a mood-based music person, but if I had to pick, I’d say Leon Bridges. His music is a vibe! It’s smooth and easy. I just like his style a lot.
78: What advice do you have for those looking to accomplish their dreams?
CL: This is going to sound cliché but it’s so true. Believe that you can do anything you put your mind to; you just have to believe it. Not every person’s path is the same, some will have to work harder, or it may take longer to get to where you want to go. That doesn’t mean you can’t. I’m a firm believer that you can’t control the hand you were dealt but can control how you play it. Believing in yourself is huge, and we are all capable.
78: What’s your favorite Louisiana dish?
CL: Oh, this is tough! I love all Cajun food, but I have to say crawfish. Food in Louisiana is much more than eating a dish, it’s an experience and a social event. Crawfish always brings people together and it’s a really fun experience.
78: If you could go back in time to tell your younger self something, what would you tell her?
CL: I would tell her relax because it’s all going to work out. I’ve always held myself to a high standard and was so worried the life I wanted wouldn’t work out. Sometimes I would not enjoy the moment or get so caught up worrying about the future that I wouldn’t stop and soak up the now. While I think that drive helped get me here, I could have done it with a lot less stress. You won’t remember that big test you passed in college, but you will remember that random night eating Taco Bell and singing NSYNC at the top of your lungs with your girlfriends.
78: What’s been your favorite thing about Birmingham so far?
CL: Besides being closer to family and friends, my favorite thing is the beautiful fall-colored trees. Something about trees always sticks out to me. The trees in Louisiana were also one of my favorite things from there.
78: Who is a person you look up to in your industry?
CL: I look up to so many people it’s hard to pick just one. I try to take something that I admire and respect from my peers and implement that in my own work and life. I’ve met some amazing people in this industry that come from so many backgrounds and have all accomplished so much. I truly look up to all of them and am very thankful to have crossed paths with them and learned from them.78
