GOLDEN VALLEY, Minn. — KARE 11's Jana Shortal has been featured by CNN's documentary team, Great Big Story.
The Breaking the News host was profiled on the Great Big Story series "SHINE," which features the authentic voices of women celebrating their identities.
The episode, called "How a News Anchor Broke the Unspoken Dress Code," tells the story of how Jana came into her own style and her authentic self in the world of TV news.
"For 15 years, she felt like she wore a costume to work," Great Big Story said. "She maxed out credits cards in order to achieve the look, but it wasn’t the only facade she put up. With the help and friendship of hairstylist Kim Erickson, Jana found the way to her own style—and eventually her own show."
"I wasn't saying I'm going to be this, like, trailblazer. I'm just me. I mean, this is always who I've been," Jana tells the documentary crew. "I'm sad that I'm some sort of anomaly. It seems goofy, because I know a lot of people that look like me. But I'm sure you could call news directors all over the country that would say my hair's a problem."
App users: Click here to watch the video.
The video was released online Tuesday before its national air date of Friday.
"I am completely humbled and grateful for all of the positive support today," Jana said on Tuesday.
Jana says in the video, "We all know the heartbreaking stories about what happens in the LGBTQ community to kids figuring out where you belong. And I will be damned if I am not the person that they need me to be to get them to that point where they see themselves and say, 'Hell yeah.'"
Jana's story will air on TNT at 11:14 a.m. CST on Friday as part of the International Women's Day coverage.
