Sytonnia
e h t r o f last 14 years Sytonnia has been in the radio and television business and is now a very familiar name in the Orlando area. As a former radio personality for 102 Jamz, Sytonnia used her natural gift of gab to spread her positive energy to the public. Besides radio, what other type of media work have you done? A little bit of everything. Most recently I was a producer, anchor and health reporter. I’ve done VJ work, regular television hosting. I did an on-campus type reality show. I was a host for Real Life 101 which is a national syndicated career show for kids. It was shot here in Orlando at Universal Studios. Is radio and television a stepping stone for you? Do you want to move on to something else? Everything I do is a stepping stone. It all helps me hone my skills and become who I am today. Ultimately, I want to be an entertainment report for Entertainment Tonight or Access Hollywood or BET. I’d also like to get into movie production. I also write scripts. I’m not a writer but I’m very creative so I put all kinds of thoughts down on paper and ended up with six scripts. I’d like to possibly sell some of these scripts and see them come to life on the big screen. I started working on one that will hopefully be out early next year. I like to look at myself as a mini Oprah. I want my hands in everything Have you always had an outgoing personality? Yeah, I’m way too nice but God gave me a sweet spirit. I’d rather be happy all the time than miserable. Were you ever star struck by anyone you met? I’m around this so much it doesn’t even phase me but I will admit when I met Oprah I got a little nervous. Seeing such a power force right in front of me and knowing that she came from humble beginnings and is an icon now, she made me nervous. And Janet 16 | OZONE
Jackson. I’m sure everyone can understand that. What are some hot spots people should check out while they’re in Orlando for the Classic? You have to come to my club. I work as the first lady of Front-Line Promotions. I’m doing Girlfriend Thursdays at Club Whispers. Every Friday except for 1st Friday I’m at the Roxy. Saturdays you got to check out Whispers again for the Velvet Rope Edition. The other clubs are Icon, Cairo, Antigua on Fridays, Glow, Lux, and Status. Do you have any advice for someone wanting to get into radio or television? You don’t have to but I would recommend that you go to school to learn the behind the scenes equipment like the teleprompter and how to operate it. If you can take a technical course I would recommend it. As far as developing your voice, if you have the gift of gab then you just have the gift. Of course with experience everything will develop. However you can get into a radio station or on a mixtape or whenever you can use your voice, do it. If you have to volunteer or intern or get on a street team and work your way up go for it. And stay with it. For some people it will happen fast but for some it won’t. Be serious about it too. Some people just want to be a rapper and think they’ll do it via radio. Be serious about your craft and know what you want to do and work hard. How did you get your big break? It’s kind of weird. I was doing a television show and a Program Director from a radio station offered me a one day a week radio spot. I jumped right on it and made it what I wanted. That doesn’t happen for everyone all the time though. // Words: Ms. Rivercity Photo: Terrence Tyson