Lauren Wendy Sánchez (born December 19, 1969) is an American media personality who gained fame as an entertainment reporter and news anchor. She has been a guest host on The View, co-host on KTTV Fox 11's Good Day LA and anchor on the Fox 11 News at Ten, and anchor and special correspondent on Extra. Sánchez has also been a regular contributor on shows including Larry King Live, The Joy Behar Show and Showbiz Tonight.[1]
Career
Sánchez began her career as a desk assistant at KCOP-TV in Los Angeles. She also held positions as an anchor and reporter at KTVK-TV in Phoenix before joining the syndicated entertainment show Extra as a reporter. From there, Sánchez moved to Fox Sports Net, where she earned an Emmy nomination as anchor and correspondent for the sports magazine Going Deep, served as an anchor for Fox Sports News Primetime and later was an entertainment reporter for FSN's Best Damn Sports Show Period.
In 1999, Sánchez returned to KCOP-TV to anchor UPN News 13,[2] where her team won an Emmy Award.[3] Sánchez also landed the entertainment reporting gig for KTTV's 10pm news. She was the runner-up in the nationwide hosting competition during season 2 of The View in February 2000. The position was ultimately given to Lisa Ling. In 2005, Sánchez became the original host of FOX's popular dancing competition So You Think You Can Dance. Sánchez left the show after one season to have her second child. In 2009, Sánchez returned to Extra as weekend anchor and special correspondent. Sánchez continues to occasionally work on Good Day LA, Extra and other TV shows.
In 2016, she founded Black Ops Aviation, the first female-owned aerial film and production company. Sánchez now focuses on film and television projects which allow her to use her skills as a licensed pilot.[5] She foresaw flying to space early in 2024 with an all-female crew on board a New Shepard,[6] but as of August 2024 there has been no confirmation of a scheduled flight.
Philanthropy
Sánchez is the vice-chairperson of Bezos Earth Fund. In March 2024, she pledged to donate $60 million to create centers that would focus on biomanufacturing and climate change.[7] She is also the part of Bezos' Courage and Civility Award which grants awards to individuals serving the community.[8][9]
Personal life
Lauren Wendy Sánchez was born December 19, 1969 to a second-generation Mexican-American family in Albuquerque, New Mexico.[10] Sánchez was unaware she was living with dyslexia until she was in college, when a professor noticed and offered to help her get diagnosed.[11]
In August 2005, she married Patrick Whitesell, a Hollywood agent and founding partner of Endeavor talent agency.[12] Sánchez has a son (Evan, born 2006) and daughter (Ella, born 2008) with Whitesell.[13][14]
In 2018, Sánchez had an extramarital affair with businessman and Amazon founder Jeff Bezos while they were both married, leading to his divorce from his wife MacKenzie Scott to whom he had been married for 25 years, before founding Amazon.[15] In February 2019, Bezos published a blog post alleging that National Enquirer publisher American Media, Inc., had attempted blackmail and extortion in connection with Bezos' alleged affair with Sánchez.[16] In April 2019, Sánchez and Whitesell filed for divorce,[17] which was finalized in October of that year.[18] In 2020, Sánchez was commonly described as Bezos' girlfriend.[19][20][21] On May 22, 2023, Sánchez and Bezos became engaged.[22]
Filmography
Sánchez has also made cameo appearances in films and television series, including in the following:
