Staying Fit
JEREMY FREEMAN/CNN
Millions of viewers across the country count on Robin Meade’s signature “Morning Sunshine!” greeting to start their day. At 53, she’s a best-selling author, country music singer and former Miss Ohio, and this year marks her 21st as anchor of HLN’s Morning Express with Robin Meade.
Have you always been a morning person?
I think so. There may be a time in college where perhaps I wasn't, but I've always been an early starter.
AARP Membership— $12 for your first year when you sign up for Automatic Renewal
Get instant access to members-only products and hundreds of discounts, a free second membership, and a subscription to AARP the Magazine.
How much coffee do you drink?
I think it tastes terrible. I really do. No matter how much I doctor it up, it tastes terrible, but I drink it for the function. The funny thing is that, in my first 15 years here at CNN Headline News … I did not drink coffee. Seriously, I would drink hot water. Then, somewhere along the line, I started drinking coffee. And I don't know how many cups [I drink]. Maybe four or five by the end of the day?
Any tips for puffy morning eyes?
Yes, I will grab a cold can — like Diet Sprite or whatever I have — out of the fridge, and I just put it on my eyes for a little bit.
You’ve released two country music albums [Brand New Day in 2011 and Count on Me in 2013]. If you were offered a big recording contract tomorrow, would you leave your day job?
No, I would not. But thank you for putting in my mind that it could happen. I know what my strength is, and what I get to do for a living is my favorite. I feel passionate about it.
Favorite singer or songwriter?
I love me some Brandi Carlile. Her voice is so stellar. If you go to a concert, you just feel like you're right along with her. She’ll do covers. She's not one of these artists who's too proud to cover somebody else's work. I've enjoyed her immensely.
Robin Meade performs during the 2012 Academy of Country Music Awards All-Star Jam in Las Vegas.
Frazer Harrison/ACMA2012/Getty Images for ACM
More Celebrity Q&As
U.S. Poet Laureate Talks Prose, Pets and Podcasts
In our Quick Questions interview, Ada Limón encourages young artists to pursue their passions
Breaking Barriers and Wrestling for Success
Los Angeles Lakers owner Jeanie Buss talks sports, superwomen and staying in the moment
Daniel Dae Kim Is Working All Sides of the Camera
The actor-producer of 'Lost' fame discusses island life, burger toppings and legal dramas in our Q&A
All Quick Questions Interviews
Read exclusive interviews with the biggest names in Hollywood, best-selling authors and more high-profile personalities in our Quick Questions series