#Powerwives is a bi-monthly column where we feature women who inspire us. Marital status is completely irrelevant. The title is inspired by our founders November 2013 Toronto Life cover story. This week’s #powerwife is Cheryl Hickey.
Cheryl Hickey is the woman you go to every weeknight at 7:30 pm for your daily dose of celebrity and breaking news. The host of ET Canada since its premiere in 2005, she also doubles as a wife and the mother of a young boy and girl. Hailing from Owen Sound, this Ontario native knows the media landscape inside and out. With an intense passion for her family and her work this #powerwife has a lot on her plate and loves every second of it.
Name: Cheryl Hickey
Social media handles: @CherylHickeyETC on Twitter, @CherylHickeypeeps on Instagram
Who is in your tribe? (Family members, friends, partners?) My fantastic husband, he’s my best friend and an amazing dad. My little boy and girl and then a handful of really amazing girlfriends that are everything. Then of course my brother, sister, mom and dad. I’m really lucky.
What does a typical day look like for you? I start my mornings at 6:30, when my son always comes into my room to wake us up. We all have breakfast together, maybe play trains and then I’m out the door to ET Canada. After a meeting I go into hair and makeup with my beloved Annie and Michelle. Then from there I go in and pick a dress, do voice work and start shooting for the show. After that I go home and I’m Mommy. I go from the glamorous to the clamorous.
What’s in your clutch? For the red carpet it’s Smashbox au plump lip gloss, credit card and my phone. Regularly it’s more of a saddlebag with everything from soothers to phone chargers, some kind of stuffed animal and baby wipe.
Five things you can’t live without? Family, phone, Jane Iredale lip gloss, wedding rings and my Grandmother’s rosary- whenever I travel I always have it on me.
Who is your hero? My mom and my sister. They are both super strong women and have a weird sense of humor. I always have so much fun with them.
What are you reading? If I’m honest I’m not reading a book right now. I’m hoping that when things calm down I can get back to that.
How did you get your start? I was 16 years old in Owen Sound. My dad was trying to figure out something for me to do over the summer and heard that they were looking for volunteers at the cable station. I volunteered for the summer and then that was it, I was hooked. I went off to journalism school at 17 and never looked back. I’ve done every job since then from cameraman to producer to writer.
Tell us about a time you were challenged and you learned a lesson. I kept giving my audition tapes to my supervisor to be considered as a reporter. She didn’t think I had what it took. I found all my tapes stored in a box so they never got to anyone. That was hard to swallow. I wanted to give up but I didn’t. I continued and within 6 months I had a job that brought me to Toronto and then everything changed.
What inspires you? Being surrounded by people who are creative and positive.
What are you excited about right now? I have some really amazing things happening this September that I’ve been working on for the past three years. I want to shout it from the rooftops.
How do you unwind? I go into my room, lay my head back, put my feet up and take a deep breath, that’s it.
Most interesting people to follow on social media? Cara Delevingne and mommy bloggers.
Personal mantra: I’m so grateful for everything that I have and I’m open to all the positive vibes of today.
Advice for women trying to get to where you are: If you hit roadblocks say fine; take what you can from that moment and move on, around and up.
