Fiona Forbes, BA’93

It’s hard to believe that Fiona Forbes was once painfully shy. These days she is best known for her many years as the bubbly and affable co-host of Shaw TV’s Urban Rush and The Rush. She might have ended up as a lawyer – law school was the original plan after completing her UBC degree – but on a whim she chose to enroll in the journalism program at BCIT instead. Before she’d even graduated, Forbes landed a job hosting a one-hour live interview show after she’d auditioned for the gig on a dare. Clearly, she had found her career niche.

Over the past 20 years, the award-winning TV host and producer estimates she has interviewed about 25,000 people from film, television, music, literature, sport and other realms. Notables include Arnold Schwarzenegger, Gene Simmons, and most recently John Cleese, who appeared on Forbes’ newest venture – her self-titled 30-minute talk show that premiered last month.

The Fiona Forbes show format is an intimate conversation with a prominent personality, followed by a candid round-table with a lively local panel about topical issues, headlines, trends and pop culture buzz. “I feel so lucky to do what I do for a living,” says Forbes. “I get to meet so many interesting people every day and hear their stories.” While she loves her work, Forbes’ passion lies with supporting many charities. Among her favourites are the CKNW Orphan’s Fund, Pink Shirt Day, Variety Club, Timmy’s Telethon and Easter Seals.

Learn more at fionaforbes.com and follow her on Twitter: @FionaForbes

What is your most prized possession?
My health

Who was your childhood hero?
My dad

Describe the place you most like to spend time.
I’m happiest when I’m walking my dog on the beach.

What was the last thing you read?
North of Normal: A Memoir of My Wilderness Childhood, My Unusual Family, and How I Survived Both by Cea Sunrise Person. It’s an amazing true story of Cea’s unbelievable and unique childhood – I’d highly recommend it! And I just picked up The Hunger Games. My niece is reading the series for the first time and we decided to read them together.

What or who makes you laugh out loud?
My friends – I really couldn’t live without them!

What’s the most important lesson you ever learned?
Just be yourself.

What’s your idea of the perfect day?
As a Vancouverite, any sunny day is perfect!

What was your nickname at school?
Oh, I’ve always had a million nicknames…Forbes, Forbesy, Fi, FiFi… and far too many more to list!

What would be the title of your biography?
Are We There Yet?

If a genie granted you one wish, what would it be?
To have an unlimited amount of wishes – I used to think that was the cleverest answer as a kid and I still do!

What item have you owned for the longest time?
I have a locket that my Mom gave me that’s been in the family for generations. It’s very special to me.

What is your latest purchase?
The honest answer? A toy for my dog. Not exciting, I know, but it’s the truth – and yes, he’s spoiled!

What would you like your epitaph to say?
Same as my memoir: Are We There Yet?

If you could invent something, what would it be?
Oh, a cure for cancer would be nice...

In which era would you most like to have lived, and why?
I’d like to think I’m in the right one!

What are you afraid of?
Spiders. There is nothing that undoes me more than the big hairy wolf spiders that we see around here!

Name the skill or talent you would most like to have.
I’ve always wished I could sing. Sadly I’m tone deaf!

Which three pieces of music would you take to that desert island?
Depeche Mode, Duran Duran and New Order… I wish I could live in the 80s FOREVER!

Which famous person (living or dead) do you think (or have you been told) you most resemble?
Funny, I’ve never been told I look like anyone in particular. Not sure that’s a good thing?

What is your pet peeve?
The noise of humans clipping their nails – I’ve been seated next to people on planes doing this far too many times. Ugh.

What are some of your UBC highlights?
I have great memories of being at UBC. Getting my degree was my biggest highlight!