Life has come full circle for broadcaster Nancy O’Dell. The journalist, best known for her time with the entertainment news shows Access Hollywood and Entertainment Tonight, has returned to reporting on true crime with her new nationally syndicated series Crime Exposé with Nancy O’Dell. “I actually started on the police beat and doing investigative and crime reporting way back when I first started in hard news as a journalist,” Nancy, 58, explains to Closer.
Nancy, who left ET in 2019 to devote her time to her daughter, is excited to explore some of the most notorious American homicides with viewers on her new series. “Our show is one murder a day,” she says. “It takes you through the whole crime and solves it. Viewers find out who the perpetrator was and what kind of justice was served. We don’t leave you hanging.”
How did you get your start in journalism?
“I was in Charleston, South Carolina and Miami, Florida covering true crime. I loved it. I thought it was so fascinating to see how the cops could take you through the entire case to solve something. They let me do ride alongs. I thought I was a policewoman for a while. I enjoyed covering the police beat.”
You eventually segued into entertainment television.
“I was there from day one [of Access Hollywood]. To see that show succeed and still be on the air today makes me feel incredible. I was the weekend host and then became the main host. Then at ET, I followed in the footsteps of the queen of entertainment, Mary Hart.”
Why did you leave ET in 2019?
“I took some time off to focus on my daughter. I was going through a really tough time. I had gone through a divorce. I wanted to make sure that I could make it to every single one of her sporting events and be there when she needed me. That’s tough when you do a daily syndicated news show. You have to be there every single day and you have to be on standby. I wanted to take that time to just to be with her.”
Why was this a good time for you to get back in the public eye with Crime Exposé?
“Now she’s a senior in high school, and she’s going off to play volleyball in college. All those games I got to watch — they’re getting her a college scholarship, which is awesome. I just thought it was the right time to come back. Maybe it’ll help take my mind off of the sting of my baby girl growing up and going off to college!”
Does she want to follow in your footsteps into broadcasting?
“No, she’s a major volleyball player. She’s an incredible athlete and that’s her first love. Other than that, she’s very much into environmental science and wants to make the world a better place. Our house is entirely green. If I pick up a plastic bottle, she is furious at me. Everything is in glass bottles that we recycle. She even makes some of her own makeup. Her dream is to go off and play volleyball in Switzerland.”
You must be happy you took time off to be with her.
“For sure. I’m so glad I did because I get very sentimental now. I’m like, ‘Where did this time go? How did it go by so fast?’”
Do you have any advice about successfully coparenting with your ex?
“Remember to do everything for the kids. That’s the most important thing. They should see that you are doing your best to get along and be there for them. It’s simple, but if everyone remembers that, I think it will work out OK.”
Can you share one of your biggest life lessons?
“Number one is to always look for a positive side. Even though I did go through a divorce, I say that her dad gave me the best thing that I’ve ever had in my life, which is Ashby, our daughter. Had I not had that marriage, then I wouldn’t have our daughter. I think your life takes a path on purpose. Even if it may seem like something is not the right thing at the moment, you may find the positive side of it later.”
What are some of your best self-care tips?
“One of the things that is most important to me is getting my cholesterol checked. It runs high in my family. Make sure you know your levels.”
What else do you do to always look your best?
“I’ve never had any plastic surgery, but Botox and filler are a good thing. I’m laughing about it, but it always helps! I also get facials all the time. It’s important to keep your skin healthy. I eat a lot of greens and take a greens supplement. I make shakes with my daughter and throw in spinach and the things that you don’t think can possibly taste good in a shake. By the time you blend it all up, it’s good.”
Is there anything you appreciate about being older?
“I feel like I appreciate life more. When I was younger, it was all go, go, go, go! You’re so determined to make your career and life work. And when you’re young, you think you know everything but then you look back and realize you didn’t. I think you really realize the important things in life as you get older. The things that you used to be bothered by, you’re not bothered by anymore.”
What do you do for fun?
“I’m a huge scrapbooker — although now I do it digitally. I keep every photo that’s ever been taken. I have love letters my great- great-great-grandfather wrote my great- great-great-grandmother because in my family we’ve always been huge keepers of the family memories. I try to keep that path going forward. I’m also a big sports person. I’m an avid ping pong player, which is bizarre, but I love it. It’s the only sport I can still beat my daughter in.”
Where do you see yourself in five to 10 years?
“I hope Crime Exposé is still around. It’s a great show and I’d like to produce more — there is so much you can do in this genre. I can see myself not missing one of my daughter’s games. I’d like to get myself a place in the Carolinas. I would enjoy going back. My family is still there. It’s the little things that mean the most.”
