Truth matters. Community matters. Your support makes both possible. LAist is one of the few places where news remains independent and free from political and corporate influence. Stand up for truth and for LAist. Make your year-end tax-deductible gift now.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
KTLA Meteorologist Says Sweater Incident Was A 'Joke' By Her Colleague
Although the internet embroiled itself in a fiasco dubbed #Sweatergate, KTLA's Liberté Chan says the incident was simply a joke by her colleague that did not offend her.
When the KTLA meteorologist was giving her forecast report around 8:15 a.m. on Saturday morning, she was interrupted by her colleague, anchor Chris Borrous, handing her a gray cardigan from the edge of the screen. "We're getting a lot of emails," explained Borrous. Apparently some viewers had written in to complain about her "cocktail party" dress, and it appeared that Chan was being forced to cover up.
"After receiving a number of requests for interviews regarding my LBD*/Sweater moment on the KTLA Morning News this weekend, I thought I would share a few personal thoughts," wrote the meteorologist in a post on her personal website on Sunday night.
*This apparently stands for "Little Black Dress." You learn something new every day.
"I've worked on-air for 10 years and by now, I've learned that everyone has an opinion and you have to have a thick skin to work in this business," she continued. "It's a visual medium and sometimes your outfit works and sometimes it doesn't."
She went on to explain that the black sequined dress was a backup after the dress she originally wore earlier that morning did not work in front of the green screen.
Sponsored message
Although they did get some emails from fuddy duddy viewers complaining about Chan's look—some of which were read in a Facebook video Chan shared—she explains that the sweater moment was simply a prank by her colleague:
For the record, I was not ordered by KTLA to put on the sweater. I was simply playing along with my co-anchor's joke, and if you've ever watched the morning show, you know we poke fun at each other all the time. And, also for the record, there is no controversy at KTLA. My bosses did not order me to put on the cardigan, it was a spontaneous moment. I truly love my job, I like my bosses and enjoy working with my coworkers. Since talking to my team, I want our viewers to know it was never our intention to offend anyone. We are friends on and off the air and if you watch our newscast, you know that.
More importantly, I hope my viewers were able to plan their Saturday once they heard my forecast and enjoyed the sunny weather after the clouds cleared.
While the reaction to the incident has been overwhelmingly in support of Chan (she posted screenshots of a few tweets hashtagged #StandWithLiberte), Borrous took some heat for his role in the incident, with critics calling him out for shaming Chan on live TV.He has been apologetic about it on Twitter:
I completely understand meant in jest but I see how it seemed. I am sorry. I hope you will give me another chance
— Chris Burrous (@chrisburrous) May 15, 2016
@KTLA @KTLAMorningNews we are very close friends, I was joking but I see how it seemed harsh. I am sorry.
— Chris Burrous (@chrisburrous) May 15, 2016
Hopefully KTLA doesn't overcorrect on the incident and make Chan dress down next time:
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our connected community. We are free to tell the full truth, to hold power to account without fear or favor, and to follow facts wherever they lead. Our only loyalty is to our audiences and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen our community.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive before year-end will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive before year-end will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
