Written by Nick Halili | DUB Magazine | July 13, 2007
With a gorgeous smile and a down-to-earth charm that matches her sweet, yet sexy voice, Liz Hernandez has graced TV, magazine covers, billboards and even her own calendar. However, "Luscious" Liz (her radio name) is best known for being the co-host on Los Angeles hip-hop station Power 106's (KPWR, 105.9 FM) morning show, "Big Boy's Neighborhood."
One of Liz's on-air strengths is her appeal to both male and female radio listeners. On her "This Just Handed to Me..." entertainment reports, she dishes the latest Hollywood news as if she's hanging out with her closest girlfriends, sharing the latest celebrity gossip. But on her "Booty Call" segment, in which she recounts hook-up stories sent in by the show's listeners, she switches to a sultry, sexy voice that can melt the ears off any male within range of the station's radio signal.
Liz's friendly persona isn't just for radio, either. She really is the girl-next-door for a lot of her listeners in Southern California (at least the ones from Riverside). Born and raised in "The Inland Empire," Liz wasn't your typical cheerleader-type in high school, but instead, ran hurdles on the track team and was an athletic trainer for the football and wrestling teams. Although not the prom queen, she shyly recalls, "I got 'Most Huggable' when I was a senior," which was a hallmark of the genial, easy-going personality that has helped make her successful in the radio business.
When DUB caught up with her, she was back in her hometown of Riverside, visiting family and shopping with friends at a nearby mall (how's that for down-to-earth):
DUB: What's it like working on "Big Boy's Neighborhood?"
Liz: It's really a treat to work with Big Boy. If you think he's funny on-air, you should hear him off-air. He's very smart, very wise; you learn something new from him every single day.
DUB: What's the funniest or most embarrassing moment you've had on air?
Liz: The most embarrassing thing that happened on air was when Big "Phonetapped" me [a segment on Big Boy's show in which he plays practical jokes on people over the phone]. He called me up about a week after I got hired, said there was a meeting and told me that, basically, I was fired. He even called up my producer on the other line. I literally choked up and was about to bawl my eyes out.
DUB: Tell me about your new television job at MTV.
Liz: I do MTV news, along with Kurt Loder, Sway and Su Chin Pak. And I'm the first news correspondent for MTV Tr3s [MTV's Latin-American channel]. I got to do TRL the first week I was hired. It was pretty nerve-wracking, but at the same time very exciting.
DUB: Are you going to go Carson Daly on us and leave SoCal radio to do MTV full-time?
Liz: I'm going to do radio as long as Big Boy is in the business. It's a dream job. We get to interact with the people of Los Angeles. They become a part of your life. You're hopefully putting a smile on their face as they work. That's a pretty rewarding job.
DUB: You've interviewed dozens of celebrities. What are some of the most memorable celebrities you've talked to?
Liz: One of the neatest things was when we had Vicente Fernandez. He's like the Elvis of Mexico. I never thought I'd ever have the opportunity to introduce my parents to him. Having Snoop say he enjoys the show. He's like a hip-hop legend, and when I see him, he says, "What up, Liz?" That's pretty crazy.
DUB: Any celebrities you've ever interviewed tried to hit on you?
Liz: (Laughs) It happens, but you just take it as a compliment. I'm sure they hit on girls everywhere they go.
DUB: Do regular guys usually approach you or are they intimidated? What's the best approach to come up to you?
Liz: That's the good thing about radio. You still have that anonymity. I don't think guys would be intimidated. The best approach is to be yourself; come up, introduce yourself.
DUB: What's your type of guy?
Liz: I'm all over the yard; I don't know if I have a type. A guy who's confident, funny-you've got to be able to show me something new, be innovative. Personality's a big part of it.
DUB: What's the first car you've ever owned?
Liz: A red Toyota 4x4 with huge wheels and a Beastie Boys sticker on the back. It was used when I got it. The seat kind of moved when I drove and it had a soft fur interior. It was so bouncy, that sometimes the battery would pop out, and I'd have to pull over. I didn't know how to drive stick, so everywhere I'd go, it would smell like burnt pineapples.
DUB: What kind of cars do you like now?
Liz: I'm a truck girl. But I also like girlier cars. I love Mercedes, Range Rovers and old school cars, too.
DUB: What kind of ride do you currently roll?
Liz: I have a Mercedes-Benz 320 CLK.
DUB: What kind of music do you like?
Liz: I like everything. My mom loved the Bee Gees, so I love them, too. I love Beyonce' and Ciara. I love hip-hop, like Kanye, Jay-Z. I have John Legend's new CD, and Selena's always in my car.
DUB: What are your favorite TV shows?
Liz: "Lost." I'm a big Lostie. Jack and Sawyer are my favorites. I'm starting to like "Extreme Makeover"; I bawl every time I watch it.
DUB: How about movies?
Liz: My movies are all over the yard. "Urban Cowboy" (Paramount Pictures, 1980), "Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory" (Paramount Pictures, 1971). "Napoleon Dynamite" (Fox Searchlight Pictures, 2004) is one of my favorites.
DUB: Are you addicted to MySpace or anything on the Internet?
Liz: I have a MySpace. I check it all the time. I read everybody's comments, but I feel bad because I can't always reply. I have my own website too (lusciouslizonline.com).
DUB: So now that you're doing more than just radio, how do you feel about becoming a celebrity like the ones you interview?
Liz: I don't consider myself a celebrity by any means. I go back to Riverside every other week, and I still have the same best friends from when I was in fourth grade. I'm not calling up Snoop asking, "Hey, are we barbequing this weekend?"
DUB: What are your future plans? Do you want to get into acting or music?
Liz: I'm pretty much living my dream job right now. If I can do that and continue to work at MTV, I'll be happy with that. I'm going to do society a favor and not come out with an album (laughs).
DUB: Any final comments or words of advice you want to share with the readers?
Liz: Don't ever assume that you can't do something. I'd never thought I'd be working in radio, let alone MTV; you just have to go do it.