What happens when a news reporter drops the polished anchor voice and lets her true Philly slang shine?
Amanda Lee, a Philadelphia native and News 12 New Jersey reporter, captivates audiences in a viral video where she contrasts her professional broadcast tone with her authentic Philadelphia accent. The clip highlights her linguistic versatility and reveals a surprising childhood dream of becoming a rapper.
In the video, Amanda starts with a classic news delivery:
“We start tonight with breaking news. First responders are on the scene of a major accident. Police say it started with a fire that broke out around 8 p.m.”
Then, she flips to her natural Philly dialect, saying,
“It’s crazy out there, yo. I ain’t even gonna hold you. The house in the middle of the block, that joint caught on fire.”
The seamless switch showcases how she balances her professional role with her hometown roots.
Amanda gets candid about her early career, noting that her Philly accent was more prominent when she started reporting. She had to adjust words like “on,” “ask,” and “water” (famously “wooder” in Philadelphia) to fit broadcasting standards. Still, she stays true to her roots, insisting on calling a sandwich a hoagie and saying “water ice” instead of Italian ice. Her proud shout of “Go birds” gives a nod to the Philadelphia Eagles, cementing her Philly pride.
The video turns unexpectedly when Amanda shares a personal tidbit:
“Long before I became a local news reporter, I had dreams of becoming a rapper back when I was in high school.”
She proves it with an original rap, delivering lines like,
“I’ll be fresh to the death of me until they take the rest of me. I’m staying with the bread on the street, call it sesame.”
Her rhymes are sharp, with clever wordplay and confidence, as she declares,
“My first performance is the finale, you get a once and close the curtain.”
This glimpse into her teenage aspirations adds a fun, relatable layer to her story.
Amanda’s path to News 12 New Jersey began in Philadelphia, where she interned at FOX 29 in 2018. She built her career through roles in Altoona, Pennsylvania, and Roanoke, Virginia, before becoming a reporter and fill-in anchor in New Jersey. Her video is more than a playful comparison of voices—it’s a testament to embracing one’s identity while thriving in a demanding industry.
Amanda Lee’s blend of professionalism, Philly swagger, and childhood rap dreams makes her a standout. Her story shows that you can chase big goals while staying true to your origins.
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