[01:21] — Growing Up Fast After Loss
Tamika shares losing her father at age five and her mother’s MS diagnosis three years later. She was forced to grow up quickly and take responsibility for her younger brother Sunny.
[03:03] — From Denver to New Orleans, Losing Her Dad
Her family moved to New Orleans from Denver where her father played for the Broncos. She recounts his sudden passing from a heart attack in November 1984, shortly after he started taking Herbalife.
[05:27] — Her Dad Was Just “Dad”
Tamika reflects on her father as a Saints superstar — but to her, he was just a super dad who put her to bed every night. She didn’t realize his public significance until after his death.
[06:48] — Never Mourning Him, Embodying Him
She discusses her unique healing process — never truly mourning because she feels her father’s presence constantly. Her brother Sunny channeled grief into founding Son of a Saint for fatherless boys.
[09:10] — From Horrible Student to Performer
Tamika describes struggling at Ursuline Academy but thriving as a performer. She danced in Europe as a teen, then joined the Saintsations, following in her father’s footsteps with the Saints.
[12:41] — Walking Onto the Saints Field
She shares the emotional full-circle moment of walking onto the field as a Saintsation, quickly becoming captain, and building lasting relationships from the owner to the janitor.
[21:16] — The Tumor That Changed Everything
In 2011, Tamika discovered a ganglioneuroma tumor that had collapsed her lung, leading to two major surgeries. Staring at the Dome from her hospital room, she decided she needed to be heard — and transition to TV.
[26:17] — Faking a Reel to Get on TV
With no degree or TV experience, she cold-contacted WWL news director Billad, claimed to be an entertainment reporter, then faked a reel on Bourbon Street with a friend’s camera. It led to hosting a live Super Bowl show for CBS.
[33:06] — Discovering Dyslexia at 41
While transitioning to anchor, Tamika realized she was dyslexic — reading everything backwards on the prompter. Producers learned to write for her by spelling out acronyms and numbers.
[38:23] — No Boundaries, No Fear
She reflects on how losing her father young removed traditional boundaries. That made her fearless and driven — she doesn’t take no for an answer and treats challenges as “first downs” toward a touchdown.
[46:16] — Taking Over the World From New Orleans
Tamika shares her Oprah-inspired ambition — to host a syndicated show based in New Orleans that achieves national recognition, with the city as a character in everything she does.
[48:48] — How Motherhood Slowed Her Down
She discusses how stepson Hunter was the reason she married her husband, and how daughter Rainey — her mini-me — holds up a mirror and taught her to slow down and calm down.
In this episode of Local Legends, host Jonathan Forstall sits down with New Orleans icon Tamica Lee for a raw, inspiring conversation about resilience, reinvention, and what it really takes to “do it all.” Tamica shares the story of losing her father as a child, growing up fast, and carrying his legacy forward—while building a bigger-than-life career in dance, Saints Sensations, reality TV, and local news.
You’ll hear how she:
- Turned loss and trauma into drive (and a fearless “no boundaries” mindset)
- Went from dancer and Saints Sensation to on-air TV—by creating her own opportunity
- Survived a major health scare (a tumor) that forced a life reset
- Discovered she was dyslexic at 41 while anchoring—and adapted in real time
- Built her personal brand through networking, community, and showing up everywhere
- Balances motherhood, marriage, and a nonstop schedule without losing herself
- Sets her sights on what’s next: a bigger platform and a syndicated show from New Orleans
If you love New Orleans culture, entrepreneurship, local legends, and real talk about life after loss, this one’s for you.
