Emmy Award winning broadcaster Louis Aguirre is a Miami original! As co-host of WSVN’s wildly popular Deco Drive since 2003, Louis has become an easily recognizable and loveable hometown favorite. His natural charm, wit, and comfort in front of the camera propelled him from one prominent position to another, including his years as the first co-host of Fox News Channel’s Fox & Friends.
Aguirre’s role as a community leader extends beyond his day job. He’s an active and involved supporter of Best Buddies, the Greater Miami Humane Society, and the local cultural community.
As a TV personality it’s easy to feel like we already know him, but the real Louis Aguirre is even more fascinating than he appears on Deco Drive. You’ll really enjoy this opportunity to learn more about one of South Florida’s most exciting native resources.
When did you realize you wanted to be a broadcaster?
Ever since I was a kid. From as early as I can remember, I loved being in front of the class for show and tell and excelled at presenting oral reports. Later in high school, I would often videotape school projects and produce them like mini newscasts or TV shows. It would make the process so much more fun for me, and that much more enjoyable for my classmates and teachers. I knew I had found my calling.
Who has been the greatest influence in your career? Who do you like to watch?
Executive Producer Nanci Ross. As a very green rookie reporter for WPLG TV 10 the ABC affiliate in Miami, Nanci believed in me enough to send me undercover into Cuba to report on the 30th anniversary of the Cuban missile crisis, while at the same time cover the current economic and political mess gripping the island at the time. The opportunity put me face to face with Fidel Castro. The coveted interview and subsequent TV special, “Assignment Havana” would launch my career in Miami. I would soon go national, reporting for syndicated shows like “Extra!” and “A Current Affair” and would go in to anchor the morning show, “Fox and Friends” at Fox News Channel. More importantly, Nanci would instill excellent producing and writing skills that have served me well.
As far as whom I watch, I love to catch Joel McHale on “The Soup”. He is refreshingly honest, he doesn’t take himself too seriously, or the world of pop culture seriously. I think Anthony Bourdain is brilliant. He’s a terrific writer and doesn’t sugarcoat anything. That man has my dream job. Oprah has also been a huge influence. Her bold decision to elevate the consciousness of her viewers with her spiritual programming took a lot of chutzpa and courage. She’s making a difference and making the world a better place.
If and when you get some free time, how do you like to spend it?
Traveling. I love to discover new parts of the planet I’ve never been to before, totally immersing myself in local color, culture and cuisine. The more I travel the globe, the more I realize how much more in common we all have with each other in sharing this human experience. It also makes me appreciate Miami more. I think we live in one of the most exciting cities in the world. There is so much opportunity here. This is the city of now and the city of tomorrow.
You grew up in Miami, what changes have you seen that excite you?
More than anything, the blossoming of the arts scene. Miami is now becoming a cultural mecca. Who would’ve believed it?! Home of the world renown New World Symphony, the much buzzed about Perez Art Museum Miami, The Adrienne Arsht Center of Performing Arts, home to the Cleveland Symphony Miami, Art Basel Miami Beach is now entering it’s 12th year, the soon to come Frank Gehry designed Young Arts Campus, the explosion of art and design in Wynwood and not to mention the evolution and development of the Miami Design District. It is through art that you grow a city and now Miami boasts world-class architecture and design. It’s very exciting.
As a community leader, are there any local organizations or causes you like to support?
I support all of our arts organizations.
I am on the Executive committee of Friends of the New World Symphony, the young patrons board. I am on the young collectors council of the Perez Art Museum Miami. But also support the Miami Symphony Orchestra, and the Bass Museum. I also give of my time and talents to Best Buddies and the Greater Miami Humane Society.
Do you have any favorite designers? Who?
My go to fashion designer is Tom Ford. His fabrics are the best and his cut and styles are perfect for guys with athletic builds. I love the architecture of Zaha Hadid, Herzog and DeMeuron, and of course Frank Gehry. My favorite South Florida interior designer is Matthew MacDonald.
What music are you listening to? Are there any TV shows or movies that have your attention?
I’ve given up on pop music. I find most of it sophomoric and banal. Real singer songwriters like Adele, Pink, and Pharell still hold my attention, but mostly I listen to jazz, pop standards, 70’s rock, and classical. I’d be lost without my i-Tunes. I am my best dj and rarely listen to the radio anymore.
I hate reality TV, so I don’t watch much. I’m a big fan of Mad Men, The Newsroom, House of Cards, Orange is the New Black, Veep, The Soup and Saturday Night Live. That’s it.
What is your favorite indulgence?
Food. I love to eat. I love discovering new restaurants, new chefs, new concepts. I can spend all day eating, really I can. Miami has evolved into a very exciting food town. We now have choices! That’s a big thing.
What do you consider your greatest achievement?
Having longevity in this business. I began at 21 years old reporting in Spanish, I’ve covered hurricanes, seen history happen before my eyes reporting on the collapse of the Berlin Wall and the reunification of East and West Germany, I’ve met three US Presidents, interviewed Fidel Castro, not to mention Katherine Hepburn, Julia Roberts, Tom Cruise, Brad Pitt and Madonna. I’ve anchored network news, acted in off Broadway plays, and have had guest spots on hit TV shows like “Sex and the City”, "JAG", and “Burn Notice” twenty six years later I’m still going strong as the co-host of the number one access show in South Florida, “Deco Drive”. This business has been very good to me. It’s been a very fun and exciting ride.
What do you like to do when you visit the Miami Design District?
I like to eat at Mandolin, Michael’s Genuine and MC Kitchen. I get my hair cut at Hair Dragon on the Atlas Plaza, and clothes shop at En Avance and Billionaire. They have amazing suits. I also love to peruse Jonathan Adler, Christian Liaigre and Holly Hunt for furniture and accessories.
Photos by Alex Markow
