American television reporter Rachel Menitoff kept her composure on air when a flying cockroach landed on her during a live broadcast in California. The journalist was reporting on regional heatwaves when the winged pest entered the camera frame, landed on her chest, and began moving up towards her neck.
Menitoff refused to lose focus and continued speaking without interruption throughout the segment. She only acknowledged the unexpected visitor once she finished delivering the weather news, remarking to the camera that she felt something crawling on her.
Although the incident occurred in July, video footage of the broadcast gained widespread attention months later after going viral on Brazilian social media. The broadcast from Los Angeles showed the insect running across her chest, neck, and hair while she delivered her report in a steady voice.
Reaction from KTLA newsroom
The following day, local television station KTLA replayed the segment during one of its studio broadcasts, where colleagues praised Menitoff for her professionalism. Presenter Megan Henderson commended her composure on screen, explaining that she herself could never have continued with the report under those circumstances.
KTLA is a major television station based in Los Angeles that produces extensive daily news and weather coverage across Southern California. During peak summer periods, severe heatwaves often sweep the state, increasing insect activity and regularly forcing broadcast crews to manage unexpected outdoor conditions while filming on location.
Menitoff subsequently discussed the experience in an interview, revealing that she made an immediate decision to press ahead with her broadcast even though she was fully aware that the cockroach was crawling across her skin.
Social media praise
The footage drew an enthusiastic response from online audiences after circulating across international platforms. Social media users applauded her steady reaction, with one commentator remarking that most people in that situation would have spent the moment screaming, running away, flailing around, and rolling on the floor.
Menitoff continues her regular reporting duties for KTLA across the region, where television journalists routinely navigate the live challenges that come with outdoor summer broadcasts.
