KTLA 5 news reporter Rachel Menitoff became an internet sensation Wednesday after a cockroach crawled across her neck and chest during a live broadcast from Sherman Oaks, California. Despite the unexpected pest, Menitoff continued her report on the ongoing heat wave without flinching, demonstrating remarkable professionalism that drew widespread praise from colleagues and viewers alike.
The incident occurred Tuesday night as Menitoff was reporting on the lingering high temperatures in the San Fernando Valley. As she spoke about the lack of overnight cooling, a cockroach landed on her stomach, then crawled across her neck and chest before jumping onto her microphone and flying away. Menitoff maintained her composure throughout the segment, only reacting after the live shot ended when she was seen brushing the bug off and exclaiming, «Oh gosh. Oh, I feel something.»
Her colleagues on the morning show highlighted her poise, with anchor Megan Henderson saying, «That’s our Rachel Menitoff, who is so professional. She kept her cool. There’s no way I would have been able to keep going.» Reporter Eric Spillman added, «I have to hand it to her. She was really calm,» while meteorologist Kirk Hawkins joked, «Now we’re all going to have nightmares about flying cockroaches.»
In a subsequent interview with KTLA, Menitoff explained her decision to stay focused. «I said to myself, ‘Just get through this moment and then kind of shake it off,’» she said. She noted the irony that her story was about extreme heat, which attracts cockroaches, combined with the warmth from camera lights, creating «the perfect environment for the roaches.»
The clip quickly spread across social media, with journalists and commentators weighing in. «Good Morning America» co-anchor Gio Benitez remarked, «@RachelMenitoff would’ve crushed it on ‘Fear Factor.’» The Daily News Drop anchor Jeff Vaughn wrote, «Had this happened to me, I would have freaked out.» Others used the moment to criticize urban conditions in Los Angeles, with conservative commentator Steve Guest posting, «Karen Bass’s LA is overrun by cockroaches. Gross.» Former Los Angeles mayoral candidate Spencer Pratt blamed local councilmember Nithya Raman, saying her district had become «so filthy» that even news reports are disrupted.
Menitoff’s calm response has been widely praised as a testament to the professionalism required in live television, where unexpected events are common. The incident also highlights the challenges of reporting in extreme weather conditions, as the heat wave continues to affect the region. Fox News Digital reached out to Menitoff for further comment but did not immediately receive a response.
