A well-known Los Angeles television journalist experienced a shocking turn of events when she was unexpectedly dismissed from her position on her 40th birthday.
Ellina Abovian, a reporter for KTLA, was among the many employees terminated this week as Nexstar, the station’s parent company, moves forward with its acquisition of competitor Tegna, according to a report from the California Post on Wednesday.
In an emotional video shared on Instagram Thursday afternoon, Abovian confirmed the unfortunate news, stating that she “will not be returning to the job I held every day for 11 years.”
Explaining the situation, Abovian said, “Earlier this week, I, along with several of my valued KTLA friends and colleagues, were laid off as part of a corporate restructuring.” She recounted her shock upon receiving the unexpected news.
“I was not expecting this. I was blindsided, and it hurts. It cuts deep because I cared about what I did,” she expressed.
Despite the personal impact, Abovian acknowledged the broader context, noting that “corporate layoffs are part of life, and this is just the game of life, affecting many people across various industries right now.”
‘I’m not the only one and my situation certainly isn’t unique, but it’s hard to process considering how it happened,’ she said, noting that it came as she was getting ready to celebrate a milestone birthday.
‘Instead, I’m now processing what I’m going to do as a single mom to two kids,’ the longtime reporter lamented. ‘You know, life gets real when it gets real.’
KTLA’s Ellina Abovian was among several staff let go by the outlet this week – as she celebrated her 40th birthday. Abovian is seen here Wednesday with one of her two sons
Abovian – one of KTLA’s most recognizable morning reporters – had been with the network for more than 10 years
The reporter also told her more than 50,000 Instagram followers how she is going to miss being a part of the news station.
‘It’s been 11 years of being in your living room every day. It’s been 11 years of telling your stories and I’m going to miss it,’ she said, adding that she will also miss her ‘KTLA family.’
‘And I’m especially going to miss our viewers because meeting all of you in the field or at the grocery store or just anywhere was just part of my life and something I held close to my heart because I knew the impact,’ Abovian said as she started to get choked up.
But, she noted, ‘KTLA is not the only mountain I’m ever going to climb. In fact, this is just the beginning.’
‘I’m going to be OK,’ she promised.
Many of Abovian’s colleagues shared their support for her in the comments to the video, with fellow KTLA reporter Kacey Montoya expressing her love for Abovian and Fox 11’s Good Day LA anchor Araksya Karapetyan saying the news is ‘disappointing and I am so sorry.
‘But I know you’ll excel at whatever you decide to pursue,’ Karapetyan commented. ‘The right people and opportunities will naturally be drawn to you… and they’ll be fortunate when they are. Keep shining.’
Fox News’ Bill Melugin also said the layoff was KTLA’s ‘loss,’ arguing it ‘just means there’s another door you are meant to walk through, and this will free you up for that.’
Film producer and screenwriter Sev Ohanian, meanwhile, said the news of Abovian’s departure ‘ruined my week.’
‘You’re the absolute best. [You’re] INCREDIBLE at your job. Can’t wait to see the next mountain you climb,’ he wrote.
Abovian shared the news that she was laid off in a video posted to Instagram on Thursday
Prior to Thursday’s Instagram video, Abovian released an episode of her podcast acknowledging it was her birthday and offering a somewhat cryptic missive when she was asked what advice she would give her 20-year-old self.
‘Stop hiding. Stop shrinking. There’s a big world out there and you can be a part of it,’ she said, after more than 10 years at the network.
‘Stop hiding your body, stop thinking you’re not good enough. You are so perfect in all your imperfections. If I could say that to my 21-year-old self and just say go for it. What are you waiting for?
‘I wish my 21-year-old self could have followed all her dreams. I wish she could have gone out there into the world,’ she added. The journalist said she wished she ‘experienced more things instead of looking for safety.’
She added in a post to Instagram: ‘I guess this is 40. Feeling lighter, loved and looking forward’.
A photo of her and her older son enjoying some birthday cake was captioned the ‘Best part of the day.’
The move makes way for the mountain of debt KTLA’s parent company, Nexstar, will assume after an anticipated multibillion-dollar merger with rival local news broadcaster Tegna
News of the layoffs began to spread on Wednesday.
Network fixtures such as weatherman Mark Kriski, weathercaster Kacey Montoya, midday anchors Lu Parker and Glen Walker were also let go.
Emmy Award-winning ex-anchor Walker told the Post that he learned of the layoffs on Monday.
‘Did I see it coming? I would say no,’ the anchor said, citing the network’s relatively high ratings.
‘It’ll be interesting to see what happens moving forward.’
The move makes way for the mountain of debt Nexstar will assume from Tegna if and when the companies do merge.
Federal Communications Commission (FCC) boss Brendan Carr indicated he was ready to move forward with the $6.8billion merger last week.
Nexstar already paid $4.1billion for the Chicago-based Tribune Media – a move that made it the biggest local news broadcaster in the country.
It also made WGN, a popular Chicago news station, part of Nexstar.
The affiliate laid off nine high profile on-air personalities on Monday.
Its largest affiliate, WPIX-New York, laid off staff as well.
A spokesman said: ‘Nexstar does not comment on personnel issues, but the company is taking steps necessary to compete effectively in this period of unprecedented change.’
The company made headlines late last year for its decision to pull ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live!’ from ABC affiliates for roughly a week after facing pushback against jokes its host made after the assassination of Charlie Kirk.
Nexstar has 201 stations in 116 local markets across the country. It reaches 70 percent of US households.
