radioinfo’s Kirsty Meyer speaks to Married At First Sight’s radio presenter contestant Bella Frizza about marrying a complete stranger, love and radio.
Name: BELLA FRIZZA
Station: SEA FM 90.9
Job title: ANNOUNCER
What made you choose radio for a career?
I have always loved radio! When I was 14 I had my own show on the local radio station – Northern Beaches Radio in Sydney – it was called Bel’s Pop & Goss and I’d go after school one night a week and interview my friends and play Britney’s album on repeat #sorrynotsorry
How’s your radio timeline looking?
I did the Commercial Radio Course at AFTRS in 2011 then after that went to Power FM in Bega 2011- 2013 2013-2014 Casual B105 chickie then got the gig at Sea FM Gold Coast and have been here ever since!
What’s the best thing about working for Sea FM on the sunny Gold Coast?
Um everything! I love the team I love the weather I love the listeners I love my shift! It all makes me so happy!
What do you love most about your job in general?
Just being able to be creative on air everyday speaking to people and making them happy giving them prizes and being able to dance round a studio and get paid for it!
What has been your most memorable on-air promotion/competition so far?
The Fugitive! I love it. we’ve done it 2 years in a row now and this year announcers from our competitors station got asked ARE YOU THE SEA FM FUGITIVE ?! It’s viral marketing! Plus I grew up listening to it on 2dayfm in Sydney so to be part of it on air now is dreams coming true.
What’s been your most humorous moment working in radio?
Um there are a few actually – probably just the endless moments of me singing that Dan Hill (ex morning announcer) and now Alo Baker (mornings announcer) seem to catch me in while I’m in the studio – then playing them back on air! It’s the ultimate prank..ha
What’s the first thing you do when you arrive at work?
Check my emails – see whats trending on social – and see what songs I have in Old School – I get super excited about that!
What’s the last thing you do before you leave?
Turn my computer off!
Which celeb have you met that made a big impression on you?
Probably Sami Jade – shes such a breathe of fresh air. I’ve met her a few times and she knows exactly who I am ever time! Plus she’s super easy to talk to and great with boy advice.
Where does your surname Frizza come from? Or is it a showbiz name?
Haha I wish I could say it’s a show biz name! It’s Italian. My background is Italian
Any tips for aspiring announcers?
Just get in there – give up your time – put in the hard yards in community radio and country and it will pay off!
What would you say is the most challenging thing about being a female in this industry?
I hate how there are hardly any female anchors! If I am ever in a show I would not cope unless I am the anchor and controlling the desk! Maybe this is coz I’m a control freak but yeah one of the main reasons I got into this industry was to make it as a female announcer and be good at it.coz there aren’t many of us its such a male dominated industry.
So Married At First Sight, what was the thing that most shocked you about being on the show (apart from marrying a total stranger of course!)?
Haha um how much filming there was! Like filming from 6am til midnight every night for a month! The day of the wedding I was I up at 6am filming and we didn’t finish til about 4am…
Why do you think you and Michael from MAFS didn’t last the distance after such a strong start?
Its such an abnormal situation – you get to know someone really quickly and if its going to work or not. So for a couple that might be dating 6 months and not work out it’s the sped up process for the marriage. We really did have very different lifestyles. I hope he finds his true love!
So you’ve found love with a new Michael, how’s it going? How did you meet?
YES!!! Its going so amazing!!! I have never felt this way about anyone before he is just this gorgeous soul and we are so in tune. We met through friends they thought we had so much in common we couldn’t not work out – they were right!
How’s the reaction been in the radio industry/within the community since appearing on MAFS?
The reaction has been really supportive within the Gold Coast community and radio! Online and social media is a different story but…
What’s the best and worst reactions you’ve received?
Best reactions are random strangers just stopping me in the street to tell me they love me and are so glad I’m happy. Worst have been people hating on my personal social having a go at me about my opinions on the show and how open I was about everything…
What would you say to anyone that was considering applying for MAFS?
I would say DO IT!! It was one of the best experiences I have ever had! Learnt so much about myself and met some amazing people.
Favourite activity to do away from the mic?
Shopping/ tanning/beaching/boyfriending : )
Where were you born and raised?
I was born in Sydney! I grew up in the Northern Beaches it will always be my home
Apart from marrying a stranger on MAFS, what’s the most spontaneous thing you’ve ever done?
Ummmm applied for AFTRS when I was in a really well paid PR job in Sydney – I was at the peak of my career but it was time to do what I was destined to.
Favourite country you’ve traveled to?
The USA for sure
Tell us something on your bucket list?
COACHELLA!!!!
For me, this question never gets old, if you were on death row, what would you choose as your last meal on earth?
Oh gawd ummm this is going to sound really strange but I am such a simple eater – boiled eggs and broccoli with olive oil HA! I’m a weirdo.
What’s your favourite song at the moment?
Ellie Goulding – Still Falling For You
Most played song on your device?
DNCE CAKE BY THE OCEAN
Favourite film?
Sex and The City – any of the movies J
Favourite mantra?
Everything happens for a reason
If I didn’t work in radio I would….
Maybe be an air hostess, I did work in magazines when I first left high school – I LOVED THAT. Was very satisfying.
Where can people follow you?
Twitter: @bellafrizza
Insta: @bellawithlovefrizza
Facey: Bella Frizza – ON AIR
Our profiler, Kirsty Meyer, has worked in news and programs in Australia and internationally.
This is one in a series of profiles Kirsty is compiling for radioinfo.
@KirstyMeyer