JANE HARDY INTERVIEW

Presenter, Rebecca McKinney

EDITED BY

JANE HARDY

Rebecca McKinney discusses the Cool FM philosophy, influential women (and the Ulster Tatler Women of the Year awards she presented) and Beyonce’s new single with Jane Hardy.

You could say Rebecca McKinney works for the right radio station. The Cool FM presenter (35) easily holds her own on the Pete Snodden Breakfast Show with the eponymous Mr S and Paulo Ross. She and “the boys” were discussing the big musical story the morning we chatted. Beyonce’s new single, Break My Soul, the one that apparently might make you quit your job or at any rate dance, divided opinion. They liked it, naturally, but Ms McKinney said firmly “No, you’d dance afterwards”. The beat is rhythmic, with a soupcon of hip hop, and the great Beyonce is definitely heading into new musical territory.

Clearly, Rebecca McKinney isn’t about to leave her job of eight years, however much “New Foundation” is flashed across the song’s video. “I know I’m very lucky that my first radio appointment was on this breakfast show”. She was working as chief stylist in Victoria Square when the chance came along. “I had done events and the opportunity presented itself.” McKinney adds that Mr Snodden has been a terrific teacher in the art of natural presenting, his show’s trademark style. “He’s a great mentor. Nothing is scripted, we like to be ourselves and provide people with a lift and a bit of entertainment.” That’s clear as Rebecca morphs into Becks once in the studio, surrounded by pally banter and good sounds. Unsurprisingly, one of McKinney’s radio heroes is Zoe Ball.

Of course, we can’t see the radio team. Initially, stylish Rebecca McKinney dressed up to the nines when going on air. “I used to have the full hair and make-up done. But maybe it’s to do with ageing and getting more confidence, now I present without make-up, wearing gym gear or tracksuits, something casual and comfortable.”

But the glad rags still come out for events that Rebecca McKinney presents in one of her other professional roles. Recently, she hosted The Ulster Tatler’s Influential Women awards ceremony at The Ulster Reform Club. McKinney says that she relished the opportunity and found it an affecting experience. “Yes, it was a total honour to be asked to host it. I didn’t expect it to be as emotional as it was.” She adds that the stories of the women nominated for the awards were inspiring. “It was lovely to read all the testimonies and get the information on the women’s stories and journeys. I felt I knew them before meeting them. I suppose it’s because I love people, particularly women from here.”

Some of the biographies of the local heroes who qualify as truly influential women hit home. Two or three people stood out in particular, including one woman who’d dedicated her whole life to mental health. She was involved in educating children about abuse and what’s appropriate to protect them. And she does this although she isn’t well herself.” Another tale of courage involved bereavement, as Rebecca McKinney explains: “She lost her husband and had three teenage children. This woman has been trying to teach other bereaved parents how to help their children. Sadly, she had developed Covid and couldn’t attend the event in person.”

Then there is the amazing Bernadette Hagan. Rebecca McKinney enthuses audibly down the line. “It was great to meet and speak with her, have a natural conversation with this humble, modest young woman. She’s involved with a world-wide global brand as she has a big role with Kurt Geiger. She’s supported Northern Ireland women’s football in Europe while going through cancer and losing a leg. She is just so positive.”

Who, apart from the Ulster Tatler award winners, does Rebecca McKinney find inspiring? “In my own life, my mum Valerie McKinney is an amazing lady. She’s in education, like my father, and has taught P1, the little ones who are the hardest age to teach, for nearly forty years. She brings these little minds on but has never wanted to be in the spotlight. But I meet people all the time who were taught by her in Penrhyn.”

INTERVIEW

Radio has become a multifarious medium, with numerous ways of accessing music. McKinney agrees that this presents a challenge. “But we have a point of difference, there are people between the songs. It’s so important to bring personality to the show and listeners feel they know Pete, Paulo and myself. They talk to us as if they’re our friend. We don’t absolutely always get it right, we’re human, but the vast majority of the time it works.” The Cool FM trio did a charity challenge recently and their off-air friendship survived the rigours of the paddle board journey. “We paddle boarded from Scotland to Northern Ireland which is over 22 kilometres. We raised £20,000 for Cash for Kids NI. Hundreds of people came out to welcome us back at Bangor Marina.” Rebecca McKinney’s achievement was impressive as it was only the fourth time she’d been on a paddle board.

Downtime wasn’t always easy when Rebecca McKinney first made her career change. “I am definitely getting better at switching off though. It was difficult in the beginning as I felt you always had to be on the go to be successful.” She adds that she has got the balance between work and time off about right. “The balance is better. I’m not on the phone all the time, which is too much of a distraction, I want to be present.” McKinney lives in East Belfast, always has, and loves the area. “Over here you can be outside in nature, with trees, yet near the city. And over lockdown, I got jogging outside.” McKinney also enjoys going to the gym and found lockdown good for catching up with friends.

She still works as a stylist and has a full list of private clients. When presenting the Influential Woman awards, McKinney reveals that she wore a pink Mango trouser suit – “spotted”. Her wardrobe contains a mix of styles, including quality shoes and bags she has invested in. “Yes, I have a pair of Louboutins and although they cut the feet off you, they’re incredible. I am mainly a high street shopper, though, and like Zara and Asos clothes. But there are certain boutiques I like too, for example Ros Oir in Dungiven and Honey on the Lisburn Road.” While keen to keep her personal life personal, McKinney says that she has a significant other and is “very happy”.

The day we talked, Rebecca McKinney was packing for a long awaited trip to Ibiza. Would she be going to any big discos or raves, I wondered. “Not really, I’m not a party animal. I am going with two friends, we’re staying in a pink hotel, and I can’t bloody wait!