Portia Gabor
TV3 broadcast journalist, Portia Gabor, has revealed that a feature she was once mocked for became the reason she landed her job at the media house.
In an Instagram post on February 5, Portia said her “big ears,” which were a source of ridicule during her childhood, turned out to be her breakthrough in the media industry.
“Growing up, I thought I looked perfect until someone pointed out that I had big ears. That’s when my insecurities began,” she shared, recalling years of teasing and nicknames that affected her confidence.
Portia explained that while doing her national service, her friends—Augustina, Leo and Jeff—encouraged her to apply for a TV3 advert seeking news anchors and journalists. Despite her fears that her appearance would attract mockery, she submitted her application at the last minute, with her hair in a ponytail and her ears clearly visible.
“I thought I would never be chosen,” she said.
To her surprise, the next day she received a call from Osei Boakye, then News Editor of TV3, who told her that her ears caught his attention because they looked like his daughter’s.
“He called me in, not because of my CV, but because of my ears,” Portia said.
What followed was an informal interview that eventually led to her selection.
“At that moment, my insecurity became my security,” she noted.
Portia used her story to encourage young people, especially women, to embrace themselves and not allow physical insecurities or past experiences to hold them back.
“In my case, my ears landed me a job before my CV and competence were even considered,” she said, stressing that people are worth more than their physical appearance.