‘Big day, big hair!’ Behind the scenes with Fox News anchor Martha MacCallum as she reveals the secrets of her election night preparation
Fox News host Martha MacCallum has been reporting on elections for decades. She is well aware that Tuesday is likely to be a very long night.
“Tomorrow I will be working from morning to evening,” she told DailyMail.com exclusively, as MacCallum, 60, revealed how she prepared for 12 hours of straight election coverage.
“The best way to concentrate, lots of water, no sugar, a workout in the morning,” she revealed.
MacCallum has been with the Fox News channel for 20 years and is currently editor-in-chief and host of The story with Martha MacCallum, which airs every weekday at 3:00 PM eastern time.
The experienced journalist will take on a slightly different role on Tuesday as co-anchor of FOX News Channel’s Democracy 2024 election coverage.
Preparation for the marathon coverage at the network’s headquarters in New York City began long before she sat down next to co-host Bret Baier.
The previous weekend was a “work weekend” for MacCallum, consumed with editorial meetings and rehearsals in the new and specially designed Fox News Election studio.
Fox News host Martha MacCallum has been reporting on elections for decades. She is well aware that Tuesday is likely to be a very long night.
‘Big day calls for big hair. Daniela and Michelle, who took this photo, are my amazing hair and makeup team, and how lucky I am to have them!’ MacCallum captioned this photo.
On Saturday, MacCallum and her co-hosts unleashed the new set and learned how all the new election technology worked.
She then hosted a special edition of “The Story” on Sunday and a meeting with Baier on Sunday to talk strategy.
In between work, MacCallum managed to schedule a paddleball session with friends, saying exercise is one of the keys to de-stressing and staying focused.
“Glad we squeezed in some paddles on this beautiful fall evening. Love being outside. Great election de-stresser,” said MacCallum
The weekend before was a ‘work weekend’ for MacCallum, full of editorial meetings and rehearsals in Fox News Election’s new and specially designed studio (above).
She believes that nutrition and rest are crucial for the actual night. Her ‘go-to coffee order’ is black with collagen creamer (‘for an extra boost of protein’).
When she’s rushing between appointments, she generally drinks electrolyte drinks and opts for protein bars or yogurt with granola.
In contrast to her professionally polished on-air appearance, MacCallum likes to keep it casual off-air, with corduroys, a vintage J. Crew vest and Loro Piana shoes.
But when it’s time to go, she has a whole team to help her get ready.
“Big days call for big hair,” MacCallum joked.
“Boy, am I lucky to have them,” she said of her glam squad.