-
Charese Fruge’ (@MCMediaonline) Talks To Amanda “ICE” Habrowski
July 5, 2022
Have an opinion? Add your comment below. -
Amanda “ICE” Habrowski is the new the APD for iHeart’s Las Vegas cluster and the new Midday Host on KYMT 93.1 The Mountain there. Her side hustles include voice over work with Mattel and Hot Wheels in addition to endorsing multiple clients on air and online. “I may pick up a swing shift at Hooters too here and there to help keep food on the table!” she says.
A little history on Amanda, she’s originally from Detroit and none other than Public Enemy’s Flavor Flav coined her infamous “ICE” moniker during a stint on VH1’s “Flavor of Love 3,” where Amanda didn't find the love she was looking for. But everything turned out fine, because it left her with a lifelong nickname and another VH1 appearance on “I Love Money 2.” A big fan of house and techno, Amanda holds true to her Detroit roots with a passion for dance music.
“I’ve spent the past eight years at Alpha Media’s “Live 95.5” KBFF” rising from evening host to middays, while adding MD, APD, and eventually Content Director positions to my resume up until last May,” explains Amanda. “Prior to Portland, I hosted afternoons at “Hot 107.9” WJFX in Fort Wayne, IN from 2011 to 2014 and worked in my native Detroit at WDRQ and WKQI.”
Amanda’s passion for the radio business started early in life. “I remember being in high school and being told my voice was so unique. I did our high school announcements and ended up meeting with a recruiter from Specs Howard School of Broadcast Arts in Michigan after graduating and decided to give it a try!” she says. “Little did I know they would help me land an internship with ‘Jay and Rachel in the Morning’ on WDRQ and everything else just kind of fell into place for me. I truly enjoy making people smile and laugh and forget about the day-to-day world we live in. If you’re happy, I’m happy! And that’s the energy that keeps me going.”
“Honestly, these past 18 years in the industry have been some of the best years of my life,” says Amanda. “From all the friends and fans, I’ve met and still keep in touch with to this day, to being on national television, to being chosen as the MIW Mentee in 2019, to winning an award for APD/PD of the Year in 2020 at All Access’ WWRS, to being promoted to Content Director for “Live 95.5” KBFF with Alpha Media. These are all memories and moments I will NEVER forget.”
Amanda’s career path has not come without its challenges. “Self-confidence and the challenges of being a woman in this industry are real issues,” she says. “I feel the mentors I have had in my life throughout this crazy radio journey have helped build my confidence and reminded me that I CAN do this. You can do anything you put your mind to and the older I get, the more I realize you need to stand up for yourself and your worth and never be afraid to ask for what you want. Following my heart and intuition and asking questions when I didn’t know the answer helped me handle some of the hardest challenges I’ve had to face.”
Amanda’s got her own advice for women who want to get into the industry. “Two words. Work. Hard,” she says. “And be kind. Be willing to help others and be willing to say ‘yes’ to things most people would say ‘no’ to. Reach out to peers and ask their advice on how they’ve handled situations you’re currently going through. Be a team player. Bring positive energy to the table and that momentum will only continue to take you further. Also - take the job and make it the job you want. Something Phil Becker instilled in me, and I live by to this day. Miss you, Phil!”
It's always a culture shock to move to Las Vegas for a new job, and so far, Amanda already has great stories. “One of the first weekends I spent at the pool in my apartment complex here in Las Vegas, I met some interesting people. They invited me to this Sin City Singles Facebook group. Let’s just say they are into some kinky stuff that I’ve never even heard of and don’t want to know about…Yikes!” She explains. “But I had my first remote at a dealership the other day and met the coolest fan ever, Brenda. She had jokes for days, an inflatable mic and a megaphone. Told her “I need one of those!” Haven’t even been here three weeks, and she shows up to the office with my very own megaphone and a sweet card saying she’ll be listening to me on 93.1 The Mountain. Now that’s how you know you’re making a good first impression!”
A few things about Amanda you might be surprised to find out about, “First, I am, madly in love with cheese—Cheddar, Swiss, Gouda; I do not discriminate against any variety and can be wooed with a couple slices to do just about anything,” she says. “Also, I have mad general anxiety disorder and tend to get nervous talking in front of a big crowd which sometimes turn into panic attacks. Crazy, right?! As outgoing and personable as I am, I still have those moments, but have recently started taking Venlafaxine to help control it. I’ve been on it since October of 2021 and I have to say it has really helped me to slow down, breathe and become more confident when in front of a crowd. Never be afraid to try something that can help you enjoy life to the fullest.”
What keeps Amanda up at night? “The fact that I just want to keep eating cheese out of the fridge,” she says. “That and my brain overthinking EVERYTHING. Sometimes I wish I had an on/off button cause I can never turn it off.” But she does manage to find balance in her spare time. “I love to dance. House and techno are my jam. Get me on that dance floor and I won’t stop till they kick me out. I also enjoy walking outside to get in some cardio and eating cheese with my cat, Smoke Man!”
“I’m not binging anything at the moment,” Amanda adds, “But ya girl can’t get enough of her Forensic Files and ID Channel shows. Snapped, Fear Thy Neighbor, Evil Lives Here, Web of Lies, etc. No matter what, it always ends up on the TV. That and Lifetime movies. Throw in Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune too. I’m just an old lady in a 36-year-old body. Side note, I eventually want to go back to school for Forensics. There’s just something about proving the guilty GUILTY if you know what I’m saying. Maybe in my next life.”
In the meantime, Amanda will be focusing on her new job and life in Las Vegas and working to expand her brand. “I’m most passionate about diving deeper into the voice over world,” she says. “Be on the lookout for more Hot Wheels episodes on YouTube where I play the role of Demo Derby! I also feel I’m super close to getting back on reality television again. Whether it’s Let’s Make a Deal, Wheel of Fortune, Survivor, Big Brother, The Circle, Naked and Afraid (just kidding, I wouldn’t go on that) just getting my brand out there and exposed to as many people as possible! The world needs more ICE!”
Follow Amanda “ICE” Habrowski @dudeitsice on Insta, Twitter, FB and Tik Tok!
-
-