Erika Karen Winter was named Rose Queen of the Tournament of Roses. The annual New Year’s Day parade has been broadcast by Los Angeles CW affiliate KTLA since 1948.
This normally wouldn’t be TVSpy news, but Winter’s mom Kristine (Winter) Knutsen is the KTLA assistant news director.
“The station chose not to disclose the connection until after the Rose Queen was announced as to not influence the 11-person selection committee,” KTLA wrote on its website. “Also, before being named to the seven-member court, Winter remained anonymous, only known to the selection committee by her contestant number.
“I’ve gone to the parade every year since I was little girl, and I’ve just always dreamed of doing this and I here I am now,” said the new Rose Queen. “I can’t get over it. This is incredible.”