I got so much great feedback on last week’s feature on the “Chet Buchanan Show” on 98.5 KLUC, Las Vegas (BMM 3/21) that I couldn’t help but feel like a follow-up would be of interest to not only the industry crowd but also the general public. After all, the show was voted one of the Top 20 CHR Shows on The Barrett Media list for 2024, an honor voted on by industry peers.
Buchanan mentioned one of the hosts on the show, Mikalah Gordon. She’s been there for about a year now, but she is very well-known as one of the youngest finalists on American Idol. The Las Vegas native was 16 when she competed on Idol, the year Carrie Underwood won. That’s how she and Buchanan met. He would host viewing parties at her high school all the time.
Just to quickly recap, Gordon moved to Hollywood after graduation to pursue acting and entertainment, where she met her Super-Star fiancé, DJ Lisa Pittman. After Gordon fell victim to cutbacks as a host on a national morning show on Channel Q, the couple moved back to Las Vegas, where she and Buchanan rekindled their friendship.
In addition to Gordon’s responsibilities for the KLUC morning show, she also headlines two Las Vegas residencies at the Wynn and Fontainebleau. At the same time, Lisa is a fixture at every major club in Las Vegas.
Before moving back to Vegas, Gordon also became the Host for “American Idol Extra” and “The Tyra Banks Show” and eventually became a recurring character on shows like comedy legend Fran Drescher’s “Living With Fran” and “The Unit.”
“Embracing comedy, I launched my stand-up career in 2012 and performed in a play Off-Broadway with my impersonation of Melania Trump,” says Gordon. “My viral series ‘Inside Melania’ garnered 1.6 million TikTok followers and even led to a feature on Jimmy Kimmel.”
Like Buchanan, Gordon has many side hustles. Two she is immensely proud of are So “Funny It Hurts” and “Vivian.” “I interview fellow comics on a podcast and delve into the trauma that fuels their humor,” she explains. “As a stand-up comic, I’ve discovered that authenticity and vulnerability are what truly make comedy resonate. This podcast has become not only a fantastic outlet but also a platform for discussing challenging topics in a relatable way.”
Gordon has also recorded an album. “It’s the first project that I wrote and recorded on my own,” says Gordon. “It encapsulates the experiences and emotions that have shaped me into who I am.”
“I’m currently performing tracks from the album at my shows, and I have an exciting concert planned for the end of April. It’s a thrilling time, and I can’t wait to share this journey with my audience!”
As for how Gordon transitioned into radio as a singer and stand-up comedian, it’s kind of a wild ride. “In 2018, while I was in LA hosting “American Idol Extra,” something unexpected happened. I was driving down Santa Monica Blvd, heading to the studio, when a man suddenly darted out in front of me.”
“Before I could panic or yell, he called out, ‘Hey Mik! Don’t run me over!’ It turned out to be my friend Jai Rodriguez from the original “Queer Eye for the Straight Guy.” We both laughed—probably a bit nervously, grateful I didn’t hit him—and exchanged a quick hello and an I love you before I continued on my way, thinking nothing of it.”
“About two hours later, I got a text from Jai that read, ‘Hey girl. I just got an offer to host a national LGBTQ morning radio show, and I want you as my co-host.’ At the time, I had zero experience in radio and fully intended to say ‘No!’ In fact, I did initially say no.”
“But then I remembered a line from a book I was reading, How to Win Friends and Influence People, which emphasized the importance of saying ‘YES!’ It felt like a sign, and I figured I owed Jai one for nearly running him over, so I agreed to meet with him the next morning.”
“On October 11, 2018, “The Morning Beat with Jai and Mikalah” went live from The Abbey (In West Hollywood), and that’s how Channel Q was born. I had the incredible opportunity to work for Jeff Federman and my beloved Program Director, Brian Holt, for four amazing years. Looking back, I can honestly say it was one of the best times of my life, filled with laughter, growth, and unforgettable memories that I will always cherish.”
“As for my current role on KLUC as co-host of the legendary “Chet Buchanan Show,” it’s pretty surreal for me. Growing up in Vegas, I listened to KLUC religiously. When I left at 16 to compete on American Idol, both Chet and KLUC covered my entire journey.”
“I’m grateful for my time in LA, but it’s true what they say: ‘There’s no place like home.’ I have a deep appreciation for Las Vegas and the people in it—my friends, my family, my tribe. Every morning, my eight-year-old niece tunes in to listen to me before she heads to school. Those morning moments fill my heart, so I do my best to pour my whole heart back into the show.”
Follow Mikalah Gordon on Instagram @mikalahgordon and TikTok @mikalahgordon88.
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Charese Fruge’ is an award-winning Content, Broadcast, and Marketing executive with over 20 years of experience in markets like Los Angeles, San Francisco, Houston, San Diego, and Las Vegas. As the owner of MC Media, she works with radio brands and individual talent, especially young women, helping them grow their brands and negotiate on their own behalf. She is also a Voice Actor and Voice Over Talent as well as a Freelance Writer for International Broadcast Outlets. Find her at @MCMediaOnline or www.mcmediaonline.com.
