Robin Roberts Talks Her New Book, 'Everybody's Got Something', Her New Outlook & Girlfriend Amber with George Stephanopoulos at 92Y [PHOTOS]
In a rare nighttime appearance Thursday night, Good Morning America hosts Robin Roberts and George Stephanopoulos shared the stage to discuss her story, in front of a large audience at 92Y in New York City.
The Enstars Exclusive team was on the scene for the inspiring, hour-long conversation.
Good Morning America hosts wake up at 3:45 a.m. to get ready for their live shows, every single day. By 6:45 a.m., while most Americans are fighting with their snooze buttons, the hosts and team are already at their desks, preparing to tell the nation just what they need to know. So, it is extremely rare for them to make appearances after the sun comes down, which is why so many showed up at the latest 92Y Talks event to see them, outside of the television studio.
For the past several years, Roberts and her daytime colleagues have weathered everything together; From Hurricane Sandy, to the Boston bombing, and countless international stories in between. But, for Roberts, the most important story they all would face together, was her own.
In her new book, Everybody's Got Something, the former ESPN reporter opens up about her fight with breast cancer, a rare blood disease called MDS, her relationship with girlfriend Amber Laign, and how it was to lose her mother days before she had to take on her life-threatening disease.
In what seemed to be the greatest and worst day of her life, Roberts found out she had MDS on the same day that ABC's morning show made it to number one. She recalled going to a doctor's appointment on April 19 just before a fun evening with the ABC staff, but decided to keep her heartbreaking news to herself.
"I just wanted to be in the moment because life is a journey...these moments are all we have," she told the audience.
When she finally revealed the news, she said she felt like a "vacuum", that sucked all of the fun out of everyone who heard. But, through support, prayers, and daily visits from family and friends, she made it through.
She credits her primary role of support to her recently revealed girlfriend Amber Laign, and even though they disagreed to the point where they "almost got thrown out of the hospital," she knows that she would not be here without her.
Laign, who likes to be behind the scenes, has her own portion in the book which gives insight to those who have to take on the daunting task of taking care of their loved one.
"A lot of people come up to her, thanking her at the book signings we do," Roberts said.
She continued, "There are many relationships that do not make it... But, what she really imparts to caregivers in the book is how to take care of themselves."
While Amber took care of her, her friends also did their best to support her on the other end. Holding back tears, Robin told the audience about an email Stephanopoulos sent her, when mentioning what inspires her to keep going amidst her numerous obstacles.
"I really draw great strength from the stories and the words of others... There is something so precious about our time," she said.
If nothing else, Robin's humility and spirit are what sets her apart from the sea of daytime hosts and correspondents on TV. It was evident that even after all of her struggles, she is just a warm lady from the south with a big heart and a whole lot of spunk.
Though she did admit to having times of sadness and despair, her overwhelming faith and positive attitude became contagious throughout her hour on stage. At one point, the audience nodded when Roberts said, "Optimism is a muscle that gets stronger with use."
Millions of Americans have woken up to Roberts' warm spirit for a decade now and audiences were saddened without her at the desk. Now that she is back, she is grateful for each day and better than she has ever felt before. Though she has yet to make her long-life dream of becoming a pilot come to life, it was obvious that the 53-year-old reporter is in a good place.
Just as the conversation came to a close, an audience member asked her in a very Oprah-esque manner, "What is the one thing you know?"
She replied, "I know that I am stronger than I thought I was."
And as we watch her get a healthier each day, it becomes more apparent that her strength and that smile make her an everyday superhero -- all that she is missing is a long red cape.
To hear more about Robin Roberts' inspiring story, purchase her book here. To learn more about the 92Y Talks series, visit their website.
