If you’ve tuned into Fox News in the past few years, chances are you’ve seen him: Bill Melugin, the reporter with movie-star looks, perfect hair, and nerves of steel, standing in the thick of chaos somewhere along the U.S.-Mexico border. But beyond the crisp suits and calm delivery is a story of resilience, grit, and a quiet devotion to family and truth.

A Star is Born—But Not in Hollywood

Bill Melugin’s journey to national prominence is anything but ordinary. Before he was Fox News’ go-to investigative reporter, he was a college student walking the runways of Milan. Yes, you read that right—a former model, Melugin’s early career saw him posing for cameras in the fashion capitals of Europe. But while the world of high fashion has its allure, Melugin’s heart was always set on something deeper.

Born in Orange County, California, Melugin graduated from Arizona State University’s Walter Cronkite School of Journalism in 2012. He cut his teeth on local news in El Paso and Charlotte, but it was at KTTV FOX 11 in Los Angeles where he truly made his mark. There, he broke the Gavin Newsom French Laundry scandal during the pandemic—a story that reverberated through California politics and earned him three Emmy Awards, two Golden Mikes, and three Edward R. Murrow Awards before the age of 40.

“He wasn’t even hired as an investigative reporter,” recalls KTTV anchor Elex Michaelson. “But he was digging through documents before and after shifts. No one else worked like that.”

On the Front Lines—Not Behind a Desk

Melugin joined Fox News in May 2021, and he didn’t ease into the role. He dove headfirst into some of the nation’s biggest stories: mass migrant crossings, wildfires, school shootings, and even presidential inaugurations. In 2022 alone, he logged an astounding 170 days at the U.S.-Mexico border, becoming a fixture in the network’s coverage of immigration.

“All we’re doing is putting a mirror up and showing what’s happening,” Melugin told reporters. That mirror has reflected everything from overwhelmed border agents to powerful migrant stories and relentless political scrutiny.

His reporting has covered:

The Del Rio bridge crisis
The tragic death of Guardsman Bishop Evans
The Uvalde school shooting in 2022
Trump’s 2025 inauguration
The 2025 California wildfires
The 2024 GOP Convention and Iowa caucuses

He’s anchored from Washington, D.C., but don’t expect him to stay behind a desk for long. Melugin thrives in the field, where the stakes are high and the stories are real.

The Story Behind the Stare

Viewers often comment on Melugin’s steady, unflappable presence on camera. But few know the ritual he performs before every live shot—a quiet moment, a few whispered words, not to a producer, but to his late father, Gary Melugin, who passed away from a pulmonary embolism at 55.

“I’m just asking him to watch over me. Hope I’m making you proud,” Melugin shares. The loss, he says, forced him to grow up fast. “I considered myself an immature little boy… it made me grow up very quickly.”

Now, Melugin lives in Brentwood, Los Angeles, but remains close to his mother, Audrey, in Orange County. She calls him a “mama’s boy” and has even adopted the two dogs and cat he helped rescue while covering the border.

Off-Camera and In Love—Quietly

So, is Bill Melugin single? The answer, for those swooning fans at home, is no. Since November 2018, Melugin has been in a relationship with Katy Johnson, a model and founder of One Model Mission, a global blog and documentary project spotlighting women’s stories in over 100 countries. The couple keeps their relationship low-key, but Melugin posted a heartfelt anniversary tribute to Johnson in 2019, praising her passion and strength.

No engagement yet, but the bond is unmistakable. For Melugin, privacy is precious—a rare commodity in his line of work.

The Fox Star Even Critics Respect

Fox News’ border coverage has sparked debate, but Melugin’s boots-on-the-ground approach has won him respect across the aisle. Even in Democratic-leaning towns like El Paso and Eagle Pass, locals have thanked him for his presence.

“We’ve had people say, ‘We don’t watch Fox, but thank you for being here,’” Melugin notes.

His deep sourcing has led to major scoops, including a 2022 leak where DHS Secretary Mayorkas admitted, “We’re losing” control of the border. “In a media era of armchair commentary,” one reporter observed, “Melugin is actually there.”

And when his reports run in prime time, Melugin says, “Who better to make sure it’s done right than me?”

Hard-Charging, Heart-Forward

Whether he’s chasing cartel stories, flying drones over the Rio Grande, or whispering to his dad before going live, Bill Melugin brings intensity and purpose to everything he does. His work ethic is legendary, but so is his humility. If his biggest complaint is about L.A. traffic, that says it all.

The Road Ahead

With a resume that reads like a highlight reel and a reputation for fairness, Melugin is still rising. He’s proof that you can be hard-hitting on air and grounded off it—a rare combination in today’s media landscape.

His story is far from over. The next chapter—whether it’s breaking another national story, winning more awards, or simply enjoying a quiet moment with family—promises to be just as compelling as the last.