EXCLUSIVE

EMOTIONAL Farewell as Lester Holt Passes the Torch to Tom Llamas, Marking a New Era for NBC Nightly News

Tom Llamas has made history as first Latino anchor of NBC Nightly News, taking over from Lester Holt.

Lester Holt has offered Tom Llamas some friendly advice.(Image: Getty)
A new chapter in American television journalism began Monday night as Tom Llamas stepped into the anchor chair at NBC Nightly News, becoming the first Latino journalist to lead a weekday evening broadcast on a major English-language network.

The baton was passed from Lester Holt, who closed out a decade-long run with a heartfelt sendoff before shifting full-time to Dateline NBC.

Llamas, 45, is no stranger to NBC’s halls. He first entered Rockefeller Center in 2000 as an intern. Two decades later, he now helms the very show that inspired his career. “It’s surreal,” he said in an interview ahead of the broadcast. “I never imagined when I was fetching scripts that I’d one day sit at this desk.”

The transition comes with Holt’s blessing. “Your life is going to change,” Holt told Llamas. “There will be more demands than you’ve ever experienced. You have to protect your time and prioritize what truly matters.” Llamas added, “That advice has already proven true.”

Tom Llamas has officially stepped into the NBC role.

The son of Cuban immigrants, Llamas grew up in Miami watching the news with his family in both English and Spanish.

“News was everything in our house,” he said. “It was our connection to Cuba and our way of understanding America.”

He credits that upbringing with shaping his perspective. “I don’t think I got this job because I’m Hispanic,” he said.

“I got it because I’m the best person for it. But I’m proud that my story reflects the American dream, a dream that’s still possible.”

Llamas won’t be leaving Top Story, his Emmy-nominated streaming program for NBC News Now. In fact, it was his idea to continue both shows.

“We’ve built something powerful with Top Story,” he said. “To stand shoulder-to-shoulder with legacy broadcasts proves that streaming journalism has arrived.”

Despite the pressure of his new role, Llamas keeps grounded thanks to his wife, Jennifer, and their three children, ages 12, 9, and 7.

The family lives in Westchester County, N.Y., where Llamas has converted a room into a vinyl listening lounge.

“That’s my sanctuary,” he said, “where I prep for big nights or just let the needle drop on some Art Blakey.”

His passion for records runs deep. “I’ve got everything from Wilson Pickett to a five-album Springsteen set. Right now, I’m spinning a lot of hard bop,” he said. “And Elvis’ ‘From Elvis in Memphis’ is a masterpiece.”