New mom TV anchor appears to doze off during broadcast — and viewers rush to her defense
It was a wake-up call she never saw coming.
Dominique Dillon, a FOX13 Memphis anchor who recently took over the station’s weekend broadcasts, appeared to briefly fall asleep on-air during a live newscast — sparking thousands of social media comments — many from viewers urging critics to cut the new mom some slack.
Footage that went viral on social media, which was first flagged by the industry blog FTVLive, appears to show Dillon with her eyes closed and her head resting in her hands as the camera lingered on her during a broadcast.
An Instagram post from Thursday that included the clip joked that she had been “caught SLEEP ON CAMERA” — prompting thousands of likes and hundreds of comments.
Rather than piling on, many viewers defended Dillon, saying she recently welcomed a new baby and has been juggling the demands of early-morning television with caring for two young children.
“She has two small children. Show her some grace!” one commenter wrote. Another added: “That new mom tired hits WAY different!!”
Others directed their criticism at the production crew instead of the anchor, arguing someone should have warned Dillon before the camera returned to her.
“The producer and directors wrong for taking the boxes knowing she wasnt ready,” one viewer wrote, while another said, “They should have never taken that shot! Number one rule as a producer! Protect the talent!”
The clip also prompted reactions from television journalists, several of whom said dozing off during grueling morning-show schedules isn’t unheard of.
“As a news anchor, I’ve fallen asleep before during commercial breaks too… But I don’t think it ever made the air,” one broadcaster commented.
Another wrote: “Those morning shifts are so challenging.”
Dillon was promoted earlier this month to anchor FOX13 Memphis’ Saturday and Sunday newscasts while continuing to report for “Good Morning Memphis” during the week.
She joined the station in 2019 after previously reporting for KTAL in Texarkana.
It was not immediately clear whether Dillon was actually asleep or simply resting her eyes during the brief on-air moment.
