If you’ve ever watched Fox & Friends First and wondered why Carley Shimkus seems to tower over nearly everyone else on the set, you aren't alone. It’s one of those things that just jumps out at you. You see her standing next to co-hosts or guests, and the height difference is honestly pretty hard to miss. People search for how tall is carley shimkus constantly because, in the world of TV news where everyone is carefully framed, her physical presence is genuinely striking.
Basically, the answer is 5 feet 10 inches.
That’s a solid 5'10" without the help of the four-inch stilettos she often wears for the early morning broadcasts. When you add the shoes, she’s pushing 6'2", which explains why she looks like a literal giant compared to the average person. It’s not just camera tricks or a small set. She is genuinely tall.
The Reality of 5'10" in a TV Studio
In an industry where the average height for women is significantly lower, standing nearly six feet tall creates a unique dynamic. Carley has actually talked about this before. She once mentioned in a Fox News Insider post that she’s 5'10" and admitted that "heels, of course, elevate me a few more inches." For context, the average American woman is about 5'4". Carley beats that by a half-foot.
That height didn't just happen; it’s something she’s leaned into since she was a teenager. Growing up in Long Valley, New Jersey, she was already tall enough in high school to think, "Hey, maybe I should try modeling." And she did. Before the world of teleprompters and breaking news, she was doing professional modeling gigs. She even famously modeled for a Party City Halloween costume—a fun fact her family still teases her about.
It makes sense, right? If you’ve got that kind of height and the look to match, high-fashion or commercial modeling is the natural first step. But Carley eventually realized that while modeling was a cool side hustle, her real passion was in the newsroom.
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From Modeling to the News Desk
Transitioning from a 5'10" model to a serious journalist wasn't an overnight thing. She didn't just walk onto the Fox & Friends set. After graduating from Quinnipiac University with a degree in broadcast journalism, she started at the very bottom. We're talking "Green Room Greeter" bottom.
Imagine being nearly six feet tall and your job is to hand out water and guide guests to their seats. She’s described that time as a "foot in the door" moment. She eventually landed a spot working for the late Don Imus on his show, Imus in the Morning. Imus was actually one of the first people to give her a shot on-air. He saw that her height gave her a certain authority and presence that translated well to the screen.
Today, she co-hosts Fox & Friends First alongside Todd Piro. If you watch them together, you’ll notice they are much closer in height than most anchor pairings. Todd is a tall guy himself, which helps balance out the frame so the producers don't have to use "apple boxes" (those wooden crates short actors stand on) just to get everyone in the same shot.
Why Viewers Are So Obsessed With Her Height
There is something about TV that makes us want to know the "real" stats of the people we see every day. Maybe it’s because we only see them from the waist up most of the time. When Carley stands up to do a segment on social media trends or consumer news, the scale of the room changes.
- Screen Presence: Height is often associated with confidence.
- The "Heel" Factor: On-air personalities almost always wear heels, which can make a tall woman look intimidatingly high.
- Relatability: Tall women often look to her for style inspiration, seeing how she carries herself in professional attire while being 5'10".
Style, Health, and Staying in TV Shape
Maintaining that kind of presence while waking up at 1:30 AM every single day is no small feat. Carley has been open about the grueling schedule. When you’re the face of a morning show that starts while most people are still in deep REM sleep, your health has to be a priority.
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She’s a big proponent of a balanced diet, though she admits to being a total "foodie." Interestingly, she recently worked on the Cooking with Friends cookbook, sharing recipes from her bicultural background—her mom is Puerto Rican and her dad is of Polish-Lithuanian descent. She’s mentioned that she really got into cooking during the 2020 lockdowns when NYC restaurants were closed.
For her, staying "camera-ready" at 5'10" isn't about extreme dieting. It’s more about consistency. Being a new mom (she has a son named Shalom) has also changed her routine. She’s balancing the 1:30 AM wake-up calls with the realities of a toddler, which she’s admitted is a "work-in-progress" when it comes to sleep and energy levels.
Comparing the "Tall" Anchors
Carley isn't the only tall woman in news, but she’s certainly in the top tier. For comparison:
- Martha MacCallum: Roughly 5'4"
- Ainsley Earhardt: Around 5'8"
- Carley Shimkus: 5'10"
When she stands next to someone like Ainsley, she still has a clear two-inch lead. It’s a major reason why she often handles the "plaza" segments or segments where she’s walking around the studio—her long stride and height make her very easy to track on camera.
Making the Most of a Tall Stature
If you’re tall like Carley, or just curious about how she manages that "statuesque" look without looking awkward on camera, there are a few takeaways. She often chooses outfits with clean lines that don't "break" her height too much. You’ll see a lot of solid-colored dresses that emphasize her length rather than trying to hide it.
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Also, posture is everything. Carley stands incredibly straight. When you’re 5'10", it’s easy to slouch to try and "fit in" with shorter people, but she does the opposite. She owns the space.
Whether she’s reporting on the latest TikTok trend or filling in on the main Fox & Friends desk, her height is just a part of the package. It’s the first thing many people notice, but it’s her journalism and early-morning energy that keep them watching.
If you’re looking to emulate that kind of professional presence, start with the "Carley approach":
- Invest in tailoring. When you’re tall, off-the-rack clothes rarely fit perfectly.
- Own your height. Don’t apologize for being the tallest person in the room; use it to command attention.
- Prioritize the early hours. Success in media—or any field—often comes down to being the first one in the building, regardless of how many hours of sleep you actually got.
Next time you see her on screen, you won't have to guess. She’s exactly as tall as she looks—a full 5'10" of Jersey-born news talent.
Actionable Insight: If you're building a professional brand, consider how your physical presence—whether you're tall, short, or somewhere in between—affects your "command" of a room. Carley uses her height as an asset for authority. You can do the same by focusing on posture and wardrobe choices that complement your natural frame rather than working against it.