Christine Devine, Emmy-winning FOX 11 anchor in Los Angeles, is rediscovering and embracing her Brazilian roots. Her personal journey connects Brazilian heritage, U.S. media, and the growing visibility of the Brazilian community in California.
Christine Devine attending Brazil’s 2024 Copa América match at SoFi Stadium
Christine Devine is one of the most recognizable and respected figures in Los Angeles journalism. As the longtime anchor of FOX 11’s 5 p.m. and 10 p.m. newscasts, she has built a career marked by credibility, community engagement, and excellence — earning 16 Emmy Awards, an honorary doctorate from Cal State LA, and induction into the Arizona State University Hall of Fame.
Beyond her professional accolades, Devine’s story resonates deeply with Brazilian immigrants in the United States: she is also the daughter of a Brazilian father and has recently embarked on a powerful journey to reconnect with her roots.
A Personal Connection to Brazil
Christine Devine’s bond with Brazil is not symbolic — it is deeply personal. Her father, Paulo Roberto Pio Lucas, was a professional Brazilian dancer from São João de Meriti, in the state of Rio de Janeiro.
“In the 1960s, my mother joined the U.S. Peace Corps and worked as a volunteer nurse in a Rio de Janeiro favela,” Christine recalls.
“That’s when she met my father. It’s a long story. My mom returned to the U.S., and I was born in Upstate New York. Their relationship ended before I was born, so I never met my father — until recently.”
Like many children of immigrants, Devine grew up separated from part of her cultural identity — a reality familiar to countless Brazilian-American families.
Art, Ancestry, and Cultural Rediscovery
Christine’s Brazilian lineage also includes an important figure in the arts. The late and celebrated Brazilian actress Léa Garcia, internationally known for the classic film Black Orpheus, was her aunt.
Her reconnection with Brazilian culture began nearly 20 years ago in Los Angeles, through the Long Beach Brazilian Street Carnaval, an annual celebration founded by American David De Hilster and his Brazilian wife, Doris.
“It was a turning point,” Christine says.
“They introduced me to samba, to carnival — this amazing side of my identity I hadn’t yet explored.”
From that moment on, Brazil became more than a distant heritage — it became a lived experience.
The former Brazilian actress, Léa Gracia, from the film “Black Orpheus”, was his aunt
Brazilian Pride in Los Angeles
Over the years, Christine Devine has become a familiar and welcomed presence at Brazilian cultural events across Los Angeles. She is often seen wearing Brazil’s iconic yellow jersey, enjoying feijoada and açaí, and supporting the Seleção Brasileira alongside the local Brazilian community.
She attended Brazil vs. Costa Rica at SoFi Stadium during the 2024 Copa América, proudly cheering for Brazil — a powerful symbol of cultural pride in one of the world’s most diverse cities.
First Trip to Brazil: A Life-Changing Reunion
It was only in January 2024 that Christine Devine traveled to Brazil for the first time — a trip that marked an emotional milestone in her life.
At the airport in Rio de Janeiro, she finally met her father.
“It was an incredibly emotional moment to see his face — finally,” she shares.
During her visit, she met extended family members, including her younger brother, Paulo Vinicius Cunha Lucas, a talented fashion designer. She was also honored at a theater in Rio de Janeiro during a tribute to her aunt, Léa Garcia.
Christine visited Copacabana and Ipanema, describing Brazil as a country full of warmth, rhythm, and unmatched energy — a description many Brazilian immigrants instantly recognize.
A Brazilian-American Voice in U.S. Media
Christine Devine’s influence extends far beyond television news. In 2012, she was named one of the “50 Women Changing LA” by Los Angeles Magazine and was later honored by the U.S. Congress as an “Angel in Adoption” for her advocacy for children in foster care.
Her awards include:
Governors Award – National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences (NATAS)
Lifetime Achievement Award – Radio & Television News Association (RTNA)
President’s Award for Impact on Media – Los Angeles Press Club
She has also appeared in numerous Hollywood productions, often portraying journalists, including Independence Day, Wag the Dog, The Cable Guy, Prison Break, Beverly Hills 90210, Melrose Place, and American Horror Story.
Christine Devine with her father and family in Rio de Janeiro
Honoring Heritage Across Borders
Though born in the United States, Christine Devine is now fully embracing her Brazilian roots and weaving them into her identity and public life. Her story mirrors that of many Brazilian-Americans who, even later in life, reconnect with their ancestry and reclaim a sense of belonging.
Her journey is a reminder that cultural identity transcends borders — and that it’s never too late to embrace where you come from.
FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is Christine Devine Brazilian?
She was born in the U.S., but her father is Brazilian, and she strongly embraces her Brazilian heritage.
2. Where is Christine Devine’s family from in Brazil?
Her father is from São João de Meriti, in Rio de Janeiro.
3. Has Christine Devine been to Brazil?
Yes. She made her first trip to Brazil in January 2024.
4. What Brazilian events does she attend in Los Angeles?
She frequently attends Brazilian cultural events and supported Brazil during the 2024 Copa América at SoFi Stadium.
5. Why does her story matter to Brazilian immigrants?
Her journey reflects the experience of many Brazilian-Americans reconnecting with their roots while living in the U.S.
