BY AMANDA SAUDER

HE'S MORE THAN AN UGLY DUCKLING turned beautiful swan. She's hip, fun, and famous. She's Lena Nozizwe--a woman who, despite setbacks, followed her dreams.

Lena's star-studded life has been a series of against-the-odds miracles. Indeed, her life began as a miracle. Born at the Seventh-day Adventist Malamulo Mission in Malawi, Africa, Lena entered the world with her umbilical cord wrapped twice around her neck and-amazingly-survived.

Another miracle came when Lena was just a baby. Lena's mother, Alice Princess Msumba Siwundhla, had been born an African princess. After her parents' tragic deaths, however, she was robbed of her inheritance. Despite her sorrowful situation, Lena's mother enrolled in college and became the top student in the entire nation. This was an especially amazing feat, considering that in her time and culture women were discouraged from going to school. She later went on to receive her doctorate.

Alice Princess's story caught the attention of Adventist missionary Josephine Cunnington Edwards, who tipped off This Is Your Life producer and host Ralph Edwards. Finally Lena's mother was invited to the United States to appear on Edwards's show to tell her amazing story. Baby Lena made her television debut, and the Siwundhla family settled in San Diego, California.

Books, Books, Books
Lena was known in her early days as a bookworm, and kids often teased her. They dubbed her "the ugly kid." Some of her older brothers' friends use to call her "Miss America 19-9-Never," and "friends" of her mother used to offer their sympathy that Lena's two older brothers, Ralph and Lowell, had inherited all the family looks. "It even happened in church," Lena says. "The person in charge of handing out the Sabbath school programs did not want me to do so because I was not attractive enough, in her estimation."

The name-calling was tough for Lena, whose dream was to work in television. Overcoming that was "quite a challenge for me," according to Lena.

So how did this so-called ugly duckling transform into the graceful, beautiful woman who would one day be named by the Washington Post as one of Washington, D.C.'s most stylish women; the woman who is now stopped on the street by Vanity Fair and Newsweek and asked for permission to take her picture?

"Books made all the difference," says Lena. "I devoured them as a child. I found a lot of faith and inspiration in books-adventure, biographies, motivational-that showed me models of the life I could live. I would read as many as 10 books a week. And the Bible, of course."

Lena's mother, herself an author of two books, remembers Lena's addiction to reading. "The only complaint from her teachers was that she read too much," she says. She also remembers how determined Lena was to write. "Once she fell and broke her right arm. She was so determined that she learned how to write with her left hand."

Lena's reading inspired her to write, and at the age of 17, appropriately enough, she had her first article published in Seventeen magazine.

On Air
"If I had listened to the word on the street, I never would have followed my dreams," says Lena. "I cannot tell you how many people told me that I would never get into television."

But she did.

After graduating from San Diego State University with a bachelor's degree in journalism and an emphasis in broadcasting, Lena began her career at San Diego's CBS affiliate, KFMB-TV. She also appeared on ESPN, SKY TV (similar to CNN), and BET.

Then the big names started calling.

ABC's Good Morning America and Fox's America's Most Wanted both called Lena to interview. "I really wanted the Good Morning America gig," she admits, "but my prayer was 'Thy will be done.' I did not get my top choice, but to this day I believe there is a reason for this."

Lena landed on America's Most Wanted as the show's on-air correspondent and substitute host. Her work with the show brought a rich variety of interviews, "from princesses to prostitutes, prime ministers to pushers, presidents to prisoners." Major news stories have taken her to many exclusive locations, including the site of the Oklahoma City bombing; the bedroom of spree killer Andrew Cunanan while he was still on the run; the Milan memorial service of one of Cunanan's victims, designer Gianni Versace; and the jailhouse of death row CEO Suge Knight while covering the murders of rappers Tupac Shakur and the Notorious B.I.G.

"So how far could a curious, tall, dark-skinned woman go?" Lena questioned. "My conclusion after investigating the matter: just as far as she wanted."

Lena has traveled "from South Beach to South Central, Dublin to Brooklyn, Paris to Palm Springs" pursuing stories. "I'd be happy to give you a list of my favorite discount malls," she says, winking.

Lena's on-screen work has won her many awards, including a Golden Mike, a local Emmy award, the New York Film Festival Silver Award, and a nomination for a national Emmy. Other national Emmy nominees in her category were Ted Koppel, Andy Rooney, and Peter Jennings.

Despite all of the big-time awards she has received, the one she is most proud of she received just this past summer. "I lecture at my alma mater, San Diego State University, on journalism," says Lena. "In spite of the fact that one of my students was coping with a dying mother, he got the highest GPA in the Department of Communication. He named me as his most influential professor; in his nominating letter he said that I was enthusiastic in class and cried with him over his grief." The student's mother died before his graduation.

Sadly, in 2000 Lena also experienced the death of two coworkers-one especially dear to her-because of alcohol abuse. "I had tried to speak to both of them," says Lena. "You could see something bad was going to happen if they did not change."

Although working in a secular environment has its challenges, Lena's experience has in many ways solidified her faith. "After interviewing literally thousands of stars from the worlds of movies, TV, sports, the arts, and so on, it's even clearer to me that 'you can't touch this.' Not living in an insulated environment has made it easier to recognize what I have. Also, working in the world has allowed me to spread the word on many issues I feel are important."

But Lena is challenged by the judgmental viewpoints of some in the church. She says, "I can't tell you how many times I hear this: 'Don't forget God; remember, you got everything from God; I hope you don't think you are too big for God.' Perhaps it is insecurity that [makes] some [people] believe God is less valuable if you have been able to achieve some level of success in the world. I think it's quite the contrary. When you scale the heights, you get a greater sense of what you have.

"Words of encouragement and support are much more needed than judgmental statements," says Lena. "The church must embrace those who have taken nontraditional routes."

A Change of Pace
After almost 10 years as a reporter for America's Most Wanted, Lena felt it was time to expand her creative horizons. In 2000 Simon and Schuster publishers signed Lena for a book deal. Her book, which targets a secular "Hollywood-style" audience, Starring in Your Own Life: Reveal Your Hidden Star Quality and Make Your Life a Blockbuster Hit! appeared on bookshelves in early 2002.

As its title indicates, Starring in Your Own Life is about making goals, valuing yourself, surrounding yourself with positive people, and fulfilling your dreams. It's about going for it, being the best you can be and making your life shine.

"I wrote the book because I lived the book," says Lena. "Because I was raised in a Christian home, I knew which stars to reach for, [which stars] would endure. Also, many of the stories that I have produced throughout my life have focused on people who overcame adversity in order to contribute to society. I know from the feedback I have received that I have been able to motivate and inspire people around the country-Adventists and non-Adventists alike."

Starring in Your Own Life is not a religious book. But God definitely plays a part in Lena's star philosophy. "Remember that song as a kid, 'This Little Light of Mine'? This book is designed to help you 'let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.' And let it shine all around the neighborhood, don't just keep it to yourself. One thing I learned from being 'in the world' is that people are looking for light, whether they acknowledge it or not. A lot of ["successful"] people are looking for light."

One way Lena feels people look for light is through drugs and alcohol. "I feel very strongly that when people are on drugs, Satan comes quite close to blowing out their light. You can see it in people's eyes.

"Starring in Your Own Life is also about going for it," says Lena. "There is a passage in the Bible that says 'seek and ye shall find.' I find the verses about seeking and knocking on the door some of the most powerful in the entire Bible. This book is about seeking and knocking on the door."

Another section in Lena's book deals with-in movie star language-casting the right supporting actors in your life. Lena believes this concept is especially important for Christians. "Surrounding yourself with upbeat, caring, loving Christian friends will show you all the possibilities that life has to offer. As I say in the book, if you mix red with the rest of your white laundry, you will end up with pink. Your associates really rub off on you."

Lena's tips for starring in your Christian walk?

"I think the biggest thing is kindness," she responds. "I think [kindness] is more important than spewing Bible verses. Starring in your own life is not just about you, you, and then some more of you. It's about others. I can't tell you the unexpected joy-and I should know better-that I have received for helping others."

Lena advises Adventist youth to "value [their] values. What the church teaches is not trendy, but it's the hippest thing around. You can't touch this."

Globe-trotter
Lena is currently working with her own production company, Malume Media. One of Malume's recent feats was a trip to southern Africa. Malume produced several news stories and a documentary on the food crisis that is affecting 14 million people, mostly women and children. "Three million are at risk in Malawi," says a somber Lena.

Lena is also a globe-trotting workshop and seminar presenter. "Schools are my favorite target group," says Lena, "but I also love talking to women and writers"-she pauses-"although men and nonwriters are cool too.

"In Philly there was standing room only at a national conference [I spoke at]. I talked about 'This Little Light'. . . . What a blast." While the majority of her audiences are non-Adventist, Lena and her mother gave a dual presentation at the Society of Adventist Communicators' most recent conference in Ontario, California (October 2002).

The latest project on Lena's agenda is an African cooking video with her costar mother. And after that? "I want to create, produce, and host a TV program," says Lena. "I have had this desire for years, but TV and book responsibilities have kept me from going full bore. God willing, at least one of the projects will be a go by the end of the year. Whatever project sells, my mother will be my costar. She adds extra sparkle to everything I do. [Whatever happens], know that we need your prayers and support."

To God Be the Glory
Credit for Lena's success goes to God, her mother, and "a number of supporting players, including a professor in college who helped me get my foot in the door.
"I just want to say, you can do it too. I have been blessed, no doubt. And there was a lot of hard work to go along with it. Although wonderful things have fallen into my lap, I believe it's because God is blessing my effort.

"I have had challenges. . . . I have had sad times. But regrets? No. I wouldn't want to change places with anyone. I have seen Princess Diana, been to the Emmys in New York, seen JFK, Jr., and I wouldn't want to change places with anyone. Would I want to be a better version of myself? Yes! But I am lucky to have this thing called life."
And what a miraculous, star-studded life, Lena, you have had. Shine on.

Author's note: Lena can be reached through her Web site: www.nozizwe.com.

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Amanda Sauder is a senior public relations/journalism major at Union College, in Lincoln, Nebraska.