Watch Gio Benitez bursts into tears as he takes up his co-host job on GMA
Good Morning America recently promoted Gio Benitez. He joined the show in 2013 and has enjoyed stints as its transportation correspondent.ABC recently announced Benitez was rising to co-anchor over the weekends.
He officially took up the role, alongside current co-anchors Whit Johnson and Janai Norman, on Saturday.Watch below to see them welcome Benitez to his new position.
They play a video montage of some of his work, which makes Benitez emotional. By the time a video message from his mom appears, Benitez needs tissues to wipe away the tears.Benitez, 37, was born in Miami to parents who emigrated from Cuba.
He told his colleagues that part of the reason he felt so emotional was to find himself sitting as co-anchor on a show with the word “America” in its title – a country that has given his family so much.“I’m actually carrying with me my grandfather’s pocket watch,” Benitez revealed. “Because I keep thinking about their journey to this country from Cuba, leaving everything behind.
