MILLIONS of Americans are used to waking up to Ginger Zee’s weather reports as part of her role as chief meteorologist for GMA.
But for many of those watching at home it may come as a surprise that it’s not the TV star’s real name.
In fact, the Good Morning America host, 41, is actually called Ginger Renee Colonomos, née Zuidgeest.
It’s unclear why she has changed her name for the small screen but in a 2010 interview she described her maiden name as “long and Dutch”.
She also told The Seattle Times that her first name was inspired by the fictional character Ginger Grant from Gilligan’s Island.
Her dad – who did not speak much English after emigrating from The Netherlands – loved the movie and so picked it for his daughter, she said.
Her married name, Colonomos, came after she wed Benjamin Aaron Colonomos, known as Ben Aaron in 2014.
But Ginger stuck with Zee, the name she is known by by her fans.
Some viewers have already sought clarification on her moniker over the years.
One asked: “Is Zee your real last name or is it short for something much longer? Or a stage name? Inquiring minds want to know!”
Earlier this month, one commented: “You should try using your real name Ginger Renee Colonomos.”
Another asked: “Is Ginger your real name?
And replying to a fellow Twitter user, one fan commented: “I hope you know that Ginger Zee shortened her name.”
On Reddit one fan said: “Ginger Zee is a stage name.
“Her real name is Ginger, but her last name is an extremely long … name that starts with the letter Z.”
Zee has already been forced to hit back at one viewer this week who accused the meteorologist’s coverage of being theatrical.
She was reporting from Sanibel Island, Florida on September 27 as part of the network’s coverage of Hurricane Ian.
Zee’s waterproof jacket looked soaked as she shared a selfie from the rainy beach location.
She tweeted: “Sanibel Island tonight for ABC World News… don’t worry we are out of here before [the] worst of the storm tomorrow.”
But, one critic responded: “Great theatrics…. I live about 10 miles from where you were and spent the afternoon in the pool.”
The GMA presenter replied: “The storm isn’t here yet… it’s tomorrow.”
STAY SAFE
Viewers have urged Zee to stay safe as she reports on the hurricane.
One fan described the meteorologist as a “weather warrior”, while others thanked her for her coverage.
Concerned viewers claimed that Zee couldn’t have picked a “more dangerous place” to report from.
Replying to the worried fan, she said: “It was only rain”.
She updated viewers on the forecast as she traveled to Sanibel Island from Tampa on Tuesday.
The exchange came after trolls accused Zee of inaccurate reporting.
A Twitter spat erupted after the GMA account tweeted on Tuesday: “OVERNIGHT: Hurricane Ian strengthens to a category 3, taking aim at Florida. ABC News chief meteorologist Ginger Zee tracks the latest.”
An account, known as Ocean Floor Investigations, responded: “How does #HurricaneIan go from a Cat 4 to a Cat 3 overnight and that is somehow ‘strengthening’…?”
Zee replied: “It’s a cat 3 now and will become a cat 4 today.”
The discussion escalated after Ocean Floor Investigations continued questioning.
A post said: “Problem with that scenario is that’s not how hurricanes work; as hurricanes approach land they decrease in strength, as hurricanes *need* water to strengthen.”
The account then questioned Zee if she knew what she was reporting.
TWITTER ‘SPAT’
“You’re a meteorologist and do not know this?” it tweeted.
Zee eventually responded: “A cat 4 then down again to 3 or 2 before landfall.
“Yes, I know how land and hurricanes work. They don’t like friction. Please don’t use Twitter to challenge my knowledge. It’s all here.”
Dozens of fans offered their support to Zee following the exchange.
One said: “Not sure what your point or why you challenge the knowledge and professionalism of Ginger Zee. So stop it, it is petty and meaningless.
Another commented: “Don’t mess with our weather God!!”
And, a third penned: “You go, Ginger”
Meanwhile, fans have also expressed concern for Zee’s colleague Rob Marciano, who has also been reporting in Florida.
Marciano has also updated Floridians on what they are likely to expect as the storm approaches.
He warned that the Sunshine State will be on the “bad side of the storm”.
Marciano was recently in Bermuda and reported on the effects of Hurricane Fiona as the island was lashed with rains and strong gusts.
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