Kelly Braun
Digital Staff Writer Kelly Braun is living out her dream as an entertainment news writer. (Did you forget it’s 2019 and the Jonas Brothers got back together?) When the New Jersey native is not at Closer Weekly’s office in New York City, you can find her lying in bed with her cat and eating ice cream out of the carton — all while binge-watching Vanderpump Rules and Summer House. Since joining the team in October 2018, Kelly has been bitten by the royal lovebug. Besides reporting on all things Kate Middleton and Meghan Markle, Kelly enjoys covering Hollywood’s biggest stars, including Chrissy Teigen, Kelly Ripa, Donny and Marie Osmond and many more. If you like cats, hilarious memes and occasional food pics, follow Kelly on Instagram at @bestkellyever!
Work or writing background leading to expertise
As a writer for Closer Weekly, Kelly writes over 35 stories a week. Her work also appears on In Touch! One of her favorite parts of the job is being able to pitch articles for the site that can be extremely creative and fun. Kelly also loves writing about the royal family, but has yet to top the story she wrote on Prince Charles being “infatuated” with naming the squirrels he feeds in his backyard.
Education
Kelly received her bachelor’s degree in video production and communications at Montclair State University. The journalism junkie furthered her education and went on to receive her master’s degree in journalism at New York University. Yay student loans!
Work history
Before joining the incredible team at Closer Weekly, Kelly worked as a Production Associate at ABC News — where she helped produce content for Good Morning America and World News Tonight. Prior to her gig at ABC, Kelly worked at a plethora of journalism jobs, including internships and more.
![Being in quarantine isn't all fun and games, but Meredith Vieira is making the most of her time with husband Richard Cohen. The iconic Today host says she feels "very fortunate" for her TV producer spouse and their three kids since they've adjusted to life in lockdown earlier this year. See All of 'The View' Hosts Through the Years "I love and I value this space that we’ve created. It’s not just a house, it is our home and it brings me a lot of peace," Meredith, 66, shares with Closer Weekly in an exclusive interview. "Being with Richard and appreciating my life and how much I value my life and the lives of all of those around us." The former View star has been cooped up in her New York home with her longtime husband since March. Considering their children, Benjamin Cohen, 31, Gabriel Cohen, 29, and Lily Cohen, 27, all live across the country, Meredith hasn't been able to see her kids. Fortunately, they've come up with fun ways to keep in touch. "We do Zoom and we talk every day," the loving mom gushes, noting her conversations with daughter Lily aren't as long now that cities are slowly opening back up. "It has reached the point, I was saying to a friend ... [Lily will] call me or I’ll call her and say, 'What’s new?' And I’ll say, 'Nothing, what’s new with you?' And she says, 'Nothing, OK bye!' We no longer do all the little small talk, but we talk every single day." All That Cash! Here Is the Net Worth of Every Cohost on 'The View' Although the Meredith Vieira Show alum is looking on the bright side, it hasn't been the easiest few months. In fact, the doting mom reveals her eldest son, Ben, and his girlfriend contracted coronavirus back in February. "[Ben] had a fever, but he was very lucky — he never needed any hospitalization or anything like that," she tells Closer. "And he has since, for a while, tested negative and has been able to donate blood and plasma, so that has been a great thing to be able to give back." The worldwide outbreak also affected Meredith's middle child, Gabriel. Aside from being stuck in L.A. until June, the 60 Minutes host says her son's wedding plans with his fiancée, Ally, were unfortunately changed. "They were supposed to get married next month, but they had to postpone that a year," she explains. "They didn’t want it hanging over their [heads] and they didn’t want to put anybody else in danger. I have to say, my kids have taken this very, very, very seriously." While Meredith can't wait for the day when her son can walk down the aisle, she's more than content enjoying quality time at home with Richard. The couple have been living a life of wedded bliss since they tied the knot in 1986. "I’m lucky that we have a house, and a yard, and there [are] walking trails near where I am, so I’ve been able to get out," she tells Closer. "I love hiking, I love walking ... so for me, that’s very meditative. It helps get my thoughts away from some of the issues that are sort of pressing down on me. I try to do that every day. There’s a lot that’s difficult, but I don’t want to suggest that it’s really been incredibly hard for me because again, we are lucky." Be sure to catch Meredith's conversation about living with metastatic breast cancer during her new partnership with Pfizer’s Find Your MBC Voice initiative. Click here to listen. Reporting by Katie Bruno](https://www.intouchweekly.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/meredith-vieira-on-quarantine-with-husband-richard-and-their-3-kids.jpg?crop=188px%2C133px%2C3316px%2C1879px&resize=408%2C230)
