Art & Culture, KLAT Awards

Meet Dami Akinkunmi – KLAT Awards Finalist ‘Presenter of the Year’

18 October

Presenting was never part of some big master plan. In fact, it all started kind of randomly. One last-minute invite to interview people at a festival turned into a full-blown career. “I just thought, ‘Why not?’” she says, grinning. “I’m so glad I did, because I completely fell in love with it.”

Talking to people, hearing their stories—that’s always been her thing. And now, it’s her work too. “People are fun, and I love when their energy is infectious in a way that reflects onto me whilst interviewing,” she says. “No two conversations are ever the same, everyone has something unique to share, and that keeps me curious and inspired every single time.”

She’s presented across all formats—digital shoots, sit-down interviews, huge events—but live events? That’s where the real rush is. “I love, love, love feeling the energy in the room, the buzz, the unpredictability of it all,” she says. “You see how proud people are, how much work went into it, and you can’t help but feed off that excitement.” It’s the community, the connection, the energy of it all that reminds her why she started in the first place.

Despite being constantly described as someone with “effortless confidence,” she laughs a little at the label. “Honestly, I’m not sure! I can be quite an awkward person at times, so I actually find it funny when people say that.” Confidence, she says, is something she’s grown into over time. “I still get really nervous before events, sometimes I have a little panic moment to myself, but I’ve learned to use those nerves as fuel.” She doesn’t hide the fact that the nerves are real—it’s just that now she knows what to do with them. “I try to channel them into positive energy. I’d say it’s a balance—I’m naturally personable, but that sense of ‘effortless confidence’ definitely comes from practice, self-belief, and remembering my purpose in those moments.”

That mix of nerves and joy is especially strong before stepping onto big stages—like the Red carpet at the Welsh BAFTAs. “It’s always this mix of nerves and total excitement. I feel so grateful to even be in those spaces, so I’m usually reminding myself to stay calm, be present, and just enjoy it.” The goal is always the same: to make whoever she’s speaking to feel celebrated. “But at the same time,” she adds, “there’s always this voice in my head saying, ‘Oh my gosh, I can’t believe I’m actually here!’

And while some presenters have pre-show rituals, hers aren’t set in stone. “Honestly, sometimes things happen so last minute that there isn’t time for rituals—and I actually love that!” she says. “When you can’t over-prepare, it forces you to trust yourself. It tests your instincts and lets you lean fully into the moment.” That said, when time does allow, she’s all about doing the homework. “Preparation is everything—researching, planning questions, grounding myself so I can walk in confidently.”

Her journey so far has been closely tied to KLAT, a platform that’s not just given her exposure, but helped shape who she is. “KLAT has been absolutely transformative for me,” she says. “It’s given me so many incredible opportunities that I never could’ve imagined when I first moved here for uni.” Through KLAT, she’s found more than just work, she’s found community. “I’ve built lifelong friendships, discovered new passions, and gained a real confidence in putting myself forward.”

Of all the people she’s interviewed, there’s one conversation that stuck with her on a deeper level though. “Chatting with Liam, who runs 166 Events, really stayed with me,” she says. “He’s so passionate about what he does, and when he talks, you can truly see the love and care he pours into every detail.” What stood out the most was his honesty. “During his ‘Get to Know Me’ feature, he spoke with such emotion that it reminded me how powerful passion can be when it’s rooted in purpose. His story was so raw and heartfelt, it left me genuinely inspired.”

That same authenticity shines through in her personal style, which has become something of a signature. “That’s something I’m known for? How fun, I love that!” she laughs. But it hasn’t always been this way. “When I first started university, I had no real sense of style. I’ve come such a long way since then.” Now, fashion feels like a natural extension of her personality. “I just wear what makes me feel good and confident. I love colours, way too much jewellery, baggy silhouettes, and experimenting with different hair colours, I’m really drawn towards maximalism—that’s what I’m working towards. I think the way you present yourself visually can be a reflection of your energy, so for me, it’s about expressing joy, creativity, and individuality.”

Looking back on her early clips, she doesn’t cringe—she reflects. “I do, but more than anything I just think, ‘Wow, I can’t believe I get to do this.’” Every stage, every shoot, every stumble has been part of the process. “I’ve made mistakes, stumbled over words, and learned from every single experience. That’s the beauty of it—growth in motion.”

And that growth shows, not just in how she presents, but in how she shows up across every platform—from stage to studio to TikTok. “For me, it’s about presence. When I step into a role, I give it my all, no matter the environment.” She credits her energy to a lifelong curiosity about people. “I’ve wanted a career in journalism or a people-facing role for as long as I can remember, and that genuine curiosity keeps my energy alive. I want whoever I’m talking to feel comfortable, seen, and valued.”

When I ask how does it feel being shortlisted for Presenter of the Year? She takes a breath. “Honestly, it feels quite surreal. I’m actually in a bit of a transition phase right now, figuring out my next steps and taking a step back to work on personal projects I’ve been putting off for a while.” The nomination came at the perfect moment. “It felt really special. It came at a time when I needed a reminder to keep going, to trust that I’m on the right path. Seeing the other nominees, who are all so talented and inspiring, made it even more humbling because I have seen all of their work and they are a kind of source of inspiration for me.”

And if she weren’t doing all of this? Her answer is instant. “Acting, without a doubt. I absolutely love theatre. I think at my core, I’ll always be a performer. Theatre was my first love. Through and through, I’m a theatre kid at heart.”

For someone who never set out to become a presenter, she’s certainly become one of the most exciting names to watch—and her story is just getting started.