Television host, explorer and journalist Kinga Phillips says fear of sharks often comes from Hollywood, not reality.
During an exclusive interview with Kevin and Taylor the Shark Week personality discussed her lifelong fascination with sharks, the inspiration behind her Discovery Channel special What Shark Attacked?, and why understanding the ocean's top predators is more important than fearing them.
Phillips said her interest in sharks began as a child after secretly watching the 1975 thriller Jaws. The film left her terrified of the water, but that fear eventually turned into curiosity.
"I thought it was the most terrifying thing I had ever seen in my life," Phillips said. "I thought, okay, I have to figure out why I'm so afraid of them. So I decided to study them."
That decision ultimately led her to a career exploring some of the world's most remote waters and documenting shark behavior firsthand.
Phillips recalled her first cage dive in Hawaii, admitting she was nervous as sharks circled around her. But her perspective quickly changed after seeing how calmly the animals behaved.
"I was blown away by how different they were than how the media and movies have portrayed them," she said.
Throughout the interview, Phillips emphasized that sharks are naturally curious, not aggressive toward humans in most situations. She noted that "99.9% of the time, they want nothing to do with us," explaining that sharks typically investigate before swimming away.
Her latest Discovery Channel special, What Shark Attacked?, takes a forensic approach to real-life shark encounters. Phillips described the program as "kind of like Shark CSI," where experts analyze viral videos, locations and evidence to determine which species was responsible for various incidents.
She also shared practical advice for beachgoers who encounter a shark in the water, encouraging people to remain calm rather than panic.
"If you do see that there's a shark, stay very calm and get out of the water," Phillips said. "Splashing around is not what you want to do."
Beyond Shark Week, Phillips said she hopes to continue inspiring curiosity about wildlife and exploration, especially among young people who are passionate about marine life. She added that swimming alongside orcas remains one of the biggest adventures still left on her bucket list.
To listen to the FULL interview, Click HERE
