HONOLULU (KHON2) -- Justin Cruz is no stranger to the spotlight; but recently, he found himself in an unexpected position. Known for his steady presence at KHON2 News in Honolulu, Cruz was recently ranked amongst the top 200 sexiest news anchors in the U.S. And, even more notably, he secured the #4 spot in a local list of Hawaiʻi's sexiest male news anchors. While Cruz never anticipated such recognition, he embraced it with his usual humility and humor, proving once again that he is much more than just a pretty face on the screen. Get Hawaii's latest morning news delivered to your inbox, sign up for News 2 You Cruz has been an anchor at KHON2 News in Honolulu for many years. And while Cruz may not have expected such recognition, he, as always, humbly accepted the accolade and displayed his usual down-to-earth attitude. KHON2.com sat down with Cruz who shared his thoughts on this unexpected ranking. "I don't give it too much weight," he said as he laughed. "I really, honestly feel like I'm the last person that should be recognized in this way. But hey, I'll take what I can get." Cruz's sense of humor is one of the many reasons viewers love him, but his journey to becoming a beloved news anchor is rooted in much more than looks. Cruz has spent 19 years in the news business, and it was a path he stumbled upon somewhat by accident. "My current news director approached me when I was doing a morning show on radio; and she said, 'we have this opportunity. We think you might be interested in it, and it's weather anchor'," Cruz explained. At the time, Cruz knew little about weather reporting; but his director reassured him that training would be provided. Now, he's a seasoned hybrid anchor, who delivers weather updates alongside his news reports during KHON2's daily newscasts. His work has earned him a loyal following in Hawaiʻi, where the local community often expresses gratitude for his calm, reassuring presence during weather-related events. "The most rewarding thing is during coverage of weather when people are a little bit anxious or scared about what may happen," Cruz said. "When I see people off air, maybe in the malls or on the streets; and they express their gratitude, that's hands down the most rewarding thing." Despite his success in news broadcasting, Cruz's new ranking took him by surprise. "I didn't know there were that many broadcast anchors," he admitted. "Getting into the top 200... I can't even imagine how many there are. So, I was really surprised." And yet, Cruz, ever humble, didn’t get caught up in the glamour of the recognition. "It’s cool to be recognized like that," he said. "But I don’t take it too seriously." When asked about the competition in Hawaiʻi, Cruz noted that the local market is filled with talented anchors. "We have a very creative people here in Hawaiʻi," he said. "Everyone has their own unique look." His understanding and appreciation of Hawaiʻi's cultural diversity makes him stand out even more in a place where locals value the richness of their shared experiences. Looking back on his career and the possibility of others following in his footsteps, Cruz offered a few pieces of advice. "Be current with current events," he stressed. "Know what's going on in your town. That's number one." He also suggested something his father advised when he was young and that has helped him personally: reading aloud. "If you read out loud, you get to hear and control your voice much better than if you read silently," Cruz explained. "It gives you confidence to speak in front of people." In the world of news broadcasting, Cruz’s genuine nature and commitment to his community are what truly make him stand out. You can watch Cruz's full interview here. You can click here to read more about the rankings. You can click here to follow Cruz on Instagram. You can click here to access his bio and follow his news stories. Get news on the go with KHON 2GO, KHON's morning podcast, every morning at 8 While his sexiest anchor ranking is certainly flattering, it’s his down-to-earth demeanor and unwavering dedication to his viewers that have earned him lasting recognition.