Nicole Alvarez is back on Los Angeles radio — and this time, she’s doing it on her own terms.
After stepping away from KROQ in August following a 23-year run, the longtime Southern California radio fixture has returned to the airwaves as a fill-in host at Alt 98.7, part of iHeartMedia. The move is effective immediately and marks Alvarez’s first on-air role since her departure from KROQ.
Over the holidays, Alvarez will rotate through two key dayparts. She will take over middays for Christen Limon during the week of December 22, followed by afternoon drive duties for Booker & Stryker the week of December 29. While the appearances are technically fill-ins, Alt 98.7 confirms Alvarez will remain part of the station’s on-air staff going forward.
Alt 98.7 Program Director and iHeartMedia SVP of Alternative and Rock Programming Lisa Worden said the reunion was both personal and professional. She described Alvarez as one of the most passionate music champions she’s worked with, calling her a defining “Voice of L.A.” and praising her sharp writing and deep connection to artists and audiences alike.
For Alvarez, the move represents evolution rather than a reset.
After more than two decades in Los Angeles radio, she says she’s learned that chapters don’t end — they level up. While grateful for everything KROQ gave her, she made it clear she’s fully focused on what comes next. She credits Alt 98.7’s leadership, team culture and backing from iHeartMedia as reasons she sees the station as the future. Alvarez also noted she’s excited to work alongside The Woody Show, reunite with longtime collaborators Chris Booker and Ted Stryker, and step in for Christen Limon during the holiday stretch.
She summed up her return simply: focused, grounded and ready to do the best work of her career — adding a nod to Oasis with, “Hello, hello, it’s good to be back.”
Alvarez’s career spans more than 20 years and began when she entered radio at just 18. Her 23-year tenure at KROQ made her one of alternative radio’s most trusted voices, known for credibility, artist advocacy and in-depth interviews with acts including Metallica, Linkin Park, Eddie Vedder, The Smashing Pumpkins, Billie Eilish, and Foo Fighters.
Beyond radio, Alvarez has co-hosted Loveline alongside Dr. Drew Pinsky and Dr. Chris Donahue, worked as an MTV event correspondent, presented at the Billboard Music Awards, and served for more than five years on the Recording Academy’s Rock Committee.
She is currently the primary West Coast contributor for Consequence of Sound, with recent work including a published feature on Radiohead. Outside of media, Alvarez is deeply involved in community service, supporting organizations that aid children, cancer patients, unhoused individuals and first responders across Los Angeles.
iHeartMedia remains the largest media operator in the Los Angeles market, spanning broadcast radio, live events, digital platforms and its all-in-one streaming service iHeartRadio, available across hundreds of platforms and thousands of connected devices.
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