the world's greatest lion and tiger trainers traveling with the famous ringling brothers and barnum bailey circus chilly morning in denver, colorado -- >> good boy. good boy. are you done? are you done? off you go. good boy. that's how he takes his vitamins. we will give him the other leg, mom. >> you will understand why she is here in a minute. >> they eat up to 16 pounds of meat every day. >> that must cost a lot of money. >> 5,000 a week. >> the lions, tigers and lionesses, feline family. >> the lionesses get jealous, which may sound silly but they . when they come in to heat, they rub themselves all over me. they expect me to do business because i'm the top cat. >> reporter: the cats hang here when they are not eating, sleeping, performing. it is clean and spacious but captivity. on the move they must be caged for everyone but alex's safety. >> stick your fingers in. that's my girly. good job. >> reporter: on to the stage, he's in. >> people are coming. here, here, here. good boy. here, here, here. all right. good boy. i remember the first time i was in the cage with these guys without this n

. ♪ ♪ >> ringling brothers and barnum & bailey circus has reached a new height, this time announcingring master in its 146-year history. ♪ ♪ >> kristin michelle wilson is seeing the world after out-performing a hundred applicants from all over the country, who also auditioned for the job. >> that's really one of the best things about being a ring master, you get to be yourself, but you get to be the grandest version of yourself. >> but the 35-year-old florida native never clowned around about her circus prospects. aiming high and always shooting towards her dream. >> ever since i was a child, i have loved performing and entertaining, so to join the greatest show on earth is truly just the biggest thrill of my life. >> replacing former ring master david shipman. and taking her place as the 39th ring master in ringling history. ♪ ♪ the greatest show on earth >> reporter: she's singing and presenting some of the most daring acts across the globe. but her first performance next year will be in her hometown of orlando. ringling made big changes, from dropping elephants, to the first femal

america. [ cheers and applause ] >> the first in the history of the ringling brothers and barnum & bailey circus. we're going talk to her live. >> her name is kristen michelle wilson. good morning, kristen. congratulations. >> thank you so much and good morning to all of you, good morning, america. >> so how was last night? your second night as ringmaster? >> yes, it was absolutely thrilling. i am so honored and excited to be the first female ringmaster of the ringling brothers and barnum & bailey circus and that is just a thrill to even say it. >> you never break character, do you, kristen. this is something you dreamed about for a real long time, huh? >> absolutely. ever since i was a child, i have loved performing and entertaining. >> ah. >> so to join the greatest show on ear biggest thrill of my life. it's a bucket list level opportunity i never even imagined and to find myself here surrounded by these amazing people. >> we're sighing pictures of you as a little one and that smile, so infectious and just this is a moment that you wanted. i wish you could come out of your shell a little bit

>> well, the ringling brothers and barnum & bailey circus has been around for 146 years.ingmaster. >> 39th? >> almost like being a president. yes, indeed. i am a member of a very exclusive club of ringmasters and i'm so honored to join this incredible tradition. i have just been so excited to learn everything that i can about this incredible history and it's really exciting to travel the country, all of the amazing people out there, hello, america. and show you all of the amazing things that human beings can do. >> oh, that's great. well, president wilson, we love you. >> yeah, yeah. >> yes, we do. [ applause ] >> ringmaster wilson. >> how much do you want to now go to the circus because of her? look at everybody behind her. they do not break character. >> no. >> watching them juggle that much. >> you're the best, all the best. >> yes, congratulations. >> first female. first female. >> breaking that glass ceiling. >> obviously you can see why she got the job. >> yeah. >> very infectious personality. that is awesome. >>> you know, a lot of people go to the circus but how m

the 39th ring master in the history of the ringling brothers and barnum and bailey circus will be a first. her name is michelle wilson and she will be the first woman in job in the history. she will start next month in orlando. larry: very cool. coming up at "abc7 news at 5:00" -- a local do finish line to his personal 3,000-mile race. how long it took. and why he did alison: tan is always working. today he brought smiles to kids who really need it at it the inov children's hospital. we go on his sleigh ride. cheryl: santa dropped off gifts at inova children home. >> i hope you feel better. cheryl: the 11-year-old dealt with asthma since he was born. >> it helps me get better when somebody makes he happy. >> his mom says the visit from santa is an extra dose of head sin. >> -- of medicine. >> i haven't seen a smile that big. i've been watching him work to breathe. >> santa got an escort. he has an in at the department. mrs. claus, snowmen, police officers joined him going from room to room. the big man took off his gloves and washed his i.c.u. but some kids were too sick for a close visit