Maria Menounos
Maria Menounos | |
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Born | Medford, Massachusetts, U.S. | June 8, 1978
Citizenship |
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Alma mater | Emerson College |
Occupations |
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Years active | 1996–present |
Spouse | |
Children | 1 |
Maria Menounos (/məˈnuːnoʊs/ mə-NOO-nohss; Greek: Μαρία Μενούνος [maˈri.a meˈnunos]; born June 8, 1978)[1] is an American television presenter. She has hosted Extra and E! News; she was a TV correspondent for Today, Access Hollywood, and co-hosted the Eurovision Song Contest 2006 in Athens, Greece. She also co-created and is currently CEO of online podcast series network AfterBuzz TV. She is currently signed to WWE where she has served as an ambassador since 2013, having even competed in some tag team events as a pro since 2009. She hosted the podcast Conversations with Maria Menounos She also co-hosted Miss Universe 2023 pageant on 18 November 2023.
Early life
Menounos was born in the
In 1995, Menounos began to compete in beauty pageants. The following year, she won the title of Miss Massachusetts Teen USA, and she competed at Miss Teen USA where she placed in the top 15, receiving an honorary mention, during the preliminary competition. She placed 13th in the preliminaries. She competed for the title of Miss Massachusetts USA 2000 and was the first runner-up.
Menounos attended Boston's Emerson College participating there in the organization Emerson Independent Video. She graduated from Emerson in 2000.[4]
Career
This section of a poorly sourced must be removed immediately from the article and its talk page, especially if potentially libelous. )Find sources: "Maria Menounos" – news · newspapers · books · scholar · JSTOR (May 2023) |
Film, television, and radio
During her senior year at Emerson, Menounos worked as a reporter for
Entertainment Tonight hired Menounos as a correspondent in 2002;[5] she reported on movies, music, and fashion. She left the program in 2005 to focus on her acting career, although she joined rival program Access Hollywood that fall as a correspondent.[6] She went on to co-host a few episodes of the Today show in the late summer and fall of 2006 as well as in April 2007. In 2003, she appeared on the November 30 episode of Punk'd as one of many celebrities caught in the awkward and embarrassing "Red Carpet Interviews".
In 2004, Menounos appeared in an episode of the
At the age of 17, Menounos produced In the Land of Merry Misfits, an independent film fairy tale. The 35 mm feature film was produced by Menounos while attending
In 2008, she became the host of Hollywood Green on the
In May 2008, Menounos played in the AVP Cuervo Gold Crown Huntington Beach Open but was eliminated in the qualifying round. On July 13, 2008, she played in the celebrity softball game at Yankee Stadium in New York. In November 2008, when Richard Belzer fell ill, she filled in as host for the North Shore Animal League's Dogcatemy Celebrity Gala, which is held at NYC's Capitale.[10] From 2009 to 2012 she hosted various reunion specials of MTV's The Real World and The Challenge. She appeared on the 2008 Knight Rider series episode "Fly By Knight", which aired on February 11, 2009; she played a DEA agent who is in charge of investigating a plane crash.
On August 4, 2011, it was announced that she would join Warner Bros.'s Extra, where she co-hosted the show with Mario Lopez. She also had on-air duties at Dr. Drew's Lifechangers, with plans to develop new projects.[11] For her work on Extra, Menounos won a Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Entertainment News Program.
She was a contestant on the
On March 18, 2014, Menounos' reality TV series Chasing Maria Menounos premiered on the Oxygen Network.[14]
In May 2014, after three years of hosting Extra, Menounos left the show signing a multi-year contract with
In late 2015, it was announced that Menounos would host a daily, one-hour radio show on
In 2020, GSTV announced a partnership to air short-form videos called Better Together with Maria Menounos on GSTV-affiliated gas pump video screens in more than 28,000 locations. The brief videos feature Menounos providing tips for physical and emotional health, relationship advice, and other wellness-based information.[20]
In June 2021, Menounos hosted the reunion show for
Professional wrestling
Menounos is a long-time WWE fan and has made several appearances with WWE. Her first appearance was on October 12, 2009; Menounos joined
On December 11, 2011, at
Menounos continued her feud with
On April 6, 2013, at Madison Square Garden, Menounos inducted Bob Backlund into the WWE Hall of Fame.[28] On August 18, 2013, at SummerSlam Axxess, she teamed with Natalya defeating Brie Bella and Eva Marie.[29][30]
On August 17, 2014, Menounos was seen at the
She has hosted the WWE Hall of Fame red carpet pre-show for six years in a row (2014-2019). She also appeared during the event as a guest backstage interviewer for
Charity work
In a 2008 NBC interview, Menounos shared she has been involved in charity work since age 13 and has always wanted to be able to help many causes in the charity world.[31]
Menounos founded the charity "Take Action Hollywood!" after her trip to South Africa, where she reported on the effects of the AIDS crisis there.[32] She created the Cosmo Girl Cup, a national, annual competition and award given to the group of teens who do the most in their communities to affect for positive social change.[33] Menounos presented at the Earth Day Network's Climate Rally in Washington, DC on April 25, 2010.[34] in 2012 Menounos took part in Red Cross's and AMC joint effort to raise awareness for donating blood.[35]
Books
- The Everygirl's Guide to Life (2001) ISBN 978-0061870781
- The Everygirl's Guide to Diet and Fitness (2014) ISBN 978-0804177139
- The Everygirl's Guide to Cooking (2016) ISBN 978-0804177146
- Better Together (2021)
Personal life
In 2012, Menounos posed nude for the May issue of Allure magazine.[36] In the same year, Menounos told Howard Stern that she had previously been sexually abused by two doctors during medical examinations.[37]
In April 2017, she had surgery to remove a meningioma, an intracranial tumor which was benign.[38][39] In January 2023, she was diagnosed with stage II pancreatic cancer and underwent surgery. The cancer was found on a whole body MRI screening, after being missed earlier on a hospital-ordered CT test.[40][41]
Menounos married Keven Undergaro in Times Square during the 2017 New Year's festivities in a ceremony officiated by Steve Harvey[42] and then again in a 2018 Greek Orthodox wedding in her father's village of Akovos, Greece.[43] On February 7, 2023, Menounos and her husband announced they were having a baby with the aid of a surrogate.[44]
Menounos announced her dual citizenship between the United States and Greece on May 19, 2023.[45]
Accolades
She was
Filmography
Films
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
2005 | Fantastic Four | Nurse | |
2006 | Fwiends.com | Gladys | Short film |
2007 | Kickin' It Old Skool | Jennifer | |
In the Land of Merry Misfits | Risandra | Voice role | |
2008 | Tropic Thunder | Herself | Cameo appearance |
2011 | Adventures of Serial Buddies | Katelyn | |
2012 | The Elders | Producer | Producer |
2013 | Paranormal Movie | Dr. Luni | |
2015 | Entourage | Herself | |
2021 | The Holiday Fix Up | Jenny |
Television
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
2000 | Channel One News | Herself | Host |
2002–2005 | Entertainment Tonight | Correspondent | |
2002 | Sabrina, the Teenage Witch | Reporter #1 | Episode: "Free Sabrina" |
2003 | Without a Trace | Chris Sanders | Episode: "Trip Box" |
Punk'd | Herself | 1 episode | |
2004 | One on One | Glenda | Episode: "We'll Take Manhattan" |
2004–2005 | One Tree Hill | Emily "Jules" Chambers | 10 episodes |
2005–2011 | Access Hollywood | Herself | Correspondent |
2006 | Eurovision Song Contest | Co-host | |
Scrubs | Tamara | Episode: "My Extra Mile" | |
Entourage
|
Herself | Episode: "Aquamom"; cameo appearance | |
2007 | Clash of the Choirs | Herself/host | |
2009 | Knight Rider | DEA Agent Jessie Renning | Episode: "Fly by Knight" |
2009–2011; 2021– | The Challenge | Herself | Host of Reunion episodes |
2009–2012 | The Real World | ||
2009 | WWE Raw | Co-Host/Herself | Special |
2010 | Entourage
|
Herself | Episode: "Buzzed"; cameo appearance |
2011–2014 | Extra
|
Herself/host | |
2011 | Funny or Die Presents | Talk Show Host | "Paco Dances" segment |
2012 | Sesame Street | Herself | Episode: "The All of Our Senses Club"; cameo appearance |
Dancing with the Stars
|
Season 14 contestant
| ||
WrestleMania XXVIII | Wrestled with Kelly Kelly to face Beth Phoenix and Eve | ||
Louie
|
Entertainment news anchor | Episode: "Late Show: Part 2 & 3" | |
2012–2013 | The High Fructose Adventures of Annoying Orange | Herself | Guest appearance |
2013 | WWE Hall of Fame | Inducted Bob Backlund | |
The Eric Andre Show | Episode: "Maria Menounos; Eric Balfour" | ||
Hell's Kitchen
|
Episode: "7 Chefs Compete Part 2"; Chef's table guest in the blue kitchen | ||
The Mindy Project | 2 episodes | ||
2013–2014 | Nashville | 2 episodes | |
2013–2017 | Live from E! | Co-host | |
2014 | Chasing Maria Menounos | ||
2014–2015 | Bar Rescue | 3 episodes | |
2014 | WWE Hall of Fame | Co-Host of the Red Carpet Pre-Show on the WWE Network | |
Ridiculousness | Guest | ||
Untold | Host | ||
Botched | Host of the two-part reunion episode | ||
2015 | The Celebrity Apprentice 7
|
Guest donor for Team Infinity on Episode 1 | |
WrestleMania 31 | Guest backstage interviewer | ||
Total Divas | 1 episode | ||
2015–2017 | E! News | Anchor | |
2016 | Cupcake Wars | Celebrity baker | |
Have You Been Paying Attention? | Guest quiz master | ||
2017 | Total Bellas | Episode: "Bella-Mania" | |
2018 | Royal Rumble | Guest ring announcer | |
2019 | Ryan's Mystery Playdate | Reporter | Episode: "Ryan's Camera Ready Playdate/Ryan's Rattlin' Playdate" |
2020 | The Boys | Herself | Episode: "Nothing Like It in the World" |
2021 | Celebrity Wheel of Fortune
|
Episode: "Constance Zimmer, Maria Menounos, and Yvette Nicole Brown" | |
The Challenge: All Stars | Reunion show host | ||
2022 | The Pentaverate | 6 episodes | |
2023 | The Challenge: Ride or Dies | Reunion show host | |
2023 | Miss Universe 2023 | Herself | Final Show Co-Host |
Video games
Year | Title | Voice Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
2005 | James Bond 007: From Russia with Love | Eva Adara | Also Likeness |
References
- ^ a b "Maria Menounos: Biography". TV Guide. Retrieved April 10, 2013.
- ^ a b Coulton, Antoinette Y. (November 12, 2008). "Maria Menounos's Greek Christmas". People. Archived from the original on March 3, 2016. Retrieved April 5, 2022.
- ^ Waller, John (March 19, 2014). "Medford Native Maria Menounos Now Has Own Reality Show". Patch.
- ^ Loftus, Jamie (April 19, 2011). "Up close with TV's Menounos '00". Emerson College. Archived from the original on April 3, 2015.
- ^ "From Competing in WWE to Battling a Brain Tumor: Inside Maria Menounos's Life & Career".
- ^ "Maria Menounos joins 'Access Hollywood' and 'Today'". USA Today. August 23, 2005. Retrieved August 9, 2008.
- ^ "In pictures: Eurovision 2006". BBC News. May 21, 2006. Retrieved August 9, 2008.
- ^ "Long Time Listener". MariaMenounos.com. February 5, 2016. Retrieved July 3, 2017.
- ^ Graser, Marc (January 7, 2014). "'Extra' Host Maria Menounos' YouTube Channel Gives TV Fans an Online Forum". Variety. Retrieved June 1, 2014.
- ^ "View Co-Hosts Dish to OK! About Sherri". OK! Magazine. September 6, 2007. Retrieved April 5, 2022.
- ^ "Menounos to Co-Host 'Extra'". Broadcasting & Cable. NextTV. August 4, 2011. Retrieved April 5, 2022.
- ^ "New Dancing with the Stars cast revealed". ABC News. February 27, 2012. Retrieved April 5, 2022.
- ^ "Menounos Launches New Interview Series". Conversations with Maria. Retrieved May 30, 2013.
- ^ "Menounos Launches New Reality Series". Chasing Maria. Archived from the original on March 18, 2014. Retrieved March 9, 2014.
- ^ Massabrook, Nicole (July 30, 2015). "Maria Menounos To Replace Giuliana Rancic On 'E! News' Despite Viewer Criticism During SAG Awards". International Business Times. Retrieved July 31, 2015.
- ^ Littelton, Cynthia (July 3, 2017). "Maria Menounos Battles Brain Tumor, Steps Down From E! News". Variety. Retrieved July 3, 2017.
- ^ Szalai, Georg (July 3, 2017). "Maria Menounos Steps Down as Co-Anchor of 'E! News' Amid Battle With Brain Tumor". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved April 5, 2022.
- ^ Johnson, Zach (July 3, 2017). "Maria Menounos Diagnosed With a Brain Tumor as Her Mom Is Fighting Stage 4 Brain Cancer". E! News. Retrieved July 3, 2017.
- ^ Wagmeister, Elizabeth (October 19, 2015). "Maria Menounos to Host Daily Pop Culture & Lifestyle Show for SiriusXM". Retrieved May 6, 2017.
- ^ "Better Together: GSTV and Maria Menounos Launch Partnership To Bring New Lifestyle Content to National Video Network". GSTV. June 25, 2020. Retrieved October 26, 2022.
- ^ Warnock, Caroline (June 2021). "'The Challenge' Sneak Peek Hints at Upcoming Reveal About On-Screen Hookup". heavy. Retrieved August 25, 2021.
- ^ Bucksbaum, Sydney (December 23, 2021). "The Challenge: Spies, Lies and Allies reunion recap: Fessy wants to fight CT, CT ignores him". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved December 23, 2021.
- ^ James, Caldwell (October 12, 2009). "CALDWELL'S WWE RAW REPORT 10/12: Complete coverage of Nancy O'Dell and Maria Menounos hosting Raw". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved April 29, 2016.
- ^ James, Caldwell (December 13, 2011). "CALDWELL'S WWE TRIBUTE TO THE TROOPS REPORT 12/13: Complete "virtual-time" coverage of USA Network special". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved April 29, 2016.
- ^ Wortman, James (March 16, 2012). "Beth: "I will Glam Slam you into tomorrow!"". WWE. Retrieved April 18, 2012.
- ^ Glencross, Sharon. "WrestleMania 28: What We Learned from Kelly Kelly and Maria Menounos' Win". Bleacher Report. Retrieved February 8, 2021.
- ^ Artus, Matthew (April 2, 2012). "Kelly Kelly & Maria Menounos def. Divas Champion Beth Phoenix & Eve". WWE. Retrieved April 18, 2012.
- ^ "Maria Menounos to induct Bob Backlund into the WWE Hall of Fame". Retrieved April 8, 2013.
- ^ WWE.COM, STAFF (August 14, 2013). "Eva Marie joins Brie Bella to face Natalya & Maria Menounos at SummerSlam Axxess". WWE.com. Retrieved September 7, 2015.
- ^ "SUMMERSLAM PPV RESULTS: Quick rundown of match results". PRO WRESTLING TORCH (pwtorch.com). August 18, 2013. Retrieved September 7, 2015.
- ^ Lee, Brian (April 17, 2008). "For Menounos, it's lights, camera, Take Action". MSNBC. Retrieved May 16, 2019.
- ^ Raynor, Roxanne (March 6, 2013). "Maria Menounos: Take Action Hollywood". macares.org. Retrieved July 3, 2017.
- ^ Mitovich, Matt (October 13, 2005). "Maria Menounous Is Hollywood's It Girl". TV Guide. Retrieved July 3, 2017.
- ^ "Actress Maria Menounos at the Climate Rally Earth Day Concert in Washington". UPI.com. Retrieved July 3, 2017.
- ^ "Maria Menounos, Whitney Port Become Zombies for a Good Cause". PEOPLE.com. Retrieved May 16, 2019.
- ^ "The Naked Truth: Five Celebrities Go Nude for Allure". Allure. April 17, 2012. Archived from the original on July 10, 2016. Retrieved March 18, 2014.
- NY Daily News. Archived from the originalon June 14, 2012.
- ^ Jordan, Julie (July 3, 2017). "Maria Menounos Reveals She Was Diagnosed with a Brain Tumor — While Her Mom Is Fighting Stage 4 Brain Cancer". People.
- ^ "Maria Menounos Battles Brain Tumor". TMZ. Retrieved March 20, 2023.
- ^ Harvey, Marianne (May 4, 2023). "Maria Menounos reveals she's recovering from pancreatic cancer". CNN. Retrieved May 12, 2023.
- ^ "Maria Menounos opens up about pancreatic cancer diagnosis". CBS Today. May 4, 2023. Retrieved May 12, 2023.
- ^ "Maria Menounos Got Married on Live TV on NYE With Steve Harvey Officiating". Vulture. January 1, 2018.
- ^ "Maria Menounos says her wedding in Greece was an absolute 'fairytale'". greekcitytimes.com. October 31, 2018.
- ^ D'Zurilla, Christie (February 7, 2023). "Maria Menounos, beaming and grateful, announces a baby is on the way — with some help". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved May 12, 2023.
- ^ Kokkinidis, Tasos. "Maria Menounos is Now Officially a Greek Citizen". Greek Reporter. No. 2023–05–19. Retrieved August 23, 2023.
- Spike TV. Archived from the originalon November 19, 2013. Retrieved July 3, 2017.
- ^ Coman, Nick (August 9, 2010). "Maria Menounos Named MVP of Madden NFL Pigskin Pro-Am". NESN. Retrieved July 3, 2017.
- ^ Weinstein, Shelli; Litteton, Cynthia (June 22, 2014). "Daytime Emmy Awards: 'Young and the Restless,' 'Ellen DeGeneres,' Steve Harvey Among Top Winners at Raucous Ceremony (FULL LIST)". Variety. Retrieved July 3, 2017.
External links
- Maria Menounos on Twitter
- Maria Menounos on Facebook
- Maria Menounos at IMDb
- Maria Menounos on the Muck Rack journalist listing site
- Maria Menounos's profile at Cagematch.net , Internet Wrestling Database