Maria Menounos

Maria Menounos is an Emmy Award-winning journalist, television host, New York Times bestselling author, actress, and entrepreneur with a diverse career in the entertainment industry. Menounos became the youngest person to host "Entertainment Tonight" and later contributed to the "Today" show, "Nightly News," "Dateline," and "Access Hollywood." As a journalist and Emmy Award winner, Menounos conducted the only interview with the entire Obama family, an interview highlighted by ABC News as a significant moment in political journalism. She has reported internationally, covering topics such as the war in Afghanistan, earthquakes in El Salvador, and the AIDS crisis in South Africa.

Menounos gained public attention as a correspondent for "Entertainment Tonight" and later co-hosted "Extra" and "E! News." Her acting credits include recurring roles on the CBS program "Without a Trace" and as Jules in the second season of "One Tree Hill." She also co-hosted the "Miss Universe" pageant. As a New York Times bestselling author, her books include "The EveryGirl's Guide to Life" and "The EveryGirl's Guide to Diet and Fitness." Menounos is recognized as the first person in Hollywood to report for network news and star in a wide-release feature film.

In collaboration with producer Keven Undergaro, Menounos co-founded AfterBuzz TV, a digital broadcast network and pop culture news platform producing post-show content for a wide range of television programs. AfterBuzz TV, referred to as The ESPN of TV Talk, produces extensive weekly programming and provides interviews with cast members and showrunners. Mentorship is a key focus of the network, and for her work with AfterBuzz TV, Menounos was named CES Entertainment Matters Ambassador.

Menounos has faced significant health challenges, including a brain tumor and a rare form of pancreatic cancer. While managing her mother's stage 4 brain cancer care, Menounos discovered her own brain tumor, marking a pivotal moment in her life and career. She later underwent surgery for pancreatic cancer. Menounos has used these experiences to advocate for health and wellness through her podcast "Heal Squad," where she shares information and resources to help others navigate their health journeys. Her openness about these challenges has established her as a prominent voice in wellness, perseverance, and self-advocacy within the entertainment and health industries.