Maria Kanellis
- Actress
Maria Kanellis is an actress, singer, TV hostess/personality, former
WWE Diva and aspiring fashion designer. She is currently appearing on
"The Celebrity Apprentice" on NBC. She is releasing her first music
album, a 4 song EP, on April 13th, 2010. She is most well-known as a
former professional wrestler and personality within World Wrestling
Entertainment (WWE) for the past 5 years.
Maria Louise Kanellis was born on February 25, 1982 in Ottawa,
Illinois. The oldest of three siblings she grew up surrounded by cars
and her free time was spent juggling sports, pageants and dancing. In
2004 Maria made her first of many television appearances when she was a
contestant on the reality series Outback Jack. Soon after she tried out
for the WWE Diva Search and placed fifth out of thousands of
contestants. Although she was eliminated, Maria was later hired by WWE
as a backstage interviewer on Monday Night Raw and began training for
the next 3 years at the Ohio Valley Wrestling facility. She began
competing in the ring as a wrestler in 2005. After her debut Maria
worked alongside the company's biggest superstars including John Cena,
Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, and "Stone Cold" Steve Austin. Maria never
shied away from angles or story lines and is most comfortable in the
spotlight. She posed for the April 2008 cover and pictorial in Playboy
magazine, which WWE incorporated into one of the year's most popular
story-lines on Monday Night Raw. For the Playboy shoot, Maria chose
several elements, including lighting, wardrobe and style. She even
designed and produced some of her own wardrobe for this "high-fashion"
themed layout. She has also created outfits for her wrestling matches,
television appearances, red carpet charity events and high profile WWE
ceremonies. Maria enjoyed some cross-over success while with the WWE,
making several TV appearances. She has co-hosted G4 Network's "Attack
of the Show" and she lists "Deal or No Deal," "Family Feud," "Project
Runway," "VH1's Top 20 Video Countdown," "The Insider," "Best Damn
Sports Show," "Red Eye," and "The Today Show," among several television
appearances on her resume. In March 2010, she will appear as a cast
member of NBC's hit series "The Celebrity Apprentice" alongside fellow
contestants Sharon Osbourne, Brett Michaels, and Cindy Lauper to name a
few. Maria worked with the Make-A-Wish Foundation as her charity of
choice during filming. She is very active when it comes to other
charitable organizations, such as Generation Rescue, Paws For Style,
St. Jude's Children Hospital and The Kentucky Humane Society to name a
few. Philanthropy holds a special place with Maria as she continually
donates her time and money towards newfound, worthy causes. She has
traveled overseas with the WWE from 2005-2008 for it's annual USO
Tribute to the Troops Tour, donating her time and energy to entertain
and spread goodwill to our servicemen and women stationed overseas.
Maria was recently named WWE's Diva of the Year for 2009, a popular fan
vote as decided by the WWE Universe. Shortly after she was released
unexpectedly by the WWE, citing Maria's deep desire to pursue outside
interests, such as TV, movies, and writing and producing her own music.
Maria describes her rock music as a combination of glamour, twisted
lyrics and sex appeal. The first EP is titled "Sevin Sins." Maria has
only began her rise to stardom but already has millions of fans
worldwide and an intense drive for success. Her creativity is evident
in everything she does. Maria's life mantra that inspires her is
"Passion is my Motivation."
WWE Diva and aspiring fashion designer. She is currently appearing on
"The Celebrity Apprentice" on NBC. She is releasing her first music
album, a 4 song EP, on April 13th, 2010. She is most well-known as a
former professional wrestler and personality within World Wrestling
Entertainment (WWE) for the past 5 years.
Maria Louise Kanellis was born on February 25, 1982 in Ottawa,
Illinois. The oldest of three siblings she grew up surrounded by cars
and her free time was spent juggling sports, pageants and dancing. In
2004 Maria made her first of many television appearances when she was a
contestant on the reality series Outback Jack. Soon after she tried out
for the WWE Diva Search and placed fifth out of thousands of
contestants. Although she was eliminated, Maria was later hired by WWE
as a backstage interviewer on Monday Night Raw and began training for
the next 3 years at the Ohio Valley Wrestling facility. She began
competing in the ring as a wrestler in 2005. After her debut Maria
worked alongside the company's biggest superstars including John Cena,
Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, and "Stone Cold" Steve Austin. Maria never
shied away from angles or story lines and is most comfortable in the
spotlight. She posed for the April 2008 cover and pictorial in Playboy
magazine, which WWE incorporated into one of the year's most popular
story-lines on Monday Night Raw. For the Playboy shoot, Maria chose
several elements, including lighting, wardrobe and style. She even
designed and produced some of her own wardrobe for this "high-fashion"
themed layout. She has also created outfits for her wrestling matches,
television appearances, red carpet charity events and high profile WWE
ceremonies. Maria enjoyed some cross-over success while with the WWE,
making several TV appearances. She has co-hosted G4 Network's "Attack
of the Show" and she lists "Deal or No Deal," "Family Feud," "Project
Runway," "VH1's Top 20 Video Countdown," "The Insider," "Best Damn
Sports Show," "Red Eye," and "The Today Show," among several television
appearances on her resume. In March 2010, she will appear as a cast
member of NBC's hit series "The Celebrity Apprentice" alongside fellow
contestants Sharon Osbourne, Brett Michaels, and Cindy Lauper to name a
few. Maria worked with the Make-A-Wish Foundation as her charity of
choice during filming. She is very active when it comes to other
charitable organizations, such as Generation Rescue, Paws For Style,
St. Jude's Children Hospital and The Kentucky Humane Society to name a
few. Philanthropy holds a special place with Maria as she continually
donates her time and money towards newfound, worthy causes. She has
traveled overseas with the WWE from 2005-2008 for it's annual USO
Tribute to the Troops Tour, donating her time and energy to entertain
and spread goodwill to our servicemen and women stationed overseas.
Maria was recently named WWE's Diva of the Year for 2009, a popular fan
vote as decided by the WWE Universe. Shortly after she was released
unexpectedly by the WWE, citing Maria's deep desire to pursue outside
interests, such as TV, movies, and writing and producing her own music.
Maria describes her rock music as a combination of glamour, twisted
lyrics and sex appeal. The first EP is titled "Sevin Sins." Maria has
only began her rise to stardom but already has millions of fans
worldwide and an intense drive for success. Her creativity is evident
in everything she does. Maria's life mantra that inspires her is
"Passion is my Motivation."