Jeannie Mai
{{short description|American television host}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=June 2024}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Jeannie Mai
| image = Jeannie Mai.jpg
| caption = Mai in 2017
| birth_name = Jeannie Camtu Mai
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1979|01|04}}
| education =
| birth_place = San Jose, California, U.S.
| other_names = Jeannie Mai Jenkins{{cite web|url=https://www.cheatsheet.com/entertainment/jeannie-mai-jenkins-shares-why-she-took-jeezys-last-name-after-tying-the-knot.html/|title=Jeannie Mai Jenkins Shares Why She Took Jeezy's Last Name After Tying the Knot|website=Showbiz Cheatsheet|date=June 16, 2021}}
| television = {{plainlist|
}}
| occupation = {{flat list|
- Television host
- stylist
}}
| years_active = 1998–present
| children = 1
| spouse = {{plainlist|
- {{marriage|Freddy Harteis|August 11, 2007|December 2018|reason=divorced}}
- {{marriage|Jeezy|March 27, 2021|June 2024|reason=divorced
}}}}}}
Jeannie Camtu Mai (born January 4, 1979) is an American television personality, best known for her work on the makeover show How Do I Look? and the syndicated daytime talk show The Real. As a fashion expert, she is frequently featured on television programs such as Today, Extra TV, Entertainment Tonight, and Insider. She has also appeared as a host for E! and as a red carpet host for the American Music Awards. Mai was a correspondent for the 2011, 2012, and 2013 Miss Universe pageants; she co-hosted the 2022 and 2023 editions as well.
Early life
Jeannie Mai was born and raised in San Jose, California,{{Cite web |last=Walcott |first=Escher |date=December 4, 2023 |orig-date=December 4, 2023 |title=Jeannie Mai Says She Learned Jeezy Filed for Divorce at 'Same Time as the Rest of the World': 'I Was Gutted' |url=https://people.com/jeannie-mai-learned-about-jeezy-divorce-at-same-time-as-rest-of-world-8410207 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231205203927/https://people.com/jeannie-mai-learned-about-jeezy-divorce-at-same-time-as-rest-of-world-8410207 |archive-date=December 5, 2023 |access-date=September 5, 2024 |website=Peoplemag |language=en}} to a Chinese Vietnamese father and a Vietnamese mother.{{Cite web|title=The Real Jeannie Mai|website=Beverly Hills Vibe|url=https://beverlyhillsvibe.com/special-profiles/the-real-jeannie-mai/|access-date=November 12, 2020|quote=Hailing from San Jose, Calif., her father, James Mai, is a hardware engineer; her mother, Olivia Duong, is a manager at a laser center.}}{{cite news |last1=Barney |first1=Chuck |date=February 13, 2020 |title=San Jose's Jeannie Mai slams jokes about coronavirus and Asians |url=https://www.mercurynews.com/2020/02/13/san-joses-jeannie-mai-slams-jokes-about-coronavirus-and-asians/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200422170108/https://www.mercurynews.com/2020/02/13/san-joses-jeannie-mai-slams-jokes-about-coronavirus-and-asians/ |archive-date=April 22, 2020 |access-date=July 16, 2020 |work=The Mercury News |location=San Jose, California |quote=Mai was born and raised in San Jose to a Vietnamese mother and a Vietnamese Chinese father.}}{{cite web|last1=Mai|first1=Jeannie|url=https://people.com/tv/jeannie-mai-condemns-coronavirus-racism-hate-will-get-you-sick-even-if-the-virus-doesnt/|title=Jeannie Mai Condemns Coronavirus Racism: 'Hate Will Get You Sick, Even if the Virus Doesn't'|work=People|quote=She is of Vietnamese and Chinese descent.|date=March 23, 2020|access-date=July 16, 2020}} She attended Milpitas High School.
Career
=1997–2012=
At age 18, Mai launched her career as a makeup artist for MAC Cosmetics while still living in San Jose.{{cite web |last1=Veridiano |first1=Ruby |title=Jeannie Mai: Embracing My Vietnamese-American Heritage Has 'Made Me Who I Am' |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/asian-america/jeannie-mai-embracing-my-vietnamese-american-heritage-has-made-me-n502131 |website=NBC News |publisher=Universal Pictures |access-date= April 2, 2019 |date= February 1, 2016}} As a trainer, she worked her way from face to face until she was eventually traveling the world to work for celebrities such as Christina Aguilera and Alicia Keys.{{cite web |last1=Walker |first1=Jodi |title=Jeannie Mai Is So Much More Than a Miss USA Host |url=https://www.bustle.com/articles/27205-who-is-jeannie-mai-and-what-is-she-doing-at-miss-usa |website=Bustle |access-date=April 2, 2019 |date= June 8, 2014}} This led her to also serve as a celebrity-makeup stylist for MTV's Total Request Live, KCAL Los Angeles, and Good Day Sacramento.{{cite web |last1=Tennant |first1=Thomas |title=Do You Know How Jeannie Mai Launched Her Career? |url=https://www.thoughtco.com/who-is-jeannie-mai-3176758 |website=ThoughtCo |access-date= April 2, 2019 |date=September 27, 2018}}
In 2003, Mai began auditioning for local television networks with self-written scripts to demonstrate her hosting talents. She was hired to co-host the Asian-American magazine-style show Stir on the International Channel. Later, the San Francisco-based California Music Channel hired her to host her own music countdown. Mai went on to become an entertainment reporter and producer of the WB's The Daily Mixx.{{cite web |title=Jeannie Mai |url=http://thereal.com/page/2013/06/25/jeannie-mai/ |website=TheReal |publisher=Warner Brothers Entertainment |access-date=April 2, 2019 |date=January 1, 2015 |archive-date=April 2, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190402223707/http://thereal.com/page/2013/06/25/jeannie-mai/ |url-status=dead }}
In 2005, Mai landed her first primetime hosting role on Character Fantasy on the USA Network, where she inspired guests each week to live their fantasies.{{cite web|title=Recording Artists Evan and Jaron to Host USA Network's Character Road Trip and On-Air Personality and Style Maven Jeannie Mai to Host USA Network's Character Fantasy|url=http://www.thefutoncritic.com/news/2006/09/29/recording-artists-evan-and-jaron-to-host-usa-networks-character-road-trip-and-on-air-personality-and-style-maven-jeannie-mai-to-host-usa-networks-character-fantasy-22398/20060929usa01/|publisher=The Futon Critic|access-date=August 11, 2013|date=September 29, 2009}} Following this, she moved to Los Angeles to appear on MTV's Granted alongside Frankie Muniz and hosted segments related to fashion and entertainment news on networks such as E!, Lifetime, TLC, and NBC on the lattermost's talk morning program Today.{{cite news |last=Weisman |first=Jon |title='Today' to give lifestyle tips |publisher =Variety |date=August 5, 2009 |url=https://www.variety.com/article/VR1118006957.html?categoryid=14&cs=1&nid=2562}}{{cite news |last=Weprin |first=Alex |title=Style Network Repurposing Segments From NBC's 'Today' |publisher =Broadcasting & Cable |date=August 5, 2009 |url=http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/326564-Style_Network_Repurposing_Segments_From_NBC_s_Today_.php?rssid=20065}} She also started appearing as a member of the beauty squad on TLC's 10 Years Younger. In 2008, Mai hosted TLC's Miss America Reality Check. She also starred in the makeover special Dude, Where's Your Style, and became spokesperson of the cosmetics Never Accept Ordinary. The following year, Mai became host of the Style Network's fashion makeover show How Do I Look?.{{cite press release|last=Gorman|first=Bill|title=The Style Network Sets Season 12 Of "How Do I Look?" To Premiere April 2|url=http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2011/03/17/the-style-network-sets-season-12-of-how-do-i-look-to-premiere-april-2/86109/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121104120611/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2011/03/17/the-style-network-sets-season-12-of-how-do-i-look-to-premiere-april-2/86109/|url-status=dead|archive-date=November 4, 2012|publisher=TV by the Numbers|access-date=August 11, 2013|date=March 17, 2011}}, She also served as a correspondent and weekend host on NBC's Extra TV with Mario Lopez. In the digital realm, Mai was the resident contributor to Perez Hilton's fashion site Cocoperez.com.{{cite web |last1=Hilton |first1=Perez |title=Jeannie Mai's Fashion Must Have: Leather Leggings! |url=https://perezhilton.com/jeannie-mais-fashion-must-have-leather-leggings/ |website=PerezHilton.com |access-date=March 24, 2019 |date=February 8, 2011}} In 2011, Mai began hosting the Miss Universe pageant and was a fashion consultant on the NBC weight-loss competition The Biggest Loser.{{cite web|last1=Lewis|first1=Hilary|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/miss-usa-host-jeannie-mai-807068|title=Miss USA Co-Host Jeannie Mai Drops Out|website=The Hollywood Reporter|date=July 7, 2015|access-date=June 15, 2020}} Furthermore, Mai also hosted the stylist competition The Next Style Star from Maker Studios, and was the digital correspondent for NBC's Fashion Star.{{cite web |title=Jeannie Mai to Host The Next Style Star |url=http://www.rmnstars.com/jeannie-mai-to-host-the-next-style-star/ |website=RMN Stars Global Entertainment |access-date=March 24, 2019 |date=April 1, 2014}}{{cite web |last1=Swift |first1=Andy |title='How Do I Look' Host Jeannie Mai Joins NBC's 'Fashion Star' As Digital Fashionista! |url=https://hollywoodlife.com/2011/08/05/style-star-jeannie-mai-elle-macpherson/ |website=Hollywood Life |access-date=March 24, 2019 |date=August 5, 2011 |archive-date=April 3, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190403010025/https://hollywoodlife.com/2011/08/05/style-star-jeannie-mai-elle-macpherson/ |url-status=dead }} In 2012, she appeared as a guest judge on Asia's Next Top Model, Cycle 1.
=2013–present=
In 2013, Mai became the host of a live weekly series titled Style Pop on the Style Network which ran for one season.{{cite web|last=Bibel|first=Sara|title='Style Pop' to Premiere Live, Thursday, June 6 on Style|url=http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2013/05/22/style-pop-to-premiere-live-thursday-june-6-on-style/183916/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160128235955/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2013/05/22/style-pop-to-premiere-live-thursday-june-6-on-style/183916/|url-status=dead|archive-date=January 28, 2016|publisher=TV by the Numbers|access-date=August 11, 2013|date=May 22, 2013}} Jeannie Mai served as one of the co-hosts of the Emmy-winning daytime talk show The Real from its debut in 2013 until its conclusion in 2022. Known for her lively personality and candid discussions, Mai brought her unique perspective to the panel, which included co-hosts like Tamera Mowry, Adrienne Bailon, Loni Love, Tamar Braxton, and later, Garcelle Beauvais. Throughout her tenure, she covered a range of topics, from personal experiences and pop culture to social issues and lifestyle advice. The show premiered on July 15, 2013.{{cite web|last=Andreeva|first=Nellie|title=Tamera Mowry & Tamar Braxton Among Hosts Of New Syndicated Talk Show Getting Summer Trial Run On Fox Stations|url=https://deadline.com/2013/05/tamera-mowry-tamar-braxton-among-hosts-of-new-syndicated-talk-show-getting-summer-trial-run-on-fox-stations-511577/|website=Deadline Hollywood|access-date=July 28, 2013|date=May 31, 2013}}{{cite web|title=It's Official: 'The Real' Talk Show Begins Four-Week Test Run July 15|url=https://deadline.com/2013/06/real-talk-show-july-15-premiere-test-run-fox-519260/|website=Deadline Hollywood|access-date=July 28, 2013|date=June 12, 2013}} Following a trial summer run during 2013 on the Fox Television Stations group, it was picked up to series the following year.{{cite web|title='The Real' Gets National Syndication and Cable Pick Up|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/real-gets-national-syndication-cable-652329|work=The Hollywood Reporter|last=Block|first=Alex Ben|date=October 31, 2013|access-date=June 14, 2020}} In 2018, Mai and her co-hosts won the Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Entertainment Talk Show Host for their work.{{cite web|last1=Kiefer|first1=Halle|url=https://www.vulture.com/2018/04/here-are-your-2018-daytime-emmy-award-winners.html|title=Here Are Your 2018 Daytime Emmy Award Winners|website=Vulture|date=April 30, 2018|access-date=June 15, 2020}}
In 2015, Mai hosted the reality competition Steampunk'd on GSN. She was also a fashion correspondent on Entertainment Tonight.
In 2016, Mai brought her show How Do I Look? to Asia's Diva network. The following year, she portrayed Lady Luck on the American game show The Joker's Wild. Mai also became an ambassador for ReimagineMyself.com a program encouraging people living with relapsing multiple sclerosis (MS) to reimagine life with the chronic disease.{{cite web |last1=Browley |first1=Jasmine |title=Jeannie Mai Keeps it Real About MS and Confidence |url=https://www.made-magazine.com/jeannie-mai-keeps-real-ms-confidence/ |website=Made |publisher=Made Magazine |access-date=March 24, 2019 |date= November 1, 2017}}
From 2019 to 2022 Mai appeared as a sideline correspondent on the hit mini-golf competition show Holey Moley on ABC.{{cite web | url=https://abc.com/shows/holey-moley/cast/jeannie-mai | title=Jeannie Mai | Holey Moley | website=American Broadcasting Company }}
On September 2, 2020, Mai was announced as one of the celebrities competing on the 29th season of Dancing with the Stars.{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2020/09/dancing-with-the-stars-abc-unveils-season-29-cast-carole-baskin-nelly-1234568545/|title=Dancing With The Stars: ABC Unveils Season 29 Cast Including Tiger King{{'}}s Carole Baskin & Rapper Nelly|work=Deadline Hollywood|author=Peter White|date=September 2, 2020|access-date=October 7, 2020}}{{cite press release|url=http://thefutoncritic.com/news/2020/09/02/dancing-with-the-stars-heads-back-into-the-ballroom-for-its-2020-season-with-some-cha-cha-changes-and-a-brand-new-celebrity-cast-374204/20200902abc02/|title=Dancing with the Stars Heads Back Into the Ballroom for Its 2020 Season with Some Cha-Cha-Changes and a Brand-New Celebrity Cast|publisher=ABC|via=The Futon Critic|date=September 2, 2020|access-date=October 7, 2020}} She was forced to exit the show on November 2, 2020, after being diagnosed with epiglottitis, an inflammatory condition that can cause swelling and block airflow to the lungs.{{Cite web|last=Atad|first=Corey|date=November 2, 2020|title=Jeannie Mai Forced Off 'Dancing With The Stars' After Being Hospitalized For Rare Condition|url=https://etcanada.com/news/709050/jeannie-mai-forced-off-dancing-with-the-stars-after-being-hospitalized-for-rare-condition/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201102144725/https://etcanada.com/news/709050/jeannie-mai-forced-off-dancing-with-the-stars-after-being-hospitalized-for-rare-condition/|url-status=dead|archive-date=November 2, 2020|access-date=November 2, 2020|website=Entertainment Tonight Canada}}
On October 18, 2022, Mai was announced as the host of America's Test Kitchen: The Next Generation, which premiered on December 9, 2022.{{cite news |last1=Petski |first1=Denise |title=Jeannie Mai Jenkins Tapped To Host 'America's Test Kitchen: The Next Generation' On Amazon Freevee |url=https://deadline.com/2022/10/jeannie-mai-jenkins-host-americas-test-kitchen-the-next-generation-amazon-freevee-premiere-date-1235147536/ |access-date=December 21, 2022 |publisher=Deadline |date=October 18, 2022}}
On January 4, 2023, Mai and former Miss Universe Olivia Culpo were announced as hosts for the 71st Miss Universe pageant to be held at New Orleans, Louisiana on January 14.{{Cite web |last=Purnell |first=Kristofer |title=Olivia Culpo, Jeannie Mai Jenkins to host Miss Universe 2022; Catriona Gray serving as backstage commentator |url=https://www.philstar.com/entertainment/2023/01/05/2235520/olivia-culpo-jeannie-mai-jenkins-host-miss-universe-2022-catriona-gray-serving-backstage-commentator |access-date=January 5, 2023 |website=Philstar.com}}{{Cite web |last=Schneider |first=Michael |date=January 4, 2023 |title=Olivia Culpo, Jeannie Mai Jenkins to Host 71st Miss Universe Telecast (EXCLUSIVE) |url=https://variety.com/2023/tv/news/miss-universe-olivia-culpo-jeannie-mai-jenkins-host-2023-1235478461/ |access-date=January 5, 2023 |website=Variety}}
Mai, Miss Universe 2022 R'Bonney Gabriel and Alden Richards were announced as hosts for the Miss Universe Philippines 2024 to be held at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay, Metro Manila, Philippines, on May 22, 2024.{{cite news |last1= Adina |first1=Armin |title=Jeannie Mai to host Miss Universe Philippines 2024 coronation|url= https://entertainment.inquirer.net/555243/jeannie-mai-to-host-miss-universe-philippines-2024-coronation|accessdate=May 8, 2024 |publisher=Philippine Daily Inquirer |date=May 7, 2024}}{{cite news |last1= Purnell|first1= Kristofer |title=Alden Richards returning to host Miss Universe Philippines 2024 coronation night|url=https://qa.philstar.com/entertainment/2024/05/02/2352060/alden-richards-returning-host-miss-universe-philippines-2024-coronation-night |accessdate=May 2, 2024 |publisher= |date=May 2, 2024}}
On October 14, 2024, Lifetime announced its lineup of holiday movies for the upcoming Christmas season. Among them, Mai will appear in a supporting role in "Christmas In The Spotlight," a romantic holiday comedy that will loosely interpret the real-life relationship between Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift.{{Cite web |last=Perez |first=Lexy |date=2024-10-15 |title=Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce-Inspired Lifetime Holiday Movie Gets a First Look |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/taylor-swift-travis-kelce-holiday-movie-lifetime-1236031431/ |access-date=2024-11-03 |website=The Hollywood Reporter |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Longeretta |first=Emily |date=2024-10-15 |title=Lifetime Unveils 2024 Holiday Movie Schedule, Including Rom-Com Inspired by Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce |url=https://variety.com/lists/lifetime-christmas-movie-schedule-2024-holiday-slate/ |access-date=2024-11-03 |website=Variety |language=en-US}}
Personal life
Mai is a Christian.{{cite web|url=http://www.christianpost.com/news/the-real-co-host-jeannie-mai-shares-how-a-missions-trip-strengthened-her-relationship-with-god-137090/|title='The Real' Co-Host Jeannie Mai Shares How a Missions Trip Strengthened Her Relationship With God|author=Christine Thomasos|publisher=Christian Post|access-date=May 11, 2015|year=2015}} She married Freddy Harteis on August 11, 2007;{{cite web|last=Hatmaker|first=Julia|title=Linglestown native becomes reality TV star in 'Hollywood Hunter'|url=http://blog.pennlive.com/life/2011/06/linglestown_native_becomes_rea.html|work=The Patriot-News|access-date=August 11, 2013|date=June 28, 2011}} the couple divorced in December 2018.{{cite web|url=https://theblast.com/jeannie-mai-divorce-settlement/|title=Jeannie Mai Settles Divorce, Keeps $1.2 Million L.A. Mansion|first1=Ryan|last1=Naumann|first2=Liz|last2=Walters|date=January 4, 2019|website=The Blast|access-date=January 10, 2019}}
In 2019, Mai announced that she had started dating rapper Jeezy.{{Cite web | url=https://www.oprahmag.com/entertainment/a29070486/jeannie-mai-opens-up-jeezy/ |title = The Real's Jeannie Mai Opens up About Dating Rapper Jeezy: "I Found My Equal"|date = September 16, 2019}} The couple married in 2021 at their home in Atlanta, Georgia.{{Cite news | url=https://people.com/tv/jeannie-mai-jeezy-engaged/?amp=true |title = Jeannie Mai and Jeezy Are Engaged! Inside Their 'Quarantine Date Night' Proposal |newspaper = People |date = April 4, 2020}}{{Cite web|last=Macon|first=Alexandra|title=Inside Jeezy and Jeannie Mai's Intimate Wedding Ceremony at Their Home in Atlanta|url=https://www.vogue.com/slideshow/jeezy-and-jeannie-mai-intimate-wedding-ceremony|access-date=April 1, 2021|website=Vogue|date=April 2021}} In January 2022, it was announced that Mai had given birth to a daughter.{{cite web | url=https://people.com/parents/jeannie-mai-jenkins-introduces-baby-monaco-for-first-time-5-months-after-birth/ | title=Jeannie Mai Jenkins Introduces Baby Monaco for the First Time 5 Months After Her Birth }}{{Cite web|date=January 11, 2022|first=Vanessa |last=Etienne|title=Jeannie Mai Welcomes First Child with Husband Jeezy a daughter named Monaco Mai Jenkins: 'Baby Jenkins Is Here'|url=https://people.com/parents/jeannie-mai-welcomes-first-baby-with-husband-jeezy/|access-date=January 12, 2022|website=people.com}} On September 14, 2023, Jenkins filed for divorce from Mai, seeking joint legal custody of their daughter.{{Cite web |date=September 17, 2023 |title=Rapper Jeezy Files for Divorce From 'The Real' Host Jeannie Mai Jenkins |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/lifestyle/lifestyle-news/jeezy-jeannie-mai-jenkins-divorce-split-daughter-1235592282/ |access-date=September 23, 2023 |website=The Hollywood Reporter}} On June 12, 2024, the divorce was finalized.{{cite web |title=Jeezy and Jeannie Mai Jenkins' Relationship Timeline |url=https://people.com/jeezy-jeannie-mai-jenkins-relationship-timeline-7970410 |website=Peoplemag |access-date=June 13, 2024}}
Awards and nominations
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
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{{s-bef|before=Steve Harvey}}
{{s-ttl|title=Hosts of Miss Universe|years=2022 – 2023 |with=Olivia Culpo}}
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{{Daytime Emmy Award Outstanding Entertainment Talk Show Host}}
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Category:American people of Chinese descent
Category:American people of Vietnamese descent
Category:American television talk show hosts
Category:Christians from California