Jeannie Mai Biography

Jeannie Mai (born January 4, 1980) is an American makeup artist, fashion expert, actress, and TV personality. She is most known for her work as the host of the Style Network series How Do I Look?, and USA's Character Fantasy. As a fashion expert, she is frequently featured on numerous television programs such as NBC's Today Show on the "Fashion Tips Today" segment, Extra TV, and E!'s The Daily 10 as well as NBC's co-owned pageant Miss Universe.

She is currently one of the host on The Real talk show along with Tamar Braxton, Loni Love, Adrienne Bailon, and Tamera Mowry, which premiered on July 15, 2013.

Early life

Mai was born in San Jose, California to a Chinese father and Vietnamese mother. She has two younger brothers, Dennis and Daniel. As a child, Mai began experimenting with her mother's toys and would frequently "interview" one of the 16 family members living in her three bedroom house. On her official website, she explained that she gave her relatives makeovers when they first arrived from Vietnam. Mai attended Milpitas High School, but graduated at age 16 and entered De Anza College, majoring in Communications.

Career

1998"2004: Early career

At age 18, Mai launched her career as a makeup artist for MAC Cosmetics while still living in San Jose, California. 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, Alicia Keys, and Rosario Dawson. She has served as a celebrity makeup stylist for MTV's Total Request Live, KCAL Los Angeles, and Good Morning Sacramento.

In 2003, Mai began auditioning for local television networks with self-written scripts to demonstrate her unique hosting talents. She landed a gig co-hosting the Emmy-nominated Asian American Magazine-Style show Stir, on International Channel Networks. Soon after, the San Francisco local music channel, California Music Channel, invited her to host her own music countdown. After gaining attention for her spunky personality and knack for style, Mai became an entertainment reporter and producer of the WB's The Daily Mixx.

2005"present: Television personality

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. Following this, she appeared on MTV's Granted alongside Frankie Muniz and hosted various segments related to fashion and entertainment news on networks such as E!, Lifetime, TLC, and NBC.

On August 11, 2007, Mai married Freddy Harteis host of The Hollywood Hunter airing on The Sportsman Channel.

In 2008, Mai took part in TV history's first ever attempt to revamp Miss America's 52 hopefuls on TLC's Miss America Reality Check. She also starred in Dude, Where's Your Style a style special turning men from cute to couture, and toured the world as the official spokesperson of Never Accept Ordinary, a line of cosmetics that promotes individuality through color.

In 2009, Mai took over as the host of the Style Network's popular and Emmy-nominated show How Do I Look?. She also served as a correspondent and weekend host on NBC's Extra TV with Mario Lopez.

Mai has become recognized for her trademark dark, blue hair. She has also become known as the "Fashion Wearapist", and also for her constant "so" in every sentence that she uses.

In 2012, she appeared as a guest judge on Asia's Next Top Model, Cycle 1.

In 2013, Mai was the host of a live weekly series titled Style Pop on the Style Network.