Jeannie Camtu Mai (born January 4, 1979)[1] is an American television personality, stylist, and talk show host. She is best known for How Do I Look?,[2] USA's Character Fantasy,[3] and the talk show, The Real.[4] As a fashion expert, she is frequently featured on numerous television programs and networks such as NBC's Today Show on the "Fashion Tips Today" segment,[5][6] Extra TV, Entertainment Tonight, Insider and E! Entertainment as well as the Miss Universe pageant.
Born Jeannie Camtu Mai
January 4, 1979 (age 39)
San Jose, California, U.S.
Residence Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Occupation
Television personality stylist talk show host
Spouse(s) Freddy Harteis (m. 2007–2017)
Jeannie Camtu Mai was born and raised in San Jose, California, to a Vietnamese family.[1] She attended Milpitas High School.[7]
Career
1998–2004
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, Jennifer Aniston, Sarah Jessica Parker, Kelly Osborne and Rosario Dawson. She also served as a celebrity makeup stylist for MTV's Total Request Live, KCAL Los Angeles, and Good Day Sacramento.
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.
2005–2012
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 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. 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?. She also served as a correspondent and weekend host on NBC's Extra TV with Mario Lopez.
In 2011, Mai began hosting the Miss Universe pageant and was a fashion consultant on the NBC weight-loss competition The Biggest Loser.
In 2012, she appeared as a guest judge on Asia's Next Top Model, Cycle 1.
2013–present
In 2013, Mai was the host of a live weekly series titled Style Pop on the Style Network.[8]
In 2013, Mai became co-host of the Fox talk show The Real, alongside of Tamera Mowry, Loni Love, Adrienne Bailon, and Tamar Braxton. In 2015, Mai was host of the reality competition Steampunk'd on GSN. She also was a fashion correspondent on Entertainment Tonight'
In 2016, she 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.
Other activities
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Mai has been a brand ambassador for numerous companies including: Macy’s, Colgate, Yoplait, The Limited, Microsoft, Biogen, David’s Bridal, Ford, Avon, Splenda and Woolite.
In the digital realm, Mai was the resident contributor to Perez Hilton's fashion site Cocoperez.com. She also hosted the stylist competition The Next Style Star from Maker Studios, and was the digital correspondent for NBC's Fashion Star, also is a co show host on the Real.
Personal life
Mai turned to Christianity from Buddhism.[9] On August 11, 2007, Mai married Freddy Harteis.[10] In October 2017, the couple announced that they have filed for divorce, after he was ready to have kids and she was not.[11]
Awards and nominations
Year Award Category Nominated work Result Ref.
2016 Daytime Emmy Awards Outstanding Entertainment Talk Show Host The Real (shared with Adrienne Bailon, Tamar Braxton, Loni Love and Tamera Mowry-Housley) Nominated [12]
2017 Daytime Emmy Awards Outstanding Entertainment Talk Show Host The Real (shared with Bailon, Braxton, Love and Mowry-Housley) Nominated [13]
2018 NAACP Image Awards Outstanding Talk Series The Real (shared with Bailon, Love and Mowry-Housley) Won [14]
2018 Daytime Emmy Awards Outstanding Entertainment Talk Show Host The Real (shared with Bailon, Love and Mowry-Housley) Won [15]
Born January 4, 1979 in San Jose, California, USA
Birth Name Jeannie Camtu Mai
Height 5' 4" (1.63 m)
