By Bryanne Salazar
8:13am PDT, Jun 19, 2019
Remember when all we wanted was our MTV? For many of us, our adolescence was shaped by the music videos and programs that aired on MTV, like "TRL," "Singled Out," "Spring Break" and more. But what happened to the famous faces that hosted those shows we held so dear? Join Wonderwall.com as we take a look back at some of the most popular hosts on MTV and see where they are now… starting with Carson Daly. The former VJ (seen here with ex-girlfriend Jennifer Love Hewitt in 1998) possibly had more hosting gigs on MTV than anyone else in history (except Kurt Loder because he's MTV royalty). Carson hosted "MTV Live" in 1997, "I Wanna Be a DJ" and "MTV Beach House" in 1998, and "Total Request Live" from 1998 to 2003. Keep reading to find out what Carson — who celebrates his 46th birthday on June 22, 2019 — did after he left the network…
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Carson Daly proved himself to be a hosting tour de force who leveraged his experience at MTV into a remarkable career outside the network. In 2002, he landed his own late-night talk show, "Last Call with Carson Daly," which ended in 2019 after 18 seasons. In addition to hosting a decade's worth of New Year's Eve shows for both MTV and NBC, Carson has regularly hosted on shows like "Weekend Today" and "Today." In 2011, Carson began hosting the hit reality competition series "The Voice" for NBC. In 2015, after years of dating women including Ashlee Simpson and Tara Reid, Carson married Siri Pinter, a writer on his late-night series who's now a food blogger. They share three children.
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After leaving MTV in 1997, Jenny McCarthy landed her own NBC series, "Jenny," that ran for one year. From there, Jenny appeared in several movies like "Scream 3" and "Dirty Love" (which she also wrote) as well as on TV shows like "The Drew Carey Show" and "One on One." In 2002, she welcomed son Evan with director husband John Asher, and in 2004 published her first of many books, "Belly Laughs." The following year, she divorced John and began dating actor Jim Carrey. In 2007, Jenny announced that Evan had autism and sparked controversy when she linked childhood vaccines to her son's diagnosis. In 2007, she was cast on the primetime series "Two and a Half Men" as a recurring character that she played for four years. Jenny and Jim split up in 2010 and a few years later in 2013, the blonde star launched her own daytime series, "The Jenny McCarthy Show." It was there that she met New Kids on the Block singer Donnie Wahlberg, whom she married in 2014. That same year, Jenny became a host on "The View" but was fired after one season. Jenny now claims she was never "anti-vaccine movement" but rather "pro-safe vaccines." Jenny and Donnie have appeared on their own reality show, "Donnie Loves Jenny," as well as on his brothers' reality series, "Wahlburgers." In 2017, she and Donnie also made appearances on former NKOTB member Joey McIntyre's reality series, "Return of the Mac." Two years later, she began appearing as a judge on FOX's "The Masked Singer."
Former "The Real World: New York" star Eric Nies became a host on "Hangin' w/ MTV" in 1992 followed by "The Grind" that same year. He also made multiple appearances on "The Real World" follow-up specials and co-hosted "The Challenge" on MTV from 2002 to 2005.
Eric Nies was one of the first big reality stars. Capitalizing on his MTV fame (and undeniable physical appeal), Eric created a workout based on his show "The Grind" that featured him shirtless and sweaty. He later invented a workout band meant to strengthen the core, though it flopped on the market. In 1995, Eric had a chance encounter with a martial arts grand master whom he credits with changing his life. For the next six years, Eric lived part-time and trained with his instructor to discover his true self. Since leaving the world of television, Eric (seen here with "Real World" alums Beth Stolarczyk and Syrus Yarbrough in 2018) has traveled the world in search of life-altering adventures. During one such journey, Eric met his future wife, Iona, who after just five weeks moved in and married the former reality star. In 2014, Eric and Iona delivered their baby at home. Since then, the couple has kept a low profile and spent their time doing energy healing and life counseling. According to his website, Eric is also a licensed CyberScan quantum energy practitioner and a licensed doctor of pastoral science and medicine.
Ananda Lewis was an MTV VJ and host from the late '90s until 2001. During that time, she appeared on "Total Request Live," "The Hot Zone," "True Life: I Am Driving While Black" and numerous MTV topical programs, including two forums on school violence after the Columbine massacre.
Ananda Lewis left MTV to host her own talk show, "The Ananda Lewis Show." After the series was canceled, she became the chief correspondent on "Insider Tonight" but eventually left Hollywood due to stress and a family illness. Ananda then earned her associate's degree in science from Los Angeles Trade Technical College and now works as a contractor. She welcome a son in 2011. In 2018, she returned to television and currently hosts "While You Were Out" on TLC.
Former Rolling Stone magazine editor Kurt Loder (seen here interviewing Courtney Love in 1993) joined MTV as a news correspondent in 1987. He hosted numerous MTV specials on both musicians and music as well as, of course, "The Week in Rock," which became "MTV News."
Kurt Loder (seen here in 2018) remained a near-constant presence at MTV in some way, shape or form for more than two decades. He last worked with the network in 2014 for the documentary "R.E.M. by MTV." In 2011, he also published his third nonfiction book, "The Good, the Bad and the Godawful" — a collection of his humorous movie reviews over the years. On Sept. 14, 2010, Kurt turned his movie critiquing into a regular blog on Reasons.com, where he writes seriously savage, totally funny reviews (he even weighed in on "Magic Mike XXL"). He's averaged between two and four reviews per month over the last nine years. In 2016, he started a music-based talk radio show on Sirius called "True Stories," which shares in-depth tales from the people who were there when music history was being made.
Daisy Fuentes hosted "MTV Internacional" in 1988 and the "MTV U.S. Top 20 Countdown" from 1993 to 1996. From 1997 to 2002, she also hosted "House of Style" on the network.
In 1998, Daisy Fuentes took on double duty fronting MTV's "House of Style" and co-hosting "America's Funniest Home Videos" on ABC. She later joined the panelists on "Hollywood Squares" from 2001 through 2004. After years appearing as a host on numerous specials and shows (as well as taking on several small acting roles), Daisy switched gears and focused her talents in the world of gaming. In 2009, she launched the "Daisy Fuentes Pilates" game for Wii, which guided users through interactive exercises in both English and Spanish. She couldn't stay away from hosting for long, though. In 2013, Daisy returned to the small screen to host a Spanish-language version of "The Voice" called "La Voz Kids." She currently runs her own lifestyle brand, Daisy Fuentes Style. Daisy famously dated latin singer Luis Miguel as well as Matt Goss from Bros in the '90s and early aughts but in December 2015, she married '80s hitmaker Richard Marx.
Downtown Julie Brown co-hosted a couple of the MTV Video Music Awards ceremonies with her fellow VJs and in 1990 hosted "Club MTV."
Downtown Julie Brown has remained busy since leaving MTV. In the '90s, the mother of one appeared as a host for numerous award shows and as a correspondent for ESPN and even spent some time hosting a gossip show on E! In 1998, she bared all for Playboy magazine. Julie's also appeared on several TV shows and in films including "Sharknado 2: The Second One" and "Days of Our Lives." In 2013, Julie and husband Martin Schuermann (whom she married in 2001) participated on an episode of "Celebrity Wife Swap." Since 2016, Julie's hosted the SiriusXM radio show "'90s on 9." In 2017, she appeared in both "Sandy Wexler" and "Sharknado 5: Global Swarming."
Model and actor Tyrese Gibson was a host on "MTV Jams" in 1996.
In 1998, Tyrese Gibson (who then went by his first name only) released his self-titled debut R&B album featuring songs like "Nobody Else" and "Sweet Lady." The album went platinum and peaked at No. 6 on the Billboard R&B and hip-hop charts. Between making music and continuing his modeling work, Tyrese also embarked on an acting career that saw him appear on TV shows including "Moesha" and "The Parent 'Hood" followed by a debut film role in the romantic drama "Baby Boy." In 2003, Tyrese starred in "2 Fast 2 Furious" followed by dramas like "Four Brothers," "Transformers" and "Ride Along 2." Since 2001, Tyrese has released six additional albums including his latest in 2015, "Black Rose," which reached No. 1 on the Billboard 200. In 2007, Tyrese married Norma Gibson, the mother of his daughter, Shayla, but the couple divorced in 2009. In 2012, he became a published author with the release of his self-help book "How to Get Out of Your Own Way." On Feb. 14, 2017, Tyrese married second wife Samantha Lee. The same year, he starred on the TV drama "Star" and appeared in the Hollywood blockbuster "The Fate of the Furious." Tyrese was in the news in 2017 for calling out Dwayne Johnson for holding up production of the next "Fast and Furious" sequel. He also battled his ex over custody of their daughter. In 2018, Tyrese and Samantha welcomed his second daughter, Soraya Lee. In 2019, he's slated to appear in the thriller "Black and Blue" and release another album.
In 1997, former Playboy model and Prince protege Carmen Electra took over as the host of MTV's "Singled Out" game show.
Carmen Electra might just be one of the most recognizable former MTV hosts around. The same year she began working for the network, she starred in numerous films and TV shows including "Good Burger," "An American Vampire Story" and "Baywatch." At the height of her career, she married basketball star Dennis Rodman in 1998, but divorced him the following year. In 2003, she married former Jane's Addiction and Red Hot Chili Peppers guitarist Dave Navarro (the same year she reappeared on the pages of Playboy magazine). The couple divorced in 2007. Over the years, Carmen's maintained her visibility by appearing in comedies like "Scary Movie 4" and "Meet the Spartans." In 2017, she guest starred on the hit reality cooking show "Worst Cooks in America" and in 2018 guest starred on Freeform's "Alone Together." In August 2017, she made headlines after revealing she and Dave had recently run into one another in New York City. She said she couldn't rule out a reconciliation someday. "Getting back together? Who knows," she told Life & Style. "You never know what can happen in the future. He's a great guy."
La La Vázquez (now La La Anthony) hosted MTV's "Direct Effect" from 2002 to 2006 and "Total Request Live" from 2001 to 2003. She also hosted several "Real World/Road Rules Challenge" reunion specials.
Today, La La Anthony has transitioned from host to actress. The New York native continued to host throughout the 2000s, appearing on "Flavor of Love," "Charm School," "I Love New York" and "For the Love of Ray J" reunion specials on VH1. She also starred on her own reality TV shows, "La La's Full Court Wedding" and "La La's Full Court Life." In 2012, she landed her first acting role in "Think Like A Man." She's since starred in "Baggage Claim," "Think Like A Man Too," "Daytime Divas" and "The New Edition Story." She currently plays Lakeisha Grant on the Starz drama "Power." La La married her longtime boyfriend, NBA star Carmelo Anthony, in 2010 three years after they welcomed their son, Kiyan. The couple separated in 2017 when rumors surfaced that Melo had fathered a child with another woman. The couple reconciled in 2018.
From 1990 to 1995, Pauly Shore hosted "Totally Pauly" and was a regular face at the annual "Spring Break" performances.
He was one of the biggest (if not most unusual) stars of the '90s, appearing in films like "Encino Man" and "Son in Law," but Pauly Shore (seen here in 2018) virtually disappeared from the spotlight after his meteoric rise to fame. His 1997 series "Pauly" was canceled after its first season, leading the young host and actor to find small roles on shows like "V.I.P." and "Futurama." In 2003, Pauly co-wrote, directed and starred in the comedy mockumentary "Pauly Shore is Dead," in which he faked his own death to revive his faltering career. From 2005 to 2007, Pauly made several appearances on the hit show "Entourage" and has popped up in various small acting roles (including on "Hawaii Five-0" in 2015). In 2014, he starred in another documentary, "Pauly Shore Stands Alone," for Showtime. Four years later, he appeared as himself on "Alone Together." He's been performing stand-up comedy since then and has his own podcast, "The Pauly Shore Podcast Show."
Comedian Bill Bellamy hosted countless MTV specials beginning in 1993 as well as "MTV Jams" from 1996 to 1998.
Bill Bellamy was already an accomplished comedian by the time he joined MTV and continued his success after leaving the network. In 1997, he was cast as the lead in the big-screen comedy "How to Be a Player," which led to further film roles including in "The Brothers" and "Lottery Ticket." From 1998 to 2001, Bill starred as Skeeter on the TV comedy "My Cousin Skeeter" and later picked up a role on the 2001 TV series "Men, Women and Dogs." That same year, Bill married Kristin Baker. Over the years, Bill has appeared on numerous shows including "Hot in Cleveland" and was a regular guest on "Chelsea Lately." He became a father in 2003 with the birth of daughter Bailey and again in 2006 with the birth of son Baron. From 2012 to 2015, Bill starred on "Mr. Box Office," which he also produced. Since 2016, Bill's appeared as a guest host on "Access Hollywood" and in 2017, he starred alongside comedian Dave Chappelle in the Netflix documentary "Def Comedy Jam 25." On year later, he guest starred on "Insecure" and in 2019 he appeared in the TV movie "Twenty to One."
Vanessa Minnillo (now Vanessa Lachey) hosted "MTV Hits" from 2003 to 2004 and "Total Request Live" from 2005 to 2006. She also hosted numerous specials for the network including "Real World: Reunion" and "Spring Break."
Vanessa Minnillo (now Vanessa Lachey) was already a recognized actress before joining MTV and continued acting during her stint as a host for the network as well as after with small roles on shows like "City Guys" and "That's Life." In 2005, Vanessa started appearing as a correspondent for "Entertainment Tonight." In 2006, she began dating singer Nick Lachey. The couple married in 2011 and in 2012 welcomed the first of three children. In 2013, Vanessa landed a recurring role on the series "Dads" followed by a part in the 2015 comedy "Truth Be Told." In 2017, shortly after giving birth to her third child, Vanessa appeared on "Dancing With the Stars" where she competed against husband Nick. Vanessa was rumored to have had problems with pro partner Maksim Chmerkovskiy early in the season, but the pair seemed to resolve their issues as time went on.
Mandy Moore focused more on acting following her stint on MTV. In 2001, she had a small role in "The Princess Diaries" and in 2002, she landed her first starring role in "A Walk to Remember." She continued making music, releasing fourth album "Coverage" in 2003, but never recreated her initial musical success. Mandy continued appearing on the big screen in films like "Chasing Liberty" and "Saved!" and later booked roles on TV shows like "Entourage" and "Grey's Anatomy." She was also Rapunzel in the Disney animated film "Tangled." In 2009, Mandy married musician Ryan Adams. The couple's divorce was finalized in 2016, the same year she took on the role of Rebecca Pearson on the hit series "This Is Us." In 2017 she lent her voice to "Tangled: The Series." In 2018, Mandy starred in the sci-fi thriller "The Darkest Minds" and married musician Taylor Goldsmith. One year later, she starred in the drama "I'm Not Here" and received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
