About Me:
Official Bio.
Wrestler, Singer, Actress, Fashion Designer
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 Raw 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. Since her debut Maria has worked alongside the
company’s biggest superstars including Vince McMahon, John Cena, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, and
“Stone Cold” Steve Austin. Maria has never shied away from a story line 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 is currently performing on WWE’s Smackdown roster, and has live events, signings and
appearances worldwide. 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 also 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 and she continually donates her time and money towards newfound, worthy causes. She
has also traveled overseas with the WWE for the past 5 years for it’s annual Tribute to the Troops Tour,
donating her time and energy to entertain and spread goodwill to our servicemen and women stationed
overseas.
Maria was just recently named WWE’s Diva of the Year for 2009 as voted by the WWE Universe. She is
also currently writing and producing her own music. She will release her first EP in April 2010. It is rock
music with a combination of glamour, twisted lyrics and sex appeal. 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.”
About Me:
Official Bio.
Wrestler, Singer, Actress, Fashion Designer
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 Raw 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. Since her debut Maria has worked alongside the
company’s biggest superstars including Vince McMahon, John Cena, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, and
“Stone Cold” Steve Austin. Maria has never shied away from a story line 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 is currently performing on WWE’s Smackdown roster, and has live events, signings and
appearances worldwide. 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 also 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 and she continually donates her time and money towards newfound, worthy causes. She
has also traveled overseas with the WWE for the past 5 years for it’s annual Tribute to the Troops Tour,
donating her time and energy to entertain and spread goodwill to our servicemen and women stationed
overseas.
Maria was just recently named WWE’s Diva of the Year for 2009 as voted by the WWE Universe. She is
also currently writing and producing her own music. She will release her first EP in April 2010. It is rock
music with a combination of glamour, twisted lyrics and sex appeal. 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.”
Hi Maria, I want to be one of your friends, Is this possible, beautiful Diva in wrestling history ..
ChRiS JeRiChO02:50 AM EST