Longtime Extra anchor Maria Menounos is expanding her role at E! Network and will anchor broadcasts of E! News. The news was made official just weeks after Giuliana Rancic was pushed out of E! News.
Menounos signed a deal with E! in May 2014, with her agreeing to host specials and . On July 9, when Rancic left E! News, it was instantly speculated that Menounos would replace her.
Of course, that’s exactly what’s going to happen. Rancic will leave E! News on Aug. 10, but is staying with E! to do Live from the Red Carpet and Fashion Police.
E! is also adding three new correspondents to E! News: Zuri Hall, who previously hosted MTV’s The Challenge aftershows; Erin Lim, the E! News Asia host; and Sibley Scoles, who hosts Revolt Live on P. Diddy’s REVOLT TV network.
Prior to her time at E!, Menounos co-hosted Extra from 2011-2014. She also appeared on The Today Show and even did reports for NBC Nightly News. She was also anchored Access Hollywood from 2006-2011.
"As an established entertainment and news journalist with strong Hollywood connections, Maria has proven herself to be a great fit with the ‘E! News’ team. And with their diverse backgrounds and wide ranging areas of expertise, Sibley, Erin and Zuri will be key additions to ‘E! News,’ which boasts the youngest and most affluent audience amongst all entertainment shows," John Najarian, Executive Vice President, News and Digital at E!, said in a statement. "We are thrilled with ‘E! News'’ success as we continue to integrate the show more closely with the network’s digital platforms and to create new ways of engaging with an evolving audience that consumes information and entertainment across multiple screens.”
Photo by: Brandon Hickman/E! Entertainment