Crowned "Miss Teen USA" in 1998, this exotic brunette continued to work the pageant circuit as a judge and backstage correspondent, eventually snagging a spot as cohost of MTV's
Total Request Live in 2003. Her beauty-queen looks and flirty charm were the perfect fit for the channel, and the gig allowed her to hone her celebrity-interviewing skills. Familiar with pop culture and the red-carpet scene, Minnillo became a New York-based contributor to
Entertainment Tonight in 2005, reporting the latest entertainment gossip. She soon landed on tabloid covers herself with a string of high-profile beaus, including baseball star Derek Jeter and singer Nick Lachey, who had barely split from his wife, Jessica Simpson, when he was spotted canoodling with Minnillo.
Vanessa Minnillo Fast Facts:
- Had a recurring role on The Bold and the Beautiful.
- Appeared in Nick Lachey's music video "What's Left of Me," about his break-up with Jessica Simpson, and was later romantically linked with the singer.
- Vanessa Minnillo Relationships:
- Donna Minnillo - Stepmother
- Helen Berecro - Mother
- Vince Minnillo - Father
- Vincent Minnillo - Brother
- Nick Lachey - Significant Other
- Derek Jeter - Ex-significant Other
