Jeannie Mai
Encyclopedia
Jeannie Mai is an American makeup artist, fashion expert, actress, and TV personality. She is most known for her work as the host of Style Network's
"How Do I Look?
", and USA's
"Character Fantasy". As a fashion expert, she is frequently featured on numerous television programs such as NBC's Today Show on the "Fashion Tips Today" segment, Extra TV
, and E!'s
The Daily 10.
to a southern Chinese father and Vietnamese mother. She has two younger brothers, Dennis and Daniel. As a child, Mai began experimenting with her mother's toys and would frequently "interview" one of the 16 family members living in her three bedroom house. On her official website, she explained that she gave her relatives makeovers when they first arrived from Vietnam. Mai attended Milpitas High School
, but graduated at age 16 and entered De Anza College
, majoring in Communications.
, Alicia Keys
, and Rosario Dawson
. She has served as a celebrity makeup stylist for MTV’s
TRL
, KCL Los Angeles, and Good Morning Sacramento.
In 2003, Mai began auditioning for local television networks with self-written scripts to demonstrate her unique hosting talents. She landed a gig co-hosting the Emmy-nominated Asian American Magazine-Style show Stir
, on International Channel Networks. Soon after, the San Francisco local music channel, CMC
, invited her to host her own music countdown. After gaining attention for her spunky personality and knack for style, Mai became an entertainment reporter and producer of the WB’s
Daily Mixx.
, and NBC.
In 2008, Mai took part in TV history’s first ever attempt to revamp Miss America’s
52 hopefuls on TLC’s Miss America Reality Check. She also starred in “Dude, Where’s Your Style” a Style special turning men from cute to couture, and toured the world as the official spokesperson of Never Accept Ordinary, a line of cosmetics that promotes individuality through color.
In 2009, Mai took over as the host of the Style Network’s popular and Emmy-nominated show How Do I Look. More than just a “makeover show,” Jeannie empowers women to discover their true beauty, overcome their insecurities, and employ fashion to achieve their career goals. She also served as a correspondent and weekend host on NBC’s Extra TV with Mario Lopez
.
Mai has become recognised for her trademark dark, blue hair.
Mai is also deeply committed to supporting females who face obstacles in their careers. She is a supporter of Seven Bar, Dress for Success, Sister To Sister, P.A.T.H, Respect RX, and The Good Shepherd. As a popular stylist and fashionista, Jeannie also uses her recognition as a platform to promote fledgling female designers and entrepreneurs from around the world by wearing their designs on the red carpet and How Do I Look.
Jeannie believes that the simple swaps out of your everyday choices can have a longer lasting effect on your mood and situations, like when dealing with depression, wearing crisp shades of white to refresh energy and restart life.
As a Wearapist, Jeannie also teach women that life's scenarios call for specific Wearapy tactics to improve the outcome. Examples wearing emerald green to job interviews to convey financial strength and empowering change, purple for large group events for a feel of royalty and creativity, and textures of velvet or cashmere for romantic nights out.
"Colors, textures and the way we reveal our body shape can enhance, reflect and effect our every mood, emotion and thought. Fashion has the power to fuel our souls and create a specific audience of energy in our lives. Welcome to my psychology of style, this is wearapy." - Jeannie Mai
Style Network
The Style Network is an American cable television network based in Los Angeles.Owned by NBCUniversal, a subsidiary of General Electric and Comcast, its sister channels include E! Entertainment Television, USA Network, Syfy, G4, Golf Channel, and Versus, among others.-Network Overview:Style's...
"How Do I Look?
How Do I Look?
How Do I Look? is a makeover show airing on the Style Network. The show was originally hosted by English soap opera veteran Finola Hughes; the current season is hosted by celebrity stylist Jeannie Mai. The show features "fashion victims," purportedly turned in by their friends, coworkers, and...
", and USA's
USA Network
USA Network is an American cable television channel launched in 1971. Once a minor player in basic cable, the network has steadily gained popularity because of breakout hits like Monk, Psych, Burn Notice, Royal Pains, Covert Affairs, White Collar, Monday Night RAW, Suits, and reruns of the various...
"Character Fantasy". As a fashion expert, she is frequently featured on numerous television programs such as NBC's Today Show on the "Fashion Tips Today" segment, Extra TV
Extra (TV series)
Extra is an American entertainment television news program covering events and celebrities which debuted on September 5, 1994 in syndication. It is produced at Victory Studios in Glendale, California by Telepictures Productions in association with Warner Bros. Television Distribution...
, and E!'s
E!
E! Entertainment Television is an American basic cable and satellite television network, owned by NBCUniversal. It features entertainment-related programming, reality television, feature films and occasionally series and specials unrelated to the entertainment industry.E! has an audience reach of...
The Daily 10.
Early life
Mai was born in San Jose, CaliforniaSan Jose, California
San Jose is the third-largest city in California, the tenth-largest in the U.S., and the county seat of Santa Clara County which is located at the southern end of San Francisco Bay...
to a southern Chinese father and Vietnamese mother. She has two younger brothers, Dennis and Daniel. As a child, Mai began experimenting with her mother's toys and would frequently "interview" one of the 16 family members living in her three bedroom house. On her official website, she explained that she gave her relatives makeovers when they first arrived from Vietnam. Mai attended Milpitas High School
Milpitas High School
Milpitas High School is a public four-year comprehensive high school in Milpitas, California, a suburban community adjacent to San Jose. It is one of two high schools within the Milpitas Unified School District....
, but graduated at age 16 and entered De Anza College
De Anza College
De Anza College is a community college located in Cupertino, California. It was founded in 1967 on the site of the Beaulieu Winery and is named after the Spanish explorer Juan Bautista de Anza...
, majoring in Communications.
1996–2003: Early career
At 18, Mai launched her career as a makeup artist for MAC Cosmetics while still living in San Jose. 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 AguileraChristina Aguilera
Christina María Aguilera is an American recording artist and actress. Aguilera first appeared on national television in 1990 as a contestant on the Star Search program, and went on to star in Disney Channel's television series The Mickey Mouse Club from 1993–1994...
, Alicia Keys
Alicia Keys
Alicia Augello Cook , better known by her stage name Alicia Keys, is an American singer-songwriter, record producer, and occasional actress. She was raised by a single mother in the Hell's Kitchen area of Manhattan in New York City. At age seven, Keys began playing the piano...
, and Rosario Dawson
Rosario Dawson
Rosario Isabel Dawson is an American actress, singer, and writer. She has appeared in films such as Kids, Men in Black II, 25th Hour, Sin City, Clerks II, Rent, Death Proof, The Rundown, Eagle Eye, Alexander, Seven Pounds, Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightning Thief and Unstoppable.-Early...
. She has served as a celebrity makeup stylist for MTV’s
MTV
MTV, formerly an initialism of Music Television, is an American network based in New York City that launched on August 1, 1981. The original purpose of the channel was to play music videos guided by on-air hosts known as VJs....
TRL
TRL
TRL sometimes refers to the television show Total Request Live.TRL may also refer to:* Tariff Reform League, a British pressure group* Telstra Research Laboratories, an Australian telecommunications research centre...
, KCL Los Angeles, and Good Morning Sacramento.
In 2003, Mai began auditioning for local television networks with self-written scripts to demonstrate her unique hosting talents. She landed a gig co-hosting the Emmy-nominated Asian American Magazine-Style show Stir
Stir television show
"Stir", also referred to as StirTV, Stir TV and Stir-TV, was the first nationally distributed Asian American television show. Produced by former A. Magazine publisher Jeff Yang in collaboration with KTSF producers and David Baker, the 30-minute show aired on the International Channel for two...
, on International Channel Networks. Soon after, the San Francisco local music channel, CMC
California Music Channel
California Music Channel is an American music video service based in the San Francisco Bay Area. It is one of the world’s longest running local music video television stations. The live broadcasts feature on-camera disc jockeys, audience participation, and contemporary music videos. It is owned by...
, invited her to host her own music countdown. After gaining attention for her spunky personality and knack for style, Mai became an entertainment reporter and producer of the WB’s
The WB Television Network
The WB Television Network is a former television network in the United States that was launched on January 11, 1995 as a joint venture between Warner Bros. and Tribune Broadcasting. On January 24, 2006, CBS Corporation and Warner Bros...
Daily Mixx.
2005–present: Television personality
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 appeared on MTV’s Granted alongside Frankie Muniz and hosted various segments related to fashion and entertainment news on networks such as E!, Lifetime, TLCTLC (TV channel)
TLC is an American cable TV specialty channel which initially focused on educational content. Since 1991 TLC has been owned by Discovery Communications, the same company that operates the Discovery Channel, Animal Planet and The Science Channel, as well as other learning-themed networks...
, and NBC.
In 2008, Mai took part in TV history’s first ever attempt to revamp Miss America’s
Miss America
The Miss America pageant is a long-standing competition which awards scholarships to young women from the 50 states plus the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands...
52 hopefuls on TLC’s Miss America Reality Check. She also starred in “Dude, Where’s Your Style” a Style special turning men from cute to couture, and toured the world as the official spokesperson of Never Accept Ordinary, a line of cosmetics that promotes individuality through color.
In 2009, Mai took over as the host of the Style Network’s popular and Emmy-nominated show How Do I Look. More than just a “makeover show,” Jeannie empowers women to discover their true beauty, overcome their insecurities, and employ fashion to achieve their career goals. She also served as a correspondent and weekend host on NBC’s Extra TV with Mario Lopez
Mario López
Mario Michael Lopez, Jr. is an American actor who has appeared on several television series, in films, and on Broadway. He is best known for his portrayal of the character A.C. Slater on Saved By The Bell, which he also portrayed as a regular on Saved by the Bell: The College Years...
.
Mai has become recognised for her trademark dark, blue hair.
Philanthropy
Mai frequently takes annual mission trips to Africa, Thailand, and Vietnam. While abroad she works with Heartbeat Vietnam, a nonprofit devoted to improving health care for impoverished children, and NightLight International, an organization committed to rescuing women and children from sex trafficking and prostitution rings by providing employment and vocational opportunities.Mai is also deeply committed to supporting females who face obstacles in their careers. She is a supporter of Seven Bar, Dress for Success, Sister To Sister, P.A.T.H, Respect RX, and The Good Shepherd. As a popular stylist and fashionista, Jeannie also uses her recognition as a platform to promote fledgling female designers and entrepreneurs from around the world by wearing their designs on the red carpet and How Do I Look.
Wearapy
Jeannie Mai is popularly known as the Wearapist. This term comes from her psychology of style she has calls "Wearapy". This is her belief that style and wardrobe can have an empowering and healing effect on a woman's confidence and mood. Rather than focusing on trends or labels, Jeannie teaches how color and textures in personal wardrobe choices can dramatically enhance a woman's self-confidence and mood, while transforming the environment of situations around her.**Jeannie believes that the simple swaps out of your everyday choices can have a longer lasting effect on your mood and situations, like when dealing with depression, wearing crisp shades of white to refresh energy and restart life.
As a Wearapist, Jeannie also teach women that life's scenarios call for specific Wearapy tactics to improve the outcome. Examples wearing emerald green to job interviews to convey financial strength and empowering change, purple for large group events for a feel of royalty and creativity, and textures of velvet or cashmere for romantic nights out.
"Colors, textures and the way we reveal our body shape can enhance, reflect and effect our every mood, emotion and thought. Fashion has the power to fuel our souls and create a specific audience of energy in our lives. Welcome to my psychology of style, this is wearapy." - Jeannie Mai