Maria Menounos Gets to new jobs

Maria Menounos gets two new jobs
By Lila Holland | more stories by this author
August 24, 2005 at 10:28:00 AM

Maria Menounos of Entertainment Tonight is seeking greener pastures as a correspondent for both Access Hollywood and The Today Show.
Maria Menounos wears a $25 million diamond-encrusted dress at the 2004 Academy Awards.

Maria Menounos wears a $25 million diamond-encrusted dress at the 2004 Academy Awards.
Entertainment Tonight correspondent Maria Menounos, who was named one of People's "50 Most Beautiful People" in 2004, is ditching the syndicated newsmagazine show for new jobs on Access Hollywood and The Today Show.
The 27-year-old reporter and actress will act as a West Coast contributor for Today and as a special correspondent for Access Hollywood. The tabloid-style celebrity news show is a direct competitor to Entertainment Tonight.
"I'm so thrilled to be part of the NBC family," stated Menounos. "To be working at such a cutting-edge show like Access, and have the opportunity to be a part of the number one morning news program on television is so exciting."
While rumors have suggested that Menounos was pushed out of her job on Entertainment Tonight, sources say that Access Hollywood wooed her away from its rival with a more lucrative contract.
Executive producer Rob Silverstein says, "We've always been huge fans of Maria and believe she has the skills, attitude, and style that fits Access Hollywood perfectly."
Menounos has also worked as an international correspondent for Channel One News, which is broadcast in high school classrooms, and has appeared on The WB's One Tree Hill and in this summer's action film The Fantastic Four.