E! announced Thursday that Maria Menounos has been named the new co-anchor of "E! News." Menounos is taking over after current anchor Giuliana Rancic announced she is leaving the show.
"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," John Najarian, an executive vice president for E!, says in a statement.
Menounos joined the entertainment network last year and has contributed in many different ways. She's filled in as an E! News co-anchor, interviewed celebrities ranging from Chelsea Clinton to Vin Diesel and appeared on "Live from E!" – a daily pop-culture roundtable discussion, according to Today. Before Menounos joined E! she previously co-hosted "Extra" with Mario Lopez; prior to that she was a correspondent on "Access Hollywood" and "Today."
Menounos is going to join current co-anchors Jason Kennedy, Terrence Jenkins and Catt Sadler. "E! News has also added three new correspondents, Zuri Hall, Erin Lim and Sibley Scoles, who will appear regularly on the show, plus on the digital series "E! News Now," according to Variety.
Earlier this month Giuliana Rancic announced she is leaving "E! News" after ten years. "This is such a thrilling time for me and I thank the gang at E! for understanding my desire to embark on this next chapter in my life," Rancic says. Her last day anchoring the show is Aug. 10.
