ABC has renewed its thrill competition Wipeout for a fifth season, and producers have tipped former MTV VJ Vanessa Minnillo as a new co-host.
The former Miss Teen USA will join hosts John Anderson and John Henson as a replacement for host Jill Wagner, who will depart the summer series after its upcoming fourth season.
“We will miss Jill, but are thrilled to welcome Vanessa to the team and excited to bring her enthusiasm to the show,” Wipeout creator and executive producer Matt Kunitz revealed this week. “She is a great host with a fun and natural energy that our viewers will love.”
Minnillo, who is putting the finishing touches on her wedding to crooner fiance Nick Lachey, began her career in television co-hosting MTV’s now-defunct video countdown Total Request Live. She went on to host various programs for the cable network before spending two years as a correspondent with TV newsmagazine Entertainment Tonight. The sometimes actress most recently hosted a season of the ABC reality competition True Beauty.
Wipeout’s fourth summer season will premiere Thursday, June 23 at 8/7c on ABC. A special sneak peek will air Tuesday, June 21 at 8/7c. The fifth season, featuring Minnillo, will premiere next winter and summer.