Hip, chic, savvy, and witty are just a few of the words to describe Marianela Pereyra, the new host for the 3rd season of Poker After Dark. Born in Buenos Aires, Argentina to the parents of professional tango dancers, she developed a passion for dance and the entertainment industry at a young age, touring the world with her parents and now referring to the backstage of prestigious theaters back then as her second home.

Her family moved to the United States when she was five years old, where she quickly learned the English language. She had a flair for the arts, learning ballet in middle school, and in high school securing lead roles in school plays and musicals. And while still in high school, a doctor who made frequent television appearances recognized her flair for performance and invited her to join the production team of a live Hispanic health show at MHz networks, allowing Marianela to list “assistant producer” to her resume at a very young age.

She attended the University of Maryland to study psychology and romance languages, and graduated cum laude, mastering Italian and French along the way. While in college, Marianela’s non-academic accomplishments included auditioning for the university dance team and being the only freshman picked out of 300 girls, being selected by MHz networks to host their new live music show MHz HOT, which she also wrote and produced, and working with the producers of the WB’s reality show elimiDATE.

She has served as a VJ and the amusing host of Daily Download on the digital cable network FUSE, a video music channel, where she interviewed the biggest stars in the entertainment business. She covered the 2005 Grammy Awards for NBC’s Access Hollywood, has appeared as a featured panelist on CNN’s Showbiz Tonight, and on Court TV’s Hollywood Heat. She has been a guest on ESPN’s Cold Pizza, CNBC’s Bullseye, and a featured host on NBC’s The Maury Show. She has also worked as a DJ for radio stations in New York and Los Angeles, has been featured in several magazines including Maxim and Billboard, and writes a monthly column for CosmoGIRL.

Marianela is no stranger to the world of poker. She was the sideline reporter for the PPV coverage of the 2007 World Series of Poker Championship Event, where her expertise in conducting interviews quickly caught the attention Poker After Dark’s producers, who were involved in the PPV production. The players on the 3rd season of PAD loved working with her, and viewers will especially enjoy the way she interacts with the players, her quick wit and professionalism, and of course how great she looks in front of the cameras!

NBC takes pride in introducing viewers to this highly engaging and outstanding talent. More of Marianela’s accomplishments, along with some great photos, can be viewed on her website at www.marianela.tv.