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Vanessa Lachey is known for hosting shows such as Entertainment Tonight and MTV’s Total Request Live. Her latest role will be as the lead on CBS’ NCIS: Hawaii. Here’s a look at Lachey’s net worth, career, and how she became famous.

Vanessa Lachey’s rise to fame

Vanessa Lachey
Vanessa Lachey | Leon Bennett/WireImage

Vanessa Lachey began her rise to fame after winning the 1998 Miss Teen USA competition. Soon after her Miss Teen USA win, Lachey starred in the daytime drama The Bold and the Beautiful. She played Amanda Wexler for eight episodes in 2001. That same year, she appeared in an episode of City Guys titled “Dances with Malcolm.”

In 2003, Lachey appeared in the TV movie The Break, in which she played Malia. She made her film debut in the 2007 movie Fantastic 4: Rise of the Silver Surfer.

In 2013, Lachey joined the cast of Dads. She played Camilla Whittemore for 19 episodes until 2014. She has also made appearances in Call Me Kat; Beverly Hills, 90210; Christmas Unleashed; Truth Be Told; and Hawaii Five-0.

Vanessa Lachey hosted Miss Teen USA Pageants and MTV’s ‘Total Request Live’

Vanessa Lachey poses at the 45th Annual Daytime Creative Arts Emmy Awards at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium
Vanessa Lachey at the 45th Annual Daytime Creative Arts Emmy Awards at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium in 2018 | Paul Archuleta/FilmMagic

In addition to acting, Lachey has had quite a few hosting jobs. After serving as a correspondent and later a judge for the Miss Teen USA pageant in 2001 and 2003, Lachey went on to host MTV Hits from 2003 to 2004. From 2003 to 2006, she was the host of MTV’s Total Request Live. Her other hosting jobs include True Beauty, Wipeout, Entertainment Tonight, and Love Is Blind.

Acting and hosting aren’t the only ways Lachey built her wealth. Product endorsements are another income stream for the celebrity. She has partnered with many brands, including Bob Evans Farms, Libby’s, Life Touch, Nutella, Rice Krispies, and more.

Vanessa Lachey on ‘NCIS: Hawaii’

Vanessa Lachey at the "It's A Wonderful Lifetime" Holiday Party in 2019
Vanessa Lachey at the “It’s A Wonderful Lifetime” Holiday Party in 2019 | Paul Archuleta/FilmMagic

It was recently announced that Lachey will be the star of the NCIS spinoff NCIS: Hawaii. She will reportedly play the character Jane Tennant, Special Agent in Charge of the NCIS Pearl Harbor office. Deadline describes Jane as a mother who is trying her best to balance work and family. She also deals with the pressures of being a woman in a male-dominated field. 

Lachey shared her excitement on Instagram after the announcement about her starring role. “Honored is an understatement!” wrote Lachey. “To join the NCIS franchise as the first female lead and to do it on the Beautiful Islands of Hawai’i. I still can’t believe it! Thank You CBS for believing in me! Now let’s get to work!”

Lachey knows what it’s like to juggle work and motherhood. She shares three children with singer Nick Lachey. During an interview with Heavy, she spoke about what it was like spending more time with her children during quarantine.

“It’s all of the things,” says Lachey. “High highs, low lows, but honestly, I’m just excited I got this time with them. I think I realized that my time with them at this age is fleeting. I mean, they grow up so quickly. Everyone says that and it’s true.”

Vanessa Lachey’s net worth

As of this writing, Vanessa Lachey has an estimated net worth of $25 million according to Celebrity Net Worth.

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