28 MTV VJs: Where are they now?

Music was never looked at the same way again...

Before the dawn of MTV on Aug. 1, 1981, radio was the epicenter of the music landscape, offering a plethora of stations for listeners to browse through for the gnarliest bops that would fuel album purchases and concert attendance. Then MTV stormed onto the scene — airing its first video, "Video Killed the Radio Star" by the Buggles — and revolutionized the music industry with a 24-hour access pass to music visuals.

However, MTV's meteoric rise in pop culture owes much to its iconic Video Jockeys (VJs for short). VJs injected their unique flair and attitudes into MTV, presenting the latest and coolest music videos on shows like 120 Minutes and Total Request Live (TRL). The '80s witnessed Nina Blackwood, Mark Goodman, J.J. Jackson, Martha Quinn, and Alan Hunter pioneer the early days of MTV, and as the decades unfolded, new generations of VJs left their distinctive marks.

Along with the ever-changing music industry, the network has undergone significant transformations, bidding adieu to music video programming with TRL in 2008 (though it tried to revive the classic from 2017 to 2019, featuring no music videos). Now, MTV has rebranded itself as a hub for original reality series like Jersey Shore, The Challenge, Catfish, and more. In 2023, the curtain fell on MTV News (formerly The Week in Rock) — the channel-defining news outlet, fronted by host Kurt Loder, that kept Gen Xers and older Millennials informed about current events — concluding its 36-year run.

So, for those who still want their MTV, read on to discover where the most iconic VJs have journeyed since their MTV glory days.

01 of 28

Mark Goodman

From 1981 to 1987, Mark Goodman worked as one of the original VJs on MTV, presenting music videos on shows like 120 Minutes and The Week in Rock, conducting notable interviews with musicians like David Bowie — who famously questioned the network's sparse coverage of music videos by Black artists — and providing music news during MTV's early days.

Following his VJ gig, Goodman appeared on Married...With Children, Tales From the Crypt, and The Practice, and was the music supervisor for the first two seasons of Desperate Housewives. In 2013, he and other original VJs (Nina Blackwood, Alan Hunter, and Martha Quinn) co-wrote VJ: The Unplugged Adventures of MTV's First Wave. Goodman also continued to work as a host, anchoring SiriusXM's '80s on 8 alongside Hunter, Blackwood, and Quinn; guest-hosting on AXS TV's The Top Ten Revealed; and co-presenting the '80s Cruise several times in 2023.

02 of 28

Alan Hunter

One of the original VJ crew, Alan Hunter landed the emcee role after popping up on Bowie's "Fashion" music video. Appearing across various MTV programming for six years — from MTV Spring Break to MTV's Amuck in America — he interviewed some of the biggest names in Hollywood, including Madonna, Jon Bon Jovi, Aretha Franklin, Tom Hanks, Steve Martin, and so many more.

Since then, Hunter has earned onscreen credits for To Heal a Nation (1988), White Hot (1989), and Lifted (2010); created his own production company, Hunter Films, which produced the Oscar-nominated short film Johnny Flynton (2002) and Sundance's Dreamland (2006); and cofounded the Birmingham Film Festival. Since 2004, the former VJ has worked as a radio host alongside Goodman and Quinn for '80s on 8. (He also joins Goodman as a co-presenter on the '80s Cruise.)

03 of 28

Nina Blackwood

Another member of the OG VJ crew, gravelly-voiced Nina Blackwood first appeared on MTV in 1981. In VJ: The Unplugged Adventures of MTV's First Wave, the MTV veteran reminisced about her and her co-workers' meet-and-greets, writing, "There were lines wrapped around the mall [in San Antonio]. I said, 'Who's appearing here?' And they go, 'You!'"

Quitting MTV in 1986, Blackwood went on to appear on other newsmagazine shows, such as Entertainment Tonight and Access Hollywood. She also has worked as a cohost alongside Goodman, Hunter, and Quinn on SiriusXM Radio.

04 of 28

J.J. Jackson

Among MTV's "fab five," J.J. Jackson brought the most experience to his VJ role, starting first in the late-1960s at WBCN-FM in Boston and then spending a decade at KLOS in Los Angeles — where he notably introduced bands like Led Zeppelin and the Who — before transitioning to a career as a music reporter. From 1981 to 1986, Jackson played a pivotal role in shaping MTV's legacy as a VJ, covering iconic events, including the unmasking of KISS in 1983 and the Live Aid concert in 1985, and contributing to the launch of 120 Minutes.

After his tenure at MTV ended, Jackson returned to California radio, hosting programs like KEDG-FM's "The Edge," KTWV-FM's "The Wave," and more throughout the late-'80s. Starting in 1995, he also emceed Westwood One's syndicated program, The Beatle Years, up until he died at age 62 in 2004.

05 of 28

Martha Quinn

Freshly graduated from New York University, Martha Quinn secured the VJ role two days after her audition, establishing herself as one of the original MTV hosts alongside Goodman, Blackwood, Hunter, and Jackson. During her tenure, she also made appearances in films such as Tapeheads (1988) and episodes of The Bradys and Full House. In 1986, Quinn initially left MTV — only to return three years later, where she hosted programs like Martha's Greatest Hits, Rockline, and MTV Prime With Martha Quinn before her second departure in 1992.

Post-MTV, Quinn went on to be an on-air host for various radio shows, including Martha Quinn's Rewind for iHeartMedia (formerly known as Clear Channel Communications, Inc.) in 2001; Martha Quinn Presents and '80s on 8 for SiriusXM from 2005 to 2016. Additionally, she became the face of an '80s trivia PC game titled The '80s Game With Martha Quinn. Since January 2022, Quinn has been anchoring her eponymous radio show for iHeartMedia.

06 of 28

Adam Curry

Operating under the alias "John Holden," Adam Curry contributed to several Dutch radio programs and presented the Dutch pop music TV show, Countdown, during the early-'80s. In 1987, Curry transitioned to MTV as a VJ, where he hosted programs like Headbangers Ball and MTV Top 20 Video Countdown and conducted interviews with artists like Paul McCartney and Michael Jackson. During his tenure, he registered the then-unused domain name "mtv.com," intending to develop an online service for MTV fans. However, this endeavor resulted in a legal dispute with the channel that took him to court.

Upon leaving MTV in 1994, Curry cofounded multiple internet enterprises. In 2004, alongside software developer Dave Winer, he played a pivotal role in revolutionizing radio broadcasting by creating the podcast format, notably launching the first successful podcast, Daily Source Code, which ran until 2009. The following year saw the establishment of Mevio — formerly named Podshow — a podcast-sharing site co-created by Curry (later rebranded as BiteSizeTV in 2014). Since 2007, Cury, a.k.a. "the Podfather," has been the cohost of the biweekly news and mainstream media podcast, No Agenda, with journalist John C. Dvorak.

07 of 28

Pauly Shore

Before he made a bigger name for himself in comedy, Pauly Shore had a breakthrough in his career when he became an MTV VJ, a role which he held from 1989 to 1994 — hosting the channel's yearly spring break parties on Totally Pauly.

He made a string of '90s comedies during and after his VJ run, appearing in Encino Man (1992) — which also starred the Oscar winners Ke Huy Quan and Brendan Fraser — In the Army Now (1994), Jury Duty (1995), and Bio-Dome (1996). After having his titular Fox sitcom canceled at five episodes in 1997, Shore then produced, directed, wrote, and starred in the 2003 mockumentary Pauly Shore Is Dead. He also earned film and TV credits for King of the Hill, Futurama, Opposite Day (2009), Sandy Wexler (2017), Guest House (2020), and How It Ends (2021).

08 of 28

China "Slick" Kantner

In 1986, China "Slick" Kantner — the daughter of Jefferson Starship band members Grace Slick and Paul Kanter — marked her MTV debut at 15 years old as a guest VJ, making her the youngest in the role ever. Her initial appearance led to regular summer stints, hosting segments like China Kantner's Guest VJ Hour.

Leaving the network in 1990, the young host shifted gears to pursue acting. She was featured in films like The Stöned Age (1994), Airheads (1994), and The Evening Star (1996), and made appearances on the TV series Monty, L.A. Firefighters, and Home Improvement. As of 2021, Kantner has transitioned from the entertainment world to become an interspiritual minister and healing coach.

09 of 28

Downtown Julie Brown

After hosting a number of British TV programs in the early-1980s, Downtown Julie Brown moved to the U.S. and landed the VJ gig, leading the dance music show Club MTV from 1987 to 1992, where she famously popularized her catchphrase, "Wubba, Wubba, Wubba."

Once she stepped down from her MTV duties, Brown did a short-lived gig on E!'s The Gossip Show. After marrying her husband, film producer Martin Schuermann, the former host did a few projects here and there — and hosted alongside Goodman and Hunter on the '80s Cruise — but primarily focused on her family and raising her daughter, Gianna.

10 of 28

Riki Rachtman

Before his VJ stint, Riki Rachtman was involved with the metal scene in L.A., playing in local bands and touring with the Offspring. In 1990, he began hosting Headbangers Ball — MTV's hard rock and heavy metal show — up until its 1995 cancellation.

Since then, Rachtman has emceed a range of programs spanning World Championship Wrestling, NASCAR, and various radio stations. Beyond the mic, he also ventured into entrepreneurship, running heavy metal nightclubs like the Cathouse and the Bordello; owning a skateboard company called Pool School; and growing his Cathouse label to feature an apparel shop and a coffee brand.

11 of 28

Karen "Duff" Duffy

Launching her career as a model appearing in TV commercials, Karen Duffy began hosting for MTV as a VJ under the moniker "Duff" in the early-'90s. Concurrently, she took on minor roles in films like Malcolm X (1992), Reality Bites (1994), and Dumb and Dumber (1994).

Post-MTV, Duffy became a "Charlie Girl" for Revlon and the face of Almay Cosmetics. Her acting credits expanded with roles in films like Marmalade (2004) and Fantastic Mr. Fox (2009), and she later hosted TLC's House of Tiny Terrors. In 1995, Duffy was diagnosed with neurosarcoidosis, a rare form of sarcoidosis affecting her brain and spinal cord. Since then, she's penned two books about her experience, Model Patient: My Life as an Incurable Wise-Ass (2001) and Backbone: Living With Chronic Pain Without Turning Into One (2017). Duff continued to share her wisdom in Wise Up: Irreverent Enlightenment From a Mother Who's Been It, a 2022 book filled with maternal advice and letters addressed to her son, Jack.

12 of 28

Daisy Fuentes

Daisy Fuentes had a handful of news anchor credits to her name before making MTV history as America's first Latina VJ in 1993. During her run, the Cuba-born star also fronted the fashion and modeling series, House of Style, and shows for MTV Latin America; appeared on Loving, Dream On, and Cybill; and hosted various programming, including America's Funniest Home Videos and Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve.

Once she resigned from her MTV role in 2002, Fuentes launched her eponymous fashion line two years later, and then expanded to haircare, accessories, and fragrance, which has earned millions in annual sales. She's also a cohost on La Voz Kids (The Voice Kids) on Telemundo. In 2015, the former VJ married musician Richard Marx.

13 of 28

Bill Bellamy

Rising to prominence in the early-'90s with his stand-up on Def Comedy Jam — where he famously coined the term booty call, which inspired the name of his first comedy special in 1994 — Bill Bellamy made his VJ debut in 1993 as the host of MTV Beach House. The comedian became a notable presence on the network, spearheading programs like MTV Jams and the specials MTV Spring Break: Panama City Beach and MTV Rock 'N' Jock Basketball VI.

After leaving MTV, Bellamy continued hosting on shows like NBC's Last Comic Standing and TV One's Bill Bellamy's Who's Got Jokes?, alongside releasing several comedy specials throughout the years — from Back to My Roots (2004) to I Want My Life Back (2022). Beyond hosting and comedy, his résumé expanded into acting with credits for films like Fled (1996), Def Jam's How to Be a Player (1997), Getting Played (2005), A Rich Christmas (2021), House Party (2023), and Back on the Strip (2023). Bellamy also lent his voice to the titular character on the Nickelodeon sitcom Cousin Skeeter and portrayed onscreen roles on various shows, including Men, Women & Dogs, Fastlane, Mr. Box Office, Hot in Cleveland, Insecure, The Neighborhood, and Bel-Air. In 2023, he penned his first book, Top Billin': Stories of Laughter, Lessons, and Triumph, reflecting on his experiences on MTV.

14 of 28

Simon Rex

After two years of working in the adult entertainment industry — an experience that would later come in handy in his acting career — Simon Rex joined MTV's lineup of VJs in 1995, fulfilling the role for two years. (In 2021, the former TV host recalled a moment when he had to interview Tupac while stoned on live TV.)

In the years since his VJ run, Rex has appeared in three films of the Scary Movie franchise (2003, 2016, 2013), as well as the 2008 spoof flick Superhero Movie; became a rapper under the stage name Dirt Nasty; earned an Independent Spirit Award for Best Male Lead for his breakout performance as a washed-up porn star in Sean Baker's 2021 black comedy, Red Rocket; and worked with Diane Keaton in Mack & Rita (2022), Zachary Quinto in Down Low (2023), and Jacob Elordi in The Sweet East (2023).

15 of 28

Carson Daly

Carson Daly began his broadcasting career on California radio before landing a gig as a VJ on MTV's Motel California in 1997, securing a permanent spot. The following year, he became the first host of Total Request Live, interviewing music legends like Janet Jackson, Britney Spears, and Destiny's Child until 2003.

The year before exiting MTV, Daly secured his own late-night talk show, Last Call With Carson Daly, which concluded its 18-season run in 2019. His hosting prowess grew beyond late-night TV, leading NBC's New Year's Eve specials from 2004 to 2020 and presenting and producing the reality competition series The Voice since 2011. In 2013, he became an Orange Room anchor (social media reporter) on the Today show.

16 of 28

Ananda Lewis

Before becoming a VJ, Ananda Lewis had a three-season stint as an onscreen host on BET's Teen Summit, conducting interviews then-First Lady Hillary Clinton and earning an NAACP Image Award for her contributions. Transitioning to MTV in 1996, she emceed various shows and specials including TRL, Hot Zone, and True Life — winning another NAACP Image Award for the latter.

After leaving the network in 2001, Lewis hosted her eponymous talk show, which was canceled after one season. In 2004, she became a chief correspondent on The Insider; competed on Celebrity Mole: Yucatá; and guest-starred on Fox's Method & Red. Though she's maintained a low profile in recent years, Lewis is active on social media. In October 2020, she announced her stage 3 breast cancer diagnosis via Instagram.

17 of 28

Jesse Camp

In 1998, Jesse Camp became the inaugural winner of MTV's Wanna Be a VJ contest — projecting an unhoused and "street kid" image, despite later reports confirming his Connecticut upbringing and private school education. Initially cohosting TRL alongside Daly, he expanded his hosting repertoire with shows like Lunch With Jesse, MTV Rocks Off, and Idiot Savants.

Shortly following his departure from MTV, Camp ventured into a rock music career with his 1999 album Jesse & the 8th Street Kidz, which featured the single "See You Around" and collaborations with artists such as Stevie Nicks and Rick Nielsen. Despite a few acting credits — including 2002's Crossroads — and guest appearances on multiple podcasts, Camp has maintained a relatively low profile outside of entertainment. In 2018, the former VJ made headlines when he was reported missing and found safe the same day.

18 of 28

Dave Holmes

Having an extensive knowledge of music trivia, Dave Holmes lost to Camp on MTV's first Wanna Be a VJ competition. Despite being the runner-up, he immediately worked for the music channel as a VJ, hosting shows like Say What? Karaoke and 120 Minutes, as well as cohosting TRL up until 2001.

Since his VJ career, Holmes went on to earn acting credits for Reno 911!, Fantastic Four (2005), Kroll Show, and Contracted (2013); work as an editor-at-large at Esquire, starting in 2015; author a 2016 nonfiction book titled Party of One: A Memoir in 21 Songs; and host a range of talk shows and several podcasts.

19 of 28

Tyrese Gibson

With TV commercials for Coca-Cola, Guess, and Tommy Hilger and a Billboard-charting album (Tyrese) already on his résumé, Tyrese Gibson made his VJ debut in late-1998, becoming the host for the weekly music video show MTV Jams.

This marked the beginning of a flourishing music career that saw Gibson release five more studio albums (another as a member of the supergroup TGT in 2013) and earn five Grammy nominations. The R&B singer also seamlessly ventured into acting, launching his feature film career in John Singleton's Baby Boy (2002) and subsequently landing recurring roles in iconic movie franchises — portraying Roman Pearce in Fast & Furious and Sgt. Robert Epps in Michael Bay's Transformers. His filmography extends to Waist Deep (2006), Morbius (2022), The Collective (2023), and more. On TV, Gibson had a six-episode stint on Starz's Power and competed in season 5 of The Masked Singer as Robopine.

20 of 28

Ray Munns

Ray Munns earned the top prize on MTV's Wanna Be a VJ competition in 2000, beating out Shannon Wiseman for the reigning title. He then served as Daly's right-hand host on TRL during the summer beach house before getting to executive produce his mixed CD, Ray's House, and to battle once again with other aspiring VJs on TRL Presents: VJ for a Day.

After he exited the position in 2001, Munns was named one of "America's Top 50 Bachelors" by PEOPLE. His hosting gigs have slowed down as cannabis has become his main focus. The former VJ coauthored a 2020 book, GROWTH: The Basics From Our Gardens, and regularly posts pictures from his cannabis garden on Instagram.

21 of 28

Benjamin "Quddus" Philippe

MTV VJs, Where Are They Now, Quddus Philippe — James Devaney/WireImage; Paras Griffin/Getty

In the early-2000s, MTV rang in a new generation of VJs, which included the fan favorite Quddus. During his run on Total Request Live, he interviewed artists like Kanye West, Beyoncé and Justin Timblerlake, and TV Guide featured him on the cover and labeled him as one of the "Rising Young Stars of Summer."

After five years of being a VJ, the Canadian TV personality moved to California to be a host on TV One Access. He's appeared in Aailyah's music video for "Miss You" and garnered acting credits for Uptown Girls (2003), CSI: Miami, Girlfriends, and Jem and the Holograms (2015). Quddus also contributed to CBS's The Insider as a correspondent in 2014, as well as led Tedx Talks for media training, spoke on podcasts, and had his interview with West depicted in the rapper's 2022 docuseries, Jeen-yuhs: A Kanye Trilogy.

22 of 28

Hilarie Burton

Initially hired as a guest commentator after winning a competition on TRL, Hilarie Burton's VJ skills secured her a full-time position. While at MTV, she led programs like MTV Hits, the MTV Video Music Awards, and Iced Out New Year's Eve, and also appeared as a VJ on The WB's Dawson's Creek.

However, Burton left MTV to concentrate on acting, eventually landing her defining role as Peyton Sawyer in six seasons of One Tree Hill while earning film credits for Our Very Own (2005), The List (2007), and The Secret Life of Bees (2008). The actress later appeared on other TV series such as White Collar, Grey's Anatomy, Extant, Lethal Weapon, Council of Dads, and Good Sam, and in movies like Growing Up Smith (2015) and A Christmas Wish (2019). In 2021, Burton began hosting a One Tree Hill-themed podcast, Drama Queens, alongside her former costars Sophia Bush and Bethany Joy Lenz, and released her debut book, The Rural Diaries: Love, Livestock, and Big Life Lessons Down on Mischief Farm — followed by her 2023 memoir, Grimoire Girl: A Memoir of Magic and Mischief.

23 of 28

Susie Castillo

Before she was a host for MTV shows like TRL and Big Ten and helped launch MTV Tr3s' Mi TRL, Susie Castillo was a fierce competitor in beauty pageants — becoming the first Latina to win Miss Massachusetts USA in 2001 and the third to win Miss USA, going on to place in the top 15 for Miss Universe.

In the years following her VJ gig, Castillo became a spokesperson for Neutrogena and a brand ambassador for Charlotte Russe; hosted several broadcasted events; penned her 2016 memoir, Confidence is Queen: The Four Keys to Ultimate Beauty through Positive Thinking; and earned acting credits for House of Payne, Castle, Kidnapped: The Hannah Anderson Story (2015), and The Really Loud House, among others.

24 of 28

Brian McFayden

The following year after his 1999 stint as a MTV News anchor, Brian McFayden switched roles as a VJ, hosting programs such as MTV Fashion for a Day, VJ for a Day, and TRL. While on the network, he also earned additional TV credits on Sabrina the Teenage Witch, MADtv, and Dawson's Creek.

Upon leaving in 2003, McFayden hosted the CBS dating series Cupid, and continued to spearhead other shows like Beauty and the Geek, Current TV, and Fake or Real. He also served as a morning and evening news anchor in Portland, Ore. until 2017. In 2023, the former VJ began cohosting the podcast Name Drop alongside *NSYNC's Chris Kirkpatrick.

25 of 28

La La Anthony

At age 15, Alani "La La" Anthony kick-started her career interning at a Georgia radio station in 1996, which was followed by an DJ gig alongside rapper Ludacris on Future Flavas. In 2001, MTV hired her as a video jockey, where she had a two-year stint cohosting shows like Direct Effect and TRL.

After leaving MTV in 2003, Anthony continued to host on reality shows like Flavor of Love, I Love New York, and For the Love of Ray J. However, the TV personality also shifted her focus to acting, appearing in films like You Got Served (2004), Think Like a Man (2012), Think Like a Man Too (2014), Spike Lee's Chi-Raq (2015), You People (2023), and The Perfect Find (2023), as well as in the music videos for Drake's "In My Feelings" and Megan Thee Stallion's "Hot Girl Summer." She continued to regularly pop on TV, earning roles on Power, Unforgettable, BH90210, BMF, and The Freak Brothers.

26 of 28

Damien Fahey

After working as a DJ on a Boston radio station for a few years, Damien Fahey launched his MTV career in 2002, taking over as the host of TRL from Daly — a role he carried until the show wrapped up in 2008. (During his VJ gig, he also stepped in as a guest host on CBS's The Late, Late Show following Craig Kilborn's exit in 2004.)

After his VJ days, Fahey continued to pick up hosting gigs, emceeing NBC's I'm a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here in 2009 and Hulu's The Morning After from 2012 to 2014. He also clinched acting credits for Robots (2005) and The Great Buck Howard (2008). However, Fahey is most known for his work on Family Guy, initially as a voice actor starting in 2007 and later as a writer and co-executive producer.

27 of 28

DJ Clue

Arriving onto MTV in 2002, DJ Clue (born as Ernesto Shaw) hosted MTV's rap and R&B show, Direct Effect, counting down the top five songs from the genres.

Since MTV, the broadcasting personality has built an impressive résumé, producing songs for Mariah Carey ("Heartbreaker," "Last Night a DJ Saved My Life") and Jay-Z ("Dope Man"), and remixing tracks by *NSYNC, Usher, and Ray J. DJ Clue also hosts his own radio program, "Desert Storm Radio," on Power 105.1 in New York, engaging in conversations with artists like Diddy, Nicki Minaj, and Jack Harlow.

28 of 28

Vanessa Lachey

Five years after representing North Carolina in Teen Miss USA and winning the title in 1998, Vanessa Lachey (then known as Vanessa Manillo) found a spot on MTV as a VJ, fronting shows like The Morning After and TRL until 2007.

Lachey ultimately became one of the most notable VJ alumni, marrying 98 Degrees singer Nick Lachey in 2011. Together, they host the wildly successful dating show Love Is Blind on Netflix, which has spawned its spin-off, The Ultimatum: Marry or Move On. When she's not hosting, the former VJ keeps herself busy, appearing on The Bold and the Beautiful, Dads, Truth Be Told, BH90210, and Call Me Kat. Lachey also landed a regular role as Jane Tennant on NCIS: Hawai'i, and has popped up in crossover episodes on NCIS and NCIS: Los Angeles.