“Viewers can’t help but fall in love with Jessi Cruickshank. Smart, relatable and raucously funny, she has emerged as one of the most beloved young stars on TV.”
-TV Guide
Known for her sharp wit, irreverent commentary and eclectic flare for fashion, television personality and comedian Jessi Cruickshank is one of the most recognized young stars in Canada and has been called “the funniest woman on TV today, period.” [The Province].
In 2013 she’s took the US by storm, writing and starring in The CW hit comedy series “Oh Sit!” alongside Jamie Kennedy, now in its second season. Jessi has also signed on as a face of The Style Network, hosting their outrageous reunion shows and can be seen providing her hilarious commentary as a featured panelist on E!’s pop culture talk show, “Studio E!”. Jessi is also making a splash in scripted television, recurring on TV Land’s new sitcom “Kirstie” opposite Kirstie Alley, Michael Richards, Rhea Perlman, and Jason Alexander, which premiered in the fall.
Born in an A&W restaurant, Jessi grew up in Vancouver, B.C., honing her comedic skills as the only girl in an all male comedy troupe alongside Seth Rogen. She went on to study theater in London, England and graduated at the top of her class from the prestigious University of Toronto Drama Program. Soon after, she was discovered in a nationwide search to become the new face of MTV in Canada and host of “The Hills After Show.” Jessi quickly became a fan favorite, and her show became an international smash hit, syndicated in 10 countries, generating record breaking ratings in the US and Canada, and securing her a Gemini Award.
Jessi went on to host, produce, and write her own spin-off prime time comedy series “The After Show” on MTV where she provided her witty commentary and refreshing perspective on the day’s entertainment news. Lovingly referred to as The Chelsea Handler of Canada, Jessi’s daring and irreverent interviews with the likes of Tom Cruise, the cast of TWILIGHT, Chris Brown, Channing Tatum, Rihanna, Bill Gates, and her “date” with Bradley Cooper became online sensations garnering millions of views worldwide and solidifying her spot as the second most followed Canadian on the Internet [Toronto Life], next only to Justin Bieber.
Some of Jessi’s additional television credits include starring in satirical series “Jessi Cruickshank’s Real Hollywood Survival Guide”, acting as a celebrity guest on E!’s “The Soup,” contributing for “E! News”, cohosting the “MTV Move Awards Pre-Show”, judging “Canada’s Next Top Model” and making regular appearances on “Entertainment Tonight”, “NBC News” and “Fashion Television”. In 2010 Jessi was hand picked from journalists across the country to cover the Olympic Games as the co-host of “Olympic Morning” on Canada’s national network, CTV. She also recently appeared as an actor on the comedy series “Kennedy’s Court” and in “Degrassi Takes Manhattan” for TeenNick.
Jessi’s ability to connect to her audience has also allowed her to tackle global issues in a refreshingly relatable way. As the ambassador for the charity organization Free the Children, Jessi traveled to India for the acclaimed documentary “MTV Presents: Jessi in India” where she encountered child labor, hunger, and poverty first hand. She followed it up with “MTV Presents: Jessi in Kenya”, documenting her experiences living in a mud hut for 10 days with a traditional Massai family. Jessi’s social activism has made her a renowned keynote speaker, speaking regularly at Colleges, Universities and appearing at national conferences alongside The Dalai Lama, Jane Goodall, and Al Gore.
In addition to her work in television, film, and her passion for philanthropy, Jessi is also known for her unique sense of style. Named TV Guide’s Best Dressed Host she has appeared in top fashion publications such as Elle, Flare, Fashion and Verve Girl magazines. She also launched her own clothing line for Me to We style, which sold out within days. Her accessories collection is in the works. Jessi currently resides in Los Angeles, where in addition to her US television projects, she is a comedy writer for Hello Giggles!, the L.A host of E! Canada, and correspondent on Canada’s #1 entertainment show “Etalk.”
As long time Canadian ambassador for non-profit organization Free the Children, Jessi speaks about her eye opening experiences leaving the comfort of her MTV studio and travelling to rural India and Kenya. From carrying poop in India to drinking Goats blood in Kenya, Jessi’s often hilarious and always powerful stories about her travels allow her to tackle serious global issues in a refreshingly relatable way. She talks about the pop-culture bubble so many young people in North America get trapped in today and challenges them to pop it, to see beyond the MTV world and discover the power they hold to create positive change in their colleges, communities and in the world.
In North America, we spend more money on the diet industry than the government spends on health, education and welfare combined. Last year more people voted for American Idol than for any president in US history and 1 in 4 Canadian teens say they would rather be famous than work to make a difference in the world. As the face of MTV and the LA correspondent for ETALK, Jessi talks candidly about navigating a material and pop-culture obsessed world. She opens up about her own experiences working in an industry where quite often how you look is more important than how you think, where your net worth is more relevant than your self-worth, and where success is measured by what you have not what you have to give. Revealing a new side of herself, Jessi will empower her young audience to discover that happiness is not about what you have in your life, but what you choose to do with it.
Jessi attended the University of Toronto on a full scholarship and graduated with honors, but the things she cherishes the most about her university education were the things that had nothing to do with her formal “education.” Jessi will speak about how she got involved in university by starting a special needs drama program at a local high school, joining the student council, playing intramural sports and getting involved with Free the Children, and why students should strive to find a similar balance. Telling a series of wildly funny, honest and relatable anecdotes, Jessi’s uncanny ability to relate to young audiences will leave them motivated to create opportunities and make the most of their college experience.
As the host of a live daily talk show on MTV, broadcast to over 90 million homes across North America, Jessi knows how to work a room. With her signature warmth and wit, Jessi has MC’d and hosted charity fundraisers, private parties, red carpets, award shows, store openings and corporate events all across Canada and the US. Her sharp wit and charm allow her to relate to any crowd and make any event a truly memorable one.
