With a strong presence and personality, Susie Castillo is quickly emerging as one of television’s most recognizable faces. Born in Methuen, Massachusetts, Castillo is of Puerto Rican and Dominican descent, and speaks Spanish fluently.
Castillo can be seen daily as host of MTV’s “TRL” (Total Request Live) and “Big Ten," which are both taped in MTV’s Times Square studios in New York City. Castillo has also been called upon to host a number of MTV specials, such as“TRL New Year’s Eve” andthis year’s“VMA’s on Overdrive” (Video Music Awards), as well as MTV’s “Real World Reunion” specials. Castillo’s hosting abilities have earned her the opportunity to interview some of today’s hottest celebrities in music, TV and film, including Tom Cruise, Jennifer Lopez, Will Ferrell, Jamie Foxx and Jessica Simpson.
An up-and-coming actor, Castillo has guest-starred on such notable shows as ABC’s “My Wife and Kids” and UPN’s “Half & Half.” In 2007, Castillo will star in Disney’s live-action feature film remake of the classic cartoon, “Underdog,” scheduled for release in the summer.
Castillo’s poise in front of the camera has also led to various high-profile hosting gigs, including the live telecast of the 2005 Miss Teen USA Pageant, “The I Do Diaries: Instant Wedding” on Lifetime and The TV Guide Channel’s special on the Miss USA pageant. Castillo was also a guest commentator for the 2004 Miss USA Pageant and shared the stage with Regis Philbin when she co-hosted “Live! With Regis and Kelly.”
In 2003, Castillo became the third Latina ever to become Miss USA, prompting People en Espanol to name her one of the “25 Most Beautiful People.” Recently, she was featured speaking Spanish on two of the commercials Pantene produced for the US Latin Market.
Castillo currently resides in New York where she spends much of her spare time supporting her favorite charities and organizations’ like the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund and Waterkeeper Alliance. She is also the first spokesperson for the Hispanic Heritage Foundation, a non-profit organization that helps cultivate young Latino leaders.