Ross Mathews

Last updated

Ross Mathews
Ross Mathews.jpg
Mathews in 2010
Born (1979-09-24) September 24, 1979 (age 44)
NationalityAmerican
Other namesRoss the Intern, Bossy Rossy
Alma mater University of La Verne
OccupationTelevision personality
Years active2001–present
Television Tonight Show With Jay Leno , RuPaul's Drag Race
Spouse
Wellinthon García
(m. 2022)
[1]
Website helloross.com

Ross Mathews (born September 24, 1979) [2] is an American television host and personality. He rose to fame as an intern and a correspondent for The Tonight Show with Jay Leno ; he was known as "Ross the Intern" on air.

Contents

Mathews has appeared on Celebrity Fit Club , The Insider , Celebrity Big Brother , and as a weekly panelist on Chelsea Lately . He is a judge on RuPaul's Drag Race , hosts a weekly podcast with Westwood One Studios, and assists with hosting The Drew Barrymore Show . He has been a co-host on Live from E! and a correspondent on The Jay Leno Show .

Early life

Raised in Mount Vernon, Washington, [3] Mathews graduated from Mount Vernon High School [4] and graduated from the University of La Verne, in La Verne, California, in 2002. He majored in communications [5] and competed in speech and debate competitions. [6]

Career

Mathews began as an intern on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno . Beginning in December 2001, he covered movie premieres, the Academy Awards, two Winter Olympic Games, and other events. [7]

Mathews has contributed commentary to the E! networks various 101... specials, and appeared as a weekly panelist on E's late night talk show Chelsea Lately . [8] He appeared on the fifth season of VH1's reality television show, Celebrity Fit Club . During the course of the show, which premiered in April 2007, Mathews lost more than 40 lbs. (18 kg) and helped his team win the grand prize.[ citation needed ] He was also a guest host on The View on July 17, 2007.[ citation needed ]

Mathews appeared as a celebrity mob member on seven episodes of NBC's prime time game show 1 vs. 100 in early 2008. In 2009, he was a contributing correspondent on The Insider , and hosted a web show on The Insider called Inside Dish With Ross Mathews; he took viewers behind the scenes as an "outsider" in Hollywood. Inside Dish became the official online web-shows for CBS's Big Brother and The Amazing Race .[ citation needed ] Also in 2009, he co-hosted GSN's Big Saturday Night, a weekly game show. His other 2009 appearances included The Howard Stern Show and the 2009 Game Show Awards with Diane.

Mathews joined the panel of judges for RuPaul’s drag race with occasional appearances in the earlier seasons and more frequent appearances beginning in Season 7. In 2010, Mathews joined the E! Network's red carpet team, filling in for Ryan Seacrest as co-host with Giuliana Rancic for E! Live From the Red Carpet coverage of the 2011 Screen Actors Guild Awards, the 2010 Emmy Awards, the 2011 Golden Globe Awards, and the 2011 Academy Awards.

In January 2011, Mathews starred in a pilot that he produced and co-wrote with fellow Chelsea Lately round table regular Heather McDonald. Titled Love or Hate, the pilot was made for the E! Network and was executive produced by Chelsea Handler and her company Borderline Amazing Productions. [9] He also appeared in the E! Network's After Lately, a show about the behind the scenes of Chelsea Lately. [10] By September 2011, Mathews had left The Tonight Show returning for guest appearances including the "Woulda, Coulda, Shoulda" skit on December 14, 2011. [11]

Mathews appeared in the fourth episode of the Bravo series Interior Therapy with Jeff Lewis in 2012, in which Lewis redesigned his and his boyfriend's garage. [12]

Ross Mathews at Palm Springs Pride Parade in 2013 Ross Mathews 2013.jpg
Ross Mathews at Palm Springs Pride Parade in 2013

On May 7, 2013, Mathews released his book Man Up! Tales of My Delusional Self-Confidence. [8] He was the host of Hello Ross , an interactive talk show on E! from September 6, 2013, until May 16, 2014. [13] In 2015, he and Carson Kressley were named as new regular judges for the 7th season of RuPaul's Drag Race . [14] At the end of 2015, Mathews began filling in as a guest host on Hollywood Today Live , which is syndicated on Fox. He became a permanent host on January 4, 2016. He also had a lead role in the movie Pup Star. The sequel, Pup Star: Better 2Gether, premiered the following year. He guest-starred as himself in an episode of Mike Tyson Mysteries titled "Unsolved Situations" in 2016.

In 2017, he was the commentator of the Eurovision Song Contest 2017 together with Michelle Visage live for Logo TV. [15] He also commented alongside Shangela on the Logo TV broadcast of the Eurovision Song Contest 2018 final. [16]

In 2018, Mathews was announced as one of the eleven houseguests competing on the first American edition of Celebrity Big Brother . He finished in 2nd place, winning $50,000, and was voted as America's Favorite Houseguest earning an additional prize of $25,000. [17] He appeared in the second season as part of a Head of Household competition.

On November 28, 2019, Mathews was a field reporter for Verizon 360 at the 93rd Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.[ citation needed ] Since fall 2020, he has appeared on the "Drews News" segment of The Drew Barrymore Show and has been hosting his own podcast, Straight Talk with Ross Mathews. In 2021, he appeared as a panelist on the comedy series, Adorableness on MTV. [18]

Personal life

Mathews is openly gay. [19] [20] From 2008 to 2018, he had a relationship with stylist Salvador Camarena. [21] [22] [23] In 2013, the couple appeared in an episode of House Hunters while shopping for a home in Palm Springs. [24]

On February 23, 2021, Mathews announced his engagement to Dr. Wellinthon García, a Long Island educational administrator. [25] [26] On May 7, 2022, Mathews and García married at a ceremony in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. [27]

Filmography

Film

Television

YearTitleRoleNotes
2006–2013 The Tonight Show with Jay Leno HimselfCorrespondent (62 episodes)
2007 Celebrity Fit Club ContestantSeason 5 (8 episodes)
2008-2011 Days of Our Lives Chris
2012 Interior Therapy with Jeff Lewis HimselfGuest (1 episode)
2012 RuPaul's Drag Race HimselfGuest Judge (1 episode)
2015–presentMain JudgeSeason 7–present
2012–2016 RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars HimselfGuest Judge (4 episodes)
2018–presentMain JudgeSeason 3–present
2018 Celebrity Big Brother Contestant Season 1, Runner-up (13 episodes)
2019Guest Season 2 (1 episode)
2020–present The Drew Barrymore Show Himself"Drew's News"
2021 Adorableness Co-hostSeason 1
2023 And Just Like That... HimselfEpisode: "February 14th"

Bibliography

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Charo</span> Actress, singer, comedian, and guitarist

María Rosario Pilar Martínez Molina Baeza, professionally known by her stage name Charo, is a Spanish-born actress, singer, comedian, and flamenco guitarist who rose to international prominence in the 1960s on American television, as well as starring in several films.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Carson Kressley</span> American TV personality, actor and designer

Carson Kressley is an American television personality, actor, and designer. Beginning in 2003, he appeared in the Bravo series Queer Eye for the Straight Guy. He was also the motivational host of the TV show How to Look Good Naked and OWN's Carson Nation and a contestant on season 13 of Dancing with the Stars.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Courtney Act</span> Australian drag performer and recording artist (born 1982)

Shane Gilberto Jenek, better known under the stage name Courtney Act, is an Australian drag queen, singer and television personality. Courtney first came to prominence competing on the first season of Australian Idol in 2003. After the show, she signed to BMG Australia, and she released her debut single, "Rub Me Wrong", which peaked at No. 29 on the ARIA Singles Chart and eventually gained a gold certification. While auditioning for Australian Idol, she also became the first LGBTQ contestant to openly appear on a reality TV talent show. In 2014, Courtney was one of the runners-up in season six of RuPaul's Drag Race.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bruce Vilanch</span> American comedy writer, head writer for the Oscars

Bruce Gerald Vilanch is an American comedy writer, songwriter and actor. He is a two-time Emmy Award-winner. Vilanch is best known to the public for his four-year stint on Hollywood Squares, as a celebrity participant; behind the scenes he was head writer for the show. In 2000, he performed off-Broadway in his self-penned one-man show, Bruce Vilanch: Almost Famous.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Michelle Visage</span> American singer and radio DJ

Michelle Lynn Shupack, known professionally as Michelle Visage, is an American singer, television personality, broadcaster, producer, and actress. She first gained recognition as a member of the dance-pop girl group Seduction, who charted five singles on the Billboard Hot 100 between 1989 and 1990. She later served as lead vocalist of the R&B and dance group The S.O.U.L. S.Y.S.T.E.M., who reached the top of the dance charts with the single "It's Gonna Be a Lovely Day" in 1993.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chelsea Handler</span> American comedian, actress, writer, and producer (born 1975)

Chelsea Joy Handler is an American stand-up comedian, actress, writer, television host, and producer. She hosted the late-night talk show Chelsea Lately on the E! network from 2007 to 2014 and released a documentary series, Chelsea Does, on Netflix in January 2016. From 2016 to 2017, Handler hosted the talk show Chelsea on Netflix.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Arden Myrin</span> American actress and comedian

Arden Myrin is an American actress and comedian. Myrin was a cast member on the Netflix series Insatiable, playing the role of Regina Sinclair, and starred in the 2016 production of Steve Martin's play Meteor Shower at the Long Wharf Theatre. Her television credits include Insecure, Grey's Anatomy, Conan, Orange Is the New Black, Hung, Key & Peele, Inside Amy Schumer, W/ Bob & David, Psych, Bones, Fresh Off the Boat, Suburgatory, 2 Broke Girls, Reno 911!, Shameless, Gilmore Girls, and Secret Chef.

<i>Gay Pimpin with Jonny McGovern</i> LGBTQ podcast

Gay Pimpin' with Jonny McGovern is a bi-weekly free gay-themed podcast based out of Hollywood, California, originally out of New York City. The show, which is hosted by Jonny McGovern, began airing on January 16, 2006.

<i>The Jay Leno Show</i> Short-lived American late-night talk show

The Jay Leno Show is an American prime time talk show hosted by Jay Leno that was broadcast by NBC from September 14, 2009 to February 9, 2010. The series was a spiritual successor to his previous late-night talk show The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, and used a similar format consisting of a comedic monologue, followed by celebrity interviews and other comedy segments.

<i>Chelsea Lately</i> American late night comedy talk show

Chelsea Lately is an American late night comedy talk show created by Brody Stevens and hosted by comedian Chelsea Handler. The show was produced by Handler's production company, and taped at Universal Studios Stage 1, in Universal City, California. It was broadcast on E!, with the first episode aired on July 16, 2007, and the 1048th, and last, on August 26, 2014. In American markets, the show aired at 11:00 p.m. Eastern and 8:00 p.m. Pacific time having been recorded at 3:30 p.m. PT, usually the same day.

<i>The Tonight Show with Conan OBrien</i> American late-night talk show (2009–2010)

The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien is an American late-night talk show that featured Conan O'Brien as host from June 1, 2009, to January 22, 2010, as part of NBC's Tonight Show franchise. O'Brien had previously hosted NBC's Late Night with Conan O'Brien, which followed The Tonight Show with Jay Leno for 16 years, until his brief succession after Leno.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tom Green</span> Canadian actor and comedian (born 1971)

Michael Thomas Green is a Canadian comedian, show host, actor, filmmaker, podcaster, and rapper. After pursuing stand-up comedy and music as a young adult, Green created and hosted The Tom Green Show, which aired on Canadian television and later on MTV between 1994 and 2000. The show became popular for its shock comedy, absurd pranks and Green's manic persona, and influenced later series such as Jackass and The Eric Andre Show. Green has also appeared in the Hollywood films Road Trip (2000), Charlie's Angels (2000), Stealing Harvard (2002), and Shred (2008). Green additionally directed, co-wrote and starred in the cult film Freddy Got Fingered (2001). He was briefly married to actress Drew Barrymore (2001–2002), who co-starred with him in Charlie's Angels and Freddy Got Fingered.

RuPaul's Drag Race is an American reality competition television series, the first in the Drag Race franchise, produced by World of Wonder for Logo TV, WOW Presents Plus, VH1 and, beginning with the fifteenth season, MTV. The show documents RuPaul in the search for "America's next drag superstar". RuPaul plays the role of host, mentor, and head judge for this series, as contestants are given different challenges each week. Contestants are judged by a panel that includes RuPaul, Michelle Visage, an alternating third main judge of either Carson Kressley, Ross Mathews, or Ts Madison, and one or more guest judges, who critique their progress throughout the competition. The title of the show is a play on drag queen and drag racing, and the title sequence and song "Drag Race" both have a drag-racing theme.

<i>After Lately</i> American TV series or program

After Lately is an American television comedy. The series depicts, in mockumentary style, the behind the scenes goings-on at the office of the late-night talk show Chelsea Lately. The cast is made up of the actual writers and performers of Chelsea Lately, who play themselves as they suffer the indignities and relish the perks of show business, bicker and argue over trivial and petty matters, compete for show air time and personal approval from Chelsea, and produce a nightly late-night cable comedy show. Celebrity guest stars regularly appear, playing parody versions of themselves, interacting with Chelsea and the cast. The series began airing on E! on March 6, 2011.

<i>RuPauls Drag Race</i> season 4 Season of television series

The fourth season of RuPaul's Drag Race is the fourth series, began airing on January 30, 2012, and aired its final episode on April 30 of the same year. The cast members were announced November 13, 2011. The winner of season four headlined Logo's Drag Race Tour featuring Absolut Vodka, and also won a one-of-a-kind trip, a lifetime supply of NYX Cosmetics, and a cash prize of $100,000.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shangela</span> American drag queen

Chantaize Darius Jeremy Pierce, better known by the stage name Shangela Laquifa Wadley or simply as Shangela, is an American drag queen, reality television personality, and actor best known for competing on RuPaul's Drag Race. Shangela was the first contestant eliminated in season two, and returned as a surprise contestant in the series' third season, placing sixth. She returned once again for the third season of RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars where she finished in joint-third/fourth place alongside winner of the first season, BeBe Zahara Benet. Shangela has also made several television appearances and regularly performs across the United States and Canada.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tyler Oakley</span> American YouTuber and activist (born 1989)

Mathew Tyler Oakley is an American YouTuber, actor, activist, author, television personality and Twitch streamer. Much of Oakley's activism has been dedicated to LGBT youth, LGBT rights, as well as social issues including health care, education, and the prevention of suicide among LGBT youth. Oakley regularly posts material on various topics, including pop culture and humor.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mo Heart</span> American drag performer and singer

Mo Heart, formerly Monique Heart, is the stage name of Kevin Leandrew Richardson, an American drag queen, reality television personality, and recording artist best known for competing on the tenth season of RuPaul's Drag Race (2018), the fourth season of RuPaul's Drag Race: All Stars (2018–2019), and the first series of RuPaul's Drag Race: UK vs. the World (2022). Since first appearing on Drag Race in 2018, Mo Heart has appeared in a number of web series produced by World of Wonder, including a starring role in Manic Moments With Monique Heart, and hosted her own podcast, Ace of Hearts with Monique Heart. In January 2019, she released her debut single "Brown Cow Stunning", and later released her debut extended play Beloved SoS 6.3 in 2020.

"Trump: The Rusical" is the fourth episode of the eleventh season of the American reality competition television series RuPaul's Drag Race, which aired on VH1 on March 21, 2019. The episode has contestants deliver Rachel Maddow impressions for the mini challenge, and perform a musical parody of Grease about Donald Trump and the women in his life and cabinet for the main challenge. The musical features choreography by Yanis Marshall, and sees Donald Trump portrayed by former contestant Ginger Minj. Maddow appears as a special guest; Joel McHale and Tiffany Pollard serve as guest judges, alongside regular panelists RuPaul, Michelle Visage, and Ross Mathews.

References

  1. Helling, Steve (May 7, 2018). "Ross Mathews Marries Fiancé Wellinthon García in Mexico — with Flower Girl Drew Barrymore!". People. Retrieved June 17, 2022.
  2. "About". Ross Mathews verified Facebook page. Archived from the original on February 11, 2018. Retrieved February 11, 2018.
  3. Hill, Erin (June 27, 2013). "Ross Mathews: From Farm Town Boy to Hollywood Fixture". Parade . Archived from the original on July 25, 2018. Retrieved February 28, 2021. As a kid in Mount Vernon, WA...
  4. Mathews in Rodriguez, Albert (May 10, 2013). "The out intern - Ross Mathews is living the Hollywood dream". Seattle Gay News. Vol. 41, no. 19. Archived from the original on July 12, 2017. Retrieved February 28, 2021. I graduated high school in Mount Vernon, at Mount Vernon High School, and 30 seconds later I moved to the streets of L.A.
  5. Evans, Rusty (August 16, 2004). "Alumni Profile: Ross Mathews 2002" (Press release). University of La Verne. Archived from the original on September 27, 2007. Retrieved July 17, 2007.
  6. Birdsall, Terry (Spring 2002). "Ross, the Intern". La Verne Magazine. Archived from the original on June 26, 2007. Retrieved July 17, 2007. Ross was president of the debate team his senior year. He performed individual events for the team, was state champion for two events and was sent to the nationals.
  7. Tracy E. Gilchrist (June 10, 2008). "This Gay Week in Television: Bea Arthur, Courteney Cox" Archived June 28, 2008, at the Wayback Machine . Gay Wired. "Lest we forget that Jay helped launch the adorable gay intern Ross Mathews' career."
  8. 1 2 Gilbert, Ted (May 2, 2013). "Why Ross Mathews decided to 'Man Up!'" Archived July 19, 2013, at the Wayback Machine . CNN.
  9. Andreeva, Nellie. "E! Orders Pop Culture Show Presentation Produced By Chelsea Handler" Archived February 23, 2011, at the Wayback Machine . Deadline Hollywood. January 5, 2011
  10. Nededog, Jethro (August 23, 2011). "E! Signs Ross Mathews to New Talk Show Pilot Development and Talent Deal (Exclusive)" Archived December 8, 2011, at the Wayback Machine . The Hollywood Reporter .
  11. "Episode #20.56". The Tonight Show with Jay Leno . Season 20. Episode 56. December 14, 2011. NBC.
  12. "Ross is the Boss". Interior Therapy with Jeff Lewis. Season 1. Episode 4. April 4, 2012. Bravo.
  13. Peeples, Jase (April 24, 2013). "Ross Mathews to Host New 'Interactive' Talk Show" Archived October 5, 2013, at the Wayback Machine . The Advocate .
  14. ""The "RuPaul's Drag Race" Season 7 Premiere Date—And Judges—Finally Revealed!" NewNowNext.com Accessed January 28th, 2015". newnownext.com. Archived from the original on January 30, 2015. Retrieved January 28, 2015.
  15. Jordan, Paul (April 27, 2017). "Eurovision returns to the United States". eurovision.tv. European Broadcasting Union. Archived from the original on April 28, 2017. Retrieved April 28, 2017.
  16. Logo to air Eurovision 2018 Grand Final live in the United States – Eurovision Song Contest
  17. Maher, Natalie (February 13, 2018). "Get to Know the 'Celebrity Big Brother' Cast: Mark McGrath, Omarosa & More". www.billboard.com. Retrieved February 23, 2018.
  18. Ossad, Jordana (June 21, 2021). "MTV is About to Get a Dose of Adorableness". MTV .
  19. "Monkey Business: Short Takes". The Kansas City Star. The McClatchy Company. June 23, 2007. p. E6.
  20. Celizic, Mike. "Super media spectacle more staid than usual". NBC Sports. Archived from the original on January 12, 2010. Retrieved April 21, 2010.
  21. Celebrity Slimdowns: Losing the Weight. E!. January 2, 2012
  22. Deeken, Aimee (August 17, 2010). They both announced their break up on Instagram on November 25, 2018."'Chelsea Lately': Ross Mathews Wants a 'Gayby' Like Neil Patrick Harris (VIDEO)" Archived November 12, 2014, at the Wayback Machine . The Huffington Post .
  23. Jung, Helin (November 29, 2011). "Ross Mathews's Soft Spot: His 'Mutty-Mutt' Dogs" Archived February 15, 2012, at the Wayback Machine . People .
  24. "TV Personality Looks for a Mid-Century Retreat in Palm Springs" Archived May 5, 2014, at the Wayback Machine . HGTV .
  25. Mathews, Ross [@helloross] (February 23, 2021). "Fiancé, you stay!" (Tweet) via Twitter. "... the smartest, funniest and kindest man I've ever met said, 'Yes!' Dr. García, I love you."
  26. "'Drag Race' judge Ross Mathews engaged to LI educator". Newsday . New York City / Long Island. February 23, 2021. Wellinthon Garcia, the newly announced fiance of TV personality and 'RuPaul's Drag Race' judge Ross Mathews, is an educator with deep ties to Long Island.
  27. Helling, Steve (May 7, 2022). "Ross Mathews Marries Fiancé Wellinthon García in Mexico — with Flower Girl Drew Barrymore!". people.com. Retrieved June 17, 2022.