Last week on HDNet’s Inside MMA, we broke the news that Maria Kanellis will become the newest member of the network’s MMA broadcast team. Kanellis was WWE’s 2009 “Diva of the Year,” a Playboy Cover Girl, recording artist and a contestant on this season’s “Celebrity Apprentice.” She will debut as the backstage correspondent on HDNet’s LIVE broadcast of “Mark Burnett Presents: King of the Cage: Legacy” on March 26 from the Silver Legacy Casino in Reno, Nev.

“Maria is an amazing talent with a devoted fan base and we are excited to have her as part of our MMA broadcast team,” said Andrew Simon, CEO of HDNet Fights. “Maria loves MMA and is a superstar on LIVE television – the MMA community will welcome the passion she will bring to covering the sport.”

“My mantra is ‘passion is my motivation’ and I am definitely passionate about MMA!” said Kanellis. “I am excited for the opportunity to be part of the HDNet family. I love their commitment to the sport.”
Kanellis began her career in 2004 as a WWE Diva and appeared on the cover of Playboy magazine in April 2008. Her television credits include appearances on “Family Feud,” “Project Runway,” ” VH1’s Top 20 Video Countdown,” “The Insider,” “Best Damn Sports Show Period,” “Red Eye” and “The Today Show.”

She will be featured as a contestant on this season’s “The Celebrity Apprentice” which premiered on March 14 on NBC. Her debut album “Seven Sins” will be available on iTunes on April 13 and a preview of the first single can be heard at http://mariakanellis.net

What's up all you stars, studs, and Celebrity Apprentice watchers!!

I just finished watching episode one and it is safe to say that everyone is themselves. What you see is what I lived. I mean Cyndi is as crazy as her hair. Sharon is as fiery as her hair. Donald is as funny as his hair. And Bret come on, don't get me started. There was a lot of hair and humor in this season. As a kid growing up I was a huuuuge fan of Cyndi Lauper so when I saw her that first day I wanted to jump up and down, but unfortunately that would not have been proper. This is a competition and I am trying to beat her. (Really, I just want her to sing to me every day and lullabies at night). Well, I wanted Bret to sing me lullabies too but I think maybe that would have been a completely different show. Yes, I too watched "Rock of Love" with the rest of the world. Looking around at the cast that first day I have to say I am star stuck. Hearing Sharon Osbourne's voice alone and I am giggling like a teenager. Then, there was Curtis Stone who also made me giggle but for a different reason. Maybe it was because he is smoking hot, Australian and can cook. I hear that he is good with his utensils. Note: if my man is reading this I just like to look at the menu not taste it, unless it is Curtis' menu which was delicious in this episode. Anyways, after that drooling session, it was down to business. Task at hand; win Celebrity Apprentice, make money for charity, not get fired and conquer 13 celebrities who could kick my ass. One of whom literally could kick my ass, Bill Goldberg. That man is amazing and intimidating-looking but a total teddy bear who gives, gives, gives. Furthermore, he is a former pro-wrestler and so he also knows the code. "Even when a person punches you in the face and you have broken your nose, you look them square in the eye, shake their hand and say thank you. You mean it and you go back into battle tomorrow. It is about respect." To see evidence of this, check out the part where Goldberg thanks everyone for coming to the diner in this episode as do I. It is weird but through all the crappy travel, hotels and fast food, you learn respect while you are in wrestling.

411's Al Norton sits down for an exclusive interview with Maria Kanellis to discuss her recent release from the WWE, her new album, and her stint on The Celebrity Apprentice, which begins this Sunday night.

Maria Kanellis responded to an ad for a diva search on USA's Monday Night Raw in 2004 and her life hasn't been the same since. Even though she didn't win she turned that contest into a wildly successful career with the WWE, with the height of her popularity coming in 2008 when she was on the cover of Playboy Magazine and Maxim Magazine had her in their list of the 100 Sexiest Women. She's also done episodes of Family Feud, Project Runway, Sunset Tan, and Attack of the Show. This Sunday she begins a stint on NBC's The Celebrity Apprentice where she is competing on behalf of the Make A Wish Foundation.

Al Norton: How did the offer for Celebrity Apprentice come to you?

Maria Kanellis: Actually Mr. Trump asked me to do it. He had come to the show to do some work from Vince and asked me if I wanted to do it. I said I would love to, which led to meetings with the executive producer. I am so glad he did ask.

Al Norton: How familiar were you with the show? Had you watched either the original or the celebrity version before?

Maria Kanellis: I had watched a little bit of the original and I had seen the whole season of the first Celebrity Apprentice. I ended up watching the entire second season as I was getting ready to do the show.

HDNet announced that former WWE Diva & Playboy cover girl Maria Kanellis will join the HDNet MMA broadcast team on their Inside MMA show. She will make her debut on March 26, 2010 when the network will air a live King of the Cage broadcast from Silver Legacy Resort Casino in Reno, Nevada.

While March 8, 2010 will be remembered by most wrestling fans as being the night of the start of a new Monday Night War, I will remember it most for having the opportunity to speak to Maria Kanellis, the 2009 Diva of the Year.

It has been a crazy few weeks in her career as just a few days before appearing on Celebrity Apprentice, she was released from her WWE contract. The good news for her fans is that she appears to be in great spirits.

One of the pitfalls about reading an interview as opposed to hearing it is that you sometimes don't get a feel for the mood someone is in. I can tell you that she was laughing and giggling at points of most of her answers. I would like to take credit for this and say that she was amused by my sense of humor, but the truth is that she has an incredible sense of humor and personality that hopefully will make it to print in this interview.

Eric: Can you tell me about how you got involved with Celebrity Apprentice?

Maria Kanellis: I actually met Donald Trump when he came to the show to do some work with Vince McMahon. He asked me if I wanted to do it and I said that I would love to and it all started from there.

Eric: Typically, there are charities involved with Celebrity Apprentice. I was wondering what charity you will be competing for and how you got involved with that?

Maria Kanellis: It's the Make a Wish Foundation. I've been doing work for them for a few years now. I love that charity because it I giving wishes to kids, some amazing and strong individuals.