Tanika Ray
Encyclopedia
Tanika Ray is an American
television personality. She was born in Washington, D.C.
and raised in Los Angeles
. She earned a Bachelor of Arts
degree in Theater Arts from Spelman College
in Atlanta and studied theater at New York University
.
Ray began her career as a professional dancer with various artists such as Will Smith
, the Backstreet Boys
, Brandy Norwood
and late singer Aaliyah
. She then ventured into acting, guest starring in shows like The Wayans Bros.
, Living Single
, NYPD Blue
and Family Matters She also appeared on music oriented shows such as Soul Train
, Motown Live and the short-lived late night talk show based on Vibe.
She appeared as a Motion capture
character, providing the voice and body movements of "Cyber Lucy", the computer animated hostess for the children's version of Wheel of Fortune, Wheel of Fortune 2000. During this period she was also the official voice of CBS Saturday Mornings.
From there Ray was off and running, hosting various TV shows like Robotica co-hosted by Ahmet Zappa
for TLC and Lifetime Now with Linda Dano
for Lifetime TV. After multiple seasons of Lifetime Now, Ray hosted another show on Lifetime called Head2Toe, a makeover show that inspired women and a couple men to be the very best them they could be through makeup, hair, wardrobe and, most important, self esteem transformations.
In 2004, Ray became New York correspondent for the entertainment magazine show Extra (TV series)
. After two years she was promoted to the host of its weekend edition Extra's Weekend Show and relocated to Los Angeles. In 2009 she left Extra. Ray next hosted TBS Weekend Extra on TBS and CWNOW on the CW.
Ray left Extra in August 2009 to expand her entertainment scope. She has recently hosted For the Love of Ray J. 2 Reunion Special for VH1, a one-hour special on the movie Precious
for TV Guide Network and TV Guide
's Oscar Pre-Show On the Red Carpet and a one-hour special on Sex and the City 2.
She also frequently appears as a guest panelist on Showbiz Tonight on HLN (TV channel) and programs on CNN
, MSNBC
and Fox News Channel
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
television personality. She was born in Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
and raised in Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
. She earned a Bachelor of Arts
Bachelor of Arts
A Bachelor of Arts , from the Latin artium baccalaureus, is a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate course or program in either the liberal arts, the sciences, or both...
degree in Theater Arts from Spelman College
Spelman College
Spelman College is a four-year liberal arts women's college located in Atlanta, Georgia, United States. The college is part of the Atlanta University Center academic consortium in Atlanta. Founded in 1881 as the Atlanta Baptist Female Seminary, Spelman was the first historically black female...
in Atlanta and studied theater at New York University
New York University
New York University is a private, nonsectarian research university based in New York City. NYU's main campus is situated in the Greenwich Village section of Manhattan...
.
Ray began her career as a professional dancer with various artists such as Will Smith
Will Smith
Willard Christopher "Will" Smith, Jr. , also known by his stage name The Fresh Prince, is an American actor, producer, and rapper. He has enjoyed success in television, film and music. In April 2007, Newsweek called him the most powerful actor in Hollywood...
, the Backstreet Boys
Backstreet Boys
The Backstreet Boys are an American vocal group, formed in Orlando, Florida in 1993. The band originally consisted of A. J. McLean, Howie Dorough, Brian Littrell, Nick Carter and Kevin Richardson. They rose to fame with their debut international album, Backstreet Boys...
, Brandy Norwood
Brandy Norwood
Brandy Rayana Norwood , known professionally as Brandy, is an American singer-songwriter, producer, actress, and dancer. In 2009, she introduced her rap alter-ego Bran'Nu....
and late singer Aaliyah
Aaliyah
Aaliyah Dana Haughton , who performed under the mononym Aaliyah , was an American R&B recording artist, actress and model. She was born in Brooklyn, New York, and was raised in Detroit, Michigan. At the age of 10, she appeared on the television show Star Search and performed in concert alongside...
. She then ventured into acting, guest starring in shows like The Wayans Bros.
The Wayans Bros.
The Wayans Bros. is a situation comedy that aired from 1995 to 1999 on The WB. The series starred real-life brothers Shawn Wayans and Marlon Wayans. Both brothers were already well-known from the sketch comedy show In Living Color...
, Living Single
Living Single
Living Single is an American television sitcom which aired for five seasons on the Fox network from August 29, 1993 to January 1, 1998. The show centered on the lives of six friends who share personal and professional experiences while living in a Brooklyn brownstone.Throughout its run, Living...
, NYPD Blue
NYPD Blue
NYPD Blue is an American television police drama set in New York City, exploring the internal and external struggles of the fictional 15th precinct of Manhattan...
and Family Matters She also appeared on music oriented shows such as Soul Train
Soul Train
Soul Train is an American musical variety show that aired in syndication from October 1971 to March 2006. In its 35-year history, the show primarily featured performances by R&B, soul, and hip hop artists, although funk, jazz, disco, and gospel artists have also appeared.As a nod to Soul Trains...
, Motown Live and the short-lived late night talk show based on Vibe.
She appeared as a Motion capture
Motion capture
Motion capture, motion tracking, or mocap are terms used to describe the process of recording movement and translating that movement on to a digital model. It is used in military, entertainment, sports, and medical applications, and for validation of computer vision and robotics...
character, providing the voice and body movements of "Cyber Lucy", the computer animated hostess for the children's version of Wheel of Fortune, Wheel of Fortune 2000. During this period she was also the official voice of CBS Saturday Mornings.
From there Ray was off and running, hosting various TV shows like Robotica co-hosted by Ahmet Zappa
Ahmet Zappa
Ahmet Emuukha Rodan Zappa is an American musician, actor and novelist.-Early life:Ahmet was born in Los Angeles, California, the third of four children born to businesswoman Adelaide Gail Sloatman and musician Frank Zappa. Ahmet's father was of Sicilian, Greek-Arab and French descent and his...
for TLC and Lifetime Now with Linda Dano
Linda Dano
Linda Dano is an American soap opera actress. A longtime performer in daytime dramas and a bestselling author and businesswoman, Dano was married for over 20 years to advertising executive Frank Attardi....
for Lifetime TV. After multiple seasons of Lifetime Now, Ray hosted another show on Lifetime called Head2Toe, a makeover show that inspired women and a couple men to be the very best them they could be through makeup, hair, wardrobe and, most important, self esteem transformations.
In 2004, Ray became New York correspondent for the entertainment magazine show Extra (TV series)
Extra (TV series)
Extra is an American entertainment television news program covering events and celebrities which debuted on September 5, 1994 in syndication. It is produced at Victory Studios in Glendale, California by Telepictures Productions in association with Warner Bros. Television Distribution...
. After two years she was promoted to the host of its weekend edition Extra's Weekend Show and relocated to Los Angeles. In 2009 she left Extra. Ray next hosted TBS Weekend Extra on TBS and CWNOW on the CW.
Ray left Extra in August 2009 to expand her entertainment scope. She has recently hosted For the Love of Ray J. 2 Reunion Special for VH1, a one-hour special on the movie Precious
Precious (film)
Precious , is a 2009 American drama film directed by Lee Daniels. Precious is an adaptation by Geoffrey S. Fletcher of the 1996 novel Push by Sapphire. The film stars Gabourey Sidibe, Mo'Nique, and Paula Patton...
for TV Guide Network and TV Guide
TV Guide
TV Guide is a weekly American magazine with listings of TV shows.In addition to TV listings, the publication features television-related news, celebrity interviews, gossip and film reviews and crossword puzzles...
's Oscar Pre-Show On the Red Carpet and a one-hour special on Sex and the City 2.
She also frequently appears as a guest panelist on Showbiz Tonight on HLN (TV channel) and programs on CNN
CNN
Cable News Network is a U.S. cable news channel founded in 1980 by Ted Turner. Upon its launch, CNN was the first channel to provide 24-hour television news coverage, and the first all-news television channel in the United States...
, MSNBC
MSNBC
MSNBC is a cable news channel based in the United States available in the US, Germany , South Africa, the Middle East and Canada...
and Fox News Channel
Fox News Channel
Fox News Channel , often called Fox News, is a cable and satellite television news channel owned by the Fox Entertainment Group, a subsidiary of News Corporation...
.
Television
- Wheel of Fortune 2000 (1997–1998) as Cyber Lucy, the Hostess
- Soap Center (2000–2004)
- RoboticaRoboticaRobotica is a robot combat show produced for the American television cable channel TLC, a subsidiary of the Discovery Channel. Three seasons of Robotica were produced. The shows first aired in April 2001, with the final season beginning in late 2002. Show hosts for the first season were Ahmet...
(2001) - Speaking of Women's Health (2001–present)
- Head 2 Toe (2003–2005)
- ExtraExtra (TV series)Extra is an American entertainment television news program covering events and celebrities which debuted on September 5, 1994 in syndication. It is produced at Victory Studios in Glendale, California by Telepictures Productions in association with Warner Bros. Television Distribution...
(2004–2009) - TBS Weekend Extra (2005–present)
- Seacrest @ Night Pilot
- Soap News Update
- CW NowCW NowCW Now is a news magazine series which premiered on The CW on September 23, 2007. It was a brand extension of the syndicated Telepictures news magazine Extra, and features anchors and correspondents from that show...
(2007–2008) - HSN Trendsetter (2008–present) Host
- HGTV'D (2011–present) Host
- HGTV Design StarHGTV Design StarHGTV Design Star is an American reality competition show airing on the cable television network HGTV. It premiered July 23, 2006, and has been renewed for a sixth season.Clive Pearse served as host for Seasons 1-4...
(2011–Present) Host
Guest starring
- Living SingleLiving SingleLiving Single is an American television sitcom which aired for five seasons on the Fox network from August 29, 1993 to January 1, 1998. The show centered on the lives of six friends who share personal and professional experiences while living in a Brooklyn brownstone.Throughout its run, Living...
(1996) - Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of SupermanLois & Clark: The New Adventures of SupermanLois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman was a live-action American television series based on the Superman comic books...
(1996) - Friends (TV series) (1997) (Un-credited role)
- The Wayans Bros.The Wayans Bros.The Wayans Bros. is a situation comedy that aired from 1995 to 1999 on The WB. The series starred real-life brothers Shawn Wayans and Marlon Wayans. Both brothers were already well-known from the sketch comedy show In Living Color...
(1998) - Family MattersFamily Matters (TV series)Family Matters is an American sitcom about a middle-class African-American family living in Chicago, Illinois, which ran on national television for nine full seasons. The series was a spin-off of Perfect Strangers, but revolves around the Winslow family...
(1998) - Hyperion Bay (1999)
- All My ChildrenAll My ChildrenAll My Children is an American television soap opera that aired on ABC from January 5, 1970 to September 23, 2011. Created by Agnes Nixon, All My Children is set in Pine Valley, Pennsylvania, a fictitious suburb of Philadelphia. The show features Susan Lucci as Erica Kane, one of daytime's most...
(2006)