UPDATE: Alicia Quarles is out of “E! News,” a spokesperson for E! confirms, telling Variety they “wish her well.” Quarles served as the show’s lead New York-based correspondent for three years, after coming from the Associated Press where she spent nine years. Insiders indicate that she is eying a production deal elsewhere.
Maria Menounos has been named co-anchor of “E! News,” the cable net announced Thursday. Her expanded role follows the news of current anchor Giuliana Rancic departing the daily news show.
Menounos, who was expected to take over Rancic’s role, joins current team Jason Kennedy, Terrence Jenkins and Catt Sadler.
“As an established entertainment and news journalist with strong Hollywood connections, Maria has proven herself to be a great fit with the ‘E! News’ team,” said John Najarian, E! exec vice president of news and digital.
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“E! News” has also added three new correspondents, Zuri Hall, Erin Lim and Sibley Scoles, who will appear regularly on the show, plus digital series “E! News Now.” Hall previously hosted MTV’s after shows for “The Challenge,” in addition to various specials, and was co-host of Fuse TV’s “Trending 10;” Lim was host of “E! News Asia;” and Scoles hosted P. Diddy’s music television show “Revolt Live” on Revolt TV.
Right to left: Erin Lim, Sibley Scoles and Zuri Hall. Photos courtesy of E!Of the new trio, Najarian added, “With their diverse backgrounds and wide-ranging areas of expertise, Sibley, Erin and Zuri will be key additions to ‘E! News,’ which boasts the youngest and most affluent audience amongst all entertainment shows. We are thrilled with ‘E! News’’ success as we continue to integrate the show more closely with the network’s digital platforms and to create new ways of engaging with an evolving audience that consumes information and entertainment across multiple screens.”
Before securing this elevated role, Menounos hosted her own hourlong E! entertainment news magazine series, “Untold With Maria Menounos,” appeared on roundtable series “Live From E!” and has served as a fill-in anchor on “E! News,” in addition to other responsibilities with the net.Previously, she was the co-host of “Extra” with Mario Lopez, and before that was a correspondent on “Access Hollywood” and “Today.”
Rancic’s final day on “E! News” is Aug. 10, though she will continue co-hosting “Fashion Police” and will remain with the cabler for “Live From the Red Carpet” award show coverage.
Rancic commented, “This is such a thrilling time for me, and I thank the gang at E! for understanding my desire to embark on this next chapter in my life.”