Alexi Panos

Alexi Panos is a Greek-American television presenter, actress, model, author, producer, and philanthropist well-known for her appearances as a co-host of SNY's popular sports trivia show "Beer Money." Alexi was born in Erie, Pennsylvania to Riana and Greg Panos and quickly became part of the entertainment industry at a young age. Her mother Riana, a model and talent agent, helped her book ads early on for Disney, OshKosh, and TJ Maxx, and enrolled her in acting and on-camera classes. Throughout her school years, Alexi had an affinity for both academics and athletics. She participated in soccer, basketball, track, volleyball, ski club, and dance. She was a straight-A, all-honors student and part of TAG (Talented and Gifted) and SWEP (School Wide Enrichment Program). At 15, Alexi moved to Ventnor, New Jersey with her mother to pursue a singing career when producer Rodney Jerkins of Darkchild Records discovered her during an audition Panos is said to have entered on a dare. In Ventnor, Alexi enrolled at Atlantic City High School, from which she graduated one year early. She spent the majority of her time in New Jersey in studios or modeling out of the Philadelphia market with the Reinhard Agency. When Alexi's mother had a chance meeting with hip-hop star Ja Rule in Miami, the performer then asked Alexi to be part of his new music label, Mi2. At 18, Alexi moved to New York City to continue her work with Mi2. From ages 18 to 21, she toured the globe with the Murder Inc. performers and was a featured singer on the track "Murder Me" from Ja Rule's "The Last Temptation," released in 2002. She also lent her vocals to the track "Caught Up" from Ja''s "R.U.L.E." album, released in 2005. Ultimately, she decided that music was not right for her. After her time within the music scene, Panos decided that music was not right for her. Alexi co-wrote a book with her mother called "Watch Me" in 2006, a collaboration about finding the courage and drive to make what you want out of your life. Alexi has a thriving modeling career with clients such as Kenneth Cole, American Eagle, Levi's, Yeohlee, Burlington Coat Factory, Health Magazine, QVC, Nautica Swim, Miracle Suit, Runner's World Magazine, Cosmopolitan Magazine, Oral-B, Tide, Modell's Sporting Goods, Ecko, JCPenney, and Grey Goose. Panos has been a part of numerous television productions as a presenter, but she is best known for her work as a co-host in SNY's "Beer Money," a sports- trivia show, alongside Chris Carlin. In spring 2011, Alexi began production on HGTV's "Run My Makeover," an interactive home-design show that she is hosting. During her many roles as host, Alexi found a knack and love for creating and producing on-air and web content. She produced the web travel series "Ultimate Quest" and is currently producing several other series for both web and TV. Panos co-founded the non-profit "E.P.I.C." (Everyday People Initiating Change) with her friend Tennille Amor, after her music tour with Ja Rule landed her in Africa, where she noticed a severe gap in the way people lived and decided to do something about it. E.P.I.C.'s first project was The Ripple Project, which provides clean, sustainable bore-hole water wells in rural areas throughout Tanzania. The Ripple Project has drilled 6 wells to date, and "E.P.I.C." prides itself on its grassroots slow-and-steady approach to sustainable development. Both Alexi and her partner Tennille stay in Africa for about a month each year to follow up in the villages they drill in with a full hygiene and sanitation program, and stay locally with the people to ensure community cooperation with each project. In summer 2010, "E.P.I.C." rolled out its Pedals to the People program: the charity provides bicycles to villages that are far-removed from the main town centers. Alexi and Tennille are both Quiksilver Women's Ambassadors through their work with "E.P.I.C.", and the charity receives 3% of profits from QSW's Eco-Friendly Line of Tees. In 2010, JetBlue rolled out its "Be True" campaign featuring Alexi and her work with "E.P.I.C.." Early in 2010 she was asked to speak at the TEDxCalgary event. "E.P.I.C." donates 100% of all donations to their projects.