Good energy is not the only thing that Jeannie Mai brings on stage. She runs with a deeper purpose of using her voice to make people feel included and heard
One’s pursuit of their passion is more than just the practice of skill—it takes a calling. Your craft will be on the other line, hoping you will answer to it. Others hear the ringing, but cannot pick up the phone. Meanwhile, there are some who just know and walk into the path of passion. And it’s like that for Jeannie Mai, who has been in the entertainment industry for more than two decades as a host and television personality.
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“Hosting found me,” she recalls. “I’ve felt like a host since I was living in our three-bedroom home filled with 15 family members. I lived with my core family, then my extended family who my parents sponsored over from Vietnam. Somehow that made me, as the eldest, feel responsible about making sure everyone felt included and seen. That still rings true today. My job as a host is to make the entire room feel the vibes.”
In a conversation with MEGA, Jeannie finds herself on the other side of things, this time answering the questions and not the other way around.
Speaking the Same Language of Energy
For Filipinos, her name most likely rings a bell along with the subject of pageantry. To be more specific, Miss Universe. After hosting the international pageant in November 2023, she flew to the Philippines last May to host this year’s Miss Universe Philippines coronation night.
Describing the energy of Filipinos when it comes to pageants, Mai observes, “It’s been nothing short of electrifying! The passion and enthusiasm everyone brings to the event are contagious. It’s such a vibrant and dynamic atmosphere that truly showcases the spirit of the Philippines.”
After her onstage duties, she had a few more days before flying back home. Making the most of her getaway, she had the time to enjoy what the country has to offer—the beaches and the food topping the list. “I’ve had an unforgettable experience, and I’m already craving bangus, sinigang, and chicken binakol! The warmth and hospitality of the people here are incredible.”
Honoring Her First Calling
Years ago, Jeannie held brushes and sponges before microphones. With a job that demands her to be on-call and on camera as much as possible, the host always looks fondly on her experience as a makeup artist at a time when her world had yet to be too buzzing and busy.
“Doing my own makeup not only helped me save so much money in glam whenever I needed, but it also helped me learn how to really take a moment to myself before every big moment I had ahead, whether it was an audition or a test read,” Mai explains. “Today, I feel like I’m always rushing to my next job, and I’m busy playing catch up in my glam chair with emails, phone calls, and responsibilities.”
The Jeannie now is not just a woman with a background in makeup and an established presence as a host. She also has a number of roles under her belt that keep her on her toes. “When I look back today, I feel that my greatest lesson was really being able to take in those moments to myself, and to find how I can bring that back as the busy mom and entrepreneur I am today.”
Taking Charge as a Host
Jeannie Mai’s infectious energy and positive outlook became her own branding of hosting, one that is anchored on making people feel good as they answer her questions and converse with her. What’s the secret of the Vietnamese personality?
“I coped with the pressures by staying true to my identity and embracing my heritage. Breaking the Western media as an Asian woman has been both a challenge and a reward. I surround myself with a supportive community that understands my journey and lifts me up during difficult times,” she opens up.
Dialing the Call for Others
The nature of pursuing one’s passion is not just a journey that Jeannie Mai takes on her own. It is a movement for her to make more spaces for Asian women as well. “I make it a point to use my platform in amplifying Asian voices and stories, creating a space where diversity is celebrated. Through resilience, perseverance, and a commitment to authenticity, I navigated the industry while honoring my roots and paving the way for others.”
With all the voices that she hopes to inspire in her life and career, it is ultimately her daughter’s—Monaco’s—that she wants to strengthen and take care of. “My proudest moment as a host was my daughter recognizing me on one of my television appearances. She wasn’t even looking at the TV screen, but she heard my voice from down the hallway, and came running to it yelling, ‘Mommy!’ Finally, I was as cool as Cocomelon!”
“It’s an honor that I don’t take lightly,” she answers, circling back to hosting as her craft. “It’s all about showing that you can stay true to who you are, quirks and all, and still make waves. I hope every Asian navigating their place in media or in the world knows that their story is their superpower. If I can be a part of their journey, and help them realize that they belong, then I’ve done something right.”
Photographed by EXCEL PANLAQUE of KLIQ INC. Art direction by ANDREW ENCAPAS. Fashion direction by RYUJI SHIOMITSU. Makeup by JR CONSTANTINO. Hair by TERRY DUMAGAN. Styled by ARIANNE VALDEZ of TEAM RYUJI SHIOMITSU. Styling Assistants PATRICIA NAOMI CRUZ and NICHOLE ANNE PURA of TEAM RYUJI SHIOMITSU. Editorial Assistant JOANNA FERNANDO. Sittings Editor MIA CASTRO. Shot on Location OKURA MANILA. Special thanks to CARLOS TOMAWIS and JOJO BRAGAIS
