Kelly Cutrone

Self-made businesswoman Kelly Cutrone built as a reputation as one of the most fearless publicists in the fashion industry before branching into television with mentoring roles on "The Hills" (MTV, 2006-2010) and "America's Next Top Model" (The CW, 2003-2015). Born in Camillus, NY, Cutrone graduated from Syracuse University with a nursing degree, but after moving to Manhattan opted to pursue a career in public relations. After serving as assistant to prominent New York publicist Susan Blond, Cutrone was appointed director of PR at SPIN magazine under Bob Guccione. But frustrated by her lack of control, she left after just twelve months to form her own company with former Blond intern Jason Weinberg. After selling her half of the business in 1992, Cutrone moved to Venice Beach, CA where she landed a deal with Atlantic Records. However, her recording career failed to take off and Cutrone returned to her former day job in 1996 when she founded People's Revolution, a fashion PR company which quickly established itself as one of the world's most powerful, attracting high-profile clients across the globe including Vivienne Westwood, Agent Provocateur and Paco Rabanne. The second phase of Cutrone's career began when she appeared as Whitney Port's mentor on reality show "The Hills" (MTV, 2006-2010) and its spin-off "The City" (MTV, 2008-2010). Cutrone's no-nonsense attitude proved to be so popular with viewers she was given her own show, "Kell on Earth" (Bravo, 2010), an eight-part behind-the-scenes look at both her professional and private life, and was invited to become a contributor on "Dr. Phil" (Syndication, 2002-). In 2011, Cutrone was appointed as judge Andre Leon Talley's replacement for the 18th season of reality competition "America's Next Top Model" (The CW, 2003-15), a position she held until the show's cancelation four years later.