Career Timeline of Vanessa Lachey: Major Achievements and Milestones

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: March 12, 2026

How Vanessa Lachey built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.

Vanessa Lachey is an American television personality, model, and actress. She gained initial recognition as Miss Teen USA in 1998. Lachey's career includes roles as a New York-based correspondent for Entertainment Tonight and hosting MTV's Total Request Live. She has also starred in network sitcoms and hosted reality and competition shows. She most notably starred as the lead in the CBS crime drama NCIS: Hawai'i for three seasons.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements

1998: Won Miss Teen USA

In 1998, Vanessa Lachey was crowned Miss South Carolina Teen USA and won the title Miss Teen USA.

2003: Host on MTV's The Morning After and Total Request Live

In 2003, Vanessa Lachey was a host on MTV's The Morning After and Total Request Live.

2004: Hosted Miss Teen USA 2004 beauty pageant

In 2004, Vanessa Lachey hosted Miss Teen USA beauty pageant.

2005: New York City correspondent for Entertainment Tonight

In 2005, Vanessa Lachey became a New York City correspondent for Entertainment Tonight.

August 2007: Makeup Line Debut with Flirt! Cosmetics

In August 2007, Vanessa Lachey launched a makeup line with Flirt! Cosmetics, which debuted at Kohl's department stores.

2007: Hosted Miss Universe 2007 beauty pageant

In 2007, Vanessa Lachey hosted Miss Universe beauty pageant.

2008: Portrayed Ashlee in How I Met Your Mother and Amy in Disaster Movie

In 2008, Vanessa Lachey portrayed Ashlee in the CBS sitcom How I Met Your Mother, in the episode "No Tomorrow". She also portrayed Amy in the parody film Disaster Movie.

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2009: Host of ABC's TV series True Beauty

From 2009 to 2011, Vanessa Lachey hosted ABC's TV series True Beauty.

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2009: Acted in CSI: NY

In 2009, Vanessa Lachey acted on CBS's police procedural television series CSI: NY alongside Kim Kardashian.

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December 2011: Co-host of Wipeout

In December 2011, Vanessa Lachey became a co-host of ABC's game show Wipeout.

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2011: Guest role in 30 Rock

In 2011, Vanessa Lachey had a guest role as Carmen Chao in NBC's sitcom 30 Rock.

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December 25, 2015: Truth Be Told ended

On December 25, 2015, Vanessa Lachey's series Truth Be Told ended after one season.

September 6, 2017: Announced as contestant on Dancing with the Stars

On September 6, 2017, Vanessa Lachey was announced as one of the celebrities who would take part in the 25th season of Dancing with the Stars.

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2020: Host of Love Is Blind

In 2020, Vanessa Lachey and her husband Nick were announced as the hosts of the Netflix series Love Is Blind.

April 30, 2021: Cast in NCIS: Hawaiʻi

On April 30, 2021, Vanessa Lachey was cast as a series regular in CBS's police procedural TV series NCIS: Hawaiʻi.

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June 16, 2021: Filming for NCIS: Hawaiʻi began

On June 16, 2021, filming for the series NCIS: Hawaiʻi began on the North Shore of Oahu.

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September 20, 2021: NCIS: Hawaiʻi Debuted

On September 20, 2021, the series NCIS: Hawaiʻi debuted.

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November 16, 2021: Released Life from Scratch: Family Traditions That Start with You

On November 16, 2021, Vanessa Lachey's first book, Life from Scratch: Family Traditions That Start with You, co-written with Dina Gachman, was released by HarperCollins.

2021: Starred in NCIS: Hawaiʻi

In 2021, Vanessa Lachey starred in the CBS crime drama television series NCIS: Hawaiʻi.

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2023: Appeared in Super Bowl commercial and listed as one of Variety's Most Powerful Women

In 2023, Vanessa Lachey appeared in General Motors' and Netflix's Super Bowl commercial to promote electric vehicles. She was also included in Variety's "40 Most Powerful Women on Reality TV in 2023" list.