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CLEO TV’s Design and Dine nights are getting ready for a HUGE addition! And we can’t wait to see our girl on the big screen every Wednesday night!

Comedian and Instagram “It Girl,” Pretty Vee, alongside nationally syndicated radio host Willie Moore Jr. are joining the CLEO TV family as hosts of the all-new original series, What’s Cooking.

Whether you are a certified foodie or not, this duo is showing us where all the best food spots and hidden gems are in Atlanta!

Highlighting the Black-owned food scene in the ATL, Pretty Vee and Willie Moore Jr. are showing us that it’s ALL about the origin of each of these mouthwatering dishes.

As we gear up for the What’s Cooking premiere on Wednesday, October 19th at 9:30P/8:30C, it’s time to get to know our new hosts!

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Source: JOHANNES EISELE / Getty

Pretty Vee, a social media influencer and comic, reality star, host, and budding actress, widely known for her outrageously hilarious skits and dance moves, is making her presence known in the television/entertainment industry.

As a cast member on Nick Cannon’s Wild ‘n Out, and most recently HBO’s Rap Sh!t, Pretty Vee is here to stay on the big screen.

She has garnered more than 6 million followers on Instagram alone and fans across the world, who look for her bright and relatable personality through her viral social media posts.

Vee, born Vena Excell in Miami, became popular for her skits as Peanut’s mother, which she said were inspired by her own upbringing.

In a previous interview, Vee shared her inspiration on becoming a comedian, and overall entertainer.

“My whole life, I’ve been a character. I knew I was destined for greatness from a young age,” she stated. “I was always animated, always watching Jim Carrey who’s my favorite comedian and doing things like him. He’s the best, I wanted to do what he did. How he get his start? In Living Color was his breakthrough. Being Canadian, his father being a boxer, living in his car, he has a whole story! For him to do it, I could do it. Let’s get it.”

Not only does she show off her Jamaican culture in skits, but she isn’t afraid to reveal her spiritual side as well. In many cases, she has publicly given God the credit for her success and is often willing to share motivational messages with her fans.

Even on What’s Cooking, fans can expect to see the growing social media mogul pray with restaurant owners over the meals she tries out. (We know that’s right!)

Pretty Vee often shares her family on social media, including her mom, who she has shared is a pastor, educator, counselor, and motivational speaker. Her mother is also a driving force in her journey and is her biggest inspiration, she told TV One.

The star revealed that her relationship with God is what kept her going to chase her dreams.

“As A Child I Always Had, But There We’re Times When It Got Rough, But I NEVER GAVE UP On My Dream,” she shared. “My ChildHood Shaped Into The Woman I Am Today! My Mothers Strength & Her Prayer Kept Me Going. God Was & Still With Me So That’s Why I Will Forever Give Him The Praise🙏🏽 Hope & Faith Is What Kept Me Going!✨.”

Pretty Vee is a proud HBCU graduate. She studied mass communication and radio at Saint Augustine’s University in Raleigh, NC before concentrating on creating social media content and finally earning a job at a record label.

Vee stated that she was obviously talented, but the time wasn’t right.

In a 2020 interview with the Atlanta Black Star, the 31-year-old reflected on her experience.

“I was working. I went to college for radio; that was my first passion, and I wanted to do that before everything and then I stopped that. I worked for a label, [and I] got fired.”

She said despite the harsh blow, it was all a part of God’s great plan. Afterward, Vee tried out for Wild ‘n Out in 2017, but she wasn’t cast until a few years later.

Since then, she has become a fan favorite on the Nick Cannon-produced program.

Nick Cannon Presents: MTV Wild 'N Out Live - Atlanta, GA

Source: Paras Griffin / Getty

“Nick has definitely been a huge inspiration for me business-wise,” Vee said. “I just really admire how he’s used his comedy to venture out into so many different avenues.”

Pretty Vee has also begun to dive into several business ventures as well.

She signed an apparel contract with Citi Trends, an endorsement deal with the drink company Bumbu, while also unveiling her fragrance Pretty Vee Signature Collection. 

Vee has expressed her gratitude for the wonderful opportunities that her career has presented to her.

“I’ve worked hard for this—I’m way more than just a social media comedian.”

We can’t WAIT to see our girl Pretty Vee on Wednesday nights!  What’s Cooking premieres October 19th at 9:30P/8:30C. Don’t forget to tune in!

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