Michelle Collins is a name that resonates across multiple fields, from acting and comedy to television hosting and corporate governance. Born on July 9, 1981, in Miami Beach, Florida, Michelle's journey has been nothing short of remarkable. With a degree in art history from Barnard College, she initially made waves as the managing editor of VH1's bestweekever.tv, earning two Webby Awards. Her comedic talent shone brightly, winning her the ECNY Award for Best Female Standup Comedian in New York in 2009. Beyond entertainment, Michelle has also made significant strides in the business world, co-founding a private equity firm and serving on various corporate boards. Her versatility and achievements make her a fascinating figure worth exploring.
Key Takeaways:
- Michelle Collins, a versatile entertainer, excels in comedy, television hosting, and acting. Her diverse career spans from co-hosting "The View" to playing iconic roles in "Coronation Street" and "EastEnders."
- Beyond entertainment, Michelle Collins showcases her business acumen as an independent director at Ulta Beauty Inc. and a co-founder of a private equity firm. Her multifaceted talents extend to corporate governance and stock market expertise.
Michelle Collins: Early Life and Family
Michelle Collins has a rich background that shaped her multifaceted career. Let's dive into her early years and family life.
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Birth and Early Life: Michelle Elizabeth Collins was born on July 9, 1981, in Miami Beach, Florida, to Judy and Mel Collins, who later changed their names when she was a young girl.
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Family Background: Collins has an older brother. Her parents are of Eastern European Jewish descent, adding a layer of cultural richness to her upbringing.
Education and Early Career
Michelle's educational background and early career choices laid the foundation for her diverse professional journey.
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Education: She graduated from Barnard College in New York City with a B.A. in art history, showcasing her academic prowess.
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Career in Entertainment: Collins began her career in the entertainment industry as the managing editor of VH1's bestweekever.tv, a pop culture website that earned her two Webby Awards for Best Celebrity Fan Blog.
Comedy and Television Hosting
Michelle's knack for comedy and television hosting brought her into the limelight. Here are some highlights from this phase of her career.
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Comedy Career: She co-founded voter mobilization group Votergasm.org in 2004. Recognized for her stand-up comedy, she won the ECNY Award for Best Female Standup Comedian in New York in 2009.
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Television Hosting: Collins joined The View as a co-host in July 2015 for the 19th season but was let go on June 3, 2016, due to low ratings and staff turmoil.
Radio and Podcasting
Michelle's voice has been a staple on radio and podcasts, where she continues to entertain and inform her audience.
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Radio Shows: She hosted her own Sirius XM talk show, The Michelle Collins Show, from 2018 until 2022, covering pop culture and entertainment with celebrity interviews.
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Podcasting: Collins hosts a podcast called Midnight Snack with Michelle Collins, which succeeded her previous podcasts Fresh Batch and Edit That Out.
Television Appearances and Celebrity Interviews
Michelle has made numerous television appearances and conducted memorable celebrity interviews.
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Television Appearances: Collins has made regular appearances as a panelist on various TV shows including Chelsea Lately, The Joy Behar Show, The Tyra Banks Show, Red Eye w/ Greg Gutfeld, and The Wendy Williams Show.
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Celebrity Interviews: She has interviewed celebrities such as Adam Lambert, New Kids on the Block, Travie McCoy, and Jessica Simpson on her web talk show Martini Minute.
Awards and Hosting Roles
Michelle's talent has been recognized through various awards and hosting roles.
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Awards and Nominations: Collins was nominated for a Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Entertainment Talk Show Host in 2016.
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After Paradise Host: She hosted the live after-show of Bachelor in Paradise titled After Paradise.
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Lifetime TV Shows: Collins hosted two shows on Lifetime TV: Little Talk Live and Date Night Live.
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TLC Channel Show: She became the host of the TLC Channel show "90 Day Live," which features a recap of that week's show events from "90 Day Fiancée: Happily Ever After?"
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The Today Show Guest Host: Collins has appeared as a guest host on the Today Show.
Business Career and Corporate Governance
Michelle's business acumen is as impressive as her entertainment career. She has made significant strides in corporate governance.
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Business Career: Michelle L. Collins is an independent director at Ulta Beauty Inc., overseeing insider trading and demonstrating her skill in financial decision-making and leadership.
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Stock Market Expertise: Collins owns over 2,747 shares in Ulta Beauty Inc. and over 3,000 shares in Ryan Specialty Holdings Inc., showing her expertise in the stock market and corporate governance.
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Corporate Governance: She has made strategic transactions like acquiring 480 shares in 2017 and 3,000 shares in 2021, highlighting her broad business acumen and diverse portfolio management skills.
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Private Equity Firm: Collins co-founded a private equity firm called Svoboda, Collins, L.L.C., with John Svoboda in 1997. The firm focuses on business service companies and value-added distribution businesses.
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Board Member Roles: She has served as a board member and director of CDW Computer Centers, Inc., from 1996 to 2007, including seven years as the Audit Committee Chair.
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Coldwater Creek Board Member: Collins was a board member and director of Coldwater Creek, Inc., a specialty retailer of women’s apparel, accessories, jewelry, and gift items, from 1999 to 2004.
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Molex Board Member: In 2003, Collins became a director and board member of Molex, Inc., a global manufacturer of electronics, electrical and fiber optic interconnection products and systems.
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Chicago Sinfonietta President: She served as the past president of Chicago Sinfonietta, helping to restructure the Sinfonietta’s business model and placing it on a more secure financial foundation.
Acting Career
Michelle's acting career is another feather in her cap, with notable roles in popular TV shows.
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Acting Career: Michelle Collins is best known for playing Stella Price in the soap opera Coronation Street and previously for playing Cindy Beale in EastEnders.
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Early Acting Roles: After her exams, she landed a role in Bulgakov’s The Crimson Island at The Gate Theatre, directed by Lou Stein.
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Band Member: Collins joined Mari Wilson and The Wilsations as the backing singer, “Candide,” after performing in the 1978 video for the Squeeze song “Up the Junction.” The band spent eighteen months touring the country, working with artists such as Marc Almond, Level 42, Altered Images, and Kid Creole and the Coconuts.
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Acting Breakthrough: When the band broke up in 1982, she went back into acting. With the help of her friend Tim Roth, she successfully gained a part in a musical with Gary Hutton and Gary Shail known as H.M.V.
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EastEnders Role: Collins was spotted by EastEnders’s producer Julia Smith while filming the BBC play Pressures in 1988. She was asked to audition for the role of Cindy Beale, which she excelled in. The manipulative and reckless nature of her character was a hit with viewers, extending her contract and making Cindy a renowned villain in the series.
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Real Women Drama: During breaks from EastEnders, Collins filmed the drama Real Women for the BBC, alongside Pauline Quirke and Frances Barber. The drama was a success and helped confirm Collins as a versatile actress of considerable stature.
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Coronation Street Role: In 2011, Collins joined the cast of Coronation Street as Stella Price, the new landlady of the Rovers Return pub, beating Lisa Maxwell for the role. Her first scenes aired on June 16, 2011, gaining a high rating of 8.4 million.
Michelle Collins: A Multifaceted Talent
Michelle Collins has carved out a unique space in entertainment, comedy, and business. From her early days in Miami Beach to becoming a standout comedian in New York, she’s shown versatility and resilience. Her stint on The View and hosting roles on various TV shows highlight her adaptability and charisma. Beyond entertainment, Collins has made significant strides in corporate governance, serving on boards of major companies like Ulta Beauty and Molex. Her involvement in private equity and stock market expertise further showcase her business acumen. Not to forget, her memorable roles in EastEnders and Coronation Street have cemented her status as a talented actress. Whether on stage, screen, or in the boardroom, Michelle Collins continues to impress with her diverse talents and achievements. Her journey is a testament to hard work, adaptability, and a relentless pursuit of excellence.
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