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| When Natalie Raitano, the sexy and provocative star of the Emmy nominated, international hit series "VIP" enters a room, she is oblivious to the impact she makes on those around her. The stunning starlet, with a finely tuned body that is as sculptured as her perfectly defined, chiseled facial features, exudes an innocent sensuality that is as mesmerizing as her determined, outgoing, energetic personality. It's no wonder the minute the producers of "VIP" laid eyes on this Italian beauty, the endless search for Pamela Anderson's co-star ended abruptly! Beating out hundreds of girls for the part of Nikki Franco on the number one syndicated show in the world, Natalie Raitano is as captivating off screen as she is on screen. As the former host of ESPN's popular "Hip Hop Body Shop," this real life singer and dancer adds fuel to the fire on this action adventure series, where Raitano plays a weapons and guns specialist who uses her skills to protect the rich and famous in the glamorous, fast paced world of Beverly Hills. With an explosive real life personality that mirrors the actions of her on-screen character, Natalie Raitano is as unique as the character she portrays each week on "VIP." Unlike Nikki, a tough street girl from a family of mobsters who changed sides of the law, Raitano was reared in Charlerio, a small town outside of Pittsburgh in a tight-knit family. Her parents, who worked closely together in the family-owned packing and distribution paper business, raised Natalie, and her younger brother and sister, in a very family-oriented environment. While Natalie's mother instilled in her the value of patience and compassion, it was her father, who still rides a Harley to this day, that she credits for her great sense of adventure. Educated in Catholic schools all her life, Natalie spent her childhood studying singing, ballet, jazz and gymnastics, always being the performer. "My parents were pro ski instructors, and of course, they wanted me to ski. But I always wanted to dance and sing. When I was seven, I finally persuaded them to let me take ballet and gymnastics. They agreed, but looking back, I don't think they could have said no. I loved to perform and there was no stopping me," the young actress recalls. The only thing that kept Natalie from singing and dancing every minute of the day was her younger sister who has Down Syndrome. "I never thought of her as having a handicap. Her name is Nicole, but we call her Nicky, and she's really happy that that's my name on the show. Since things like the Special Olympics were always a part of my life, I see everyone as being the same - plus, she works at my father's office, she's a deejay. Basically we are all human, we all want love and comfort," she explains honestly. After spending her adolescent years taking dancing and singing lessons year round, Raitano majored in dance and performing arts in college. During these formative years she developed a real sense of discipline -- discipline that she credits to her present day success. "I was always pushing myself to the limit, physically and mentally, through studying all forms of dance all my life. You have to be dedicated to be good and I wanted to be the best I could possibly be." It was this determination that brought the 20-something aspiring performer to Los Angeles. When she first moved to Los Angeles, Raitano considered her options. "I wanted something exciting that fulfilled my passion," she says. "I explored dance and hip hop, but really wanted to sing. Within a few weeks, I hooked up with a few girls and we formed 'Breeze,' an ensemble singing group." While Raitano pursued her passion for singing, she made the rounds as a waitress, florist, and aerobics instructor. One day while working out with one of her clients, Natalie became the living definition of an "overnight success" - her client asked her to meet with J.F. Lawton ("Pretty Woman," "Under Siege" creator and executive producer of Pamela Anderson's new show "VIP") as he too was looking for a personal trainer. Once J.F. laid eyes on the stunning beauty, he was swept with her captivating looks and outgoing personality and immediately pushed her to audition for the role of Nikki. She auditioned and Lawton says, "She just leaped off the screen." The rest they say, is history... Check out this sexy, provocative star who portrays Pamela Anderson's co-star on "VIP" - the number one syndicated show in the world -- on Fox's 22 station across the country, twice weekly - on Saturday and Sundays. Raitano, undoubtedly, possesses the drive and the charisma as she joins the elite ranks of hot young Hollywood. This rising starlet, who has charmed as she joins the elite ranks of hot young Hollywood. The rising starlet, who has charmed her audiences with her sleek look and exuberant personality, will continue to play the role of Nikki Franco, bodyguard extraordinaire, and portray the strong and independent woman that she is both on and off the screen. |
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