Clinton Kelly

Clinton Kelly was born on February 22, 1969, in Panama City, Panama, and raised in Port Jefferson Station, New York. He pursued his education at Boston College, earning a Bachelor’s degree in Communications in 1991, and subsequently obtained a Master’s in Journalism from the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University in 1993. His early career involved freelance writing for various publications, covering topics such as fitness, travel, and relationships. Kelly transitioned into fashion journalism, holding editorial positions at prominent magazines like Marie Claire and Mademoiselle, where he wrote under the pseudonym ‘Joe L’Amour.’ He later served as the executive editor for DNR, a weekly men’s fashion and retail trade magazine based in New York.

Kelly gained widespread recognition as a co-host on the reality television series “What Not to Wear” (2003-2013) on TLC. During his tenure, he specialized in makeovers, guiding over 350 participants through wardrobe transformations focused on building confidence and self-empowerment. From 2011 to 2018, Kelly was a co-host and moderator for “The Chew,” an ABC daytime show dedicated to food and lifestyle topics, which earned him a Daytime Emmy Award in 2015 for Outstanding Informative Talk Show Host. His career also includes hosting seasonal cooking competitions like “Spring Baking Championship” (2019-2020) and “Haunted Gingerbread Showdown” for Food Network. Kelly has authored several books, including his memoirs “I Hate Everyone, Except You” (2017) and style guides such as “Freakin’ Fabulous” (2008) and “Dress Your Best” (2005), co-written with Stacy London. He also created “Basic Grammar for Basic B****s,” a web series on social media addressing common grammar mistakes.

His career progression demonstrates a natural evolution from print journalism and style expertise into broader television roles encompassing lifestyle, food, and motivational content. Kelly consistently emphasizes the empowering aspect of his work, whether through fashion advice or engaging television segments. He continues to engage with audiences through various media, currently contributing as a columnist and style expert for Woman’s Day magazine. His diverse experience across television, publishing, and digital platforms highlights his ability to connect with a wide audience and adapt his expertise to different content formats while maintaining a focus on uplifting and informing.