Tara Rice, a self-proclaimed adrenaline junkie, was born and raised in Valencia, California, with Six Flags Magic Mountain as her playground. This native Californian has a diverse range of experiences, from skydiving and scuba diving with sharks to piloting an L-39 Fighter Jet for Destination X TV. As the host of Destination X for three years, Rice's adventurous spirit took her to the bright lights of Hollywood.
Rice's journey began with her entry into the Miss Teen California All American pageant in 2000, where she unexpectedly won the crown. Her experience in dance performance, which spanned her childhood and teenage years, helped her develop poise and confidence on stage. This led to her appearance in numerous music videos, including those by Britney Spears, Sugar Ray, and George Michael.
After winning the Miss Teen CA title, Rice went on to pursue a successful modeling, acting, and hosting career. She also put herself through college, earning a BA in Liberal Studies. Rice's passion for poker led her to be professionally taught by respected professional players.
In addition to her entertainment career, Rice has also ventured into film. She starred in the feature film Ghost Aliens and had a supporting role in the mystery drama Semente Mala. Rice has also appeared in Piranha 3D and Hitting The Nuts, and took on co-executive producer rights for Hitting The Nuts. Her experience in producing has encouraged her to explore this new passion.
Rice is also dedicated to giving back to her community. She is a member of Soroptimist International of Santa Clarita Valley, which improves the lives of women and children locally and globally. Rice has used her poker expertise to organize and chair an annual Soroptimist Poker Tournament, with proceeds benefiting Susan G. Komen, the Domestic Violence Center, and raising awareness about stopping human trafficking. Additionally, she donates to the Multiple Sclerosis Society and hopes to see a cure found.
In 2012, Rice won the title of Miss USA Queen of the Universe and will compete for the Miss Universe title in 2013, working with UNESCO.
