IF SHE could have her way, Marion Caunter would be eating nasi lemak every day.
But she doesn’t because “it’s unhealthy”, the 30-year-old sighed.
The 1.67m-tall Caunter, who also loves Thai food, admits she makes a “constant effort” to maintain her 52kg svelte figure.
The bubbly Malaysian TV presenter, who’s of Portuguese, English and Chinese descent, told The New Paper: “I live to eat. I’m not skinny. I have curves and I have hips.
“I constantly watch my diet and have to work out... But I’ve never given in to the whole ‘you have to be totally skinny’ mentality.”
Caunter is the host of reality weight-loss TV show Biggest Loser Asia 2, which will feature 16 overweight contestants from Asian countries like Hong Kong and Singapore.
On the show, which is a spin-off of the original US edition, the plus-size contestant who drops the highest percentage of his/her initial body weight stands to win US$100,000 (S$134,000).
Biggest Loser Asia 2, which is currently being filmed in Kuala Lumpur where Caunter lives, premieres over Diva Universal (StarHub Ch 522) on Sept 21 at 9pm.
On days when she feels fat, Caunter said she wears maxi dresses to cover up. And on “very rare” days when she feels “fit and hot”, there are her figure-hugging Herve Leger bandage dresses.
Caunter launched her television career in 2004 as the co-host of Malaysian variety show 8TV Quickie. She later hosted Malaysian reality singing competition, One In A Million and became a Channel [V] VJ.
The Biggest Loser Asia 2 has been her most “constructive” gig so far, she said.
“I’ve never worked on a show that helped contestants change their lives. It makes you realise you can accomplish anything you put your heart and soul into.”
Just like in Season 1 and the US show, Caunter said the upcoming show promises drama.
“Contestants are bawling their eyes out every time someone’s eliminated.”
Apart from Biggest Loser Asia, Caunter also co-hosts entertainment TV show E! News Asia, which is filmed here once a week, with Channel [V] VJ Dominic Lau.
Being referred to as Asia’s Giuliana Rancic, who presents the original US edition with Ryan Seacrest, may be a tall order.
But Caunter takes it in her stride.
No comparison
“I look up to her but I don’t compare myself to her... I think it’s better to just be yourself. Otherwise, you’ll come across as being fake.”
Caunter isn’t shy to admit that she’s a fan girl and gets star-struck all the time by celebrities she meets.
Like Sex And The City star Sarah Jessica Parker whom she met in New York earlier this year.
“I was so nervous... Sarah was so humble, so real and so nice. I get the feeling that she knows she’s been so blessed and appreciates it.”
She also saw actor Jack Nicholson at a basketball game in Los Angeles but was too shy to approach him.
In the midst of her hectic schedule, Caunter is also busy preparing for her wedding in December. She will be getting married to her beau of five years, Mr SM Nasarudin SM Nasimuddin, 27.
He is the executive chairman of Malaysia’s Naza Group, which deals with automotive, manufacturing, property, hotels and food franchising, according to Malaysia news website StarMotoring.com
Caunter joked of their age gap: “I’m a mini cougar. He makes me a better person. He can put up with me.”
