Audrina Patridge is ready to rack up some frequent-flyer miles.
The Hills alum has signed on as host of the NBC travel series 1st Look. She takes over hosting duties from former Bachelorette star Ali Fedotowsky beginning in January. Fedotowsky, who will continue in her role through the fall 2013 season, is staying in the NBCUniversal family, having recently been named full-time correspondent for E! News.
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In her new role, Patridge will travel around the U.S. spotlighting the newest, trendiest and most noteworthy restaurants, nightlife spots and travel destinations. She tells The Hollywood Reporter that she had been looking to get into the hosting side of TV following her years on reality TV -- and that she was already a regular 1st Look viewer -- when this opportunity came up.
"It's one of my dream jobs because I love doing different adventures, and I have a passion for trying just about anything, which fits what this show is about," she said. "I get to bring the audience with me on this journey, and I can't wait."
Patridge says some of the topics she'll be exploring include fitness and circus training. She also says she'll be profiling Olympics and following them around as they undergo their training regimen, and two episodes will take viewers behind the scenes at the Golden Globes.
"It's an all-access pass -- everything from movie production to the best dresses to makeup," she says of the Globes episodes, adding: "I'll also be going to amazing restaurants that no one has ever really heard of and get to experience how to cook certain things with the chefs. The show covers pretty much the whole range [of travel-themed topics]. There's so much to offer for everyone."
Patridge, who starts filming this week, adds that Nashville is on her wish list of places to visit for the show and that she and the producers also have talked about traveling to the Florida Keys and Miami.
"We'll be visiting some places that I never even knew existed in this country," Patridge says. "It really opens the door for everyone to try new things."
1st Look is produced by NBC Owned Television Stations lifestyle production arm, LX.TV. Marni Sabia, vp lifestyle production at NBC Owned Television Stations, said Patridge is the "ideal fit" for the show.
“Audrina is the ideal fit for 1st Look with her captivating presence and up-for-anything attitude," Sabia said. "Her passion for adventure, and her enthusiasm are sure to catch the attention of our viewers every week as she takes on the experiences they want to see."
Patridge will make her debut on the late-night series Saturday, Jan. 4, following Saturday Night Live, on the 10 NBC-owned television stations across the country, which include WNBC in New York, KNBC in Los Angeles, WMAQ in Chicago, WCAU in Philadelphia, KXAS in Dallas-Fort Worth, KNTV in the San Francisco Bay Area, WRC in Washington D.C., WTVJ in Miami, KNSD in San Diego and WVIT in Connecticut. (Check local listings for airtimes.)
Show segments will also appear on 1stLooktv.com, as well as on NBC Owned Stations’ digital out-of-home properties, such as taxi cabs. Viewers can also get show updates via Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/LXTV1stLook and Twitter @lxtv1stlook, and Patridge said she also will be sharing photos via her own social media pages, including Twitter @AudrinaPatridge.
Patridge got her start on MTV's reality series The Hills before competing on ABC's Dancing With the Stars. She also starred on her own VH1 reality series, Audrina, and made her acting debut in the 2009 film Sorority Row.
