NEW YORK, NY (MTV) - After thousands of submissions and a year long search, mtvU, MTV's 24-hour college network, today announced recent Wesleyan University graduate Kim Stolz as the channel's newest VJ. The self- described "music dork" will host several of mtvU's emerging music shows, including flagship series "
The Freshmen" - a weekly rundown of new music videos from artists bubbling up on the college scene. Fall Out Boy, Kanye West,
Matisyahu and
Franz Ferdinand have all debuted videos on the show and then graduated to MTV and MTV2.
Beginning in July, college students will be able to vote for their favorite "Freshmen" videos each week on mtvU.com, broadband channel mtvU Uber and via mtvU's mobile phone partners. The video with the most student votes will automatically enter full broadcast rotation on mtvU.
Kim is an electro-clash and indie pop fanatic who models and acts in her spare time. She was one of the final contestants on the fifth season of "America's Next Top Model," has appeared on the hit UPN series "Veronica Mars," and modeled for Women's Wear Daily, Seventeen and ELLEgirl. In addition to hosting duties on mtvU, Kim will also write a new music blog on mtvU.com and each week post music videos from the up-and-coming artists in her current rotation.
"Kim's so obsessive about new music and emerging artists, we decided to not hold the America's Next Top Model antics against her," said Ross Martin, head of programming for mtvU. "She's a role model, a college kid for the rest of her life, and a perfect host of The Freshmen."
"I'm psyched that at mtvU I'm able to work in both television and music, put all those countless hours I spent scoping out new music to good use, and continue modeling," Kim said. "It's still sinking in that my new job consists of interviewing hot new bands, traveling to college campuses across the country and being completely tapped in to the music that's going to break big in six months."
Every week, "The Freshmen" debuts five new videos from developing artists connecting with the college audience. During the show, college students watch new videos premiere and then weigh in with their reactions. With the addition of online and mobile voting, college students and new music fans now have the power to determine which new "Freshmen" videos get regular airtime on mtvU, distributed to over 730 college campuses and nearly seven million students nationwide.
Kim is also signed to prestigious modeling network Elite Model Management. She's worked with top designers including Marc Jacobs, modeled for Brooklyn Industries and walked the runway for Alice and Olivia Fall 2006 and the Gen Art 2006 Fashion Show, among others. Kim has been an active supporter of LGBT causes and attended the 2005 "Out 100" Awards, which honor annual significant contributions to gay life. Kim graduated from Wesleyan University with a degree in Government and International Politics. For more information on Kim Stolz, please visit her VJ page on mtvU.com.
