The Exotic Hotness Of Jarah Mariano Deserves A Friday Feature

This Friday Feature, like all the other Friday Features we featured (too much ‘feature’ word, huh?), is just oozing with beauty and hotness. But hey, it’s just a statement to hype up this feature. You know damn well that our every article is hot. But anyway, Jarah Mariano here possesses our favorite combination in the world. Exotic and sizzling with sexiness.

That first photo above this text will make you automatically bookmark this for when you get home. Yup, this one will be a favorite of yours.

Who is Jarah Mariano

Jarah Mariano is a model and entrepreneur of Korean and Native Hawaiian descent. She is known for her work with brands like Victoria’s Secret and Abercrombie and Fitch, and for appearing in Sports Illustrated. She also has minor roles in films and TV shows like Minority Report, Rescue Me, and Skyfall.

Her Early Life

Jarah-Evelyn Makalapua Mariano was born on November 23, 1983, in Lihue, a laid-back town on the Hawaiian island of Kauai. When she was four, her family made the big move to California, settling in Mission Viejo, where she grew up alongside her two older brothers.

Her path to modeling began at 15, when she was discovered in Santa Monica by scout Corrie Caster—a chance encounter that changed everything. After graduating from Trabuco Hills High School, Jarah packed her bags for New York City. There, she juggled a growing modeling career with full-time studies at Pace University, eventually earning a degree in Speech Communications with a focus on Media Studies. Beauty and brains? Absolutely.

When it comes to her heritage, Jarah proudly shared that her mother is of Korean descent, born and raised in Hawaii. Her father, also from Hawaii, is the son of a Native Hawaiian woman. While his biological father remains unknown—he was adopted by the Mariano family—that’s the name Jarah carries today. Her roots are a unique blend of cultures, tied together by a strong Hawaiian foundation.

Career Journey

Jarah Mariano’s modeling résumé reads like a roll call of major brands. She’s appeared in campaigns for Abercrombie & Fitch, MAC, Armani Exchange, Sephora, Roxy Quiksilver, Redken, H&M, Avon, Old Navy, Dereon, Levi’s, PacSun, and Rock & Republic. Oh, and let’s not forget her countless appearances in Victoria’s Secret catalogs—basically a rite of passage for any supermodel.

She landed the cover of Complex magazine’s 5th Anniversary Issue in April/May 2007 and has been featured in fashion staples like Self, Taiwan Vogue, L’Uomo Vogue, Glamour, Elle, and Italian Vanity Fair. On the runway, she’s walked in shows from Miami to New York, proving she’s just as captivating in motion as she is in print.

Jarah made her Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition debut in 2008, returning the next year to heat things up again. And if you blinked during the opening sequence of the James Bond film Skyfall (2012), you may have missed her; she made an uncredited appearance that still counts as pretty cool.

On-screen, she’s popped up in Jay-Z’s “Show Me What You Got” music video, had a cameo on NBC’s Chuck, and showed up in commercials for Old Navy. She’s also had small roles in Minority Report (yes, the Spielberg one) and indie flick The Girl From Monday, plus a recurring role on the firefighter drama Rescue Me. In 2009, she added a stylish international touch by starring in music videos for Korean fusion group Clazziquai Project, including “Love Again” and “Kiss Kiss Kiss.” In short, Jarah’s done a little bit of everything.

Facts and Trivia

In September 2023, Jarah Mariano tied the knot with actor Milo Ventimiglia—yes, that Milo from This Is Us and Gilmore Girls. A year later, on September 29, 2024, she shared some happy news: they were expecting their first child. Fast forward to January 23, 2025, and the couple welcomed a baby girl into the world.

Beyond her modeling and acting career, Jarah is also an entrepreneur with a heart. She founded Hina + Kū Hawaiʻi, a perfume brand that’s about more than just smelling amazing—it gives back. A portion of the proceeds goes to the Hawaiʻi Community Foundation’s Makalapua Fund, which supports local food banks, farmers, fishermen, and children’s education centers. In other words, it’s beauty with a mission, just like Jarah herself.