Dina Pugliese
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
York University (BA)
Dina Pugliese | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Pugliese in 2007 | |
| Born | May 22, 1974 |
| Alma mater | Humber College York University (BA) |
| Occupations | Morning host; CITY-DT, Breakfast Television |
| Years active | 2004–present |
| Spouse | Alek Mirkovich |
Dina Pugliese (Italian: [ˈdiːna puʎˈʎeːze, -eːse]; born May 22, 1974) is a Canadian television personality. She has served as a co-host of Citytv's morning show Breakfast Television, initially from 2006 to 2023, and returning in 2025.
Born in Toronto, Pugliese grew up in Woodbridge, Ontario and is of Italian descent.[1] She is a graduate of York University (Sociology and Mass Communications) and Humber College (Journalism). She began her career as a producer of Global's The Bynon Show and Toronto 1's Toronto Today, later becoming an entertainment reporter and host of The A-List and Star!'s Star! Daily.[2] She has also hosted MuchMusic's VJ Search and Citytv's New Year's Eve special from Nathan Phillips Square. She is a past member of the Girl Guides of Canada.[3] In 2006, she joined Citytv's morning show Breakfast Television, replacing Liza Fromer.[2]
On October 17, 2011, Pugliese was announced as the host of Canada's Got Talent.[4] The first season of the show ran in 2012.[5]
On February 15, 2023, Pugliese announced that she would be leaving Breakfast Television after 16 years, with her final day on February 24.[6] In a 2025 interview with the Toronto Star, she cited burnout from the role as one of the factors in her decision to leave, as well as a desire to care for her family; her husband had received surgery to remove a brain tumour, while her sister had recently been diagnosed with cancer.[6][7] She explained that "I could not get enough rest in the beginning after I left and was wondering, am I ever going to have energy again? So it was a lot of resting and walking and cooking and cleaning and sleeping and then repeat. I had amazing job opportunities come my way, and I was so grateful for that, but I couldn't even imagine stepping onto a stage."[7]
On March 17, 2025, in a surprise on-air announcement, Pugliese returned to Breakfast Television as its co-host alongside new arrival Tim Bolen. Her return was kept a secret from her colleagues, whom she surprised on-air by emerging from a moose costume. Pugliese had been offered an opportunity to return to the program during a meeting with its executive producer Claire Adams, finding that Breakfast Television was "the one thing that was missing over the last two years. I finally felt ready and prepared, and rested and recovered enough to get back to it."[7]
In June 2025, Pugliese was announced as host of Bake Master Battle for Food Network.[8]
Awards
2006 – Gemini Award nomination for Best Host in a Lifestyle/Practical Information or Performing Arts Program or Series for MuchMusic VJ Search – The Series.[2]
2023 – On February 24, 2023, she was presented a Key to the City of Vaughan by Mayor Steven Del Duca for her “outstanding contribution” to the entertainment industry.[9]
