Top 5 Finalist: Mariah Sparks

(FOX Providence) - It's official, the top 5 finalists for The Rhode Show's Search for a Star has been chosen. Mariah Sparks of Flushing, N.Y. is one of them.

Watch the attached videos to learn more about Mariah, and why she thinks she's the next Rhode Show co-host.

About Mariah:

“It’s time!,” says Mariah Sparks after being picked out of 200 contestants to compete within the Top 5 potential TV hosts in the Fox Providence Rhode Show : Search for a Star competition.

“This is like American Idol. There are exciting challenges ahead and I can’t wait to show what I'm really made of," say Sparks.

Sparks was born beneath the city lights of the Empire City.

“I’m from Queens, which is a melting pot," says the New York native, who also said she is ready for a change of scenery.

"I love that about Rhode Island. Different cultures, different foods, different accents. I love it all!”

Mariah’s career began in her hometown of New York City where she contributed reports to Fox 5 News, covering everything from high profile events to protests in Time Square along with breaking news stories.

But she then traded in her big city shoes for snow boots when she landed her big break as a general assignment reporter in Syracuse, New York.

Mariah worked solo as the girl on-scene covering happenings in upstate New York. Enterprising, writing, shooting and editing, she covered stories about politics, entertainment, human interest and lifestyle everyday while juggling the art of being an on-air talent and local celebrity.

But it was in that time, Sparks sparked an undeniable interest in entertainment news, realizing her path would be down the red carpet.

“I wanted a chance to show my crazy, funny and smart side all at the same time. I wanted to be myself. That is what brought me to The Rhode Show”, says Mariah.

Mariah is focused on being the next co-host of the Rhode show but she always takes time to enjoy life.

She just finished the book, "Eat. Pray. Love." and keeps a copy of, "The Secret" with her at all times. She loves to travel, listen to music and stay in shape. But she says spending time with her family and friends and taking the time to have a good laugh are of the upmost importance.

This past summer, she spent some time in northern France, where she immersed herself in Parisian fashion and culture in hopes of bumping into her favorite actor Johnny Depp, who was rumored to have been on vacation also.

Who are you listening to right now?
Maxwell BLACK summer’s night
Jay Z- The Blueprint 3
Taylor Swift- Fearless
Guru Josh Project- Infinity

Favorite TV Show
The Bachelor (I don’t know why I keep coming back but I do)
Real Housewives of Atlanta (Don’t Be Tardy for the Party)
Oprah
The Wendy Williams Show (Pure comedy)
Access Hollywood

Favorite Films
Notes on a Scandal
Last of the Mohicans
The Shawshank Redemption
Sweeney Todd- The Demon Barber of Fleet Street
Anything with Julia Roberts

Who are you intrigued by?
Michelle Obama
Carla Bruni
The Kennedys
Johnny Depp