Barbara Alvarez

They call Barbara Alvarez the Latin Katie Couric with MTV energy and style. Born in Havana, Cuba, Alvarez relocated to Miami at an early age. She became the first in her family to attend college, graduating from the University of Florida School of Journalism and Communications. After continuing her studies in Europe, she arrived in New York to launch her career in television, which has included Travelers, The Early Show, Philadelphia Cooks and now, Smart Design. Alvarez brings with her an insatiable curiosity for the people and places that surround her and for two years she explored some of the most intriguing rites of celebration practiced the world over, from the sands of Egypt to the Amazon rainforest, from the Australian Outback to the Arctic Circle. When she's not jetting to foreign lands or profiling international celebrities, Alvarez hits the streets of New York City in search of intriguing characters, stories and adventures with her new toy, a DV camcorder.