Co-hosted by news anchor Melissa Grelo (@melissagrelo), relationship expert and life coach Cynthia Loyst (@cynthialoyst), Canada’s foremost gossip blogger Lainey Lui (@LaineyGossip), and entertainment reporter Traci Melchor (@stayfabulous), CTV’s new talk series THE SOCIAL brings a fresh and original perspective to Canada’s #1 daytime lineup. Packed with opinions and hilarious exchanges with no subject off limits, the hosts will laugh, learn, and connect with viewers daily on everything from up-to-the-minute news, pop culture, and lifestyle topics. In what feels like a can’t-miss lunch date with friends, the socially interactive series incorporates viewer feedback and exchange through Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest. Produced by Bell Media In-House Productions, viewers can join the conversation weekdays at 1 p.m. (2 p.m. AT) following local news beginning Monday, Sept. 2. CYNTHIA Cynthia Loyst’s childhood dream was to become part of the circus. expert began during her years at York, where she wrote a sex column When that didn’t work out, she decided TV was close enough. A titled Pandora’s Box for the independent magazine Rosco. Since multi-faceted television producer, host, and writer, Cynthia is a then, her expert advice has been much sought after. She is also a two-time Gemini Award-nominee who is best known for her work certified life/relationship coach, which is basically like a sports coach around love and sexuality. with less yelling. As the resident advice columnist for TheLoop.ca, Cynthia is known Cynthia has shared her relationship expertise numerous times on radio for giving her candid opinions on the joys and complications of love and television, including THE MARILYN DENIS SHOW, CTV News and relationships. She’s also not afraid of the word “labia.” Channel, 99.9 Virgin Radio Toronto, 103.9 Proud FM Toronto, 104.5 CHUM FM Toronto, and TVO. Her public appearances have Previously, Cynthia was the host and producer of SEX MATTERS and included speaking engagements at colleges and universities the documentary series SEXTV for which she interviewed a wide throughout the Toronto area, such as Ryerson University, range of experts including academics, Pulitzer Prize-winning authors, Sheridan College, Centennial College, Bishop's celebrities, and fetish enthusiasts. Her documentary Losing It: Men, University, and the University of Toronto – Women & the Myth of Virginity, won the Award for Excellence at where she often guest lectures on The Society for the Scientific Study of Sexuality Conference in San relationships and sexuality. Antonio, Texas. Cynthia’s perfect dinner party Most recently, Cynthia co-hosted the daily, national entertainment would be with Prince, Anaïs program INNERSPACE where she was able to showcase her geeky Nin, George R.R. Martin, side. She also got relationship advice from Daniel Radcliffe (Harry Louis C.K., and her Potter), parenting advice from Jonathan Frakes (STAR TREK), and smarty pants talked about defining sexiness with Idris Elba (Pacific Rim). co-hosts on CTV’s THE SOCIAL. Cynthia is a graduate of York University’s Film and Video Department with a Bachelor in Fine Arts. She also studied with York’s Women/- Gender Studies Department. Cynthia’s career as a relationships LAINEY Lainey isn’t looking to impress anyone, especially celebrities. Co-host of CTV’s THE SOCIAL, ETALK Reporter, and scribe of the immensely popular celebrity gossip blog, LaineyGossip.com, Lainey does what she does for one reason – to provide a gossip education to the Canadian public. The Toronto-born, self-proclaimed gossip maven got into the gossip game in a very roundabout way. What started as an email to two friends grew to a website with millions of readers from around the world. As friends told friends about Lainey’s non-sycophantic email updates, she received so many requests to get on her mailing list that her server crashed. More than one million readers and Twitter followers read LaineyGossip.com every month, making it a leading international celebrity gossip source. Recognizing Lainey’s talent, she joined the ETALK team in 2006. In February 2010, Lainey reported on entertainment and gossip news for the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games. Leaving little time for sleep, she also penned national columns for The Globe and Mail and Metro newspapers, and appeared daily on Canada’s official Olympic morning show during the Games. Lainey also travelled to London, England to cover the Royal wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton. Lainey regularly shares her gossip updates with CTV NEWS VANCOUVER and CTV News Channel, and is called upon as a celebrity expert by media outlets across North America, including CNN.com and the Los Angeles Times. Lainey is also known for her coverage of the phenom book and movie saga Twilight, and has a cameo in D: NYC - Degrassi Takes Manhattan. A graduate of the University of Western Ontario majoring in French and History, Lainey lives in Toronto with her husband and beagles. She is a consultant for Covenant House, which offers shelter and services for homeless youth. MELISSA Smart, sassy, and informed, Melissa Grelo adds Co-Host of THE SOCIAL to her expanding resume, and will also act as the show’s moderator. Melissa is already well-known news anchor and co-host of the popular morning show CP24 BREAKFAST. A very familiar face on TVs across the Greater Toronto Area, she has anchored and reported on the most-watched morning news in Canada’s largest market since 2006. As Canada watched from the edge of their couches, Melissa gave the front-row perspective when she co-hosted CTV’s OLYMPIC MORNING program from Vancouver 2010 from Whistler, B.C. And no stranger to glitz and glamour, Melissa has covered the Toronto International Film Festival red carpets since 2009, and was in Los Angeles in 2013 reporting for CP24 and CTV from the prestigious Academy Awards. She’s also co-hosted the Santa Claus Parade on CTV since 2010, contributed to the Grey Cup Weekend on TSN in 2012, and DAILY PLANET on Discovery in 2013. When away from the office, Melissa enjoys horseback riding, fitness training, reading, and travelling. She has an amazing “pay it forward” attitude, and dedicates time to charity work raising funds for the Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (OSPCA), and the Community Association for Riding for the Disabled (CARD) with horseback riding demonstrations. She also speaks at many fundraising events, specifically with the GTA’s youth, whom she encourages to become involved in charitable work and contribute to their communities. TRACI Beloved for her outgoing and lively personality, Traci Melchor has been an icon on the Toronto entertainment scene for more than a decade. Vibrant and witty, this Pickering, Ontario native always puts a fresh spin on today’s hottest entertainment headlines, and she’s ready to continue to speak her mind as co-host of CTV’s THE SOCIAL. Traci has years of experience interviewing hundreds of stars, including Oprah Winfrey, Beyoncé, Justin Bieber, Mariah Carey, Madonna, Denzel Washington, Jennifer Lopez, John Travolta, Channing Tatum, Ryan Gosling, Zac Efron, Jamie Foxx, Dolly Parton, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, and Janet Jackson. She recently travelled to her native St. Lucia to interview The Jacksons - Jackie, Tito, Jermaine, and Marlon - and she also travelled to seven countries in seven nights on a chartered jet as part of Rihanna’s “777” tour in support of the singer’s seventh album, Unapologetic. Traci also covered Michael Jackson’s public memorial service live from the Staples Center in Los Angeles, following the singer’s death in 2009. Off camera, the graduate of Seneca College’s Radio and Television Program spends most of her time with her twins Phoenix and Phoebe. Traci loves balancing being a mom and covering the business. From the hair salon, to fashion shows, to reading the latest children’s book, and driving the twins to Tae Kwon Do and cheerleading, Traci’s days are hectic but she wouldn't have it any other way. A true renaissance woman, Traci supports various charitable organizations and events including Power of Movement (Canada’s largest yoga fundraiser) benefitting arthritis and related autoimmune diseases, Hospital for Sick Children, Wear White 4 Women, and Sickle Cell Awareness Group of Ontario. During L’Oréal Fashion Week in 2009, Traci walked in the closing night show, Dare To Wear Love, in support of The Steven Lewis Foundation. Traci also walked the runway at The Heart Truth Fashion Show on March 21, 2013 at Toronto Fashion Week in support of Heart and Stroke Foundation. 5THINGS YOU MIGHT NOT KNOW ABOUT ME MELISSA: TRACI: LAINEY: CYNTHIA: 1. I was born and raised on 1. I’m cuckoo for owls… 1. I'm trilingial: I speak English, 1. I’m pretty awful at backing a horse farm, which is still a snowy white and golden French, and Cantonese. up large vehicles. fully functioning family owls make up my 2. My greatest fear is 2. I’m pretty good at balancing business in Caledon, Ontario. Christmas decor. sinkholes. a sword on my head. 2. I am of Brazilian, Portuguese, 2. I was a champion 3. I went to Bible school 3. I can’t drive on the and Filipino descent. baton twirler. 4. I used to play the highway without having 3. I didn’t have television at 3. I’m a huge Motley Crue french horn. an anxiety attack. home until age 12. fan (I have pictures of 5. I was a member of the 4. I’m awful at getting hair them in my dressing room 4. I’m an accomplished Duran Duran fan club. removed in a timely fashion.