A tough street girl from a family of mobsters who changed sides of the law, Raitano was reared in Charlerio, a small town outside of Pittsburgh in a tight-knit family. Her parents, who worked closely together in the family-owned packing and distribution paper business, raised Natalie, and her younger brother and sister, in a very family-oriented environment. While Natalie's mother instilled in her the value of patience and compassion, it was her father, who still rides a Harley to this day, that she credits for her great sense of adventure. Natalie spent her childhood studying singing, ballet, jazz and gymnastics, always being the performer. After attending Mon-Valley Catholic High school, Raitano majored in dance and performing arts at Mercyhurst College in Erie, Pa.
When she first moved to Los Angeles, Raitano pursued her passion for singing, she made the rounds as a waitress, florist, and aerobics instructor. One day while working out with one of her clients, Natalie became the living definition of an "overnight success" - her client asked her to meet with J.F. Lawton ("Pretty Woman," "Under Siege" creator and executive producer of "VIP") as he too was looking for a personal trainer. Once J.F. laid eyes on the stunning beauty, he was swept with her captivating looks and outgoing personality and immediately pushed her to audition for the role of Nikki.
Beating out hundreds of girls for the part of Nikki Franco on the number one syndicated show in the world, Natalie Raitano is as captivating off screen as she is on screen. As the former host of ESPN's popular "Hip Hop Body Shop," this real life singer and dancer adds fuel to the fire on this action adventure series, where Raitano plays a weapons and guns specialist who uses her skills to protect the rich and famous in the glamorous, fast paced world of Beverly Hills. With an explosive real life personality that mirrors the actions of her on-screen character, Natalie Raitano is as unique as the character she portrays each week on "VIP."
