Ever wondered what it takes to make it from local news reporter to becoming the first female UFC ring announcer in history? Charly Arnolt has done exactly that, and her story might surprise you more than you think.
Most people know her as the energetic sports broadcaster who’s made waves across WWE, ESPN, and UFC. But there’s so much more to this Italian American powerhouse than what you see on your screen.
I’ve been covering celebrity news for over ten years, and I can tell you that Charly Arnolt’s journey from a small-town reporter to a multimedia platform star is one of the most inspiring transformation stories I’ve witnessed. Let me walk you through everything you need to know about this incredible television personality.
Charly Arnolt Bio/Wiki Table
| Facts | Details |
| Full Name | Charly Arnolt |
| Date of Birth | July 14, 1987 |
| Age | 38 years old (as of 2025) |
| Height | 5 ft 2 in (157 cm) |
| Weight | 132 lbs (60 kg) |
| Body Measurements | 34-28-36 inches |
| Shoe Size | 6 (US) |
| Dress Size | 4 (US) |
| Eye Color | Dark Brown |
| Hair Color | Black (dyed brown) |
| Zodiac Sign | Cancer |
| Religion | Christian |
| Nationality | American |
| Ethnicity | Italian American |
| Education | American University (Broadcast Journalism, 2010) |
| Current Residence | New York City |
| Net Worth | ~$2 million (2025) |
| 909.8k+ followers | |
| 176.4k+ followers | |
| 33.4k+ followers |
Personal Background and Early Life
Charly Arnolt was born on July 14, 1987, in Indianapolis, Indiana, making her 38 years old as of 2025. Her zodiac sign is Cancer, which honestly explains a lot about her tenacious personality and emotional connection to her work.
Growing up in Indianapolis, she wasn’t your typical kid dreaming of being on TV. She was actually obsessed with becoming an Olympic gymnast and had serious athletic aspirations that would shape her entire approach to life.
Here’s something that might shock you – she had to sneak into her basement to watch WWE because her parents didn’t approve of her watching “people fight.” Little did they know she’d end up making history in combat sports broadcasting decades later.
Charly Arnolt Physical Attributes
Let’s talk about something people are always curious about – Charly Arnolt’s physical stats. She stands at 5 ft 2 in (157 cm) and weighs approximately 132 lbs (60 kg). (via IMDb)
Her body measurements are 34-28-36 inches, and she wears a size 6 shoe and size 4 dress. She has striking dark brown eyes and naturally black hair, though she often sports a dyed brown look that’s become part of her signature style.
What I find most impressive is how she’s maintained her athletic lifestyle and fitness expert status throughout her demanding career. At 38, she’s in better shape than most people half her age, and that’s not by accident.
Family Background
Charly Arnolt comes from a family that values education and hard work. Her mother, Charlene May Arnolt, worked as a speech pathologist, while her father, Michael Ian Arnolt, was a newspaper reporter.
Talk about journalism running in the family! Her father’s background in newspaper reporting definitely influenced her path into broadcast journalism, though she took it in a completely different direction.
She’s pretty open about sharing photos of her parents on her Instagram account, and you can see where she gets her determination from.
In a heartfelt Mother’s Day post from May 2025, Charly wrote:
“Happy Mother’s Day to the women who made me the person I am today. I love you with all my heart and soul! A blessed day to all the moms out there ❤️”
— @charlyontv on Instagram
That kind of genuine appreciation gives you a glimpse into how grounded and family-oriented she still is, even with her fast-paced media career.
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Educational Background
Here’s where Charly Arnolt really shines – she’s not just a pretty face on TV. She graduated summa cum laude from American University in Washington, D.C. in 2010 with a degree in broadcast journalism.
For those who don’t know, summa cum laude is the highest academic honor you can receive. We’re talking about being in the top 1-2% of your entire graduating class. That’s some serious brain power right there.
Before that, she attended North Central High School in Indianapolis. Even back then, she was already showing signs of the drive and ambition that would later make her a national sports broadcasting star.
Early Athletic Aspirations
This is where Charly Arnolt’s story gets really interesting. She didn’t start out wanting to be a sports broadcaster – she actually wanted to be an athlete herself.
Her first dream was to become an Olympic gymnast, and she was pretty serious about it. She trained hard and had real potential, but injuries ended that dream before she could reach the elite level.
Then she pivoted to volleyball and even had hopes of playing at the collegiate level. But here’s the kicker – her height limitation of 5’2″ became a real obstacle in competitive volleyball, especially beach volleyball where height is such an advantage.
Looking back, those early athletic experiences taught her discipline and resilience that would serve her well in the competitive world of sports media. Sometimes what feels like a setback is actually setting you up for something even better.
Charly Arnolt Career Timeline
Local News Foundation (2010-2016)
Charly Arnolt started her career right after college in 2010 when she joined WSAZ-TV as a reporter in Huntington, West Virginia. And let me tell you, it wasn’t glamorous at all.
She had to work as a one-woman band reporter, which means she carried her own equipment, did her own filming, and worked in some pretty unsafe places without a crew. That’s the reality of starting in local news – you do whatever it takes to get the story.
Her next stop was WDAF-TV “Fox 4” in Kansas City, Missouri, and later she returned to Indianapolis to work for WXIN. She initially covered criminal justice cases, but quickly realized it wasn’t her passion.
WWE Era (2016-2021)
Here’s where things get really interesting. Charly Arnolt’s entry into WWE happened through a connection that proves networking really works.
Tony Khan, who’s now the co-owner of All Elite Wrestling and also owns the Jacksonville Jaguars, invited her to a WWE SmackDown show in Indianapolis in 2016. At that show, she met Mark Carrano, WWE’s Senior Director of Talent Relations.
Mark Carrano connected her with Michael Cole, the Monday Night Raw play-by-play commentator who’s instrumental in hiring TV broadcasters for the company. She adopted the ring name Charly Caruso and debuted as a ring announcer for WWE NXT.
She didn’t stay in developmental long. Soon she was on the main roster, conducting backstage interviews with WWE superstars and hosting various segments across WWE’s platforms. She worked there for exactly 5 years until 2021, when she chose not to renew her contract.
ESPN Partnership (2018-2023)
While still working for WWE, Charly Arnolt joined ESPN in September 2018 on a part-time basis. She provided updates on SportsCenter and hosted the SportsCenter show on Snapchat.
Her role expanded significantly when she became the primary fill-in host for First Take after making a great impression in late 2018. She was also part of the First Take, Her Take podcast alongside Kimberley Martin and Elle Duncan.
She made the transition to ESPN full-time in March 2021, leaving WWE behind. She regularly appeared on SportsNation on ESPN+ and acknowledged it was challenging to manage scheduling conflicts between her two commitments. (via IMDb)
UFC Career (2022-Present)
Charly Arnolt made her UFC debut as a fight interviewer at UFC on ESPN: dos Anjos vs. Fiziev on July 9, 2022. But the real history-making moment came later.
On April 27, 2024, she became the first female ring announcer in UFC history when she temporarily replaced Joe Martínez, who was reportedly ill. Think about that – in all the years UFC has existed, she was the first woman to announce fights from inside the octagon. (mmafighting)
Her role as a cage side announcer has continued to grow, and she’s proven that she can handle the intensity and pressure of live combat sports broadcasting at the highest level.
OutKick Era (2023-Present)
In April 2023, Charly Arnolt made a bold move by leaving ESPN to join OutKick, the sports and culture platform founded by Clay Travis. Her reason? “Cancel culture doesn’t exist here. I speak freely.”
She now hosts OutKick the Morning with Charly Arnolt and also contributes as an on-screen contributor for Fox News. This move represents her desire for editorial freedom and aligns with her outspoken personality. (via IMDb)
OutKick focuses on sports, news, and right-wing politics, giving her a platform to express her opinions without constraints. She’s described herself as a “very opinionated person” who felt uncomfortable at ESPN because she “wasn’t true to herself.”
Professional Achievements
Charly Arnolt has racked up some pretty impressive firsts in her career. Being the first female UFC ring announcer is obviously the biggest one, but it’s not the only milestone that matters.
She successfully transitioned from local news to WWE’s entertainment-focused programming, then to ESPN’s traditional sports coverage, and finally to UFC’s combat sports environment. That kind of versatility is rare in sports media.
Her stand-up comedy debut in 2015 at Crackers comedy club in Indianapolis shows her range as an entertainer. She’s also worked as a radio host on The Bob and Tom Show, combining comedy with sports commentary.
Business Ventures
Beyond broadcasting, Charly Arnolt has built a solid business portfolio. According to The Us Sun, Her fitness app called Train with Charly has been featured in major publications including Vogue, Cosmopolitan, GQ, Men’s Health, Pop Sugar, and USA Today.
She’s a NASM (National Academy of Sports Medicine) certified trainer, which means she’s not just talking about fitness – she’s actually qualified to coach people. Her app is specifically designed for busy individuals seeking accessible workouts.
She also created and hosted a web series called BackTalk Ball focusing on football and basketball, and launched the Back Talk Show with Charly Arnolt podcast exploring lifestyle and relationships.
Charly Arnolt Net Worth & Financial Profile
Charly Arnolt’s estimated net worth is around $2 million as of 2025. Her wealth comes from multiple income streams including broadcasting contracts with WWE, ESPN, UFC, and OutKick. (Tuko News)
She also earns money through social media endorsements. With over 885,000 Instagram followers, she can command between $1,270-$2,117 per sponsored post.
Her Twitter following of 176.4k+ and Facebook following of 33.4k+ add to her social media value.
Her fitness-related business ventures provide another revenue stream, and her podcast work adds to her overall earning potential. She’s built a diversified income portfolio that doesn’t rely on just one source.
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Charly Arnolt Personal Characteristics
Charly Arnolt has some quirky personal habits that make her more relatable. According to her bio, she “still eats baby food prunes to this day” – and no, that’s not a joke. It’s actually mentioned in her professional biography.
She’s a Christian who currently lives in New York City. She enjoys CrossFit training, flag football, and sand volleyball – staying true to her athletic roots even though her professional sports dreams didn’t pan out.
Her personality is described as outspoken and opinionated, which has both helped and challenged her career. She’s Italian American and proud of her heritage, often incorporating that into her personal brand.
Career Challenges and Growth
Charly Arnolt has been pretty open about the challenges she’s faced. As a young reporter, she had to work in unsafe places without a crew during her early days at WSAZ-TV.
She’s also dealt with height limitation issues throughout her life. First in gymnastics due to injuries, then in volleyball where her frame was a disadvantage, and even in her broadcasting career where physical presence can matter.
Her move to OutKick was motivated by her desire for editorial independence and the freedom to express her opinions without corporate constraints. According to the New York Post, She’s acknowledged feeling “stifled” at ESPN because of their editorial policies.
Current Status (2025)
As of 2025, Charly Arnolt is thriving in her role at OutKick. She hosts her morning show and continues her work as a UFC announcer and fight interviewer.
She’s maintained her fitness expert status and continues to promote her Train with Charly app. Her social media presence remains strong with consistent growth across all platforms.
Her podcast work has evolved from her earlier ESPN days to her current OutKick programming, which gives her more freedom to explore topics beyond traditional sports coverage.
Conclusion
Charly Arnolt’s journey from a local news reporter in West Virginia to becoming the first female UFC ring announcer is proof that persistence and adaptability can take you places you never imagined.
She’s shown that you don’t have to follow a traditional path to success. Her willingness to take risks – from leaving WWE for ESPN, then ESPN for OutKick – demonstrates the kind of bold decision-making that separates successful people from those who play it safe.
What impresses me most about Charly Arnolt is how she’s stayed true to herself while navigating the often challenging world of sports media. She’s built a career that combines her love of sports, her communication skills, and her entrepreneurial spirit into something uniquely her own.
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FAQ’s About Charly Arnolt
Q: Is Charly Arnolt married or dating anyone?
A: She keeps her personal relationships private and according to public reports Comingsoon her husband is Daniel Humm having romantic partnerships.
Q: What’s Charly Arnolt’s real name?
A: Her real name is Charly Arnolt. She used “Charly Caruso” during her WWE career as a ring name.
Q: How much does Charly Arnolt make per year?
A: Her exact salary isn’t public, but her estimated net worth is around $2 million from various income sources.
Q: Why did Charly Arnolt leave ESPN?
A: She left ESPN for editorial freedom, saying she felt “stifled” and wanted to express her opinions freely.
Q: What fitness certifications does Charly Arnolt have?
A: She’s a NASM (National Academy of Sports Medicine) certified personal trainer.
Q: What’s unique about Charly Arnolt’s UFC career?
A: She became the first female ring announcer in UFC history on April 27, 2024.
Q: What’s Charly Arnolt’s fitness app about?
A: “Train with Charly” offers accessible workouts designed for busy individuals seeking convenient fitness solutions.
Hi there! I’m Jance, the creator of Captionslite.com. I’ve been writing and sharing stories about famous people for over 5 years now and I’m still just as passionate about it.
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