Childhood & Early Life
Peniche was born on March 20, 1984, in San Diego, California, U.S.A.
Her mother, Lee Ann Rosenbarger, is a business consultant. She is also known to be a perfectionist.
Peniche has two younger brothers: Tony Peniche and Fabian Peniche.
After her parents divorced, she and her brothers were raised by their mother.
When Peniche was 12 years old, she started attending modeling classes.
Peniche moved to Houston, Texas, U.S., for a short time.
After Lee Ann remarried, Peniche and her family moved to a house by the Blue Lake in Fairview, Multnomah County, Oregon State, U.S.
At 16, she earned a 6-week modeling contract in Korea. She went to Korea again 2 years later, for a similar assignment.
Peniche attended the 'Portland Lutheran High School' in Gresham, Oregon.
She was a cheerleader in high school.
After she graduated high school in 2002, she joined the 'Portland State University.' She attended lectures through 'UCLA Extension.'
She revealed in an interview with the magazine 'Steppin' Out' that she had suffered sexual abuse as a teen model. She also said that a former boyfriend had physically abused her.
Continue Reading Below
Career
In November 2001, she won the title of 'Miss Oregon Teen USA 2002.'
Although she participated in ‘Miss Teen USA 2002' in August 2002, she did not win a place.
On November 10, 2003, she was crowned 'Miss United States Teen' in Chapel Hill, Orange, Chatham, and Durham Counties, North Carolina, U.S. She was loved for her unique fashion sense.
Her title, however, was withdrawn after a nude photo of hers was featured in 'Playboy' magazine. In her defense, she claimed that her contract with the beauty pageant did not have any condition against nude modeling. Also, the issue had appeared on the newsstands after her tenure.
She hosted 'Xtreem,' a cable TV show based in Seattle, U.S., which featured local bands and extreme sports. She was also the host of the event 'Boom Boom Huck Jam.’
She appeared in the independent film 'Small Change,' produced in Seattle.
She was cast as a cheerleader in the direct-to-video movie 'Species III' in 2004. The same year, she appeared as herself in the comedy talk show 'Howard Stern.'
The following year, she appeared in an episode of the series 'Minding the Store,' titled 'Love and Limos.' The same year, she appeared as a bikini girl in the TV series ‘Mind of Mencia.'
The year 2006 saw her portraying 'Cindy' in the crime-comedy movie 'Grilled.'
Continue Reading Below
In 2008, she was a guest on the TV show 'Beauty Queens Gone Wrong: 15 Shocking Pageant Scandals.'
As a recovering sex addict at the 'Pasadena Recovery Center,' she appeared in six episodes of the reality TV show 'Sex Rehab with Dr. Drew,' aired on ‘VH1’ from November 2009. The show was a documentary that telecast her and other participants' treatment processes and their recovery progress.
In 2010, she was featured (again as a patient) in the third season of the reality TV show 'Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew,’ later known as 'Rehab with Dr. Drew.' She was cast in all six episodes of the show, namely, 'New Patients,' 'Loss,' 'Triggers,' 'Family Weekend,' 'Acting Out,' and 'Graduation.' In the episode 'Family Weekend,' her brothers, Tony and Fabian, met her.
The same year, she appeared in the second season of 'Celebrity Rehab Presents Sober House,’ also known as 'Sober House.' She was part of the show for three episodes before she was shown the door.
‘She launched her range of bikinis, ‘Strung Out,' at the 'Portland Fashion Week.'
Family & Personal Life
Peniche was dating Nickolas Gene Carter, better known as Nick Carter, a member of the popular boy band 'Backstreet Boys,' before she accepted the proposal of his brother, singer Aaron Charles Carter, in September 2006.
Peniche and Aaron knew each other for 5 days before he proposed to her on stage in Las Vegas, Nevada. Aaron was only 18 back then. However, they broke up within 6 days of the proposal.
Continue Reading Below
Peniche later revealed that she had hundreds of lovers. She has been diagnosed with mental health issues such as attention deficit disorder and borderline personality disorder. She has also been known for substance abuse and is known to have consumed crystal meth, or methamphetamine.
Peniche got married to Justin Williams in February 2011, in Los Angeles, California. Following the marriage, she adopted her husband's last name, “Williams,” and came to be known as Kari Ann Peniche Williams.
They have two children: a son named Preston and a daughter named Layla.
Over the years, the relationship between Peniche and Justin has soured. He has accused her of adultery and child abuse. He also claimed that she had exposed their son to methamphetamine when he was 10 months old.
Facts About Kari Ann Peniche
Kari Ann Peniche is a former beauty queen who was crowned Miss United States Teen in 2002.
She appeared on reality TV shows such as "Sex Rehab with Dr. Drew" and "Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew."
Peniche is also known for her musical talents and has released several singles as a singer.
In addition to her entertainment career, she has been involved in various charitable causes, including raising awareness for mental health issues.
Peniche is a dedicated animal lover and has advocated for animal rights and welfare.
