Karissa Lee Staples was born in Portland, Maine. At 19, after years of performing in community and professional theater productions, she moved to New York City to study at an acting conservatory before ultimately landing in Los Angeles. Staples is best known for her series regular roles as Victoria Jagger in the Gemini-nominated sitcom, "What's Up, Warthogs!" .
She was accepted on the spot to attend the New York Conservatory for Dramatic Arts- School for Film and TV (fall 08).
Performed alongside four Broadway actresses in the original musical, Hear Our Song. The production benefited the Childrens Brain Tumor Foundation and the Rhett Syndrome Foundation.
In 2004, she attended the International Model and Talent Convention in New York City, receiving awards in the Sitcom, TV Commercial and Monologue Divisions. Too young to move to LA, she turned down offers to sign with agencies.
Crowned Miss Maine just a week before graduating high school, Karissa was the youngest contestant to compete in the 2007 Miss America Pageant, broadcast live on Country Music Television.
Miss Maine 2006.
