Jill Wagner was born in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. She was raised primarily by her father, David Wagner, a U.S. Marine, and her grandmother. She attended Ledford Senior High School in Wallburg, North Carolina, and graduated from North Carolina State University in 2001 with a bachelor's degree in business management.

After completing college, Wagner moved to California to further her modeling career. In 2003, she was selected as a cast member on the MTV series "Punk'd," participating in about a dozen sketches.

She was featured as the Ford Motor Company's Mercury brand spokesmodel in television ads from 2005 to 2011, and soon became known as "The Mercury Girl." In 2006, she co-starred in the Spike TV television show "Blade: The Series" as Krista Starr. Jill has also appeared in a variety of shows including "Quintuplets" and "Bones." Her features include "JuneBug" in a minor role and leading in the horror film "Splinter" in 2008. She is a co-host of "Inside the Vault" on WGN America.

In the summer of 2008, Jill became a co-host for the ABC summer reality show "Wipeout." In April 2011, Wagner (confirmed by ABC) announced that she would be leaving Wipeout to focus on her acting career. She was on the show through the 2011 summer season and was succeeded by Vanessa Lachey. In June 2011, Wagner appeared on the new show "Teen Wolf," airing on MTV.

In late August 2012, "Wipeout" executive producer Matt Kunitz announced Wagner would return to the program for its sixth season. As of July 2014, "Wipeout" is in its seventh season.

In 2013, she appeared on Rhett and Link's 3rd episode of their YouTube series "The Mythical Show."

Television Personalities, Hosts & Emcees, TV Host, Game Shows,