Gia Mantegna Miss Golden Globe 2011

Meet the new Miss Golden Globe: Gia Mantegna!

The actress daughter of Criminal Minds star Joe Mantegna and his restaurateur wife Arlene has been tipped to serve as Miss Golden Globe 2011 at the upcoming 68th annual Golden Globe Awards, The Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA) announced on Friday.

The title is bestowed annually upon the child (customarily the daughter) of a Hollywood heavyweight. Miss Golden Globe not only helps present the prize at the annual ceremony celebrating the year’s best in television and film, she also organizing many pre-award events.

Former Miss Golden Globes include Melanie Griffith – daughter of Alfred Hitchcock’s leading lady Tippi Hedren – who gave out the awards in 1975; and Rumer Willis, the eldest of Bruce Willis and Demi Moore’s three daughters was tapped to organize the event in 2008, but the ceremony was subsequently cancelled due to the Hollywood Writers’ Union Strike. Kevin Costner’s daughter Lily was Miss Golden Globe in 2004 and in 1995 the title was given to a boy, Clark Gable’s son, John.

Gia says she’s “honored” to succeed Mavis Spencer, the daughter of Golden Globe winner Alfre Woodard, as the 2011 Miss Golden Globe.

“I am honored to be part of this wonderful ongoing tradition created by the HFPA. I have grown up watching the Golden Globes with my family and feel so fortunate to be part of such a magical evening, so early on in my career,” the olive-skinned beauty explained.

“We are thrilled to have Gia as this year’s Miss Golden Globe,” Berk said in a statement. “She is just as talented as she is beautiful and will surely be a great addition to the show.”

Gia – who is dating Hannah Montana actor Mitchel Musso – started her acting career at the age of 13 when she appeared in the film ‘Uncle Nero’ alongside her dad. She has since landed bit parts on Secret Life of the American Teenager and Criminal Minds. She currently stars in TeenNick’s new docu-sitcom Gigantic, a fictional look at the complicated lives of children of Hollywood celebrities.

The 2011 Golden Globe Awards, hosted by Ricky Gervais, will air live from the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Los Angeles on Jan. 16.