NEW YORK, July 21 /PRNewswire/ -- Hosting a television show may not have been on their radar when they first entered the design business, but now 10 designers, architects, decorators and artists have been named as finalists in the new weekly reality competition, HGTV Design Star, premiering Sunday, July 23 at 9 p.m. ET/PT. HGTV introduced the eclectic group, which includes a former beauty pageant finalist and mother of two from Utah, as well as three Harvard graduates, at a gala premiere party in New York City on Thursday night. The finalists represent various lifestyles and life stages, personalities and preferences, education and experience, but all must prove their mettle in devilishly clever design challenges until only one remains to claim a coveted prize -- starring in his or her own HGTV show.
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During six of the eight episodes in the series, the finalists, many of whom are unaccustomed to collaborating or living with other designers, will have their work critiqued by three expert judges: renowned designer Cynthia Rowley; one of America's favorite television designers, Vern Yip; and In Style executive editor Martha McCully. However, at the 10 p.m. ET conclusion of the series' seventh episode on Sunday, September 3 through noon ET on Wednesday, September 6, viewers will have the opportunity to click on HGTV.com to vote for their favorite designer finalist. They also can text-in their choice via cell phone to HGTV1 or 44881. After the final viewer vote, one talented designer will catapult to fame as HGTV's next design star.
The finalists already have overcome significant odds for the chance to participate in the network's on-air quest to find its newest star. More than 1,500 designers submitted essays, portfolios and videos during last fall's call for entries. Nine designers were selected by the show's producers and network executives, while the 10th candidate was selected by viewers and online users during a week-long February vote on HGTV.com.
"The HGTV Design Star competitors come to the show from all over the country and from all walks of life, but they all have a passion for designing and a fierce desire to star in their own television show," said James Bolosh, vice president of original programming, HGTV. "Not one of these finalists wants to be eliminated, so each week viewers will see the incredible lengths they will go to in order to showcase their design expertise and develop a television persona, while holding their own among formidable competition."
The 10 finalists for HGTV Design Star include David Bromstad, Miami, Florida; Vanessa De Leon, Fairfield, NJ; Tym De Santo, Fort Wayne, IN; identical twins Teman and Teran Evans, Brooklyn, NY; Alice Fakier, Temple, TX; Ramona Jan, Damascus, PA; Joseph Kennard, Boston, MA; Temple McDowell, Farmington, UT and Donna Moss, Arlington, TX.
About HGTV
HGTV is America's leader in home and lifestyle programming, and is distributed to more than 89 million U.S. households and is one of cable's top- rated networks. HGTV.com is the nation's leading online home and garden destination that attracts an average of 5.2 million unique visitors per month. HGTV owns 33 percent of HGTV Canada and provides much of the Canadian network's daily programming. The network's branded programming also can be seen in 41 other countries and its selected programming is available to service men and women on board Navy ships and through American Forces Radio & Television Service (AFRTS) which services more than 1,000 outlets in over 175 countries. Headquartered in Knoxville, Tenn., with offices in Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, Detroit, Los Angeles, Nashville and New York, HGTV is wholly owned by The E.W. Scripps Company , which also operates Food Network, DIY - Do It Yourself Network, Fine Living and Great American Country.
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