Finalists Revealed for Series Premiere on Sunday, July 19, at 10 p.m. ET/PT
KNOXVILLE, Tenn., June 15 /PRNewswire/ -- HGTV's hit series HGTV Design Star 'goes Hollywood' in its eagerly anticipated fourth season, premiering on Sunday, July 19, at 10 p.m. ET/PT. In the first episode, viewers will meet 10 fiercely competitive and creative finalists who have designs on winning their own show on HGTV. The group includes Antonio Ballatore, Los Angeles; NataLee Callahan, Salt Lake City; Jason Champion, Sarasota, Fla.; Nathan Galui, Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.; Jen Guerin, San Diego; Jany Lee, Dallas; Tashica Morgan, Bowie, Md.; Lonni Paul, Los Angeles; Amy Sklar, Los Angeles; and Dan Vickery, Portland, Ore. In addition, for the first time in the series' run, the 10 competitors will decide which one of three semifinalists will join the competition.
All of the finalists have enjoyed successful design careers and range in experience from interior designers and home stagers to architects and artists. Each one is ready to dazzle the new judging panel of interior design luminaries featuring Genevieve Gorder (Dear Genevieve), Candice Olson (Divine Design) and returning judge Vern Yip (Deserving Design). Hosted by Clive Pearse, the hour-long series, taped in Los Angeles, will air on Sundays through September 13.
'The finalists featured in this season's HGTV Design Star are extraordinarily talented and ready to do whatever it takes to win,' said James Bolosh, vice president, event programming, HGTV. 'With so many strong personalities involved, we have no doubt that viewers will be captivated and entertained by the competition.'
Beginning June 1, HGTV.com will invite viewers to extend their viewing experience online by visiting the HGTV Design Star show page. Online visitors will find special interactive features and a 'virtual judging' experience that allows them to rate the finalists' work.
Meet the HGTV Design Star Finalists:
Antonio Ballatore
Los Angeles, Calif.
Age: 40
New York City native Antonio Ballatore believed he would be a rock star by age 40. While pursuing his dreams of music stardom, he spent time between gigs learning how to build houses. This experience led Antonio to design restaurants and clubs in Manhattan and, later, design sets for world-famous photographers, including Annie Leibovitz and David LaChapelle.
