HGTV’s Design Star Chosen
America's vote crowned Jennifer Bertrand, 33, an artist and designer from Olathe, Kansas, the season three champion of the reality competition, HGTV Design Star.
In two days, from Sunday, July 27, at 10 p.m. ET through Wednesday, July 30, at 10 a.m. ET, viewers voted via HGTV.com/designstar and mobile phone text messages to choose Bertrand.
Bertrand was “crowned” in the season finale of the nine-episode series, winning - her own show on HGTV and a feature in In Style magazine. Her new show is expected to premiere on the network in January 2009.
Betrand and her final competitor, Matt Locke, 38, from Los Angeles, Calif., reunited with the other finalists to wait for the winner announcement.
"I'm shocked," said Bertrand, when asked how she was feeling about her win. "I look forward to this adventure and the chance to show America more of my designs!"
Season two winner Kim Myles made a guest appearance to congratulate Matt and Jennifer. Myles handed the finalists the HGTV Design Star paint cans. Upon popping the lids, each found mini cruise ships for a seven-day Caribbean cruise for two on Princess Cruises' newest ship, Ruby Princess. The Ruby Princess features world-class cuisine, four freshwater swimming pools, an on-board spa and the unique adults-only Sanctuary and outdoor theater, "Movies Under the Stars."
In addition, as the winner of HGTV Design Star, Bertrand will attend the ship's VIP inaugural festivities in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., this November. Each finalist also received a $5,000 gift card from Bank of America.
Most of the third season was shot in Nashville, Tenn., but the final challenge took place in New Orleans, La., where the two finalist redesigned the Katrina-ravaged homes of two neighbors - fire captain Mike Gowland and police officer John Olega. The two families were present at the live finale to thank them for the home makeovers. The Gowlands and Olegas families surprised when HGTV presented each family with a $1,000 gift card from Lumber Liquidators and a $3,000 gift card from Sears.
The season finale also reunited the show's judges Vern Yip, designer and host of HGTV's Deserving Design; Martha McCully, executive editor of In Style magazine; and clothing and home designer, Cynthia Rowley.
During each week of the competition, the drama unfolded as the finalists faced tough design challenges. For example, in one challenge they designed a space using items only purchased from an arts and crafts store. In another, they designed hotel suites for country music sensation Sara Evans at the famous Gaylord Opryland Hotel in Nashville.
