What it Means to be Top 12: Competitors Tell All in Words & Art

 

After toughing out two intense pre-challenges, our Top 12 celebrated making the cut by creating commemorative nail art. There were no rules for these nails, as we wanted the competitors to have free rein describing what it means to make it to the finals.

 

Alecia Mounixay (Wilmington, NC)

I think about being up on stage and possibly going to L.A. for the final voting of NTNA. I think about the lights and the adrenaline that will come while they decide who will be the Next Top Nail Artist. I feel proud to make it to top 12. I feel this year is the toughest yet and every elimination has been so emotional, because there are so many amazing and talented artists. Three years of trying and I finally made it! I will try my best to be the last one standing.

 

April Ryan (San Diego)

I’m very proud to be one of finalists because it is my first global contest. I can’t stop thinking about it and it forces me to create something new every day. It gives me confidence and makes me happy. I can’t wait for the next challenges.

 

Celina Ryden (Stockholm)

I feel like a happy, crazy, blessed, flying unicorn! I put so much love into the first pre-challenges and I’ve done things that I’ve never even tried before, so making it this far feels amazing and like a dream. I can’t wait to get started with the next challenge!

 

Halley Fortenberry (Fort Walton Beach, Fla.)

I have an undying urge to tell everyone that I’m one of the Top 12, but most of the time the response I get is similar to “I didn’t know nails were that serious.” Then I excitedly tell them that nails are that serious! The feeling is almost surreal, and I am genuinely honored to have this astounding opportunity. I feel thankful that God blessed me with the humbling virtue of patience, because the anticipation for a new challenge, judging, and announcement process is no joke. I am overly excited and at the end of each day I look more and more forward to the rest of my career.

 

Lauren Boyd (Memphis, Tenn.)

It feels exciting and nerve-wracking all at the same time. My excitement is because of the curiosity of the growth I’ll experience this time around. I’m grateful to be considered amongst some of the most talented in the industry. I just hope that I can contribute something to it this year. I’m hoping I won’t lose my identity trying to keep up. I found myself last year, now it’s time to develop and evolve. The nerve-wracking part comes from the anxiety of not knowing what to expect. I plan to have fun and show a range of skills while staying true to who I am and my design aesthetic. Lastly, I’m thankful. I have to thank everyone who saw me as worthy enough to showcase my point of view.

 

Sarah Elmaz (Epping, Australia)

Anyone who knows me knows I express myself with emojis. When I found out I was in the Top 12 I was so excited. The first thing I did was send messages to all my friends and family with these exact emojis.
I also wanted it to be colorful and bright as that is my usual style. And of course I always have to add a little bow. I’m excited and nervous about the competition ahead, but I’m sure I will have so much fun.

 

Sherri Traweek (Redlands, Calif.)

I am over the moon! Which by definition means extremely pleased and happy. To have another chance to compete in this amazing competition is so exciting, and I can’t wait to see where it will take me!

 

Szilvia Egerszegi (London)

When I got this amazing news I felt like a superhero for a moment. A hero usually possesses extraordinary talents. I did not think that I had this talent, but I’ve been working hard to reach my goals. I feel more confident than usual. My real “superpower” is that I am pertinacious. This is not just a job, this is my whole life.

 

Tan Nguyen (Conroe, Texas)

I am very grateful to be able to be a part of NTNA Top 12. It is a privilege and an honor to share the journey with so many talented nail artists. My first reaction was shock. I couldn’t believe it. I was waiting for an email in so much anticipation. Upon receiving the news I felt so blessed. Being a part of the Top 12 will be an amazing path for me. In my art representation I chose two bear emojis. One representing “Blessed” and the other representing “Shocked.” The bears represent my daughter because she won’t sleep without her teddy bear. I chose the flowers to represent my wife. She has been my number one supporter.

 

Torie Bastian (Crown Point, Ind.)

Arriving to this platform empowers my complete freedom of expression and confidence in my nail designs. I have chosen to exhibit a wearable art design to convey confidence and valor. Making it to the top 12 fuels my confidence. Stepping forward in confidence, believing in myself, having faith, knowing that I am doing what I’m meant to do with my time on earth is an over-abundance of joy! I feel so confident and joyful knowing that I’m exactly where I need to be!

 

Victoria Zegarelli (Ronkonkoma, N.Y.)

Although I was in this same position in Season One, I can tell you it’s even more exhilarating this time around. My career has expanded to other facets of this industry, creating a life that takes me beyond my nail station. I love getting to know other nail artists and sharing techniques. Being in this competition makes me strive to be a better artist. I’m usually pressured to get my clients in and out in an hour and 98% of them get nail art so NTNA gives me the opportunity to be more creative and really hone in on my inspiration. Creating cool nail art is what it is all about and I am so looking forward to yet another #NailLife adventure.

 

Winnie Huang (Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada)

You know when you find surprise money in the pocket of the jeans you wore a few days ago, and you decide to treat yourself to a cup of coffee…then you bump into Ryan Gosling and his firefighter friends at the coffee shop, and they loved your nails so much they decide to introduce you to Beyoncé and you end up doing her nails for the rest of her life? That, my friends, is pretty close to how it feels to be one of the Top 12 artists to compete in this year’s NAILS Next Top Nail Artist competition. There are no exact words to describe how it feels to make the Top 12, none that you could find in the dictionary anyway. In all seriousness, I am overwhelmed with joy and beyond honored to be competing amongst these talented artists! What a great opportunity this is to learn and push yourself to the next level! I am so excited to get the show on the road and witness the amazing talent that is to come! Thank you so much NAILS Magazine and CND for providing such a great platform and community for artists to grow and connect. Now let’s get this party started!