Renowned hairstylist Rossano Ferretti has brought forth a captivating competition-based reality show, “Hairstyle: The Talent Show,” aimed at giving the hairstyling business a prominent platform. Initially conceived as a documentary on Ferretti’s career, the show evolved to prioritize nurturing the next generation of top hairstylists.
Spanning five versions broadcast in Spain, Italy, Mexico, Brazil, and the United States, “Hairstyle: The Talent Show” follows 10 contestants in each edition as they engage in diverse challenges, vying for the chance to win $150,000 to kickstart their own salon. For the U.S. version, Ferretti enlisted the co-hosting expertise of Los Angeles-based hairstylists and Nine Zero Salon owners, Riawna Capri and Nikki Lee. Celebrity hairstylists and beauty experts, including Allure editor-in-chief Jessica Cruel, offer candid advice and critique in each episode.
The contestants, racing against the clock, face high-stress hairstyling challenges, such as haircut makeovers, styling children’s hair, and total color transformations. Each week sees one contestant eliminated, while another claims the title of the challenge winner, with all participants receiving professional tips and advice to advance their careers.
“Allure” editor-in-chief Jessica Cruel shares her perspective, stating, “At Allure, we get to work with some of the greatest hairstylists for our editorial content. It was so great to see what could be the next generation of artists working to learn what we look for in an amazing editorial hair shoot.”
Hosts Capri, Lee, and Ferretti, drawing from years of industry experience, emphasize their ability to discern quality hairstylists. For Ferretti, technical talent is just one aspect; he seeks individuals passionate about their craft and humble enough to prioritize the client. In one episode, contestants focused on creating looks for curly hair, a texture often overlooked in cosmetology school curricula. Cruel aimed to provide education on properly treating curly hair and noted, “I wanted to give them some education on how this hair should be treated in every salon.”
Beyond the $150,000 prize, Ferretti’s aspiration is for contestants to glean valuable career lessons. He emphasizes the importance of recognizing that success in the industry hinges on meeting clients’ needs, stating, “I want [the contestants] to learn that it’s not about them, it’s about their clients.” “Hairstyle: The Talent Show” aims not only to showcase the creation of beautiful hairstyles under pressure but also to foster growth, transforming contestants into stylists who deeply understand the client-stylist relationship.
