What All The HGTV Star Winners Are Up To Today

Few shows in the HGTV canon have had the impact of "HGTV Star." Launching the careers of a bevy of personalities who are now staples on the network, the fast-paced competition — which pitted contestants against one another in interior design challenges to ultimately win their own design show — was the highest-rated franchise in HGTV's history, per a press release from the network.

The series, which ran from 2006 to 2013, was so popular that HGTV rebooted the format for its new show, "Design Star: Next Gen," which saw a new set of design-savvy contestants competing for the crown — and a pretty sweet $50,000 — and featured some fan favorites from the original show, too, according to House Beautiful. But what happened to the "HGTV Star" winners after they took home the prize — and where are they now? Join us as we take a look at what the original stars in the HGTV galaxy are up to today. 

Season 2 of "HGTV Star" saw the ascension of Kim Myles to design stardom, with a renovated Hawaii hotel suite securing her victory. Myles quickly became an HGTV favorite with her own show, "Myles of Style," which showcased her ability to demystify interior design. She told My Fix It Up Life of her approach: "It's really about just helping people. I mean honestly I feel like yes I am an interior designer, that's what I do, but a lot of what I'm doing is just really helping — I'm like a filter for people."

After her turn on Season 2, Myles appeared as a guest judge on "Design Star: Next Gen," passing on her insider knowledge as a former winner of the show to the new hopeful contestants, according to Realtor.com. In addition to carrying on her interior design work, the multi-talented Myles continues with her work as a hairstylist in New York, which she did before winning "HGTV Star."

Most recently, Myles is the host of "Battle of the Bling" and "High Design." The former is an HGTV show that looks for America's flashiest, most over-the-top house. Myles and her co-host, "American Idol" alum Todrick Hall, travel around the U.S. to find the most eccentric house to crown the champion. Each episode offers a peek inside with a home tour, a breakdown of the owners' vision, and how the place came to be so blingy. You can watch it directly on HGTV or Discovery+. As for "High Design," this Amazon Prime show follows Myles as she helps struggling cannabis shops become more inviting with design makeovers. Myles is a founding member of the Cannabis Media Council, which helps utilize advertising and mainstream media to destigmatize cannabis and help portray it in a more positive, authentic light.

Former set designer Antonio Ballatore put his skills to work on season 4 of "HGTV Star," which he won after redesigning an entire house in the finale. Following his success on the show, Ballatore took his rock-inspired aesthetic to his own show, "The Antonio Treatment," and combined his love of animals and design in a show for Animal Planet, "Animal Cribs," designing dreamy spaces for homeowners and their furry friends. Nowadays, Ballatore is busy with his design brand, Born With A Tail, which focuses on designing custom spaces for animals.

Despite his success on "HGTV Star," Ballatore spoke about how grueling the experience actually was. "It's surprising to know how really hard it is," he told Channel Guide Magazine. "There's a lot of Monday morning quarterbacks. People just come in and say, 'Oh, I could do that.' When we did it, we had no cellphones, no computers, limited time to shop. Everything was very last minute. There's a lot behind it that makes it so hard to do cool stuff."

A redesign of a Harlem brownstone saw Meg Caswell winning season 6 of "HGTV Star," and, since then, viewers haven't been able to resist her open personality and fresh designs. She went on to host her own series, "Meg's Great Rooms," and has made multiple appearances in shows like "HGTV Home Makeover," "America's Best Kept Secrets," and "America's Most Embarrassing Living Room."

As of 2021, Caswell currently sits on the board of Welcome Home Angel, a nonprofit based in Wilmington, North Carolina. The organization provides bedroom makeovers for children with chronic and physically debilitating illnesses or injuries. Caswell's work with the organization was profiled on the show "Welcome Home Angel" on The Design Network. It's clear that the designer gets a lot of satisfaction from the work. "I love giving to others," she told How To Be A Red Head. "I'm not just transforming homes, I'm transforming these people's lives. It's a really great feeling."

With all of the incredible contestants who didn't make it to the top, it was only a matter of time before an All Stars season of "HGTV Star" appeared. And taking home the crown was Leslie Ezelle, who was previously on season 6 and wowed this time around with her Texan charm and Southern design influences. Today, Ezelle continues to manage her design firm in the Dallas area, working on both residential and commercial interiors. Her own custom-built home was also profiled in the Dallas Morning News.

Despite creating interiors that reflect calm and balance, Ezelle has spoken about how high-octane the show was. "When you get there, truth be told, it's exactly what they say; it's not less," she told the Dallas Observer. "Because they don't stop for cameras. The pressure is intense so everything that you see on TV is that and then some more. I felt like Goldie Hawn in 'Private Benjamin,' at one point. I was in my heels running down the street [screaming]."