Last week I spent some time with all the Design Star finalists of season three. When the event started, host Clive Pearse introduced each of the finalists to the audience in New York City's Greeley Square.

Though these intros did nothing to test the designers' abilities, it was a very interesting way to see how the designers were with a microphone in hand when they had to engage an audience.

Here's the rundown (in the order they were introduced), with additional comments from my interviews:

Jennifer: Very spunky. On marrying a British man, she told the audience: "I suggest everyone try it." Had a lot of energy but stumbled a bit on the mic, and didn't speak very eloquently, as a host must. Later on I joked to her that I had no idea how she and her husband stayed together after only one of them was chosen to be on the show. "I'm so lucky. My husband is the coolest guy ever and he just totally supports me," she said. But if she were the one staying home? "Oh it'd be totally different," she laughed. So why did Jennifer get chosen over her man? "I think it's maybe the bubbly personality versus his. He was all mad that I didn't make him get a haircut and a shave before it. Who knows, maybe it was secret sabotage!" Jennifer said their dream would be to have a show together.

Tricia: Well-spoken, though her vocabulary could use some work. Used the word "fun" about five times during one answer she gave, and then used the word "passion" just as often in another answer. However, she did engage the audience. She's in amazing shape as well. Plus, Tricia has three kids and talked about juggling work and home life, which is appealing to people.




Stephanie: Very perky. When she was introduced, the song "I Will Survive" played, and Stephanie danced her way onto the stage. Had tons of energy. Surprisingly enough, she said to me, "I like the attention, but not really. I would rather live on a farm with a bunch of cows." But the reason she wants to be on TV? "It's for me to get out there—little old me—I'm not that seasoned in the design field yet. It's hard to get your name out there, especially as a young designer." What's she say to Michael then? "That's just him. I'm amazing too." And lastly, "I saw some previews of me crying... so I'm realllly excited to show everyone how upset I was," she joked.