HGTV Design Star Contestant Josh Johnson (”Sparkle Josh”) Chats with Offbeat Homes!
I’ve been putting off this post because I’m slightly upset that my boy sparkle Josh was eliminated from this Sunday’s HGTV Design Star challenge. As previously mentioned Josh Johnson is the Offbeat official choice for the next HGTV Design Star.
Notice I said “is.” The elimination doesn’t change Offbeat’s decision — our new stance is that the judges made a poor choice. Offbeat and I still think Josh is a sparkling star. If you can bear to watch the elimination again, here’s Josh’s video point of view after the fact.
The good news about this elimination is that my heart won’t pound each Sunday with anticipation. The bad news; my heart won’t pound each Sunday with anticipation.
What good is a reality TV show that doesn’t almost give you a heart attack?
I’m not the only one who feels this way; but more on that at the end of this post. We have bigger and brighter fish to fry today because Josh is actually in the Offbeat house! Josh was recently kind enough to answer some questions about his sparkling self and HGTV Design Star so that Offbeat readers could get a better glimpse into the shiny platinum world of Josh.
1. What exactly do you bring to the show that none of the other contestants can?
“Drag Queen Semantics.”
2. Watching the show it seems like you get along with everyone so well; has there been any behind the scenes controversy between you and another contestant – or are the relationships as chill as they come off?
“I adored EVERYONE- this collection of genuinely kind, caring, and talented individuals consistently blew me away as the show progressed…I never had any altercation or controversy arrive in “first” person with anyone…I only hope everyone continued to like me “behind the scenes”, as much as they appeared to in “reality.”
3. How would you explain your unique design vision?
“My design “vision” originates with making “luxury” function in your space- living with and utilizing all the wonderful and beautiful things you own, day to day.”
4. Where did your designing dreams originate from? Did you think growing up that you’d be where you are now?
“I can’t say that I actually had “design” dreams growing up; just dreams of making people laugh and entertaining an audience that really sees me for “me”- bringing REAL joy, comfort, and delight to people who value my contributions and recognize my talents.
I had no idea in past years, that I would be in the place that I am now…the majority of my design inspiration and flair originates from my late grandmother’s influence- a true picture of southern grace, inner and outer beauty, and contagious elegance that came from her heart.”
5. Now, we all know about the elimination but aren’t you curious about what Josh would have brought to the network (I am). Here’s what he had to say about that.
“If I were the next HGTV Design Star, my viewing audience would get my “REALNESS” first and foremost, because that is the element that has established my fan base in the first place….I would create an ostentatiously entertaining and vibrant series, showcasing many aspects of design coupled with my own personality…a design “variety” show of sorts.”
(Sounds to me like someone should snatch him up quick for a show! — don’t you think?)
6. What would you suggest to other designers who are trying to catch their big break? For example, if they’re trying to “Make It” in the world of design.
“Make a BOLD and FEARLESS contribution to your audience.”
7. Lastly, since many of our readers like to indulge in a little home decorating of their own; what’s your best tip for at home do-it-themselves designers?
“Firstly, analyze and identify the end “result” you want your space to have- function, aesthetic, presentation- and build your design plan from there.”
Well, can I just say; what a nice guy. Polite, friendly, really seemingly genuine. How can you not adore him. I’m positive that Offbeat made the perfect choice.
Now about the show. Will I finish out the HGTV Design Star season?
Probably, I’m in it for the long haul. It’s not like I’m boycotting HGTV. I’m really happy that they did invest time in bringing viewers such a cool new design talent. Plus they offer an array of other cool shows like What’s With That House. (Go George).
That said; do I care if another contestant wins. Well, I wish them luck. It’s a big honor. But I don’t know that I’d watch that particular HGTV show. In my opinion, none of the other remaining contestants has quite the punch and hosting personality that Josh does. Much of hosting a show is having a personality that people are dying to see more of. I think the show could have shown less group challenges and more personal designs and that the show has been seriously rushed this year. Viewer don’t want to see double eliminations.
Am I the only one who is bummed about this elimination? Why no… Let’s see who agrees with me.
- David Bromstad, last year’s winner was sad to see Josh go, as stated on his vlog.
- Numerous HGTV Design Star blog readers were bummed.
- Folks at HGTV Design Star Message Boards love him.
Want some great news? Josh will be appearing on the September 16th Design Star season finale! Also, you can keep up with him at his website (a shiny treat in itself) or why not add him as a buddy at MySpace.
Overall here’s the final Offbeat word on the matter. Josh remains a sparkling and real guy; I’m thinking this is more the beginning than the end for him. Offbeat (and me) wish him all the luck in the world with his future endeavors.
[A great big hug to Josh for taking time out of his day for this interview]
Tags: design-star-challenge, design-style, eliminatios, HGTV-Design-Star, Interview, josh-johnson, Sparkle-JoshRelated Stories
POSTED IN: Design Trends, Eccentricities, HGTV, Interview
41 opinions for HGTV Design Star Contestant Josh Johnson (”Sparkle Josh”) Chats with Offbeat Homes!
mysti
Aug 22, 2007 at 4:22 am
I am totally bummed that Josh reached the bitter end in this show; however I know that he will move forward and find the perfect spot in whatever comes his way. The old adage, “When one door closes, another is opened.” rings entirely true!
Congratulations on maintaining yourself. The best thing all of your viewers can learn is that you have to be yourself 100% of the time and be willing to put yourself out on a limb to be truly successful.
Jen~ how totally awesome to interview such an amazing individual!
Jennifer Chait
Aug 22, 2007 at 4:32 am
Mysti you are up early girl. I still haven’t gone to bed. Yawn, but I’m due.
I do agree though. I think people can tell if your false. Maybe not right away, but they will. The best thing anyone can do is be themselves. Sort of like your blog huh; that’s why it’s good. Thanks as always for stopping by.
Angelique
Aug 22, 2007 at 7:23 am
You go, girl! I’m proud of you for snagging this interview - it’s a great one, and it allows your “boy” to shine! :)
MARVELOUS STUFF!
*sparkle*
Julie
Aug 22, 2007 at 8:06 am
Great interview! I feel like I know the guy.
I agree, I think this is just the beginning for Josh. Like you said, someone better snatch him real quick. This guy is going places.
I need him to come to my home. It’s organized but is in need of some serious decorating. I’m no good in that area. :(
Marye
Aug 22, 2007 at 8:28 am
what a great interview!!!
Good job.
I don’t have hgtv. The last time I watched it was when #7 child was in CHildrens Hospital for an extended stay..My family won’t allow me to have it…they think…I…am….addicted.
Offbeat Home’s Interview with Design Star’s “Sparkle” Josh Johnson
Aug 22, 2007 at 8:42 am
[…] fellow b5media blogger, who writes for Offbeat Homes and Hippie Sounds, did an awesome interview with Josh Johnson, better known as “Sparkle Josh” from HGTV’s Design Star. Whether you watch the […]
Monte
Aug 22, 2007 at 9:00 am
Thanks for doing the story about Josh! I know him personally and can attest to his awesome design skills (I have been to a wedding he designed and it was amazing) and he has one of the biggest hearts of anyone I know. And his grandmother…she was one funny, talented and passionate woman. Josh’s mom is the same way. He gets it honest!
mysti
Aug 22, 2007 at 9:55 am
I’m up early and rearing to go… at least until I hit the state of delirium from a lack of sleep. :) I caught an hour long nap, so tonight I’ll crash early and be up early again.
Being real is so important. There was an article I read just the other day about being too open and honest on a blog and individuals losing their jobs or not getting jobs for that reason. To me, if a company can’t respect the fact that you are willing to put yourself out there - completely, honestly and fully; they don’t deserve to have you as their employee.
Again, Kudos to Josh for his ability to “keep it real.”
Jennifer Chait
Aug 22, 2007 at 12:28 pm
Monte, thanks for an insider opinion, he seems real, I’m glad to hear it’s true. Angelique — as always a pleasure to see you :)
Julie, you will have to watch next season!
Thanks to everyone stopping by and showing some love :)
And Marye you so would be addicted.
Sherry Martin
Aug 22, 2007 at 12:55 pm
Josh is just about the most sincere person the I have ever met. He would not hurt anyone for any amout of fame or money. He deserves the very best in this world and I know that he will get it in time.
Crabby McSlacker
Aug 22, 2007 at 2:20 pm
I have to agree–great interview, and Josh seemed like such cool guy! Too bad about the elimination but I like your stance on it: Complete Denial! Works for me.
Jennifer Chait
Aug 22, 2007 at 2:36 pm
Complete denial. Yup Crabby the breakfast of champions. I don’t think it’s too much denial though. I’m seriously thinking some other network (or maybe HGTV) will get him for another show in the future. Not sure what kind — but this is not a fade out.
FaireMaiden
Aug 22, 2007 at 3:56 pm
Lass, in the last paragraph of your interview with Josh, you state:
“Offbeat (and me) wish him all the luck in the world with his future endeavors.”
Being the grammar freak I am, and hoping you will forgive my pointing it out, it should read: “Offbeat (and I)”…
I, too, loved Josh’s style… opulence, glamour, luxury, plushness… what’s not to like??? *lol*
I also liked Christina, and thought she and Josh would make a good design team… Sort of a ‘conservative Southern Belle meets wild Southern Glam-Rocker’, *lol*… The thing they shared in common was: good taste… Yeah, I would like to have seen them pair-up on a design…
I was sorry to see them both eliminated in favour of the obnoxiously talentless freak, the immature show-off, and the mediocre miss… sheesh…
It would have been great to see Josh, Christina, and Will go head-to-head in the competition…
Oh, well…
I wish Josh all the best too… He’s got talent and personality, and I think he’ll do just fine whatever he decides to pursue…
Karen L. Alaniz
Aug 22, 2007 at 4:20 pm
I’m sorry that I missed like this whole entire show! Don’t shoot me Ms. Chait! What I found fascinating is that many of his responses to your questions could be applied to one’s life. I mean, “Make a bold and fearless contribution…” Tell me that’s not inspirational. Maybe someone should write a book, “Everything I needed to know in life, I learned from my interior decorator!” I am totally inspired!
Karen-bob
Jennifer Chait
Aug 22, 2007 at 4:20 pm
“Being the grammar freak I am, and hoping you will forgive my pointing it out, it should read: “Offbeat (and I)”…”
It’s ok to point out issues like this absolutely but I actually put “me” on purpose. (Sorry grammar freaks). I’ve got this deal about me versus I. When I’m doing casual or personal stuff I go with ‘me’ correct or not. It’s a long story — but sorry if it irks you. If it makes you feel better I use “I” correctly when writing articles — just not blogs.
But that taken care of FaireMaiden, I could not agree more. I think Christina and Josh would be a total hoot. I actually did like her as well, although some thought she was too sweet. She grew on me. I thought her elimination was lame.
“I was sorry to see them both eliminated in favour of the obnoxiously talentless freak, the immature show-off, and the mediocre miss… sheesh…”
Again I agree, not so harshly maybe but I don’t think they have much to offer. I do think Todd is good as an artist but not so much a designer of say homes. He seems like he’d be better off in another place and I don’t know that I’m interested in Kim. She seems really nice but just no spark. You either got it or you don’t.
Thanks for the input and for coming by AND sorry about the “me” but I get it. Certain things like that bug me too.
Jennifer Chait
Aug 22, 2007 at 4:23 pm
Karen — darn it the shows not over! You can still tune in Sundays at nine. But I love your idea. Maybe you should start some interviews and write a book. You could do it under another name even… Say Bob?
Karen L. Alaniz
Aug 22, 2007 at 4:27 pm
Ooh…I like that…Bob-it has a ring to it!
FaireMaiden
Aug 22, 2007 at 7:23 pm
Jennifer… my bad, *sorry*
Your entire interview was so well articulated, it just never ocurred to me that you would have exchanged the ‘I/me’ on purpose… again, my apologies…
I think Todd has talent, but to me he’s more a commercial designer than a home designer… Yet, even with that talent, I just can’t get past his shirtless shenanigans… It just strikes me as so unprofessional…
I’ll finish out the season of Design Star, for Will’s sake, but I certainly don’t feel any kind of excitement about the show anymore…
Aren’t we, the viewers, supposed to vote or something regarding the winner???
Jennifer Chait
Aug 22, 2007 at 7:36 pm
FaireMaiden, no need to apologize I call someone out for not hitting enter. HIT ENTER people. For heavens sake my eyes get tired reading the great wall of text.
And I agree again. Todd seems like one great big stunt; there’s no need. We do get to vote in the end. I guess Will would be my choice. He’s not really my style but at least he’s down to earth. He just doesn’t have that star appeal. But he’s the best left so if he pulls through, I’ll likely vote for him.
Liberty
Aug 22, 2007 at 8:47 pm
So…your boy got the boot. That’s a total pity. I know how much you heart him.
Now, I used to be a BIG HGTV freak, but time no longer allows. Plus, being the addictive show personality type that I am, I’d probably never get anything done during my night time “working hours”. (What’s Cedar doing while this is on, anyway? Is he going to be Sparkle Junior someday?)
Anyhoo, GREAT interview. I know what kind of hoops you must have had to jump through to get this. Kudos to you. Everything was well done and well said.
I’m sure that Josh will go far. Just looking at the photos you’ve included tells me this guy has mega-talent. Both pics are totally my style, particularly that rockin’ dining set in the first photo. Swoon city. I wish him all the best.
The Snarkstress
Aug 22, 2007 at 8:51 pm
Dahling,
Wonderful interview with the Sparkler. He’s got something, no doubt. I can see why he’s on your Luv List.
I promise not to shred his clothing choices over at Snarkstress, but I WILL give this interview a much-deserved shout-out over there. Congratulations and great job.
Jennifer Chait
Aug 22, 2007 at 9:00 pm
Lib you crack me up. The main hoops with this one were technology issues. HGTV and Josh were great. Some interviews have lots of hoops — this one not so much. Cedar’s not up when I watch because I catch the 1am show (I’m working at 9 too). I just have to avoid all news between the hours of 9-1 and it’s all good. I like the dining set too.
Snarkstress; if that is your real name. Thanks for the shout out and the promise to not shred that’s simply too fab of you. Actually Josh is posh so he’d fit in with the best stuff you show. Cheers, kisses, vodka, and all that other stuff you snarkstresses (sp?) love.
LA
Aug 22, 2007 at 11:44 pm
Thanks for the interview of the wonderful Sparkle Josh. I know he’ll do well, whatever he does next. I hope it’s somewhere public enough for everyone to enjoy this stellar personality.
p.s. Team George Gray!
Jennifer Chait
Aug 23, 2007 at 12:05 am
LA, hello… So you like George too do ya? And you like the word “stellar” as well. I have to say that LA I think I like you.
I actually like the WWTH houses best being ‘offbeat’ and all — but George cracks me up. They picked a great host. My fave was when he showed his own house and interviewed himself. Too funny. Some parts of HGTV are great. That may be the best. Thanks for stopping by.
SageRave
Aug 26, 2007 at 1:58 pm
I just love Josh and his true wit. I bet we see more of his class act someone is going to get this boy on TV!
Jennifer Chait
Aug 26, 2007 at 2:09 pm
Someone will get him on TV I bet. It will be interesting to see who the judges eliminate next. I really hope not Will, at least he’s not annoying like the other 2 boys and I just don’t love Kim’s designs. Thanks for stopping by.
m
Aug 31, 2007 at 1:50 am
I’m sad to see Sparkle go… he really is talented with creating dramatic living spaces. Too bad he really didn’t get to er, sparkle in the last couple of challenges.
Susan Gunelius
Sep 1, 2007 at 9:27 pm
Awesome interview, Jennifer! I too was routing for Sparkle Josh, and I was sad to see him get voted off. On a positive note, I’ve enjoyed Design Star again this season. I loved the first season, and my favorite designer, David, was victorious. I enjoy watching his show, Color Splash. I couldn’t watch the second season. The host change and other format changes turned me off. I was happy to see this season return closer to the original format, and it hooked me again!
Thanks for sharing your interview with Josh! I really enjoyed reading it.
Jennifer
Sep 1, 2007 at 9:33 pm
Susan you watch the show… & like my boy. You are too cool. I knew you were. I did not watch the first season; I don’t catch that much TV, especially not reality TV but David seems cool, I’ve been following his vlog and Josh hooked me in from the start. So now we’re down to three. I guess I’m voting for Will but something tells me he won’t make the final two :(
Jennifer
Sep 1, 2007 at 9:36 pm
M, thanks for stopping by! I missed your comment before; sorry. I think you’re part of a pretty big team Josh supporters. I think had the show had more individual challenges we could have seen him win. And Kim maybe would not be around still.
stefan
Sep 7, 2007 at 2:41 pm
HGTV Design Star Indiscretion?
Is Kim Myles ineligible to participate in Design Star? That is the question many are asking concerning this Final 2 contestant. Has something improper occurred or is it just a coincidence? You be the judge.
It was recently discovered that Design Star contestant Kim Myles is a personal friend of James Patrick Herman, Senior Entertainment Editor of InStyle magazine. Herman revealed on the InStyle blog, on July 20, 2007, http://partyhopper.instyle.com/2007/07/americas-next-t.html
“Kim is my friend and neighbor, …..She’s also my hairdresser, by the way….”
In this article, he references an earlier article mentioning Myles from November 2006, which suggests they were friends long before the taping began of Design Star Season 2.
Why is this important? According to the Eligibility Rules for participating in Design Star,
“…any applicant closely acquainted with any person connected with the production or administration or exhibition of the Program is not eligible…”
Every Design Star viewer knows that Martha McCully, one of the judges on the Design Star panel, is also an editor for InStyle, and that at least one of the prizes was provided by InStyle magazine. All of this suggests that Kim Myles may be ineligible to compete in Design Star.
Herman goes further by stating, “And, of course, I’d recommend rooting for Kim on Design Star!” No other contestant has been singled out in this manner or had the benefit of a recommendation from the official InStyle website.
Has an impropriety occurred? It begs these questions:
“Did Kim reveal to HGTV/Scripps Network her personal relationship with Herman?”
“Was Kim accepted as a contestant on Design Star because of her personal relationship with an InStyle senior editor?”
“Was Kim swept to the final 2 because of her personal relationship with the InStyle senior editor?”
What do you think?
Jennifer Chait
Sep 7, 2007 at 3:25 pm
Well, this last comment is very odd but seeing as how I checked out the link and it’s really the blog of the In Style fellow I’ll let it slide — it does seem a bit off base. I’ll have to check some sources and see what’s up.
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Roberta
Sep 14, 2007 at 7:39 am
I thought that his design style was nifty and was bummed to see him go. At least Rob should’ve been kicked off before Josh. He brought something to the show, and the network is seeming to go with the guy that takes his shirt off in every show.
Jennifer Chait
Sep 14, 2007 at 10:34 am
Agreed Rob sucked compared to Josh. Rob just has this rude quality — at least that’s what HGTV shows. I really find it hard to completely believe reality shows but still you do get bad vibes.
Thanks for stopping by :)
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SANDY HOBART
Jul 7, 2008 at 9:34 am
HEY HGTV IF YOU WANT TO BOOST YOUR RATEINGS BRING SPARKLE JOSH BACK!!!!! I LOVE HIM!!! HES DESIGNS WERE GREAT! HE ADDED CLASS TO THE DESIGN STAR I WAS SAD THAT THEY LET HIM GO, THIS YEARS DESIGNS IM RATEING A 1 I WAS SAD TO SEE MIKE LEAVE
GET RID OF THE TWO REMAINING GALS,
AND BRING BACK SPARKLE JOSH TO REPLACE ONE OF THE GAL JUDGES!!!!!
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