Home stagers, this could be your shot at home staging and design fame if you’ve been sitting at home watching HGTV thinking “I could do that!” The casting agency behind two major TV shows has asked me to spread the word with the Staging Diva community that they’re searching for staging professionals like you who are passionate, charismatic and extremely creative.
I’ve seen many of your home staging portfolios and gotten to know you over the years and I know there are many Staging Diva Graduates who would totally fit what they’re looking for.
The two shows are Season 8 of Design Star, HGTV’s top-rated reality competition series, as well as a brand new HGTV Competition Series (working title).
In both cases, in addition to fame and the bragging rights to being on TV, you’ll have a shot at winning major cash prizes and potentially your own series!
I know many members of the Staging Diva community have already appeared on TV, now’s your chance to trade on that experience in front of the camera. Not that you need it, they’re taking applications from anyone whether you’ve been on TV before or not.
Don’t get intimidated if you don’t have professional interior design training. That’s not a requirement for either show, in fact they really like people from the DIY world. From what I’ve seen of past episodes, I’d say a big personality would be top of their list of criteria (right next to creative talent and flair)!
HGTV Open Casting Call Dates and Locations
You can apply to one or both of these shows by attending the open casting call in any of these locations from 10am to 2pm:
Houston – Sept 29 – Magnolia Hotel at 1100 Texas Ave.
Los Angeles – October 4 – The Marriott Burbank, 2500 Hollywood Way
New York – October 10 - Social Bar – 795 8th Ave.
Atlanta – October 13 – W Atlanta Midtown, 188 14th St. NE
Chicago – October 20 – The Westin Michigan Avenue, 909 North Michigan Ave.
You must fill out the online application prior to attending the open call and bring 2 recent pictures of yourself, a minimum of 6 portfolio photos, and your resume.
Send a video if you can’t make the casting call
And, if you can’t attend the open call, you can still apply online through the HGTV casting site by submitting a 5-minute home video.
If you’re doing a video, make sure there are no photographs or artwork in the background of your shots and don’t wear any clothing with visible trademarks, logos or other copyrighted material.
They really want to see your personality from the moment you start talking so don’t hold back.
Introduce yourself and talk about your career background, how you got started as a home stager or designer, what inspired you to get started, any training you have. They also want you to show them something that’s important to you, whether it’s your home, family, workplace or whatever. Plus show them one or more of your favorite projects and explain how they represent you.
The application deadline is November 1. For more information or the email address to ask questions, check out HGTVDesignCasting.com and good luck!
If you’re planning to go for it, please share a comment below. And if not, let us know why, maybe we can help give you the push needed to “cast” your fears aside and go for it!
Debra Gould, The Staging Diva®
President, Six Elements Home Staging and Voice of Possibility Group Inc.
Debra knows how to make money as a home stager and she developed the Staging Diva Home Staging Business Training Program to teach others how to earn a living doing something they love. She is frequently profiled in the media for her home staging expertise and is the author of 5 guides for home stagers.
Dallas girl here. Would love to stage homes but haven’t had the opportunity to do so. I have a natural talent for decorating and go to many estate sales to find great buys, furniture and other, that would make a home look ready to sale. What would you suggest I do to get started? Am I to late for the show? I will put together some pictures but need to know where to send them. Thanks, Bonnie
Hey Bonnie in Dallas!
Thanks for stopping by. Unfortunately it is too late for the casting call, but you’ve come to the right place to learn how take your natural talent and turn it into a home staging business. To be honest I wouldn’t get too carried away building up an inventory as you don’t need to do this to run a very successful home staging business. If you use the search box on this blog and search “inventory” you’ll find a bunch of articles I’ve written on this topic.
As for how to get your business started, I offer the only comprehensive home staging business training program with 7,000 students in 22 countries. Click here to learn more about it. I’ve also added you to my email list for a free subscription to my monthly newsletter, Staging Diva Dispatch. You’ll find free business tips and profiles of home stagers in every issue.
Thanks for writing and asking your questions!
Hi Debra, just read some of the rules of the casting, are we as canadians able to enter ?? .this is the note on the rules and eligibility …
. All applicants must be at least eighteen (18) years of age (or the age of majority in their state of residence) at the time of application. All applicants must be United States citizens or resident aliens living in the United States with a legal right to live and work in the United States.
thanks Debra …
Lucy, these are casting calls for two US HGTV shows so I’m not surprised you found that in the eligibility requirements. If that’s what their site says, than than would be correct. Thanks for drawing our attention to that.
I do get casting requests from HGTV Canada as well and post them here or on my Facebook wall and Twitter account. So please be sure to follow me there too!
Even if you’re in Canada, it’s still worth looking at this post and the links to HGTV Casting to get a sense of what they’re looking for and get yourself mentally- and portfolio-ready so when the call comes for Canada you’re ready too!
Absoleity Debra, thank you for your prompt reply. I will keep an eye out for sure regarding HGTV Casting calls ……
On a side not Debra i have already been certified with another company..wish I had seen your ads first …lol
I would love to know how I can become a student of Staging Diva, would I have to go throu the whole couse again ? Or is there something different I can do. Please advise or let me know if there is a good time to call or email personally.
Thanks for any help you can provide.
Have a wonderful day !
Lucy Arruda
Lucy, You’re most welcome. There are many struggling home stagers who tell me “I have already been certified with another company.. wish I had seen your ads first.” Generally the problem is that while they may have had fun taking turns arranging furniture with a group of fellow students, they realize that they haven’t learned what they need to actually start and grow a successful home staging business. That’s the primary thing that sets Staging Diva apart from any other programs out there.
That said, you can jump into the program whenever you like. There are many benefits to taking the complete Staging Diva Home Staging Business Training Program (getting the complete business formula, grad benefits like the Directory and project referrals, significant discounts and bonuses compared to single course purhcase, etc.), but you can also pick and choose the ones you want from the courses available, if you’re not prepared to do all five.
Here’s where you can read a description of each (and listen to free samples).
Lucy, if you have any additional questions, you can also email me privately at any time!
Thanks for your interest and I look forward to helping you continue to grow your home staging business.
Hi Debra, I would love to be on your next call, is it Oct 11 ??, do I just sign up on your website ?? ……
HGTV, here I come !!!…….
Hi Lucy, I’d love to discuss your home staging business with you on my next Staging Diva Dialog call. You are correct, it’s Oct 11. You can get all the details and sign up here.