Meet Your 'Shear Genius 2' Contestants

Zap2It.com | June 9, 2008

Daniel, 'Shear Genius 2'

Kim Vo and Kelly Atterton join the judges' panel

A new crop of characters with strong personalities has arrived to make some cutting remarks and cut some hair.

Bravo has announced the 12 lucky finalists to prove they can cut it in the world of high-end hairstyling for the second season of "Shear Genius," premiering Wednesday, June 25 at 10 p.m. ET/PT.

Although there aren't any obvious Tabathas or Tyson's yet, Matthew's penchant for big hair (he's from Dallas, ya'll) and Oshun's repeated comparisons between his own qualities and the ocean's indicate there won't be any shortage of personality. But do they have the hair

Former "Charlie's Angels" star Jaclyn Smith and stylist Rene Fris both return as the show's host and mentor, respectively. This season they will be joined by celeb stylist Kim Vo and Allure west coast editor Kelly Atterton as lead judges.

After numerous challenges, the last stylist standing will win the coveted "Shear Genius" title, $100,000 in seed money courtesy of Nexxus Salon Hair Care, an apprenticeship with Nexxus and a chance to style hair for an Allure magazine feature. Some of the challenges include a blindfolded haircut and styling with food products.

The contestants:

Charlie – 38, Hometown: Denver, CO

Daniel – 28, Hometown: Tallahassee, FL; Resides in: Dallas, TX

Dee – 37, Hometown: San Antonio, TX; Resides in: Miami, FL

Gail – 25, Hometown: Dayton, OH; Resides in: Columbus, OH

Glenn – 36, Hometown: Los Angeles, CA; Resides in: Decatur, AL

Matthew – 37, Hometown: Dallas, TX

Meredith – 36, Hometown: Cleveland, OH; Resides in: Chicago, IL

Nekisa – 29, Hometown: San Francisco, CA; Resides in: Concord, CA

Nicole – 24, Hometown: Houston, TX; Resides in: New York, NY

Oshun – 31, Hometown: Cleveland, OH; Resides in: Los Angeles, CA

Parker – 31, Hometown: Miami, FL

Paulo – 37, Hometown: San Jose, CA