Florida nail tech scoops North America’s Star Nail Artist title

On Sunday, June 1, at the Scratch Social event in Orlando, Anastasia Totty of Jacksonville, Florida, was revealed as the first North America’s Star Nail Artist (NASNA) champion.

The Moldova native, who moved to the US in 2014, worked and trained in Saint Petersburg, Russia, between 2010 and 2014, before moving to the USA and attaining a nail technician’s licence in Florida. The nail pro summoned the courage to enter her first nail competition in 2015 at Premiere Orlando, and has since continued to work and perfect her skills. She is a veteran competitor with 60 trophies from multiple international nail competitions.

Fellow Florida nail pro, Michelle Soto, was first runner up, with Jessica Vero of Richmond, B.C., named  second runner up.

The pros had showcased their craftmanship and creativity in monthly tasks since October 2024. Six complex but thrilling briefs, set by sponsors CND™, Light Elegance, Gelish, The GelBottle Inc, LECHAT and Glitterbels, tested their skills with new products and design techniques, as well as creating engaging video content.

Click here to view the entries for each challenge from NASNA’s shortlisted competitors.

Forty nail pros began this competition journey, with eliminations taking place each month, and points have been accumulated throughout, which were totalled to determine their competition position.

These were unveiled at the Scratch Social at Premiere Orlando: a fun-filled evening with DJ and networking opportunities that attracted a huge audience of nail pros, brand ambassadors and industry leaders. Check out the snaps below!

 Click here to register your interest in competing in Season 2 of North America’s Star Nail Artist.