North America’s Star Nail Artist – Season 2: Top 25 contestants revealed
By Helena Biggs | 01 September 2025 | Events, Movers & Shakers, News
Hundreds of submissions were received from nail artists working in the USA, Canada and Mexico when entry opened for Season 2 of the North America’s Star Nail Artist contest.
Created by the team behind Scratch and Nailympia Competitions, North America’s Star Nail Artist (NASNA) elevates the creativity and imaginations of nail pros, while celebrating talent and innovation.
Season 1 was won by Anastasia Totty of Florida, USA, in June 2025, and saw her scoop a $2,500 cash prize, products from sponsors and partners, plus a Scratch front cover and 12-month column series. Season 2 opened for entry on August 1 and invited nail artists to submit 10 photos of their creative work and a reel-style video about themselves. These were then assessed to determine a Top 25, who will commence their first nail art challenge on October 1.
The Top 25 contestants are:
- Abbie Nguyen – Kentucky, USA
- Ana Vega – Florida, USA
- Andrea Santos – Oregon, USA
- April Lang – Alabama, USA
- Ashley Biasella – Arizona, USA
- Aura Aponte-Flores – Texas, USA
- Cathy Torres – British Columbia, Canada
- Erin Paschke – Oregon, USA
- Hirsch Hunty – North Carolina, USA
- Hope Jung – Wisconsin, USA
- Jacqueline McClement – Saskatchewan, Canada
- Jessica Vero – British Columbia, Canada
- Kelsey McQuay – Florida, USA
- Klysta Pesina – Texas, USA
- Lina Racquel – Texas, USA
- Maria Quesada – South Carolina, USA
- Melissa Whiffen – Newfoundland, Canada
- Michelle Gonzalez – Acolman Estado de Mexico, Mexico
- Michelle Soto – Florida, USA
- Provy-Ann McClellen – Florida, USA
- Shayna Osazuwa – Saskatchewan, Canada
- Sheridan Moore – Utah, USA
- Sierra Pagan – Florida, USA
- Tai Jones – Florida, USA
- Yuliia Kovalchuk – New York, USA
Six challenges will take place: in October and November 2025, and January to April 2026. Each will unveil an artistic brief set by one of the Season’s sponsors: Jan Arnold, LECHAT Nailcare Products, Glitterbels, The GelBottle Inc and Gelish. Contestants will be required to create a nail design to suit each brief, with an accompanying reel-style video, over a two-week period.
These monthly submissions will be assessed and scored by a prestigious panel of industry judges, with a Top 3 announced each month. Those with the lowest scores following each challenge will be required to complete an additional task to fight for their place in the contest. Their creations will then be scored, to determine who will be eliminated and who will move to the next round.
By May 1, only a Top 3 will remain, who will be flown to Premiere Orlando later that month, at which Scratch will host its third Scratch Social event. Here, the winner will be unveiled. The Top 3 will each scoop a cash prize, trophy and sponsor gifts, with the champion enjoying additional rewards.
Contest organiser, Helena Biggs, who is editorial & partnerships director at Scratch, comments: “Over six months, the Top 25 will compete in challenges that push their creativity and storytelling skills to new heights. Judges will evaluate precision, design and product use, as well as editing and originality. This year’s shortlist represents a broad range of talent: from seasoned competitors to up-and-coming nail artists.”
Each contestant receives a competition profile page on the Scratch website, where their submissions will be uploaded after each challenge has been judged. Their journeys can also be followed on Scratch’s Instagram.
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