OXYGEN MEDIA SAYS GO BIG OR GO HOME! NETWORK UNVEILS CONTESTANTS OF NEW FANTASY HAIR COMPETITION "HAIR BATTLE SPECTACULAR" PREMIERING TUESDAY, AUGUST 10 AT 10PM ET/PT

New York, NY - July 14, 2010 - Fantasy hair gets even more outrageous as Oxygen announces ten over the top stylists who will battle it out with extreme hair creations on the new competition series "Hair Battle Spectacular," premiering Tuesday, August 10 at 10pm ET/PT. From across the country, these contestants bring their own style and flare to the ring.

Hosted by actress Brooke Burns, this competition series pits 10 of America's hottest stylists against each other to see who can deliver the biggest and best in fantasy hair design. Part sculpture and part pop art, each challenge requires contestants to create outrageous coifs that resemble everything from multi-layer wedding cakes to toys with moveable pieces. The stylists then enter the ring to present their hair creations in a fully produced, dramatic and stylized performance. After each challenge, the judges -- award-winning fantasy hair designer Derek J, celebrity stylist Lindsay Albanese and a rotating guest judge -- critique the designers on creativity, execution and overall presentation. In addition to blow-by-blow drama in the arena, there is also the day-to-day drama between the cohabitating stylists who fight each week to stay in the game and win the ultimate prize of $100,000. "Hair Battle Spectacular" is produced by 3 Ball Productions with JD Roth, Todd Nelson, Adam Greener, and Mike Nichols serving as executive producers.

Meet the contestants:

Bryson "Boss"

Hometown: Los Angeles, CA

Bryson is one of the industry's youngest and most sought after hairstylists, wig designers and extension artists. He has created hairstyles for some of the top celebrities including Prince, Macy Gray and Sherri Shepherd and styled for runway shows such as L.A.'s Fashion Week. While growing up, he aspired to have a career in dance, but his parents made sure he had another skill set to fall back on. After graduating from the University of Washington, Bryson decided that he could either starve as a dancer or build a lucrative career as a hairstylist. His work has appeared on the pages of many magazines, including Elle, Vogue, W and Harper's Bazaar. As a superior fantasy hair artist, Bryson has crafted hairstyles using everything from wax to honey to extensions and animal hair. Growing up in a big family, he was born a competitor and will not let other stylists' stressful attitudes ruin his fun. Bryson is confident that he is the best of best.

Jerome "J-Rok"

Hometown: Atlanta, GA

Since the age of 13, Jerome has been styling hair. He credits his sisters as his first clients and has had a passion for hair ever since. While attending cosmetology school, Jerome was introduced to the concept of fantasy hair. Since 1998, he has entered more than fifteen competitions and won the title of "Atlanta's Best Stylist" as well as first place in Milkyway and Mississippi State hair shows. With an opinionated, over-the-top personality, he often gets into trouble for speaking his mind because he lives for competition and dares the other stylist to "Bring It On!" He's the total package and has the right combination of talent, wit and realness to come out on top.

Josh "Roo"

Hometown: Las Vegas, NV

Josh grew up in his sister's hair salon loving to be around women and creating outrageous styles for his own hair such as mullets and mohawks. After bartending for 10 years, he decided he had to pursue his passion and went back to school for cosmetology. Josh is a fantasy hair stylist that loves to flex his competitive spirit in competitions. He has styled for more than 50 photo shoots and 10 fashion shows including Tao Beach and the Playboy Suite at the Palms. He has worked for major celebrity events such as Michael Jordan's 40th birthday and Janet Jackson's CD release. His knack for fantasy hair styling has twice won him the Hair Wars Salon Tour, earning first place in 2007 and second place in 2008. This wild party animal from Sin City doesn't hold back when advising clients on what they need to have done and what won't look good. In his spare time, Josh enjoys riding his Harley, snowboarding, wakeboarding and living life to the fullest.

Keleigh "Malibu"

Hometown: Laguna Niguel, CA

Keleigh always demonstrated a passion for hair even before she knew she wanted to become a hairstylist. In high school she was known as the "girlfriend who did hair," and with four years of experience, Keleigh now has a vast array of hair specialties to bring with her to the competition. Her talents range from simply cutting and coloring hair to the more advanced techniques of extreme razor skills, permanent straightening and extensions. Keleigh is a naturally born competitor, and as a former EMT, swimmer, field hockey player, lifeguard and surfer she loves to face fear and competition head on!

Lexi "Sexi Lexi"

Hometown: Denver, CO

Lexi has been immersed in the world of hair since a very young age. She grew up in a salon with her mother and began going to trade shows when she was just 8 years old. While attending school in Denver, Colorado, Lexi fell in love with avant-garde hair and says it is her lust for life. This eccentric and over the top stylist relates hair to all kinds of art and uses both to inspire others and herself. After being nominated for the Toni and Guy Photographic Awards two years in a row she decided to move to Los Angeles to pursue her passion in making art out of hair. She is a natural leader, highly competitive and demands the best possible work for her clients and is eager to compete professionally as a breakout fantasy stylist.

Moira "Fingaz"

Hometown: Toledo, OH

Moira was raised in her mother's salon and has been doing hair since she was 12 years old. With a passion for avant-garde styling, this ambitious trendsetter brings her fantasy creations to life through her own self-taught and very secret styling techniques. Since she began her fantasy hair career, Moira has performed in many competitions including Proud Lady, Bronner Brothers, Golden Scissor Awards and Milkyway, where she took home first place wins in 2006 and 2007. If someone asks her for the truth they will definitely hear it! Moira's creativity level speaks for itself forcing her to stand out amongst the crowd. It is in her nature to do well under intense pressure, which is why she always wins first place.

Nate "Tsunami"

Hometown: Modesto, CA

Since the age of 5, Nate has always considered himself an artist. A self-proclaimed adrenaline junkie, Nate later found his artistic calling in the world of hair when he combined his passion for art and hairstyling, and began creating avant-garde inspired hairstyles. He draws his fantasy hair inspiration from drawing, painting and music. Not only was Nate the design team leader in his class while training at Paul Mitchell, but in 2008, he was the Caper winner for Paul Mitchell Signature Gathering. He creates fantasy hair masterpieces and never wants to be known as simply a hair stylist but a hair artist. Nate always strives to be the best, and create art that will live in history forever!

Valerie "Valley Girl"

Hometown: Burbank, CA

Trained as a hair stylist at both Pasadena Community College and Vidal Sassoon, Valerie is ready to take her talents as a hair stylist to the fantasy level. She has styled for many in the television world and for numerous fashion shows. Valerie plans to use her experience as a bridal up-do specialist and color expert to bring to the table her vision of fantasy hair. "If Alice in Wonderland and Marie Antoinette had a baby on your head... that's like totally my style of fantasy," Valerie explains. She describes herself as confident and aggressively ambitious. She lives by the motto "work hard to play hard." Valerie works a 12-hour day in 4-inch heels and does everything to prove to people that she does what she wants no matter the consequences. Rising to the top is very important to her and she never takes no for an answer.

Tara "Cajmonet"

Hometown: Woodland Hills, CA

Tara began doing hair after losing her mother to cancer and seeing the trauma that losing hair caused. After her mother passed away she vowed to commit herself to making women feel good about themselves. Tara is a master in color and has a keen eye for art. She has a huge passion for hairstyling and is ready to take on anyone who thinks they are better than her. This motivated stylist can't stand when other stylist brag about what schools they went to. Tara feels you either have it or you don't, and she definitely has it!

Jasmaine "Minista"

Hometown: Brooklyn, NY

Jasmaine's passion for hair started when she was a little girl braiding her grandmother's wigs. After seven years of freelance work she found her niche in avant-garde hair. Her talent in fantasy hair styling got her personally requested by Madonna for the "Sticky and Sweet Tour" and then she went on to style hair for Madonna's "Celebration" video. Jasmaine's work has also been featured in Essence Magazine and Bronner Brothers publications. Her fantasy hair skills have won her the title of Golden Scissors "Braider of the Year" in 2003. Jasmaine's favorite quote by Muhammad Ali is "I am the greatest, I said that even before I knew I was." This out spoken mother views herself in that very same way and does not have a problem letting others know.

About Oxygen Media

Oxygen Media is a multiplatform lifestyle brand that delivers relevant and engaging content to young women who like to "live out loud." Oxygen is rewriting the rulebook for women's media by changing how the world sees entertainment from a young woman's point of view. Through a vast array of unconventional and original content including "Bad Girls Club," "Dance Your Ass Off" and "Tori & Dean: Home Sweet Hollywood," the growing cable network is the premier destination to find unique and groundbreaking unscripted programming. A social media trendsetter, Oxygen is a leading force in engaging modern young women, wherever they are, with popular features online including OxygenLive, shopOholic, makeOvermatic, tweetOverse and hormoneOscope. Oxygen is available in 76 million homes and online at www.oxygen.com, or on mobile devices at wap.oxygen.com. Oxygen Media is a service of NBC Universal.