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The Daily Star, Oneonta, N.Y., Friday, July 14, 2023 20 By Caroline Collacutt TV Media Build it, Barbie: Barbie is taking over the big screen – and the world at large – as Greta Gerwig's star-studded film "Barbie" hits theaters Fri- day, July 21. To celebrate her live-action debut, the best of design are bringing Barbie's iconic Dreamhouse to life in the "Barbie Dreamhouse Chal- lenge," premiering Sunday, July 16, on HGTV. According to a news release from HGTV: "Each episode will feature captivating and nostal- gic Barbie content as each team implements daring de- signs synonymous with the iconic Dreamhouse throughout the home." Once completed, the rooms will be judged by designer (and Barbie collabo- rator) Jonathan Adler and Bar- bie Dreamhouse expert Tiffany Brooks ("HGTV Design Star"), who will be joined each week by a different celebrity guest … some of whom may even star in the "Barbie" movie. During the "larger-than- life," 90-minute premiere, su- permodel and entrepreneur Ashley Graham, who hosts the series, takes the competitors on a trip to the Mattel head- quarters for some design inspi- ration, receiving a gasp-worthy Barbie surprise along the way. Once the teams are buzzing with ideas, the challenge be- gins, starting off on the first floor with a showdown be- tween partners Egypt Sherrod and Mike Jackson ("Married to Real Estate") and builder Jas- mine Roth ("Help! I Wrecked My House"), working along- side Food Network's Antonia Lofaso ("Beachside Brawl"). The former "take inspiration from the neon 1990s Barbie style to reimagine the entry- way, living room and dining room into an over-the-top pink paradise," explains HGTV, while Jasmine and Antonia "create an awe-inspiring kitch- en and family room from the 1960s, with space-age touch- es." The series' second episode sees renovation superstars Ty Pennington ("Rock the Block") and Alison Victoria ("Windy City Rehab") designing a groovy, disco-themed den for Ken while Jonathan Knight and Kristina Crestin ("Farmhouse Fixer") amp up the '80s glam in their decadent primary suite. Afterward, Episode 3 heads outside as designers complete a toy-riffic transformation in the front yard and an outra- geously over-the-top, Y2K-in- spired backyard. The finale, HGTV claims, pays homage to "Barbie's quintessential style with a fu- turistic closet and dressing room" and then highlights a "chic office worthy of Barbie's storied resume." In the end, whichever team best captures Barbie's aesthetic and energy will win the challenge, with a donation made in their name to the "Save The Children" foundation. Best of all, once the house is finished, one lucky fan will win a trip to stay for the biggest of Barbie bashes: a once-in-a-lifetime sleepover. From light-up dance floors to hat carousels to aquariums, the "Barbie Dreamhouse Challenge" brings "Barbie World" to life when it pre- mieres, Sunday, July 16, on HGTV. New York Newbies: "RHONYC" returns after a two-year hiatus and a serious face-lift, as an all-new cast of housewives are set to be in- troduced in the Season 14 premiere of "The Real House- wives of New York City," air- ing Sunday, July 16, on Bravo. While not much is known about the six new wives or the dynamic they share, Bravo shared some brief descrip- tions of what we can expect from these luxurious and in- dustrious New Yorkers. Sai De Silva, 42, is a proud Afro-Latina woman born and raised in the city. She works as the creative director of Scout the City, which was first a passion project for De Silva, later evolving into a bustling online hub for lifestyle tips and updates from her life as a Brooklyn-based mother of two. She is joined by Ubah Hassan, 35, a Somalian model and philanthropist who moved to New York City and made it home after being spotted and signed by a mod- eling agency while living in Canada. Hassan is now the founder and owner of her own hot sauce company: UBAHHOT. A New Yorker since birth, Erin Dana Lichy, 35, was raised in a close-knit Israeli family. Determined even at a young age, Lichy became a real estate agent at 19 and now owns her own home ren- ovation and design firm: Homegirl. The business savvy of these housewives contin- ues with newcomer Jenna Loyns, 55, once the president and executive creative direc- tor of the J. Crew group and now the co-founder and CEO of her own direct-to-customer beauty brand, LoveSeen, and Jessel Taank, 43, who works as a fashion publicist and brand consultant, all while caring for her twin sons. Rounding out the group is Brynn Whitfield, 36, who – originally from the Midwest – now lives in the West Village, building her career as a brand marketing and communica- tions professional. A self-pro- claimed "trophy wife in train- ing," Whitfield is passionate about food, interior design, yoga, and the art of a good dinner party. Together, these industrious women – some married and some mothers, and all work- ing to invigorate the city around them – act as the bright new faces of the Real Housewives franchise, each bringing all new friendships, relationships and drama to the stage when "The Real House- wives of New York City" re- turns to The Big Apple with it season premiere airing Sunday, July 16, on Bravo. realtalk The cast of "Barbie Dreamhouse Challenge"

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