KATIE CAZORLA
Katie was born in a small prison town in Upstate New York but the bright lights of Hollywood entranced her and she headed to LA to chase her dreams. When she moved to Los Angeles, Katie was living out of her car trying to make ends meet, but even then she would get her weekly mani/pedi. For ten years she worked as an actress, standup comic and host, struggling to catch her big break…to no avail.
Little did Katie know, her one vice in life would turn into her dream job and launch her own TV show. Katie loves a good manicure but the nail treatments she once loved were getting more expensive and less relaxing. But when she received a pedicure that was so bad it made her cuticles bleed, that was the last straw. That night when she went home, she dreamt about the perfect nail salon. She woke up so excited and motivated; she sketched it out on a napkin. It would be a relaxing nail bar, with plush chairs, calming colors, a VIP cabana and free drinks! She was going to make this happen.
Three months later after scraping together her every penny, her dream became a reality and “The Painted Nail” was opened. Shortly after, “The Painted Nail” became a celebrity hotspot, with the paparazzi setting up camp outside her doors. In less than 3 weeks after opening the salon, it was booked out for the rest of the year. Apparently everyone else agreed with her philosophy.
But it didn’t stop there. Within 6 months of opening her nail bar, Katie took over the building next door and launched a popular clothing boutique and a nail-themed party lounge. She recently launched her own branded nail polish line and is busy planning to open franchises in Hollywood, Las Vegas and London. She recently added a hair salon onto her growing one-woman empire. Katie is living up to the moniker, “The Queen of Nails.” She’s driven to succeed and the results show.
When she’s not busy taking over the world of celebrity glamour, she spends her free time at home with her multiple Grammy award-winning fiancé, Walter Afanasieff, and their two dogs Sugar and Pookie. Walter, who is 20 years Katie’s senior, has produced some of the biggest pop hits of all time including Mariah Carey’s “Hero,” “My Heart Will Go On,” from the movie “Titanic,” and “A Whole New World” from the Disney classic, “Aladdin.” In addition to Carey, Walter has produced hit songs and albums for artists Celine Dion, Barbra Streisand, Michael Bolton, Josh Groban, and Leona Lewis, but claims Katie is the biggest hit that’s come into his life. He is also an honorary employee of “The Painted Nail,” as Katie enlists him to help her with tasks around the salon from set up to clean up. Walter is happy to do it all, anything for his princess Katie.
WALTER AFANASIEFF
Walter Afanasieff is a multiple Grammy award-winning record producer and song writer who has worked with legendary artists such as Barbara Streisand, Mariah Carey, Celine Dion, Kenny G, Josh Groban, Destiny’s Child, Michael Jackson and Leona Lewis, among others.
Born in Brazil to Russian parents, Afanasieff always knew he wanted to make music and began studying classical piano at a very young age. Growing up in San Francisco, he continued his musical education at the Conservatory of Music in San Mateo in California and continued his study of classical music in Europe. After returning to California, Afanasieff began his career in music as a jazz musician playing keyboards for French jazz violinist Jean Luc Ponty, before transitioning into producing and writing.
In the early 90’s, Afanasieff teamed up with up-and-coming superstar Mariah Carey producing her self-titled debut album and went on to co-write many of her hits, including the chart-toppers “Hero,” “One Sweet Day” and the #1-selling holiday song for the past fifteen years, “All I Want For Christmas is You.” In 1999, Afanasieff won the Grammy Award for “Record of the Year” by producing Celine Dion’s hit, “My Heart Will Go On” for the blockbuster movie, “Titanic.” He also won a Grammy in 2000 for “Producer of the Year” (non-classical). In addition, Afanasieff produced the Academy Award-winning theme songs “Beauty and the Beast” (Celine Dion & Peabo Bryson) and “A Whole New World” for the film Aladdin.
Currently Affanasieff is working on a Broadway musical with Broadway superstar, Idina Menzel. In addition he has recently formed his own label and is currently producing new artists for the imprint.
Afanasieff’s talent extends beyond music as he is an accomplished cook, speaks Russian, and within his circle of musician friends, is a ping pong champion. Although he doesn’t admit it, his fiancée Katie Cazorla says he is a great dancer. Afanasieff, who is 20 years her senior, recently proposed to Katie. No wedding date has been set.
AMY: KATIE’S BEST FRIEND
Amy is Katie’s best friend and is always at the ready to drop everything to help Katie out of a jam – and Katie gets into a LOT of jams. This former swimsuit model is now a fellow business owner in her bakery venture called Brown Sugar LA. With Amy, Katie is able to let loose and hit the Hollywood hotspots to let off some steam.
NICHOLE: MANAGER OF THE PAINTED NAIL/NAIL TECH
This 20-year-old runs the Painted Nail like it is her own – earning the trust of Katie from the start. Between running the salon, keeping the schedule and managing all the salon parties and events, Nichole has a constant presence at The Painted Nail. With Nichole always there, she is also at the center of the salon gossip and often times keeps the drama spinning in the shop.
AKEMI: NAIL TECH
As the star of the nail tech team, Akemi gives the best manis and pedis in the business. Her high expectations and demands of perfection have caused tension with a few of the other nail techs – but they know not to mess with her.
CHALET: NAIL TECH
This no-nonsense nail tech catches the eye of everyone around when she cruises up to The Painted Nail on the back of her electric blue motorcycle. Katie has admitted that Chalet scares her… but in a good way. Katie knows that Chalet will always give her the straight answer, and the rest of the staff rely on her for honest – and often tough-love – advice.
RICKELL: HAIR STYLIST
Katie lured Rickell away from a neighboring salon when Katie discovered she could give her the perfect shade of platinum blonde and the best glam blow-out anywhere. Rickell’s skill as a stylist coupled with her keen ability to get the inside scoop quickly has earned her the role as Katie’s confidante. Perky and fun, Rickell definitely adds some sass to The Painted Nail.