Dancers, models and businessmen alike took on the small screen this year. Whether they were featured on a new Netflix reality TV show or found their voice on the classic singing competition, they all did it while representing Southlake. If you need to do some holiday binge-watching, there are a few episodes you should check out.
Southlake Idol
The reality TV singing competition made its return to American households on March 11 with Katy Perry, Luke Bryan and Lionel Richie acting as the show’s new all-star judging panel. And you may have seen another familiar face performing in front of them. North Texan Juliana Madrid has played around town in local competitions and mic nights, but she took center stage on the screen by auditioning for “American Idol” last season.
After making it past the first round, she went on perform numbers like Justin Bieber’s “Love Yourself” in front of the judges. And while she may not have made it all the way, we were proud to watch her follow her dreams.
Emerald Belle Makes Appearance in Netflix Docuseries
If you access Netflix today, odds are, you’ll see the new docuseries, “Dancing Queen,” pop up as a suggested show. Even if sassy drag queens are not your thing, a rising local star may pique your interest. With a long history of dancing, Molly McKinnon is no stranger to the literal spotlight. As the captain of the Emerald Belles, and an active competitive dancer with Beyond Belief Dance Company, it’s possible that McKinnon dances more than she walks. In fact, she has been selected to represent the Belles in Dragon Pride Well Represented 2017.
Dance lovers will get an inside look at the dance studio where McKinnon hones her skills. “Dancing Queen” is centered around its star Justin Johnson, the owner of Beyond Belief Dance Company. He is arguably better known as drag star Alyssa Edwards. Edwards rose to prominence while performing in season five of RuPaul’s Drag Race – a reality TV competition in which the host, RuPaul, and a panel of judges search for “America’s next drag superstar.”
“Dancing Queen” takes deep dive into the life of Johnson as he endeavors to prep students for intense dance competitions while also balancing his personal life – from family, to drag and everything in between.
Southlake Elf Takes On The Sharks
Southlake resident Mitchell Allen has been spreading Christmas cheer in the Metroplex for years with his company HireSanta. And he wanted to spread it across the country, so he sought out some help from some big sharks.
Mitchell went on ABC’s Shark Tank on December 2 to pitch his company to some big-time businessmen and women. As head elf, he explained just why his six-year company was worthy of an investment from Mark Cuban, Barbara Corcoran, Kevin O’Leary, Lori Greiner and Daymond John.
With HireSanta, the largest database of background-checked and insured professional Santa Claus entertainers, Allen connects those looking for a Saint Nick with an available jolly actor. Whether it be for a private party or corporate event, he makes sure Santa can come to town.
Barbara Corcoran bought into his idea and made a $200,000 deal with Mitchell. Now, he will be working hard on spreading more Christmas cheer.
Carroll Dragon Picks Up A Briefcase On New Season Of ‘Deal or No Deal’
First it was Chrissy Teigen and Duchess of Sussex Meghan Markle, and now it is former Southlake resident Madi Teeuws picking up a briefcase and acting as a model in NBC’s new season of “Deal or No Deal.”
The show rebooted 10 years after it stopped production to give more families a chance to win large sums of money, more Howie Mandel jokes and a new class of briefcase models, one of which is a Carroll graduate.
Madi moved with her family to Southlake from Washington D.C. when she was 10 years old. While attending Carroll ISD’s intermediate, middle and high schools, she did everything from horseback riding to soccer to softball and theater. In high school, she focused on basketball and was the shooting guard for the Dragons.
Madi went on to study at The University of Texas at Austin, where she graduated a year early. She then moved to Los Angeles in hopes of finding a job at an advertising or marketing agency. But that was put on hold when she saw an opportunity to pursue a career in modeling.
When you tune into “Deal Or No Deal,” keep an eye out for Briefcase Model No. 15. Because once a Dragon, always a Dragon!
Southlake Residence Featured On WFAA TV Special
A Garabedian Properties custom-built home was featured on WFAA’s “Susie Homemaker Holiday Dream Home” television special on December 8 at 12 p.m. The 5,418-square-foot, five-bedroom home was showcased complete with holiday décor during the 30-minute program.
During the episode, viewers got an inside look at the home’s build. The English Tudor home came to life over that time as it is shown being built, furnished and refined to its final product.
Producer and host Susie McAuley found the Southlake based-builder through several local referrals and community leaders. The home, located in Southlake’s Clariden Ranch subdivision, is now listed at $1,499,950. And in the spirit of the season, a portion of the sale will benefit the Journey Learning Center, a Grapevine nonprofit that supports therapies for children with autism. It’s a cause that’s near to Garabedian’s heart.
Southlake Idol
The reality TV singing competition made its return to American households on March 11 with Katy Perry, Luke Bryan and Lionel Richie acting as the show’s new all-star judging panel. And you may have seen another familiar face performing in front of them. North Texan Juliana Madrid has played around town in local competitions and mic nights, but she took center stage on the screen by auditioning for “American Idol” last season.
After making it past the first round, she went on perform numbers like Justin Bieber’s “Love Yourself” in front of the judges. And while she may not have made it all the way, we were proud to watch her follow her dreams.
Emerald Belle Makes Appearance in Netflix Docuseries
If you access Netflix today, odds are, you’ll see the new docuseries, “Dancing Queen,” pop up as a suggested show. Even if sassy drag queens are not your thing, a rising local star may pique your interest. With a long history of dancing, Molly McKinnon is no stranger to the literal spotlight. As the captain of the Emerald Belles, and an active competitive dancer with Beyond Belief Dance Company, it’s possible that McKinnon dances more than she walks. In fact, she has been selected to represent the Belles in Dragon Pride Well Represented 2017.
Dance lovers will get an inside look at the dance studio where McKinnon hones her skills. “Dancing Queen” is centered around its star Justin Johnson, the owner of Beyond Belief Dance Company. He is arguably better known as drag star Alyssa Edwards. Edwards rose to prominence while performing in season five of RuPaul’s Drag Race – a reality TV competition in which the host, RuPaul, and a panel of judges search for “America’s next drag superstar.”
“Dancing Queen” takes deep dive into the life of Johnson as he endeavors to prep students for intense dance competitions while also balancing his personal life – from family, to drag and everything in between.
Southlake Elf Takes On The Sharks
Southlake resident Mitchell Allen has been spreading Christmas cheer in the Metroplex for years with his company HireSanta. And he wanted to spread it across the country, so he sought out some help from some big sharks.
Mitchell went on ABC’s Shark Tank on December 2 to pitch his company to some big-time businessmen and women. As head elf, he explained just why his six-year company was worthy of an investment from Mark Cuban, Barbara Corcoran, Kevin O’Leary, Lori Greiner and Daymond John.
With HireSanta, the largest database of background-checked and insured professional Santa Claus entertainers, Allen connects those looking for a Saint Nick with an available jolly actor. Whether it be for a private party or corporate event, he makes sure Santa can come to town.
Barbara Corcoran bought into his idea and made a $200,000 deal with Mitchell. Now, he will be working hard on spreading more Christmas cheer.
Carroll Dragon Picks Up A Briefcase On New Season Of ‘Deal or No Deal’
First it was Chrissy Teigen and Duchess of Sussex Meghan Markle, and now it is former Southlake resident Madi Teeuws picking up a briefcase and acting as a model in NBC’s new season of “Deal or No Deal.”
The show rebooted 10 years after it stopped production to give more families a chance to win large sums of money, more Howie Mandel jokes and a new class of briefcase models, one of which is a Carroll graduate.
Madi moved with her family to Southlake from Washington D.C. when she was 10 years old. While attending Carroll ISD’s intermediate, middle and high schools, she did everything from horseback riding to soccer to softball and theater. In high school, she focused on basketball and was the shooting guard for the Dragons.
Madi went on to study at The University of Texas at Austin, where she graduated a year early. She then moved to Los Angeles in hopes of finding a job at an advertising or marketing agency. But that was put on hold when she saw an opportunity to pursue a career in modeling.
When you tune into “Deal Or No Deal,” keep an eye out for Briefcase Model No. 15. Because once a Dragon, always a Dragon!
Southlake Residence Featured On WFAA TV Special
A Garabedian Properties custom-built home was featured on WFAA’s “Susie Homemaker Holiday Dream Home” television special on December 8 at 12 p.m. The 5,418-square-foot, five-bedroom home was showcased complete with holiday décor during the 30-minute program.
During the episode, viewers got an inside look at the home’s build. The English Tudor home came to life over that time as it is shown being built, furnished and refined to its final product.
Producer and host Susie McAuley found the Southlake based-builder through several local referrals and community leaders. The home, located in Southlake’s Clariden Ranch subdivision, is now listed at $1,499,950. And in the spirit of the season, a portion of the sale will benefit the Journey Learning Center, a Grapevine nonprofit that supports therapies for children with autism. It’s a cause that’s near to Garabedian’s heart.
