Tabatha Coffey
In 2007, Coffey's blunt persona and edgy hair styles made her one of the frontrunners of the reality competition show "Shear Genius" (Bravo, 2007-10). She won many challenges during her stint on the show, impressing the producers with her onscreen charisma, but she was eliminated in the sixth round of the competition. Coffee, however, did not stay out of the spotlight long. In 2008, she hosted she was given her shot by hosting Bravo's reality series "Tabatha's Salon Takeover," where she brought her hands-on experience as a top-notch stylist and educator to help struggling salon owners turn around their businesses. On the series, the straight-shooting Coffey often whipped incompetent owners and stylists into shape by pointing out their inadequacies through constructive, yet stinging, advice. In 2011, she penned the memoir It's Not Really About the Hair: The Honest Truth About Life, Love, and the Business of Beauty, where she revealed personal experiences such as coming out at 15 and the nearly fatal experience of having breast implants in 1992. That same year, Bravo renamed her reality show "Tabatha Takes Over" (2011-12), to reflect the show's new format that showed Coffey helping other struggling small businesses such as a frozen yogurt parlor and a doggie day care facility.By Candy Cuenco