Seeing Stars-Can Katie Cazorla carry a realty show?

One of the very first entertainment stories I wrote after being in Los Angeles happened by a happy accident. I was covering a story about AA being located on Ventura Blvd. in Sherman Oaks and the associated community problems on Christmas Eve, when I stumbled into the place nextdoor called “The Painted Nail,” to ask if they were having any problems.

That’s when I met the charismatic owner, Katie Cazorla, who openly talked about some crazy stories related to the AA meeting hall, giving me great material for my story.

We hit it off and her parents, who were visiting from New York, couldn’t say enough about their entrepreneurial daughter. She was very animated and funny, passionately talking about her own line of organic nail polish.

Then she revealed that there was a reality show in the works about her and the shop called, “The Nail Files.” Bingo for me! I got another fun story and my brand new editor loved it.

I even did a video but the audio from my computer mic was so bad we never used it and it has plenty of hits on my youtube.com page.

Fast forward and the show was produced by SallyAnn Salsano (Jersey Shore), I’ve written a couple of other stories and the show is airing on the TV Guide Channel. Yes, they have their own channel. Who knew?

I wondered if a show about Katie, her Grammy award-winning fiance Walter Afansieff, best known for writing, “My Heart Will Go On,” the theme song of “Titanic” for Celine Dion, could possibly make a successful show. Well, I watched every episode and I can’t wait to see what she does next. I’m convinced that it’s even interesting to watch nail polish dry, when there’s a quirky, firecracker like Katie applying it.

Katie was a stand-up comedian before she opened her nail salon on one of the busiest L.A. streets and that training has paid off. I personally can’t wait to see if the show gets picked up for another season.

The finale is Tuesday, August 8 at 10 p.m. on TV Guide Channel but I’m sure the reruns are on the rest of the summer. Check out the show and let me know if you think Katie is a star!

Cassandra M. Bellantoni is a Los Angeles freelance reporter, producer, video editor and featured front-page blogger on Huffington Post. She is also a former chef, restaurant owner and breast cancer survivor. Follow her on Twitter @StarShineSpeaks or email cassandra_bellantoni@yahoo.com