'Unpolished': Meet Bria, Lexi, Foxy Grandma, Jennifer and late Mike from TLC's Martone Family ahead of Season 2
TLC is bringing back their relatively new series 'Unpolished' based out of and filmed majorly out a Long Island's glamorous salon. Nail artist Lexi Martone and her sister Bria are the founder of the very reputed Salon Martone. Lexi's contribution to the growth of their salon has been phenomenal, her artistic and innovative 3D nail art designs helped put her as well as her salon on the map. Bri is a hair and make-up artist who's specialized in prosthetics as well as avant-garde hairstyles. Lexi and Bria co-own the salon that attracts a growing number of customers, tourists, and celebrities. The reality series features the sisters and their larger-than-life Italian family including their mother Jennifer, their late father Mike, and their grandmother Eleanor Varozzi, who frequently stop by to stir up trouble. The sisters show off their skills to a wide range of clientele while constantly juggling family drama as well as their individual romantic relationships. Here's all you need to know about the family ahead of the Season 2 premiere.
Lexi Martone
Everyone knows that Lexi specializes in crazy 3-D nail art design often leaving fans comparing her work to celebrity baker Buddy Valastro's creative genius best displayed on 'Cake Boss'. Did you know that the comparisons are not for nothing but the famous nail tech has worked with Valastro before. Lexi excels in baking and she comes with a history in cooking competition shows that require displaying highly creative designs. She was also featured on Valastro's official YouTube channel, Cakehouse. Check the video below to watch the "cupcake witch" as she was referred to, in action.
Lexi's cupcake designs have been as creative as her nail art has been. Her first TV appearance was on Food Network's 'Bakers vs. Fakers' after which she began working with Valastro as the cupcake witch. She was also a part of Food Network's 'Christmas Cookie Challenge'.
Coming to Lexi's nail career, she began working as a licensed tech in 2016 and since then has gone ahead to work with some of the biggest stars in showbiz including Jennifer Lopez, Sophia Bush, Blake Lively, Jada Pinkett Smith. The celerity who helped foray her way into celebrity nail-design was Katie Holmes who hired her services ahead of her Met Gala appearance. Her website states that her work has featured on Fox's 'Gotham' as well as on Kylie Jenner's app as well as big magazines. She's also collaborated with Estee Lauder's creative director Donald Drawbertson as well as makeup artist Jay Manuel.
Bria Martone
Lexi once said that Bria was "born covered in sparkles" and turns out this is as true as it could be. Bria is as talented as her sister and she creates some of the most unique makeup looks using prosthetics and churns out dreamy hairstyles that are nothing short of art. She's been nicknamed "Bria the Diva" because of her talent for creating/executing the most unique hairstyle requests for her clients. She has a special workroom at Salon Martone, the one that's called the diva boutique. When Bria gets into her workspace, she's known to create work that not many can imagine creating. Bria's talents aren't just restricted to hairstyling but she is also an exceptional hair colorist.
A licensed cosmetologist with a Masters degree in esthetics, Bria has worked as part of the hair and makeup team for Bronx fashion week and as an on-set makeup artist for a local photographer. She has collaborated with several NYC photographers on special fx, jewelry, and skincare shoots. Bria is also trained in airbrush makeup techniques and has an eye for corrective color, according to her bio on Salon Martone's website.
An important and fun element of 'Unpolished' is Bria and Lexi's relationship. The two always seem to be at loggerheads with each other on one too many subjects, however, there are no second thoughts about the two have each other's backs when in need. The bone of contention between the sisters is Bria's love interest Matt Mancuso. Lexi is not a fan of him because he struggles with temper issues and to add to that he's also a father of two children and has separated from his previous partner. Bria even eloped with Matt to Vegas where they decided to get married but a last-minute call from her father Mike made her decide against it.
Bria has changed her Instagram account name to Mrs. Mancuso after the two tied the knot late last year. There are a number of dreamy pictures of the two together wherein they're dressed in wedding attire but there are no pictures from the actual ceremony.
Mike Martone aka 'Big Mike'
The patriarch of the Martone family 'Big Mike' passed away in May this year. Everyone who knew him loved him for his big Italian heart and were devastated when he left the world leaving a huge void in their lives. He loved being a grandfather. Bria had taken Matt's twin sons as her own and joining her was Mike who loved indulging and spoiling them. He was a big part of his daughters' life always stepping in whenever they were stuck, even showing up to the salon when sinks were clogged because of his exceptional plumbing skills. He was the owner of a sanitary business and made enough money to whizz around the cityscapes in his Cadillacs and Mercedes Benz. He lived a life larger than life and the second season of the show will weigh heavy on the heart of watchers because it will cover the aftermath of his death and the effect on his family.
Jennifer Martone and Foxy Grandma
Jennifer Martone is the Kris Jenner of the Martone family. She manages the business as well as the careers of her two children. Eleanor Varozzi aka Foxy Grandma is a hairstylist and Bria seems to have taken after her and inherited her talents. She's a fireball and one of the most entertaining personalities on the show.
'Unpolished' Season 2 will premiere on Tuesday, January 12, 2021, at 10 pm ET on TLC.