As a child, she thought she would be a famous singer, actress or both. But she never thought she would be recognized for her successes in a field other than her emphasis.

BYU broadcast journalism graduate NataLee Callahan, 30, is one of the designers in the fourth season of the “HGTV Design Star” reality competition.

Callahan is among 10 other finalists who will compete in a series of design challenges and endeavor to get their own show on HGTV.

She was born in Pocatello, Idaho, grew up in Rupert, Idaho, and has lived in Utah for 12 years. She is married and is the mother of one daughter, Riley.

Callahan has always had a passion for interior design. She started out in floral design about 12 years ago.

“When she was a little girl, she made furniture for her dolls,” said Loir Bair, Callahan’s mother. “She can make anything look good, even an old piece of furniture from the DI.”

Bair said in addition to her design abilities, her daughter is an excellent seamstress, does all her drapery and bedding, and is also an outstanding cellist and violinist.

Callahan said getting into real estate helped her realize her passion for homes.

“I got a lot of experience paging my clients’ homes, which led me into a career in design,” she said. “I realized I had a real passion for design.”

KayLee Fox, Callahan’s current boss at Osmond Designs in Lehi, said Callahan is good with colors and styles.

“Her style is very fresh and fun and she is very professional bringing a new whole look instead of the same old stuff,” she said.

Callahan said her goal is to combine her love of media and design in her professional career.
She said her dream has been to have her own show on HGTV.

“They offered the show as a way to have your own show so I felt this was a good avenue for me to fulfill my dream, because that is the prize of the show,” she said.

Callahan said it is an honor for her to have been selected out of so many applicants for “HGTV Design Star.” She said what helped her get into the competition was a combination of many skills.

“My broad background in design and my broadcast training have helped,” she said. “I think it was a combination of my designing experience as well as my media experience.”

Callahan has received her family and friends’ support during this competition.

“They thought it was a good idea for me,” she said.

Megan Wright, one of Callahan’s friends from Salt Lake City, said Callahan is a talented woman who has many ideas.

“She knows what she wants and she gets it done,” Wright said. “When she has an idea, she doesn’t hesitate and worries if it’s not going to work. She goes right for it.”

Callahan said she chose to go to BYU because of its prestige and moral values.

“BYU is a great school and it was not too terribly far away from home and enough away I could feel I was on my own,” she said.

Callahan said her BYU experience was interesting. She started 12 years ago and originally went into musical theater because she wanted to go to Broadway and sing.

“I got married and had a child, took some time off, and then went back to school a few years ago and changed my major into broadcast journalism,” Callahan said. “It was a good experience altogether, and it probably was more unique than most.”

Callahan is one of many BYU graduates to appear in national competitions. Kelsey Nixon, also a broadcast graduate, made it to the first four in the fourth season of the “Next Food Network Star” television series.

Callahan advises BYU students to go after their dreams with everything they have.

“Even in the face of trial, if you believe in yourself and if you keep working toward your dream, you will achieve it,” she said. “The key is to believe in yourself, never give up and work hard.”

The premiere for the fourth season of “HGTV Design Star” is Sunday at 8 p.m.

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