Nancy Wu, 36
Children’s entertainer, Auckland
Growing up, the mum-of-two wanted to be a doctor, but she’s now a face painter with a side hustle in balloon twisting, although she makes most of her inflatable creations at home, rather than at parties. Her specialties are Disney princesses and fairytale scenes. During lockdown, Nancy went viral with the beautiful art she painted on her kids’ faces – portraits inspired by the Mona Lisa, Frida Kahlo and Girl With A Pearl Earring. (You can check her out on Instagram at @cally_luna.) “Every day is a new adventure for me,” she says.
Pip Milford-Hughes, 54
Occupational therapist, Dunedin
When Pip was eight, she saw her first balloon artist at Balclutha A&P show. “I was mesmerised,” she recalls. “Much to Mum’s dismay, I spent all my show money on the animals he was making and pleaded to buy some uninflated balloons. I went home and untwisted, then retwisted them, until I could remake them.” The mum-of-two has since taught balloon art in Australia, Japan, the US, Germany, the UK and the Netherlands, with creations including a Tardis time machine, motorbikes, magic gardens and a full Christmas display for a mall.
Paul Bates, 61
Magician, Greytown
Born in England, the former flight attendant settled in the Wairarapa 11 years ago. Introduced to kids’ entertainment by his magician dad, Paul made his first balloon animal at age 13 – a sausage dog – but he only got serious after meeting fellow contestant Pip at a convention in 2009. “She opened up a whole new world of balloon twisting and we’ve become close friends,” he tells. It remains to be seen whether their bond will survive the show, but Paul’s already a winner, taking out the prestigious Grand Master of Magic title in 2019.
Sharyn Dann, 50
Interior Commercial Designer, Auckland
Born in Dunedin, Sharyn grew up working in her parents’ fish-and-chip shop in Musselburgh. When her daughter Jenifer (a fellow contestant) was three, a balloon artist made her a six-petal flower and Sharyn was inspired to take up the hobby. “I was in awe,” the mum-of-two tells. “I wanted it so bad!” She’s now been a balloon sculptor for 15 years. The keen gym goer says, “I never imagined myself as a balloon artist or face painter, but I love it. It’s fun and you meet so many people, and share in their celebrations.”
Trey Bennett, 33
Children’s Entertainer, Auckland
Raised on Waiheke Island, the dad-of-two grew up wanting to be a superhero and rates the Caped Crusader as a mentor. “Being like Batman has always inspired me to be the best I can be in all areas of my life.” But being a superhero has its drawbacks – he’s almost fainted three times from overheating in Darth Vader, Iron Man and Black Panther costumes at kids’ parties! As to Trey’s strategy on the show: “I will engage in mental warfare… systematically breaking down their will to go on!”
Jenifer Lo, 20
Physiotherapy Student, Auckland
The daughter of fellow contestant Sharyn, this full-time student has many part-time jobs, including balloon twister, face painter, fitness instructor and gym receptionist. Naturally, it was her mother who got her into balloons. Jenifer worked her first kids’ party when she was just eight. “As a child, I was entertaining other children!” While she might be the baby of Blow Up, Jenifer has been a balloon artist for 13 years!
Natalie Atkinson, 36
Balloon Business Owner, Paraparaumu
The Kāpiti Coast teacher was inspired to get into inflation by her daughter Tessa. She tells, “I wanted to make some balloon flowers as decorations for her first birthday party. I found a tutorial on YouTube and tried it. After I got used to the sound of constant poppage, I started to enjoy myself.” Married to her childhood sweetheart Maurice for 18 years, Natalie was recently diagnosed with ADHD, which has become her superpower. “It allows me to have this single-minded focus and determination.”
Blow Up judge Dave Brenn and host Jaquie Brown.
Blow Up premieres 7.30pm Monday 17 April on Three.
