May 11, 2005
H:/pglassner/SERIES/The Cut/The Cut- ID release revised 1.doc 5/10/05H:/pglassner/SERIES/The Cut/The Cut-ID release FINAL2.doc

WHO WILL MAKE ""THE CUT?""

CBS REVEALS THE IDENTITIES OF THE POTENTIAL NEXT GREAT AMERICAN FASHION DESIGNER

CBS's New Reality Series THE CUT, with Fashion Industry Icon Tommy Hilfiger, Premieres Thursday, June 9, 8:00-9:30 PM

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CBS today unveiled the identities of the participants in THE CUT, a new reality series with fashion designer Iiconic design mogul Tommy Hilfiger , whose rags- to- riches journey is the basis for the epic competition in which these contestants will find themselves which will premiere on Thursday, June 9 (8:00-9:30 PM ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network. Literally living Tommy''hs is life in fast forward,The show pits these 16 style-savvy contestants will be competeing in a series of gcrueling style assignments which test their talent, business acumen, sales and marketing expertise, social skills, resourcefulness and style IQs. unlike anything seen in reality television before. against each other in a competition to find America's fashion trendsetter of tomorrow.. TThe series will premiere on Thursday, June 9 (8:00-9:30 PM ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network.

Hilfiger hosts the series and will ultimately mentor offer the winner winner an aAmerican dream come true --;who will be awarded the opportunity to design his or her own collection under the Tommy Hilfiger label, which includes clothing, home collections, fragrances and eyewear, and to become the next great American designer.

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Looking for unexpected creative genius, Hilfiger has pulledchosen 16 hopefuls from various every regions of America. CrammedLiving into a Manhattan loft, this colorful and eclectic group,, rangesing from athe desperate housewife in St. Louis who hopes to escape out offrom suburbia, andtoand a, to the Brooklyn street artist who is looking to provide a better life for his five kids, to , to a nNew Orleans socialite used to the finer things in life, andto a, and to athe spirited 21- year- old former Miss Minnesota who is looking to prove she is much more thanthat a pretty face. Each ...each wweek, these 16 contestants will face an exacting and demanding Hilfiger . ..The competitors will need to show their unique sense of style and creativity to prove they have the necessary tools to survive and succeed in the high-stakes fashion industry. Living together in a loft in SoHo, New York, Out of this intense creative challenge, which will test their ability to handle diverse and unexpected situations and assignments, crucible the next generation''s great designer will emerge. jIn thirteen weeks one of these people will change the way America looks.... t

he aspiring designers will be given real fashion world challenges that will test their business acumen, creativity, and social skills. Each week, Hilfiger will rate the hopefuls on their results and cut one contestant.

Following are the 16 potential participantsdesigners:

FELIX
Los Angeles, Calif.
Age: 35
Single
Professional Skate Boarder and Freelance Designer

The sSon of Cuban iImmigrants, this self- made skateboard pro is unrelenting in his work ethic and stubborn to a fault. Professional Skate Boarder, Freelance Designer

JEFF
Chicago, Ill.
Age: 42
Married with 2 children
Salesman
This fashion industry veteran has the Salesman from Chicago...his total self confidence to has him cclaiming,, ""I have the potential to blow the mind.""

Married, 2 children
Sales Representative

DEANNA
West Hollywood, Calif.
Age: 23
Single
Retail Manager and Stylist for a boutique on trendy Melrose Avenue This avant-gardeee guard, brash stylist clashes with her fellow competitors as much as her the off- the- wall clothing she wears. Retail Manager and Stylist for a boutique on trendy Melrose Avenue

CHRIS C.
San Francisco, Calif.
Age: 26
Single
Student
From the wrong side of the tracks, ...ththis Hilfiger fFanatic is looking to grab the attention of his iIdol.

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CBS Television...3Single
Student

WES
New Orleans, La.
Age: 25
Single
Creative Director
The
"The ""All American boy with a twist"" employs lethal tactics to get an edge over his competitionwin in this game.

Single
Creative Director

JESSICA
St. Paul, Minn.
Age: 22
Single
Miss Minnesota USA, 2004
A
Midw-west beauty queen who wants to prove of she is much more than a just a pretty face. Single
Miss Minnesota USA, 2004

VLADA
Chesterfield, Mo.
Age: 24
Single
Sales Associate

A dDaughter ofThis Russian immigrants, this vampbeauty is looking to use her natural assets to charm her way to the top. Single
Sales Associate

JULIE
St. Louis, Mo.
Age: 37
Married with 3 children
Full-Time Mom

A dDesperate hHousewife who is looking to escape suburbia.

Married, 3 children
Full-Time Mom

LIZ
West Hollywood, Calif.
Age: 30
Single
Publisher/Editor

This Beverly Hills bBusiness womaen causes storms of controversy with her sharp and biting manner. Single
Publisher/Editor

AMY
Chicago, Ill.
Age: 26
Single
Fashion Stylist

This fun and vivacious stylist has much to say- -- to the dismay of the other contestants.

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Single
Fashion Stylist

CHRIS S.
Nashville, Tenn.
Age: 25
Single
Restaurateur

A This football- loving, southern boy who wants aims to prove that great designers can be found in unexpected places. Single
Restaurateur

SHAUNA
New Orleans, La.
Age: 39
Married with 2 stepchildren
Unemployed
A
New Orleans socialite who is used to the finer things in life whoand will have to adjust to a whole new world. Married, 2 stepchildren
Unemployed

ROB
Brooklyn, N.Y..Y.
Age: 35
Married with 5 stepchildren
Graphic Designer

A Brooklyn sStreet aArtist looking to make a better life for his wife and five kids. Married, 5 stepchildren
Graphic Designer

TOMMY
Chicago, Ill.
Age: 42
Single
Teacher

This experienced cCouture designer from Chicago thinks he has this competition wrapped up --- or so he is convinced.

Single
Teacher

PRINCESS
Philadelphia, Penn.
Age: 22
Single
Freelance Designer

This business savvy designer is looking to turn the fashion industry on its head with her urban chic.

Single
Freelance Designer

JAMES
Encinitas, Calif.
Age: 27
Single
Production for a sportswear company
A
The guy''s guy from the beaches of San dDiego ... don''t misjudge his laid back approach.... Single

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Production for a sportswear company

THE CUT is produced by Lions Gate Television in association with Pilgrim Films and Television. Craig Piligian serves as executive producer along with Peter Connolly, President of Worldwide Marketing for Hilfiger. Darren Maddern, who created the series with Piligian and Connolly, is one of the and Eli Frankel are co-executive producers (in the contract it says that he is an "executive producer" - has this changed?)producers with Alan David, Piligian's manager and partner, and Eli Frankel.

Photos are available on www.cbspressexpress.com.

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Press Contacts: Karin Failla            323/575-4269       karin.failla@tvc.cbs.com
                        Phoebe Glassner 212/975-3148       pglassner@cbs.com

Tommy Hilfiger: Heidi Kang              212/548-1659       hkang@tommy-usa.com