Jolieden Beauty Bar Presents
Competition City: New York City · Grand Finale: October 15, 2026
Celebrity Judges
$200K Grand Prize
NYC Finale
Application closes In
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The Elimination Funnel
Apply.
Apply.
Compete. Win.
America's national braiding competition, hosted entirely in New York City. Four phases. One crown.
01
Open
May 1 – June 1, 2026
Applications & Immunity Voting
Applications open nationwide to all braiders 18+. Submit your video, portfolio, and $100 application fee. Public Immunity voting runs simultaneously — the top 10 vote-getters earn a guaranteed spot in the Top 50, skipping live auditions entirely.
$100 Fee
03
1,000
September 2026 — 2 Weeks
Live Auditions in NYC
Contestants travel to New York City. 100 compete each day across 10 competition days (Mon–Fri, weekends off for production). Only 4 advance per day. After 2 weeks: 40 from auditions + 10 Immunity winners = Top 50.
10 Days
04
50→5
Late September – October 2026
Elimination Rounds
The Top 50 enter high-stakes elimination rounds filmed as series episodes. 50 cut to 30, then to 15, then to the Final 5. Every contestant is known. Every elimination is personal.
50 → 5
05
1
October 15, 2026 — New York City
The Grand Finale
Five finalists. One stage. Live audience. Red carpet. $200,000. America's Best Braider is crowned.
$200,000
Public Immunity Voting
Your audience can
Your audience can
save your spot.
Immunity voting runs May 1 through June 1 — the same window as applications. Contestants campaign on their own platforms for public votes. The top 10 vote-getters nationwide earn Immunity: a guaranteed place in the Top 50, skipping the 2-week live auditions entirely. This turns every applicant into an active promoter.
How Immunity Works
Apply for the competition → Share your link → Campaign for votes on your platforms → If you finish in the top 10 nationwide, you skip live auditions and enter directly into the elimination rounds as a guaranteed Top 50 contestant.
10
Immunity Spots Available
May 1
– Jun 1
– Jun 1
Voting Window
Live Audition Schedule
2 weeks in NYC.
2 weeks in NYC.
10 competition days.
1,000 contestants. 100 per day. 10 groups of 10. Only 4 advance each day. Weekends off for production. After 10 days: 40 advance from auditions, plus 10 Immunity winners already guaranteed = Top 50.
| Day | Contestants | Format | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Week 1 · Mon | Day 1: Contestants 1–100 | 10 sub-groups of 10 compete | 4 advance |
| Week 1 · Tue | Day 2: Contestants 101–200 | 10 sub-groups of 10 compete | 4 advance |
| Week 1 · Wed | Day 3: Contestants 201–300 | 10 sub-groups of 10 compete | 4 advance |
| Week 1 · Thu | Day 4: Contestants 301–400 | 10 sub-groups of 10 compete | 4 advance |
| Week 1 · Fri | Day 5: Contestants 401–500 | 10 sub-groups of 10 compete | 4 advance |
| Weekend — Production Reset & Content Editing | |||
| Week 2 · Mon | Day 6: Contestants 501–600 | 10 sub-groups of 10 compete | 4 advance |
| Week 2 · Tue | Day 7: Contestants 601–700 | 10 sub-groups of 10 compete | 4 advance |
| Week 2 · Wed | Day 8: Contestants 701–800 | 10 sub-groups of 10 compete | 4 advance |
| Week 2 · Thu | Day 9: Contestants 801–900 | 10 sub-groups of 10 compete | 4 advance |
| Week 2 · Fri | Day 10: Contestants 901–1,000 | 10 sub-groups of 10 compete | 4 advance |
| Total | 40 from auditions + 10 Immunity winners | Top 50 Set | |
Elimination Rounds
The field narrows.
The field narrows.
Every braid matters.
The Top 50 enter filmed elimination rounds. High-stakes. High-drama. Every contestant is known to the audience. Every elimination is personal.
50
↓
30
Semifinal Round
Advanced techniques, creativity under pressure, consistency. 20 eliminated.
30
↓
15
Quarterfinal Round
Innovation, speed under pressure, artistry. The competition gets personal. 15 eliminated.
15
↓
5
Top 5 Selection
No restrictions. The complete package: skill, artistry, story, presentation. 10 eliminated.
Grand
Finale
Finale
★
Oct 15
New York City
Live audience. Red carpet. $100,000. America's Best Braider crowned.
October 15, 2026 — New York City
$200K
Grand Prize — National Braid-Off 2026
"Do you have what it takes to be
America's Number One Braider?"
America's Number One Braider?"
Official Entry · National Braid-Off 2026
Your Application
Complete all sections · Applications close June 1, 2026 · $100 non-refundable fee
Key Dates
Applications close June 1, 2026. Immunity voting runs May 1 – June 1. Meet the Contestants tour July – August. Live auditions in NYC September 2026. Grand Finale October 15, 2026.
Section 01
Personal Information
If different from your legal name
If applicable
A clear photo of your face — used for your contestant profile
📷
Click to upload your profile photo
JPG, PNG or HEIC — 1 photo
Yes
No
Section 02
Video Submission
2–3 minute audition video. Speak from the heart.
→Introduce yourself — your name and where you're from
→Share your journey with braiding — how it all started
→Tell us what braiding means to you and what drives your passion
→What would winning $100,000 change for you and your family?
→Why do you deserve to represent your city on this stage?
Section 03
Portfolio
Clear, high-quality images showcasing your best styles
📸
Click to upload or drag files here
JPG, PNG, or HEIC — 3 to 5 photos
Section 04
Competition Requirements
✓
I understand I must bring my own model if selected for the live audition in NYC.
✓
I understand I am responsible for my own travel and lodging to the tour city and to NYC.
✓
I confirm all submitted work is my own.
Yes
No
Section 05
Agreements & Releases
By checking each box you agree to the terms of the National Braid Off.
✓
I grant permission to use my image, likeness, and video for media and promotional purposes related to the National Braid Off.
✓
I agree to abide by the official competition rules and judging criteria.
✓
I agree to the National Braid Off code of conduct and will conduct myself professionally at all times.
✓
I confirm that all work submitted is original and created by me. Plagiarism of any kind will result in immediate disqualification.
✓
I understand and accept that all decisions made by the judging panel are final.
✓
I consent to being filmed and agree footage may be used for broadcast, streaming, and distribution across all platforms.
✓
I understand I am responsible for funding my own transportation to and from all competition events.
Section 06
Emergency Contact
Section 07
Application Fee
$100
Non-Refundable Application Fee
Please note that this is a non-refundable application fee. Payment of this fee does not guarantee advancement to auditions or any subsequent round of the competition.
✓
I understand that the $100 application fee is non-refundable and that submitting an application does not guarantee selection to move forward in the competition.
By submitting you confirm all information is accurate and agree to the non-refundable fee.