TEREY SUMMERS
46
Goodyear, Ariz.
Life was "dark" after her husband died in a car accident three years ago, says the motivational speaker and comedian. But creating a TV show pilot helped her "regain my health and my mind."
KATRINA MINCY
61
Cincinnati
The chef, who goes by "Aunt Flora," once made savory cobblers for Martha Stewart. "I love to teach people how to cook," she says.
RYAN O'CONNOR
29
West Hollywood, Calif.
The Oprah superfan ("I have a pillow with her face on it") says he wants "to do for theater in America what Oprah has done for books. That is my passion."
ERIC WARREN
58
Los Angeles
Warren says his prospective show, Foods That Fit, will help viewers prepare healthy meals. "Fat is sexy," he says, "but some of us have too much of a sexy thing going on!"
KRISTINA KUZMIC-CROCCO
31
Alhambra, Calif.
"The whole idea for my show is 'No excuses!' " says the chef and mother of two, who lived on food stamps after her divorce. "Cooking builds confidence."
TONY ROACH
61
Abilene, Texas
The high school dropout turned minister says his talk show-game show hybrid "is based on the idea of investing in the bank of your soul."
LEIGH KOECHNER
44
Valley Village, Calif.
Koechner wants to invite guests (like Maya Angelou) to her real backyard for a chat: "It's really a show for families, because the home is our most sacred place."
ZACH ANNER
26
Austin, Texas
"I've always wanted to do a travel show for people who never thought they could," says Anner, who has cerebral palsy. "I'm down for adventure and up for anything."
ELIZABETH ESPINOSA
37
Lawndale, Calif.
Espinosa, a local news reporter, says, "It's been my passion to tell people's stories and give people a voice."
ALICIA TAYLOR
39
Las Vegas
"I want people to get financially fit," says Taylor, who owns a mortgage company. "Most people have eyes that are bigger than their budget."
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