Meet the LEGO MASTERS USA contestants: Manny and Nestor
Brick Fanatics is speaking to the LEGO MASTERS USA contestants to find out more about them and their passion for the hobby. Manny and Nestor are using their family bond for the ultimate teamwork
LEGO MASTERS USA is about to begin. Some of the best builders in the US are competing to see who will receive the title of LEGO MASTERS as they face tough challenges that will push their building ability to the limit.
Brick Fanatics is speaking to the builders who have their sights on the ultimate LEGO prize to get to know them better. In this exclusive interview with the ‘Father and Sons BFF’ team, Mannie explains his life-long love of LEGO and Nestor reveals his own creative streak.
What is your LEGO background?
Mannie: My first encounter with LEGO was when I was three, turning four. I remember being in K-mart, getting lost in the toy aisle and coming across the 1987 castle, which I begged my mom to get me for my birthday. My parents spent the whole night building it, then in two weeks it was all in pieces. That was our family’s first encounter with LEGO.
What are your favourite types of models to build? Where do you do your building?
Mannie: My favourite types of LEGO models to build are LEGO Creator sets because every year there are different sets and you can customise them, add and make your own creations in your own LEGO world. I also enjoy LEGO Technic sets and old sets from my childhood.
I enjoy building my own creations and my own modular buildings the most, I do all of my building in my room in the attic.
Do you collect LEGO sets and/or bricks?
Mannie: I collect LEGO sets, not so much bricks. I recently started collecting antique LEGO sets from my childhood, I tend to keep intact present day sets that I like a lot.
Do you have any other creative hobbies?
Mannie: I cut hair, I’m a barber. That started as a teenager having an older brother, he started me early cutting his hair. In my 20s it developed into a hobby which turned into a full time career. Besides that I’m a father of two daughters, I love the beach and I collect sneakers.
Nestor: I had an artistic talent all my life and now that I’m retired I paint. When I’m not painting I take my wife to our favourite beach spots in our RV campers.
LEGO MASTERS will premiere on Fox in the USA on Wednesday, February 5 at 9.00pm ET/10.00pm PT.
More LEGO MASTERS USA coverage
LEGO MASTERS: The road to the USA
Episode reviews:
Episode 1: “Dream Park Theme Park”
Episode 2: “Space Smash Challenge”
Exit interviews:
Episode 1: No elimination
Episode 2: “Space Smash Challenge”
Meet the judges:
Jamie Berard
Amy Corbett
Meet the contestants:
Sam and Jessica
Krystle and Amie
Mel and Jermaine
Flynn and Richard
Boone and Mark
Manny and Nestor
Travis and Corey
Tyler and Amy
Jessie and Kara
Christian and Aaron
To continue to support the work of Brick Fanatics, please buy your LEGO sets from LEGO.com and Amazon using our affiliate links.
Author Profile
- Graham was the Brick Fanatics Editor up until November 2020. He has plenty of experience working on LEGO related projects, including LEGO Star Wars: The Force of Creativity. He has contributed to various websites and publications on topics including niche hobbies, the toy industry and education.
Latest entries
25 Years of LEGO Star Wars06/05/2024How LEGO has spent the past 25 years making the Millennium Falcon better – and bigger- 25 Years of LEGO Star Wars02/05/2024How Lucasfilm approved LEGO Star Wars sets in the age before video calls
- 25 Years of LEGO Star Wars01/05/2024How the LEGO Group cooked up the original LEGO Star Wars UCS X-wing
- Features07/01/2021LEGO exclusive: AFOLs taught us to take adults seriously
