You would think after nineteen years of doing the hair of famous or well known and recognized people. The happy lesson I had learned long ago a few times in my work I would remember. Just the other day I was reminded once again of that lesson here is that story.
A few months ago, I got my call sheet for this particular job via internet, with the talents name on it of course. I was warned of the reputation of this model, which I knew only through the tabloids and gossip. Wanting to do some more research I googled her name. Scanning the blue titles of each link on the first page of Google, I recognized what I knew so far Sports Illustrated ______ , dated wide receiver __ __, just broke up with Oscar winning actor ____ _____. And that she just punched a girl outside of a club in the meat packing district a few nights before. So of course after my googling I packed my kit and went to bed early expecting the politics of the shoot to be blood draining the next day.
Early morning the next day I wheeled my kit to the corner of the nearest avenue and grabbed a cab to the studio in Brooklyn. Once getting into our studio I set up my kit and grabbed my usual iced cappuccino from the café bar. Expecting her to be late she showed 4 minutes before the call time. With her soft but confident voice she introduced herself to the crew. After the stylist tried on the little accessories she would be wearing for the particular shoot she finally made it to my chair. Naturally the way God made me is very real and very passionate but not in your face if you know what I mean. So I thought to myself just be yourself. So since it being 10am ( My conversation and self doesn’t wake up tell around 1pm) I didn’t say much except the consultation of what I was thinking to do with her hair and we both agreed on that. I started to ask the normal questions to get to know a person for the first time, “where are you from? Buffalo, really sweet.” After the questions and answers and hearing her talk to her sister on the phone and the heart and passion she has for family and herself. She went on set with her accessories on and she did her job while letting the photographer and the his finger capture her. The shoot went late well into 7pm or so. She never complained and with such reserve and respect she performed naked in the lense.
The lesson I learned long ago resonated in my memory. Never believe what you read in the media, take every individual at 100% and let them show you who they are. As Axle Rose said once in an interview “We can never judge the lives of another, because each person knows only their own pain and renunciation.” She is a caring and strong individual and it was my fault for assuming anything else without actually getting to know her. And as my mom always taught me “Never assume, you’ll make an ass out of yourself” – which comes from a line in the Odd Couple 1973.
