Life & Work with Tasha Holderman of Los Angeles

Today we’d like to introduce you to Tasha Holderman.

Hi Tasha, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My story really started as a young child, maybe 10yrs old, walking through Height Ashbury with my mom. We saw a production company on the street shooting a show or movie. One of the woman on set saw me and invited me to walk over and watch for a moment. I knew from that moment I wanted to work in tv/film. Cut to 2008, I completed Cosmetology school and passed my board exam. I moved to Los Angeles in 2009 to pursue my dream as a hairstylist in Los Angeles. Los Angeles had other plans for me though. So after struggling to make money at a new salon ad beauty counters, I decided to move back to San Diego, where I received my cosmetology license. During my time in LA I met a talented hairstylist name Curtis Venters who offered me a job if I were ever to go back to San Diego; so I took him up on his offer. I assisted him for almost a year, while still visiting LA and nurturing the relationships I had there. Eventually I got a job working at Drybar after about 7-8 months, and moved back to LA. Built my clientele and eventually transitioned to freelance full time, which had been a goal of mine! Not too long after going fully freelance I was given the opportunity to work at ESPN on a live television show! learned a lot and met a bunch of great stylists and makeup artists there; I had never worked in live tv before. After around 2.5 yrs, I had earned about hours to apply for the hit and makeup union, and so I did. It was quite the process but I finally got into the television and film hair and makeup union, IATSE local 706 😊 The first show I interviewed for and worked full time on was The Good Place! Had watched the show before joining getting to work the final season was a dream! I am now currently celebrating year 5 of working on The Rookie 💜

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Definitely has not been a smooth road… from moving back to San Diego after failed salon jobs. Juggling multiple jobs when I did come back to Los Angeles, like serving, food delivery, and even going back to school. I built my freelance business from scratch and by the time I could go fully freelance I got offered a job at ESPN, and started, what felt like, back at square one. Even once I got enough hours to get into the union, not even a year or two later Covid hit and then a year or two later the Hollywood strikes. Business in tv & film has definitely died down compared to when I first joined, so currently figuring out how to navigate all the changes.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I am a licensed cosmetologist working in Tv & film; licensed for 18yrs. Specializing in highly textured hair, but skilled with all textures. I am known for fast, smooth, and voluminous blowouts; the foundation to a great hairstyle. The biggest thing for me is maintaining the integrity of the hair while styling. I am most proud of getting into the union and achieving a goal my younger self set for older me 💜

What would you say have been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
The most important lesson I’ve learned is that professionalism and a strong work ethic can often times take you further than talent and will put you in rooms you didn’t think possible!

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tasha_muah