August 4, 2016

Meet Gardena Freelance Hair Stylist and Make-Up Artist: Kiya Johnson

Local Stories

Today we’d like to introduce you to Kiya Johnson.

Kiya, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I got into Hair styling at a young age because of my aunt, she’s also a hairstylist. I loved watching her do hair it looked so fun around that time I was too young to spend time in the salon with her like my cousins, so I would go home and practice the things I saw her do on my dolls. When I was in high school my aunt ended up getting her own salon so I’d go to her salon every Friday and Saturday to help her out and just watch her work. After high school I started attending school for cosmetology at Los Angeles Trade Tech College and it wasn’t as easy as it seemed, I almost gave up plenty of times.

I got into Make Up after a final project I had in school, I was absent the day before the finals and my teacher at that time wanted us to do make over’s on a partner, I had a friend in the class so I already knew we would partner up but the teacher didn’t let that happen. She made me partner up with another student who was absent that same day and it turns out that the student was a guy, when I found out my partner was a guy I started crying because I didn’t know how I would make him look like a different person and I knew I was going to fail the class and have to take it over again. I gave up and thought maybe this wasn’t for me than I started watching TV and a show called RuPaul’s Drag Race came on and I felt like it was the “Hair Gods” trying to tell me something. lol After a few episodes of the show I started watching drag queen make up tutorials on YouTube and rushed to Wal-Mart before they closed to get everything I needed for my project including a razor because I wasn’t going to fail this class the next day I went to school and talked to my partner and told him it was time to shave so I can pass the class. lol For it to be my first time doing make up not knowing anything about it but what I seen on YouTube I nailed it and passed the class. My teacher introduced me to the makeup instructor and I got to take her class and get certified.

I never wanted to work in a salon after I got done with school I always wanted to do Photo shoots, Hair Shows, Movies, and TV so now I’ve been building up my portfolio doing Photo shoots I did a few Hair Shows I’m working on getting into TV and Movies next!

Has it been a smooth road?
It has not been a smooth road for me as a Freelance Artist trying to work in the “Hollywood” industry. When I was in school I had a few teacher tell me to build up my portfolio during the time I was in school so once I get out I can get paid jobs but I couldn’t because I didn’t have time because I had to work to pay for school so now when I get offered some opportunities its trade work or assistant work and I’m still building up my portfolio

How would you describe the type of kid you were growing up?
Growing up I was always fun and outgoing. I loved music and to dance I always did dance classes or was on dance teams as much as I loved it you would think I’d still be doing it but the beauty life took over lol

Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
My favorite childhood memory is crazy lol like I said l loved music growing up but the type of music I liked wasn’t appropriate for kids my age I loved hip hop and rap, so Jay Z and Snoop Dogg were having a concert and I wanted to go SO BAD! I asked my mom and dad if they could take me they both said no lol so I convince my grandmother to take me lol we went and it was so fun I felt like I was on stage because all of the people around us were looking at me and shocked that I was so young and knew all the words to the songs. My grandmother regrets that night and I just think it was classic lol

What are your plans for the future?
I want to take my craft to the next level with some High Fashion Avant Garde looks for Magazines and Runway Shows. Eventually I want to have my own company that do Creative Directing and Styling for the music, film, advertising, and fashion and entertainment industry.

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