Today we’d like to introduce you to Jayson Medina.
Hi Jayson, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I started assisting at a salon called Visions, located on Melrose right out of a beauty school. I was fortunate enough to assist some really incredible women early in my career. At the time I didn’t know this stylist I worked for also did freelance work outside of the salon. I didn’t really know there was a whole other world outside of the salon. They would occasionally take me on these outside jobs with them. I quickly knew I loved it and only hoped I would do more of it. I was able to do photo shoots with them, commercials, and occasionally some music videos. I helped a friend out a friend on a few black-eyed peas music videos and eventually found myself on tour with them. It was really such an incredible experience to travel the world with such a close-knit group that treated us all like family.
That lasted about 2.5 years, and I continued to work with Fergie after that. Upon coming back from the tour, I eventually got my own agent and started doing my own thing. Now some 10 years later I’m still living in Los Angeles in Angeleno Heights and started to work more in television and film which is something I’ve always wanted to do. It’s nice to be in Los Angeles because there is so much opportunity to work and always so many things filming. I’ve toured with other artists such as Ellie Goulding, and last year with The Chicks, which was so much fun. But it’s always nice to be home.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
There has definitely been a few bumps in the road. Coming back from tour and after being gone so long it’s always like “Now what?” It’s always an adjustment getting back home. It’s interesting how much your phone rings when you are away, and you find yourself passing jobs along to other people because you can’t do them. Then as soon as you get home crickets! I’ve definitely learned a lot in the years I have put into this business. Nothing I take for granted!
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I really hate the term “celebrity hairstylist” LOL I prefer the term glam technician or freelance hairstylist. I’ve definitely done my share of celebrities, but I’ve done plenty of normal everyday people or models as well. There was a time for like six years where I found myself doing tons of advertising shoots for children’s clothing companies. Not sure how but I definitely became the go-to go for kid’s shoots. I had a lot of fun doing it and got to create some really cool stuff and work with Some incredible photographers while doing so. I would say I’m most proud of the work I’ve done going on tours. I went to went to a performing arts high school so having any part of a live performance or show is thrilling to me. Hair changes in less than a minute and giving the audience a second to ask “Wow, how did they do that?”. Is a big deal to me. I was in charge of all of Katy Perry’s Super Bowl halftime dancers, and the quick change we did on those girls was record-breaking I’m sure. It was such a thrill to be on that field and feel all that energy from the crowd. I think what sets me apart from others is that I’m super adaptable to most situations. I also get to hire my friends on these jobs which is a perk, and they know how to keep me calm. Haha
What was your favorite childhood memory?
My favorite childhood memory is definitely going to grandma’s house in Angeleno Heights on Halloween and Christmas. All the houses in Angeleno Heights are Victorian homes and everyone really gets all decked out. Thousands of kids come trick or treating every year no matter what night it falls on. We Usually have to buy about 400 dollars worth of candy, and it’s gone by 8:30 pm. And for Christmas no better place to be than with a Mexican grandma during the holidays Eating tamales and drinking champurado. There is a place that is long gone now, but it was like a Christmas tree auction near these train tracks in Downtown LA. It was tradition to go there, and she would always bid on the most beautiful tree! There was a full-on auctioneer who spoke so fast you could hardly understand what he was saying. I always got a kick out of that. I wish that tree lot was still there. I’ll have to settle for my Home Depot trees for now.
Contact Info:
- Website: Jaysonmedinahair.com
- Instagram: @jaysonmedinahair
