Today we’d like to introduce you to Christie Valdiserri.
Christie, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
About two and a half years ago, I was in a toxic relationship, just graduated college, and was moving to New York City for a dance program, to pursue my dance career. On June 1, 2016, I found my very first bald spot, in the center back, top of my head, It was very minuscule, but oh was it there! My initial reaction was, “how weird, I’m sure this will grow back in and I won’t have to think twice about it.” But oh man was I wrong! So, over the course of the last two and a half years, my hair has fallen out in patches, grown back in, fallen out again in patches and then boom fell out completely within three weeks, after experiencing some hardships. It is just so unbelievable what stress can do to our bodies.
A quick overview of my story with my hair loss begins with me finding out my boyfriend at the time was not loyal to me. To me, getting fired from my dream job of performing on a cruise ship, to losing all of my hair within three weeks. Following, with me rebuilding what had shattered in front of my face and finding the strength and courage to continue on and follow my dreams, no matter the setbacks I had faced. And that’s when I booked a one-way flight to Los Angeles, and have yet to look back.
During all of these experiences, my hair was falling out patch by patch, they would grow back in, then fell again slowly and after I was fired from the cruise gig, my hair was completely gone within three weeks. This autoimmune disease, I hate even calling it that, because I am curing myself of it, is called Alopecia.
On August 11, 2017, I got a wig glued to my scalp and hopped on a plane to LA on August 22nd. I was so determined to find my way and rewrite the ending of my story. I’ve lived in LA for about 15 months now, I am signed with a dance agency, modeling agency, commercial agency, have booked a few gigs and just worked my first gig with NO WIG last week.
I got to where I am today, from a few very important things: 1-self love. I have spent countless moments looking in the mirror without my wig on telling myself I am beautiful and that I’m a badass that can handle anything. 2-real support. I surround myself with really great people and those great people genuinely care about me. My parents, my brother, and the community of friends, dance teachers, I’ve met out here, have consistently reminded me why they love ME, not my hair, ME. It’s so refreshing to hear that and I think that has really stuck with me while going through this. 3-determination. I am so driven to succeed, and success to me right now is growing my hair back. I have not touched one ounce of gluten, dairy, meat, or eggs, in over a year now. Every time I crave a juicy, cheesy pizza, I tell myself, I want hair more than I want pizza and I have yet to break my diet. I also opened up about my hair loss because I am determined to heal, I needed to set my mind free and I also want to inspire others who are in my same shoes to feel that they can be set free as well.
A year ago, I could not even tell a single person that I was wearing a wig/I lost all of my hair, without tearing up, shaking, and my heart pounding out of my chest. Today— I walk into every dance class with no hair, every audition with no hair, got headshots done without my wig on, and have even gone out on a Friday night with no wig. I really can’t sit here and explain to you how I feel, but pictures speak louder than words, and my hair has grown an exceptional amount since I shared my story on 9/26/18. I firmly believe in diet and mindset. I will have my hair again someday so soon, and I couldn’t be more proud of myself for getting where I am today. It is so crazy to me how life happens and how powerful perspective is. I would never have thought my number one goal at this part of my life is to grow my hair, beyond booking any dream job, making any certain amount of money, my number one dream is to have a full head of hair, and oh honeyyyy, is it coming!!! Thanks for reading.
Has it been a smooth road?
Ah, it has been the furthest thing from a smooth road for me. But I truly believe that you cannot appreciate the good days if you don’t experience the bad days. Some of the struggles with hair loss, especially being a woman, and in the industry that I’m in as a professional dancer and model, is not feeling beautiful. Hair is an accessory that people define themselves by, “Oh the blonde, yes, the redhead!” so when that’s taken away from you and is completely out of your control, it is so easy to feel ugly. And the thing is, no matter how many times others tell you-you are beautiful or pretty, if you don’t believe it yourself, it doesn’t matter. I mean I’ve spoken with so many women and young girls who hate looking at themselves in a mirror without their wig on, that was me for so long as well. It is so insanely difficult to look at yourself bald, it breaks my heart.
Beyond feeling beautiful, my confidence was completely shot after losing my hair. It felt like people were judging my wig, or talking about how fake my hair looked, or my eyebrow patch that is gone, rather than me walking in the room with my head held high like I used to, when I felt comfortable in what I looked like. It also feels like an identity change. Now that I go in public with no wig some days and with a wig other days, it is very interesting to pick up on how differently I am treated. Some days, people think I am sick, while other days, some people think I am well off and spoiled, and just a blonde, bubbly LA girl who has everything I want. Very interesting.
I want anyone out there who is experiencing hair loss to believe in their own power. If you do not have confidence in yourself, I promise you, nobody else will. For those reading this, find something about you that you love, if it’s your eyes, your legs, your personality, the way you listen, the way you love, anything, tangible, intangible, focus on that and be grateful for that. Because you know what, if you love your body and what you do have, the universe will respond to that. And never forget that something one person is complaining about, other people are praying for… just like me and my hair.
Also, let that thing you love about yourself shine!!! I feel like my personality and my heart have come out so much more lately because I’ve realized there’s more to me than what I look like and more people can truly see me for ME. I also want to encourage those dealing with hair loss to understand that this is a journey and a process. Be patient. If you are not ready to share your story yet, then don’t… but do something every day to get yourself to where you want to be. Whether that is writing in a journal, taking pictures of yourself bald, telling one friend about your hair loss a week. That’s what I did. For a week, I tried to tell someone every day just to practice and to see how they reacted and how I felt. And without fail, everyone responded beautifully. Lastly, PLEASE, PLEASE believe that you do not have to deal with this forever. When there is a will, there is a way and you can have your hair back. Diet and mindset people, diet and mindset. I would love to help all those who are interested in knowing what I eat. BE YOURSELF, for real nobody else can ever be you, if hair loss is a part of you RIGHT NOW, not forever, just for right now – own it, you will feel so empowered and inspired by yourself, I know I do!
We’d love to hear more about your work.
I am a professional dancer in Los Angeles, I am a fitness instructor with Plyojam and in training to be a fitness instructor with 305 Fitness. I currently teach ballet at two studios in Southern California and I am studying to get my personal training certification. I have a website, christievaldiserri.com this is where I shared my story, occasionally blog, share my dance videos, and then connect with others who are going through similar situations as me.
I am most proud that I am finally publicly open about my hair loss. I have a whole community of women and young girls I speak with weekly online about their day to day struggles with mostly Alopecia, but also I’ve spoken with women going through a heart-wrenching break up, women who are stuck at a job they hate and need some encouragement to get out, and also women who want to learn more about the vegan and gluten-free diet that is making my hair grow in!
I believe I was born with a natural inclination to help others. After living with Alopecia for two and a half years, it has made my purpose even more clear. When I speak with others online, I fully invest in them. Truly, ugh I can just feel for them and wish I could take the pain and sadness away- because I have been there!!! I could never have gone through this hair loss thing alone and I don’t want anyone else to have to. My drive, passion, and heart definitely set me apart from others. I will not give up until I have a full head of hair back!!!
So much of the media coverage is focused on the challenges facing women today, but what about the opportunities? Do you feel there are any opportunities that women are particularly well positioned for?
WOMEN WILL RULE THE WORLD SOMEDAY!!!!! Haha, but really I think so many women out there have these stories of being knocked down and an even better story of how they stood back up, all on their own. I believe our society needs to hear them! I think women can help younger girls to love everything about themselves. Strong women are great leaders. For the beauty or dance industry, women can truly make a difference in how younger women view who they are. I mean, for example, I have a dance teacher out here in LA, that I look up to and she encouraged me to take my wig off for the very first time and forever changed my life. I am not sure particularly what positions would be perfect for women, because strong women can do anything… but I know we thrive in positions of power, because nothing, nothing, nothing can stop a strong woman.
Contact Info:
- Website: christievaldiserri.com
- Phone: 6107317690
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: @christie.valdiserri
Image Credit:
Ariana Gleckman, Patrick Johnson, Claudio Robles, Guru Blue
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