Rising Stars: Meet Larry Sims of Based in Los Angeles

Today we’d like to introduce you to Larry Sims.

Hi Larry, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I’m originally from the west side of Chicago. I started off my career in entertainment as a professional dancer with local Chicago House Music & Dance Artists. My first time out of the country was with an artist by the name of Gillette. We toured in South Africa right out of high school. That experience solidified the fact that I wanted to pursue a career in entertainment.

Soon after I became Choreographer to R&B artist and Chicago native Sparkle. After Sparkle, I got a job With Left Eye’s Artist 🎤🎙 Blaque. We toured with *NSYNC and TLC. Those tours afforded me the opportunity to pack my bags and move to LA to pursue my dreams.

Once I got to LA, I immediately booked a music video with Missy Elliott entitled Get Your Freak On. Missy continued to hire me throughout the years and we worked on several of her projects together. My last music video with her was Loose Control.

I also worked with several other artists in the entertainment industry. I was able to dance in multiple commercials and several movies. Two of the most notables are Dreamgirls and Stomp The Yard.

Through dance, I was able to meet several glam artists that became very good friends of mine. I always knew that I had a talent in hair, but never wanted to pursue it professionally until I saw the possibilities of success in entertainment.

I eventually decided to leave LA and go back to Chicago to go to cosmetology school to get my license. Once school was done and I was certified, I moved in with Missy to pursue a career as an A&R Music Exec because I simply loved the music industryso much. Missy taught me all the ropes. It was an incredible experience that I will treasure forever.

Becoming ann A&R ultimately didn’t work out because the record labels were merging, and A&R positions were being dismantled.

After spending two years with Missy, I decided to head back to LA to pursue my career as a celeb hairstylist.

Once I got back to LA, I had to book dance jobs to suffice for money. One of the jobs I booked was with Jessica Simpson for the People’s Choice Awards. Stylist to the stars Jessica Pastor saw images of my work as a hairstylist on my laptop in the dressing room. She saw that I had talent and introduced me to Jessica Simpson‘s hair stylist Ken Paves.

Ken hired me to work in his West Hollywood Salon. I also assisted him on several jobs. Victoria Beckham needed someone to style her hair and Ken generously sent me on the job. From there Victoria took me on tour with her in the Spice Girls during her Bob era. That opportunity single-handedly changed the trajectory of my career and I was off & running.

Gabrielle Union and Queen Latifah were the first two friends that knew me as a dancer that hired me as their Hairstylist. Gabriielle and I met during her movie Bring It On when I was dancing for the girl group Blaque. To this date,, we are 20+ years deep.

I worked with so many amazing people during my career and have done multiple Magazine Covers, Album Covers, Music Videos, Commercials, Ad Jobs, Movies, TV Shows,& Red Carpets.

I’ve been blessed to have been able to collaborate with so many amazing women. A few notable mentions include Janet Jackson’, Gabrielle Union , Zendaya, Regina King, Sanaa Lathan , Nia Long, Danai Guirira , Lupita Nyingo , Tracee Elliss Ross, Kerry Washington, Mary J Blige ,Wanda Sykes, KiKi Layne, Amandla Stenberg, Alexandra Shipp, Naomi Harris , Ruth Negga, Laverne Cox, Joy Bryant, Garcelle Beauvais, Sherri Shepherd, Alicia Keys, & Queen Latifah.

My Award accomplishments have included :
2016 Essence Black Beauty Award
2016 Beauty Pacesetter Award
2017 Hollywood Beauty Award
2019 Shadow And Act Award
2019 Hair and Makeup Guild Nominee In The Category Of Best Contemporary Hair in A Film For Nappily Ever After
2022 Hollywood Beauty Award For Brand Of The Year
2023 Game Changer Award
2024 People Magazine’s Sexiest Glam Alive
2025 Truth Award

I also starred in Bravo TV’s Docu Series, “Invite Only Cabo.”

For 10 years, i was the brand ambassador/ spokesperson for the international hair care company Schwarzkopf.

Most recently, I became the Co Founder along side his longtime friend, Gabrielle Union, to relaunch “Flawless By Gabrielle Union”, a line of all natural, luxury products for textured hair at an accessible price.

At the end of 2024, I partnered with JCPenney to launch “SimSyled” Salon Services. SimStyled offers 8 Red Carpet looks executed by stylists personally trained by me to get their clients in and out in 2hrs or less.

There are no signs of slowing down anytime soon. The sky is the limit!!!

LS

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Nothing worth fighting for is smooth. I don’t think. I had to start from the bottom as a dancer and I also had to start from the bottom as a hair stylist. I think the biggest challenge is getting people to believe in you. When I was coming up in the industry, we didn’t have social media to showcase our talent. We had to show up and do an above average job. I had to be excellent in all things.

Thankfully, I had people that believed in me and family and friends that supported me.

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 think I’m really known for creating amazing. Looks with textured hair. I’ve worked with amazing people that allow me to play and create things that are out of the box. I love all of my girls and I’m truly grateful. Below our just a few that jump out to me.

I’m really proud of all of the looks that I’ve been able to create with Gabriielle. She’s like my real life, Barbie doll and I think that we probably have done every look under the sun.

The looks that I was able to create with Lupita Nyong’o during her Oscar run will always forever be iconic.

I will always love the magazine covers and red carpet looks that I’ve been able to create with Regina 👑 King.

Zendaya is the ultimate muse because she literally can carry off any look that you throw on her. Working with her alongside Law Roach her Stylist., has been some of my most creative work to date.

Tracy Ellis Ross and I have had so much fun on shoots as well as hosting both the American Music Awards and Black Girls Rock. She’s a true fashion girl and I always feel inspired when working with her.

Kerry Washington and I have created some iconic moments over the years. One of my favorite has to be our latest Eboni magazine cover. Kerry is absolutely gorgeous..

When I was able to work on Nappily Aver After the movie with Sanaa Lathan and she shaved her head, that experience moved me to the core. She’s so gorgeous that she looks incredible with or without hair. What that movie meant for black women and how they identify themselves through their hair was a groundbreaking experience for me..

I’ve loved everything that I’ve been able to do with my friend Robin Thede. As funny as she is, she’s even more beautiful both inside and out.

Working with Janet Jackson has been a career high for me. I knew her as a dancer and then too later on be able to collaborate with her on Magazine Covers & Live Performances has been a dream come true.

What do you like best about our city? What do you like least?
I love how beautiful the city is. The views are impeccable. The weather is undeniable. I love that all of my dreams have come true here.

I despise the traffic

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @larryjarahsims
• Facebook: Larry Jarah Sims
• Twitter: larryjarahsims

Image Credits
Mike Quain for my solo shots
Tyren Redd for Robin Thede
Joey Harris for Janet Jackson
Nino Munoz for Me, Gab, & Tracy

The rest are iPhone shots