Today we’d like to introduce you to Roman Anthony.
Hi Roman, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I am a cosmetologist, writer and actor of Louisiana Creole and Italian descent. I am originally from the Bay Area (Northern) California and went to University in NYC. I spent six years in NYC where my career as an actor began. I started out acting in web series and indie projects. After a year in university I dropped out because it was so expensive.
While auditioning and doing a bit of print modeling I worked at a restaurant, chiropractor’s office and as a receptionist at a salon in Chelsea. It was at this time I first gained interest in really doing hair. My mother and both my older sisters are what we call kitchen stylists in the black community and I had been one myself throughout Junior High and High School; but I never really had a passion to be a hairstylist. It wasn’t until I moved to LA in the Summer of 2015 when I began managing a salon that I thought of pursuing a career in hair. At least a side career.
As many of us know LA is filled with millions of artists and nearly as many narcissists and scammers so rather than participate in the cattle call, they call auditions here I created my entertainment blog called #IndustryTalk. This blog would lead me to interview designers, authors, actors, models and artists from California to South Africa. Notable actors such as Geoffrey Owens from The Cosby Show, Shanti Lowry from The Game or Roland Buck III from Chicago Med. By 2018, I finally enrolled in Toni & Guy Cosmetology school to pursue a career in the beauty industry. Whilst in school, I protested the lack of education with textured hair and the overpricing of black clients.
I wouldn’t allow my voice to be silent. I also protested on the lawn of Ed Buck in West Hollywood. I used that voice to reach out to the Mayor of West Hollywood to help make change at my cosmetology school. I’m happy to say they have incorporated more textured hair courses. After graduating cosmetology school in 2019, I moved to Paris in September of that same year where I freelanced as a hairstylist. The opportunity allowed me to meet some incredible people and to help in many ways.
I have always been one to give back or lend a hand when I can, in LA you’ve probably seen me handing out condoms in front of Rage or Mickey’s on weekends as I spent a lot of time volunteering with the LGBT Center there. Moving to Paris was no different; with my free time I volunteered at the LGBT Centre near Centre Pompidou as well as The American Church of Paris dealing with refugees predominantly. When I lived in NYC I became homeless, resulting in my staying at Sylvia’s homeless shelter for a summer. I met so many teenagers and young adults kicked out of their homes because of their sexuality. In Paris these refugees were kicked out of their countries.
The stories these LGBT refugees told of their lives being in danger for trying to live in their truth was unbearable. As we all know the pandemic hit and life halted. After my lease ended in Paris I moved to the one place other than Miami that didn’t recognise a pandemic… Atlanta. I started working in a salon and I even started acting again. You can catch me in the Gay Horror film ‘The Assistant 2: Reconnected’ by Alex Jante, as well as a cameo in the film ‘The In-Law Gang’ where I was also the key hair stylist for the film.
Funny story: my best friend Crystal Williams- actress, producer, entrepreneur called me from NYC and asked if I could do hair for the film and of course I said yes. Whilst getting my actors ready for their performance, the director was anxious because one of his actors did not arrive from NYC. He asked if I could step in and Crystal said, “Yes, that’s what he does.” The film is by Jesse Jalee and has actors: Clifton Powell, La Rivers, Alfred Rutherford, Nashawn Kearse and many other amazing talents. The film is produced by Kirk and Rasheeda Frost of Love and Hip-Hop Atlanta, J. Jesse Smith and Crystal Williams.
Between 2016 and the present day, I’ve spent a great deal traveling. I frequently go to Europe, but also love Asia and hope to get to Africa soon. In the Fall of 2020, I went back to university, (this time in London) where I study creative writing and journalism. It’s my dream to get my degree. I know they don’t seem to mean much more than tons of student loan debt these days, but it would mean a lot to my departed grandmother, and myself really.
In November of 2022 (this year), I will start production on a new film called ‘Sisters’ where I’ll work opposite rapper Lil Mamma, Columbus Short from Scandal and Stomp The Yard and so many incredible actors I’ve watched over the years. I will also be the assistant hair stylist for the film. I guess my story is continuous- like so many of ours it’s transitioning and constant. But hopefully this is enough to allow you to know me a bit. Being asked to do this interview is humbling and I hope that something I’ve said inspires you in some way as an artist, entrepreneur or student.
Now that I am back in LA I will be working on more acting projects, continuing to do hair (possibly opening my own salon suite) and continuing to volunteer. I am currently in the process of becoming a mentor with Sidcenters.org, please check out their site if you need mentoring or would like to become a mentor or just to help in any way.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Definitely not, I’ve been through hell and back my entire life I would say. Growing up in the Bay Area was not easy. I was born in the 90s where so many parents had fallen victim to the drug epidemic. I went to six elementary schools, two junior high schools and two high schools. My mother did the best she could, but times were hard.
She was diagnosed with breast cancer when I was 16 and I had to help out and work. By the time I went to college, she was in remission but serving time in prison. I think I was the only kid at my Private University getting letters from jail. Not just from my mother, but my twin brother wrongfully convicted of a crime he did not commit. I think the only advice I can give is to have faith or to believe In something and to be strong.
If it’s too much, find a therapist, also have a few close friends around, but never give up on yourself or your dreams. Love yourself more than anyone else ever could so that you’ll never need pouring into.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
Below are links to everything there is about me. What sets me apart is that I have my eggs in many baskets- I guess you can say I’m a renaissance man.
Imdb.me/RomanAnthony
Roman-Anthony.com
Artist Page: https://www.instagram.
Hair Page: https://www.instagram.
What sort of changes are you expecting over the next 5-10 years?
As far as the acting industry I see there being more diversity and more LGBT stories being told on a mass level. Logo TV will have some competition.
For the beauty industry, I think we’re going back to natural-looking makeup and hair that isn’t so difficult. The fun colours will stay for a while, but styling wise I think we’re shifting back into the Hollywood Glamour stage.
Contact Info:
- Website: Roman-Anthony.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/Roman__anthony/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/RomanAnthony
- Other: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm5080463/
Image Credits
Headshot Credit: https://www.instagram.com/aileaime.photography/ Other Credits: CREDITS: Location: Paris, France PHOTOGRAPHER: JDF PICTURES HAIR STYLIST: URIEL BEN-LEVI EYEBROWS: CLAUDIA HERNANDEZ TURBANS: EHUTTY LACE UNDERWEAR: MENAGERIE BLAZER: THE TVKEOVER CLOTHING ROBE SET: M. DIGGS SHOES: PIERGITAR SHOES CREDITS: Location: Los Angeles Model: Roman Anthony Photographer: Paolino MUA: Kai Pritchard (MakeupByKai) Stylist: Sherah Jones (SherahStylist) Hair: Roman Anthony CREDITS: Location: NYC PHOTOG: Brian Jamie VIDEOGRAPHER: Gavin Thompson WARDROBE STYLIST: Jonzu Jones HAIR STYLIST: Uriel Ben-Levi MUA: Levi Markle (Rest in Heaven my friend)
