We recently had the chance to connect with Kira Bee and have shared our conversation below.
Good morning Kira, it’s such a great way to kick off the day – I think our readers will love hearing your stories, experiences and about how you think about life and work. Let’s jump right in? What is something outside of work that is bringing you joy lately?
Raving! I used to go out all the time but over the years especially after the shut downs I stopped for a while. I’ve been recently getting back into raving and going to similar events in general with friends. Nothing makes me happier than being silly and free with my friends, while we listen to out favourite artists, and dance our hearts out^^
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Kira Bee ☆ I am a self-taught makeup artist and clown! I create a wide range of inspired pieces, horror, and creative clowns for my makeup looks. On my days off i enjoy the world of clowning and entertaining or performing at various events, but i also just like to dress up in my day to day life.
Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. Who saw you clearly before you could see yourself?
My 3rd grade teacher Mrs. MacArthur. I was definitely a problem child growing up and would constantly find myself in and out of trouble. I would fight, talk back, be disruptive- the whole nine yards, so as a result very few adults around that time gave me a chance or saw past the violence. One particular day in Mrs. MacArthur’s class i was being very off task and as normal I was called out and asked to wait after class. Normally, with all other teachers I would be chewed out or reprimanded but she took me aside and basically told me deep down she knew I wasn’t a bad person. Although I had a lot of anger and was generally all over the place she saw the person I could be underneath it all. She proposed i start helping out with the Special Education class on my off time at school to healthy redirect my wild energy, and had me help her with small class tasks during class when I would get bored and feel the need to be disruptive. I bonded heavily with the kids in the Special Education class, they were like my family^^ I would help them go to lunch and back to class and help those who had homework complete their work. She had no idea of knowing at the time but I had undiagnosed ADHD and Autism, and as such, found it difficult as a child to adapt to my environment. The time she took to talk to me and help me changed my whole life. When everyone sees you as a monster its hard to be anything else – you just get used to the way people treat you. She showed me I didnt have to be what people thought of me and gave me amazing opportunities to help and give back to others. It toned me out immensely and by the time middle school and high school rolled around I no longer had outbursts in class, or started fights with classmates, etc. I will always think back on Mrs. MacArthur and how much she changed for me by simply taking the time to notice I was just a misunderstood kid trying their hardest to thrive in world that wasn’t built for me.
If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
If I could say anything to younger me it would be – dont worry about fitting in just worry about being you. I spent too long growing up being a people pleaser trying to fit in. I was the weird kid that liked the “cringe” things. Undiagnosed autism meant i was unconsciously masking almost 24/7 to avoid people judging me or possibly disliking me. It was so hard for me to form connections that when I found one no matter how good or bad it was for me I’d latch on desperately and be whoever or whatever that person wanted so we’d “get along”. The result was a lot of pain and not understanding why the people I bent over backwards for never did the same thing for me or would judge me the moment I was truly myself. As a kid a judged myself harshly but truly I just kept choosing the wrong people to surround myself with – unfortunately playing the part of someone else just blend in. I want nothing more than to give younger me a hug and tell them it’s okay to be different and strange. You’ll find people just as unique and strange as you if you’re honest to yourself from the start.
So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. Where are smart people getting it totally wrong today?
Common sense. In today’s world where everything is happening so quickly I think people tend to lose their common sense. Its ironic for the phrase to be called “common” when sensibility is lacking so often in our day to day lives. It’s a lot rarer than you would think especially today when the world is swayed so easily by the media. Judgment and practical reasoning are thrown out often because people are swayed by emotions, lack patience for deep thought, or possess different knowledge and experience. It’s supposed to be basic and widely shared, but in reality, it requires effort, rational thinking, and a willingness to look beyond superficial appearances, qualities that are unfortunately hard to come by.
Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. Could you give everything your best, even if no one ever praised you for it?
My art is everything to me. I don’t create because others want me to – i create simply because its who I am. I love all forms of art – painting, drawing, sculpturing, makeup, etc. I practice and dabble in it all. I don’t feel truly at peace unless im head first into a project. I get so many ideas that I feel almost possessed to turn them into art. Having 0 audience wouldnt change the fact I would still be creating and doing me^^ Creating things is therapy and I will continue to create even if it goes “nowhere”.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lilcultbab?igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==
- Twitter: https://x.com/lilcultbab?s=09
- Other: https://lilcultbab.tumblr.com/?source=share
Image Credits
Photographer credits:
Kellie Chen (photo 1 & 2)
Bob @la_flyer2000 (3 & 5)
Model credits:
Lexi @cloudy_lilspade (pictured in photo 1 & 2)
Raven @coffin.bird (pictured in photo 3 & 5)
Erica @_philosogasm_ (pictured in photo 3, 4, & 5)
