It’s not every day that our host, Rashan Ali, gets to interview someone she helped become a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha. This episode gave her the second opportunity as she sits down with Christelsie Johnson, who is definitely a Cool Soror. A professional film and television makeup artist, Christelsie takes us on an emotional ride of loss, perseverance and triumph. She has ridden each of these with that mustard seed of faith. It was all she had.
A graduate of Florida A&M University in theatre, her original focus was acting. She did however, study all aspects of the art including acting, directing, lighting and makeup. She went on to become a public school teacher and then serve as a director of arts in therapy for a counseling agency. After being laid off, she took what she thought would be a temporary job in cosmetics, with MAC cosmetics. There her love for the art developed.
She has now worked as a full-time makeup artist for 11 years and her portfolio is impressive! Christelsie has worked with numerous celebrities, magazines, NBA cheerleading teams, top hair companies, brides and has 20 television and film credits under her belt. She served most recently as makeup department head for Tales, which returns to BET in October and is currently on Jay Z’s Tidal. She also served as makeup department head on TV One’s highest premier in network history, When Love Kills.
Coming up on 9/24/17, she has an intensive television and film workshop for makeup artists who are interested in transitioning into the industry full time. She believes that sharing her gifts is the true definition of service and that is exactly what she is doing through her work and her company, “My T.R.U.E. Beauty.” She’s everything the name means: beautiful inside and out. One listen and you will agree.
Twitter: @CATrueBeauty
IG: @christelsie
www.christelsie.com