Last week, when a young singer named Pia Toscano was voted off American Idol, people were shocked. At least thats according to the entertainment media industrial complex, which ran stories about gobsmacked viewers who were blown away that such a talented performer was booted off so soon.
Hardly had Toscano taken her final bow than she was presented with several record deals. Suddenly the narrative changed from Unbelievable Elimination to Do You Need To Win To Succeed? Apparently, the Hollywood press conveniently forgot that the whole also-ran-wins-in-the-end schtick is the stuff of Tinseltown legend. It has also threaded its way through nearly every season of Idol.
Oscar-winner Jennifer Hudson springs to mind. So does Clay Aiken who finished behind Ruben Studdard (remember him?). Amber Riley (Mercedes on TVs hit musical comedy Glee) never even made it past the audition process. Its also happened on other shows, as it did with designer Austen Scarlett from the first season of Project Runway, model Elyse Sewell from Cycle 1 of Americas Next Top Model, and, of course, hairdresser Tabatha Coffey from Shear Genius.
Aside from Oscar-winner J-Hud (the real winner of the reality-TV game), Coffey has arguably done the best in turning her first 15 minutes of fame into a solid career. An intimidating presence with short-cropped platinum hair and a black wardrobe, Coffey quickly became a fan favourite on the TV hairdressing competition. Voted off by the judges after being partnered with her arch-enemy, Coffey soon returned on the panel of another Bravo reality-TV show, Make Me A Supermodel. From there she was offered her own show, Tabathas Salon Takeover, in production for its fourth season, where the saucy Aussie helps turn around struggling hair salons with her trademark brand of no-nonsense advice. And shes also penned a memoir, Its Not Really About the Hair, detailing her difficult childhood and her success in the beauty industry. In advance of her Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»appearance at the Allied Beauty Association Show (ABA) on Sunday and Monday, Coffey answered WEs questions via email.
WE: Were you always interested in hair? What made you start working as an apprentice at age 14?
Tabatha Coffey: I was. I grew up in my parents [burlesque] club, and my favorite place was backstage with the drag queens where I would do their hair. I actually started my apprenticeship at 14 because I knew there was nothing else I wanted to do and I wanted to get into the business as quickly as possible.
Did you have a hairstyling icon/role model?
Vidal Sassoon. I grew up at the peak of the Sassoon era. There was no other hairdresser who had accomplished what he had. He revolutionized the way we looked at and worked with hair, he had a talk show, had a wildly successful product line, consumers knew who he was he was truly the first hairstylist to break down all the barriers between the professional and consumer sides of the beauty industry.
In the course of your career, did you ever work in a salon that was a disaster like the ones you see on your show?
Of course I have. I think most hairdressers- or people in general have worked in an environment where they knew things could be improved.
On Sheer Genius, you were cast in something of a villainess role...
I wasnt cast as a villainess; everything you saw was me just being me. Before I got on the show, I made a conscious decision to be true to myself. I think people recognize that Im honest and authentic, and that is what has helped me move forward.
But you are known for your straight talk, no-nonsense professionalism and a bit of a perfectionist streak. Where does your drive and determination come from?
It really comes from doing a job that I really love and honestly wanting to help the businesses I go into. When Im there, Im 100 percent vested in helping them succeed.
What has it been like to go from relatively obscure to North Americas if not the worlds most recognizable stylist?
Its been wonderful. It really makes me happy that so many people watch and enjoy the show. It actually plays in 36 countries at this time. I get lots of Tweets and Facebook messages of support from people all over the world telling me that the show has inspired them to better their lives and businesses.
What can people expect when they come to see you at the Allied Beauty Association (ABA) Show? What is the meat of your presentation?
My presentation is really about business. I do a Q&A session where I openly answer any questions people may have about hairdressing, the salon business, the show, etc. I encourage them to not put limitations on themselves. Hairdressing, especially today, is an amazing career with many paths that you can take.
With your career, you dont have to do beauty trade shows like ABA. Why do you enjoy doing them?
Im a hairdresser at heart. Its who I am. I enjoy being able to come to shows and support the community and show hairdressers how varied their career paths are. Whether they want to work behind the chair or have a TV show, the options are there.
If a friends kid came to you and expressed a desire to become a hair stylist, what would you say to him/her?
If they truly had a passion for the business, I would whole-heartedly encourage them. I believe that if you follow your passion whatever that may be you will be successful because you wont feel like youre working, but doing something you love and enjoy every day.
On Salon Takeover, people ask you to come in and help, and then they fight you every step of the way. Is that counterintuitive tension real or is it heightened by the cameras?
Its absolutely real. Heres the thing: Im walking in with a fresh set of eyes and pointing out all the mistakes in their salon, staff and themselves. Its like Im putting up a mirror and showing them whats wrong. Change is hard for people, and thats why you get a lot of resistance.
Does it ever get exhausting having to fight people who asked for your help in the first place?
Its emotional, but Im not sure that I would call it exhausting. It actually becomes every emotional for me, because I truly want to go in there and help them better their businesses and lives. I do get resistance, but I have a good success rate, so it makes it all worthwhile.
Tabatha Coffey will speak at the ABA Show at the Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»Convention Centre West (1055 Canada Place), Sunday, Apr. 17 at 11 am and 4 pm and on Monday, Apr. 18 at 4 pm. Admission $25-$30 at the door. Visit ABACanada.com for more information.
