Interview with Natural Hair Model Te’Anna Williams
I am excited to do this interview with Louisville’s own Te’Anna Williams. Te’Anna is a top 15 finalist in the Taliah Waajid 2013 World’s Next Top Hair Model contest. I asked Te’Anna to sit down with me and do an interview in regards to her journey from average girl to national hair model.
DCN: So first off, tell me about your hair and how you went natural.
TW: I wanted to define my own standard of beauty naturally and just decided to chop off my hair [Big Chop as it is called in the natural hair world]. I did not cut it off myself, I had my friend and fellow stylist Dakota do it for me. After the chop I decided to spice it but by going blond. Of course I had to live with the standard “Eve” references.
DCN: When people see you, they assume you are the girly-girl or the model type, is that a fair assessment of you?
TW: Sort of. I have always been girly but I also enjoy sports, I participated in cross country and track in high school. I am 5’5″ but I have these long legs and they were put to good use. Another random fact about me is that I can sing. When I was in elementary school me and some friends performed Destiny’s Child “No, No, No” for the school talent show. I love to sing, model, act and perform.
DCN: So we know you have talent, but you pay the bills as a hair stylist. How did you get into that?
TW: I attended TSU down in Tennessee but it just wasn’t what I wanted to do. While I was down there I happened to go to a Paul Mitchell Beauty School to have my hair done. While I was there I noticed how much fun the students were having and how they were excited about learning. I wanted to feel that way about school and the beauty industry interested me. I inquired about attending beauty school and was informed that there was a school opening up in Louisville, KY which just seemed perfect. I moved back home, enrolled in school and the rest is history. That was over 4 years ago.
DCN: So you have personally rocked so many styles: short curls, long flowing weaves, big beautiful fros; what advice do you have for those who are bored with their style?
TW: Don’t be afraid to change it up! Look at what is going on in the magazines and attempt those styles or take them to your stylist. Add some color, get a fierce cut, try a sew-in don’t be limited by just what you see your peers doing.
DCN: As a natural hair stylist were there any styles you were afraid of?
TW: I am a pro with a flat iron and can whip out a thermal treatment easy. But I had to learn to be just as fluent with color, working with locs, twists everything. Natural hair is so versatile but it is something that we are not taught to do so you have to just get your hands in there and learn.
DCN: A lot of naturals are afraid of coloring their hair, any tips for safely coloring?
TW: Colored hair does require additional moisture and can dry out easy. You want to use a shampoo and conditioner specified for color, like Elusence, and avoid harsh clarifying shampoo that can strip your color.
DCN: So lets talk about modeling, did you just wake up one day and think I’m goona be a model?
TW: [laughs] Sort of. I have been modeling since the age of 12. However I decided to get serious about pursuing it about a year ago. Since then I have had so many great experiences and it has really sparked my passion to move forward with my dream.
DCN: That is fabulous! I am all for people going after what they are really passionate about. Any last thoughts you would like to share with us?
TW: I believe that natural beauty comes from within; hair and make-up can only enhance what is already there on the inside.
Vote Te’Anna Williams as the 2013 World’s Next Top Natural Hair Model. Click this link, to be redirected to the World Natural Hair FB page, like the page, then select Te’Anna Williams and vote.
