The Sensationnel Road to $25,000

Have you ever heard the saying “beauty comes with a price”? Well, let me tell you there was a price to pay for the contestants in the Sensationnel Hair Idol Model Search. There was a lot of practice, getting pictures taken; getting your hair done, getting make-up before and during the big day arrived at the Convention Center in Philadelphia, PA.

I was thankful for the opportunity to be a part of this great event that was brought to Philly by the infamous Glynn Jackson of the Glynn Jackson Agency and Sensationnel Hair. Glynn Jackson, also known as the founder of the largest hair shows in the country, including the Golden Scissor Awards was a great coach to all of the models. At every practice along with Cyndi Lane of Iconz Models, we had to look good. Our walks had to show that we were going to serve the runway and we did.

The day before the actual event, we had to get prepared for the Press Party that took place at the World Live Café which included entertainment and a brief conference that explained the purpose of the Sensationnel Hair Idol Model Search which is to recognize the winner in each and every woman. There were women of various shapes and sizes that participated in the event. There were also young women who were working mothers that received recognition for their efforts to stay strong and beautiful (inside and out) during their struggles with hardship. These women received wonderful makeovers and gifts from various sponsors.

The night was filled with wonderful music which included the featured appearance of Carol Riddick. She is an amazing talent and wow, can she sing. She swept everyone away with her jazzy and soulful song “Brown Eyed Girl”. After Ms. Riddick’s performance, Mr. Glynn Jackson called all of the contestants to the stage so that they could introduce themselves to the awaiting people who would be seeing us model at the hair show which included press and photographers so that they could get good pictures (kind of a before and after). Professional photographer for Infinite MagaZine (and my dad) Aalim Elitou got fantastic shots of me and the other models (thanks Nux).

Personally, I had the pleasure of meeting Nikki Tucker, stylist to Alicia Keys. She was there to teach stylists some of the new trends that would be set for the year to come. She was so nice and I look forward to meeting up with her again in the future.

Near the close of the evening, the models and I danced and had a great time. I was soon ready to go home because I knew that I had a long day ahead of me and tomorrow was going to start very early.

The next day; the big day; the day that I had been waiting for finally arrived. At ten in the morning I was ready to have my makeup done and that was a long wait because there were more than forty ladies waiting to get theirs done as well. While I was waiting to get my make-up done, I got the chance to talk to some of the contestants. Karita and Ashley my Iconz sisters asked me if I was nervous. I thought about it and I told them, “No, I am ready and very excited.” I had been waiting for this day to come so nervousness just never set in.
After my makeup was applied I looked in the mirrors and almost didn’t recognize myself. I had never had makeup done before and I looked so different. I was definitely ready now to serve the runway. “You look so nice,” said Kerry Scott of Fatboy Hype. I begin to practice with runway coach for Fat Boy and Tarantula designer Kevin Parker who has always been a support.
Hair was simple and easy for me because I was told to wear it wild and big and all that took was for me to tease it out and it looked fabulous. I was really impressed with some of the creativity that was surrounding me. There were people transforming right before my eyes. There were styles that were unique and wild and some that were simple and classy but nevertheless they all made a statement. I think that some of the fantasy styles were my favorite.

When the doors opened at 6:00 pm the downstairs began to fill up with family, friends, and media. I think that people with daughters, sisters, mothers, etc were more nervous and excited for us than we were. Come on!!! This was only the hottest hair show in Philly. Not to mention someone was going to win $3,000 and then be on their way to winning $25,000. The place was jammed packed in fifteen minutes and the show was soon to begin, on time.

This was my first hair show and I was not aware of what I was going to see. At the hair shows there is a lot of entertainment from the stylists and the models in which some dance and some walk the runway. The best of the night was the skit of women who were stealing a Sensationnel wig, the women who were robotic puppets (they really did it up), and the wild Barbie dolls that broke out of their boxes. I loved it.
The excitement backstage was also interesting because people had to change into their costumes as fast as possible so that they could appear on stage again. It was not long before we had to come out and be judged. It really all began to set in with me that I may win. What would happen next? Who will win? How will I do?

All the girls that went before seemed to be focused on their walk and they did their best. Mr. Jackson called “Contestant 24” which was me and everyone clapped. I wore a beautiful mint green dress that looked like it was straight out of Vogue Magazine. I did my pose and walked my walk to the T. The runway seemed to be so long and it seemed to last forever. I was not able to hear anything around me— not the sound of the music, not the sound of cheering, nothing. When I got down the steps of the stage I could hear again. When I got backstage, I walked up to a girl and asked, “How do you think you did?” She replied, “I am so sad that I am about to cry. I think I did a bad job”. However, before she could finish another girl said, “you did well” and that lifted the girl’s spirit.

The moment of truth was here and someone was going to get 1st, 2nd and 3rd place. All the models called to the stage for the finale walk. Before Glynn Jackson called the 10 finalists, he said that five women would be coming with him to Washington, DC to participate in another event. I was one of the five finalists invited to go to DC. I was very happy. When everyone got to the back of the stage Glynn Jackson called the 10 finalists and everyone went crazy and began screaming. They seemed to be pleased with the outcome. Contestant 60 came in third place winning $500, Contestant 21 in second place winning $1,500, and Contestant 56 won the grand prize $3,000. All three of them will be going to DC to finish the contest in November in order to win $25,000 in cash and prizes.

I had a wonderful time and it was a great experience. I want to thank Glynn Jackson and his team for all of their support, Cyndi Lane, and most importantly my parents for always being there for me.

Can’t wait to talk about next year, but in the meantime check out the images.

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