Today we’d like to introduce you to Sydney Shaw.
Hi Sydney, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I am from Greenville, SC. I have 2 brothers and 3 sisters. I grew up in a single-parent household. My father was murdered when I was six years old. My father being absent affected all of us in different ways. I don’t think my mother had time to grieve because who was going to take care of us? and pay the bills? I grew up poor and had to use my imagination and creativity to get by. I dreamed. I was the sort of kid that could do anything creatively. I could sing, act, design, do hair and makeup, and lead. I used all of my gifts and still find a way now to tap into all of them. Growing up I didn’t have the luxury to go to the hair salon all the time so; I learned how to do my hair, my sister Hyacinth taught me how to braid, and my oldest sister Yolonda; I call her “Yam” taught me how to curl hair. I taught myself how to do makeup, it just came naturally, back in 2011 and 2012 I was doing all of the elaborate makeup before it became a thing. I would call myself a trendsetter; I think people catch on late; If you give me a pair of scissors, I can make an outfit; an old pair of jeans and a tattered T-shirt to you may be something you throw away but for me, I can make several different things. My life has always been about perspective.
I grew up in the church and that’s where I first found out I could sing, I also found out that I was different. Being different wasn’t something I was trying to do; it just was that way. I had talent; raw unfiltered; untrained talent; I didn’t know what to do with any of it. The church is a way my family stayed together and I felt that it was my mom’s outlet; that was her form of therapy. I sang in the youth choir with some of the best singers in Greenville if you ask me. The church has a lot to do with my upbringing, I owe all of the teachers who encouraged me along the way. Claudia Brockman & Thelma Bigsby to name a few. When I was 8 years old, I won my first talent show at Phillis Wheatly community center singing A song called “Can’t Give Up Now” by Mary Mary. Funny thing is I didn’t even know the impact of the words of that song. All I knew is I felt it.
As a teen I felt a lot misunderstood, it could have possibly been middle child syndrome; I dealt with a lot of anger and frustration and the fight to be understood. When I was in the 9th grade 14 years old, I was Expelled from High school and sent to an Alternative school. I wasn’t a bad kid, but getting kicked out of school taught me that anger can make anyone act out of character; for me to complete the DJJ program to get my record expunged I had to do volunteer hours, I chose a community center; I had to wipe windows, and clean the bathrooms to get my hours. There was one particular day I was cleaning the windows and a child was sitting there doing his homework he was about 6 or 7 years old, he asked me to help him so I stop what I was doing to help him with some homework. The afterschool teacher and community center director saw that my potential was greater than the task that I was doing and they allowed me to help with homework while I was there doing community service. Helping with the children in the after-school program at 14 made me realize that I wanted to work with children and troubled youth. I was chosen as a Junior leader by the Greenville Rec and continued on a good path with several community centers around Greenville, South Carolina until College.
My college years were full of adventure, good and tough. I studied at Morris College in Sumter, SC for one year 2012-2013 there; I was a part of a theatre group, Morris college Gospel choir, and poetry club. I performed at The annual talent show and won 1st place reciting an original poem called “Why do I wear makeup”. That very next year I then transferred to the honorable South Carolina State University where I obtained my BA in theatre in 2017. At SC State, I was a part of United Voices of Christ and served as a Chaplain. I was a part of the Student Government Association and served as the Junior class president of 2017. I was involved in UJIMA under the direction of Delvina Wescott. All of those were amazing groups to be a part of however I found my love for the stage at The Henderson – Davis Theatre under the direction of the phenomenal Ursula O. Robinson MFA and the Late Robert Osei- Wusu. Theatre saved me. I would be in the theatre all day because it drowned out the noise of my own life. I felt safe with theatre and even though the work was hard and the crews were small I was a part of some amazing productions that grew me as an individual and an artist. I was a part of a national stage called TEDx while at Henderson- Davis under the direction of Shannon Ivey MFA with a group called State Of Reality. I’m thankful for my roots at Henderson- Davis. It shaped me to be the woman I am, surely gave me thick skin.
I started doing makeup in 2019 professionally, one of my good friends and colleagues asked if I could do the makeup for her photoshoot, and from that moment on Makeup has been my best friend. In 2019 I was conflicted about going back to theatre, my short-lived time in Atlanta showed me that there was more to life than theatre and film. I grew my love for the fashion industry while working at the VOWS and Prom World shows at AmericasMart. I was thankful to see all of the next season’s fashions and was able to be interactive with models who were in the showrooms I worked in like House Of WU and Tarik Ediz. Fashion showed me another side of beauty, and performing; instead of the voice it was the way the clothing moved, and instead of the acting it was the makeup that was placed on the model’s face to add character to the pieces they were wearing. I fell in love with behind the scenes, it is the action that drew me in. Since starting in 2019 I have been blessed to work with The Society on Greenville fashion week, Charlotte Seen, Stoi (designer), Columbia international, Sumter Fashion week, Exhibitor for House of WU. My work has been featured in 2 magazines, also in the movie Sebastian and Com.pli.ca.ted the series which is now streaming on Tubi. This is just the beginning and for my professional journey being so short in the beauty industry I am happy with how far I have come.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
All roads lead to something! I’ve been down dark roads with no lights, no one holding my hand just me and my faith. I’ve been down roads that were dead ends, and you find out once you’re at the end of the road that there is nothing more to experience. But you keep on walking. I’ve been down roads that were fully lit and full of distractions I chose to ignore. I’ve been down dark roads where there were distractions I entertained. My life has been about choices and making sure I always find my way back to the straight and narrow and the art. No one is perfect. The road I’m on now is intentional, and it’s a mixture of good and determination. I learn from the struggles and apply them to my story; all dreams are attainable.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am a Make-up stylist/fx makeup stylist, Actor and acting coach, director and writer. God has blessed me with any gifts. I specialize in working with actors and models on set, runway, and editorial shoots. The BELIEVE system is what sets me apart because I believe that everything I dream is possible to reach. All dreams are attainable. Recently I have had some great success. This year I will be a Make-Up artist at New York Fashion week, I am excited.
What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
I think that is a great question! There have been several characteristics that have helped me along the way , being humble and my faith in Jesus Christ has surely been the most important to my success.
Contact Info:
- Website: Thevelvetexperience.
com - Instagram: @Sydneyvelvet101 & @thevelvetexperience
Image Credits
@MurphyPhotography
Charlotte Seen
Amy Horne
Rita Miles
@adaline.griffin
@Channing.k.Holmes
@maxwell_visuals
@yanasflow
@Raamen
@complicatedtheseries
@dondabthestylist
