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Virtual Career Fair: Makeup Artist/Actor


Name: Nathan Johnson, Make Up Artist, Actor and Writer in NYC

Degree: Masters Degree, Classical Acting, Columbia University


What made you decide on your profession: Acting, writing and beauty have always been a passion of mine, so it was an obvious choice.


How did you get your job: After leaving my small town in MA, I came to the big city to study acting. I was fortunate to work with many great talents and to land some pretty great roles (One life to Live, The Party Planner with David Tutera, My Big Gay Italian Wedding).  All through my acting career, beauty kept knocking on my door. Whenever I was in a show, 7 times out of 10, they would learn that I had a talent for make up and it would lead to my designing and/or applying the make up to my cast mates. Eventually, I started working with celebrities. At present, my work has graced the faces of 300+ celebrities, ranging from Lea Michele and Paula Abdul to Paul McCartney and Alicia Keyes. I was the artist on two seasons of Project Runway and I have written and done make up for many major magazines and beauty companies. In addition, I teach make-up at an online make up school. I chose acting, but make up chose me. As for my writing, it began with writing about beauty for magazines and web publications. It turned into a passion and I have now written 3 full length books that I am further developing and editing.


Describe a day (or week) in your job: Every day is different. I write and grade my students from home. I audtion less because I am busy with make-up. And My make up jobs vary every day. Sometimes I am on set, other days in a hotel with a celebrity. I love making people realize just how beautiful they are.


Advice for teens interested in doing your job: All three of the careers that I have built my life on are ones that people said were unreliable. I was always told to do something that I could build a future on and to choose something steady. I never listened to that. Instead, I trusted my heart and followed my dreams. The best advice I can give is to follow the path to your bliss. If being creative makes you happy, then choose a creative career. If you are passionate and driven, you will succeed. It is very important to love what you do.

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