CutsOfArt.com features Celebrity Hair Stylist Anthony Cherry

Q: For our readers who may not be familiar with your career could you please tell us a little about yourself, how you got your start in hair, and how long you’ve been in the business?

A: I am from St. Louis MO (The Show Me state.) and I live by that motto. I came to Los Angeles in 2002 and I have shown Hollywood that I too have a star on Hollywood Blvd that awaits me! LOL!

I am a Hairstylist in the entertainment business and I’ve been doing hair since I was a child. I was raised in the salon. My granny was the first person in the city of St. Louis to ever do extentions and I guess it fell on me inately! I’ve been a professional since 1992 working all over the United States and abroad. I also have worked with just about everyone in Hollywood – both men and women. If you go to my website at www.ACHERRY-ONTOP.com you can learn more about me, or google me!

I got my start in the biz by working on Snoop and Akon’s music video “I Wanna Love You”. I then went on to work with Nick Cannon on “Wild N’ Out”, then with Missy Elliot and the rest is history! I’ve done tons of music videos and endless editorials.

…I’ve worked with the best and now it’s about me shining my star within me! 

Q: Many barbers and stylists dream of one day having a career and a client list such as yours; how did you turn your dream into a reality?

A: I turned my dreams into a reality on March 3, 2002 when I drove across country form STL to LAX after watching Oprah. She had a show (The Best is Yet to Come) about people who had been on their jobs for years, but there was more they wanted. And how they followed their hearts. So I created a vision, set a goal, and followed my intuition. I came to Hollywood and let God and fate work!

Q: What was your biggest hurdle/obstacle in doing so?

A: My biggest hurdle and obstacle in accomplishing my dreams were getting in, and fitting in tight niche circles in Hollywood. And then getting my work seen and noticed by the right people, as well as taking constructive criticismfrom established Hollywood Hair Stylists on my so St. Louis image and persona! I was rough around the edges and needed to learn proper manners to be embraced by Hollywood! Urrrr! Looking back, I’m so thankful. And I’m a new person. I’ve been cultivated!

Q: Do you have a signature style that you are most known/sought out for?

A: My signature style, that I’m sought after by all ethnicities would be my weaves, cuts and styling of glamour and edgy polished hair. …”If I weave it, you will never believe it.” And if I sew it, you will never know it. And fasho I can grow it!

Q: With such a varied portfolio of clients from Lala Vasquez-Anthony, to Lady Gaga, Dirty Money, and even Prince is there anyone you haven’t had a chance to work with yet that you would love to work with? If so, why?

A: I’d like to get a chance to work with Jennifer Lopez because I love catering to glam pusses, and sex sirens! She would most def enjoy my sexy hair! Also, I’d like to get a hold of Oprah, just to show her I can feather and have her hair bouncing and behaving just as well if not better! And I’d like to get a hold of Brittany Spears, to show her how a weave or clip-ins should be blended!

Q: Which do you enjoy more? Styling in a salon, being on a video or movie set, styling for photo shoots, or getting stars ready for the red carpet, and why?

A: I choose to be on location. I love to be able to go from one extreme to another. From whipping models up for “Rip the Runway”, to back on a plane to prep Ciara for a Red Carpet event, to styling Keisha Knight Pulliam for an interview with “E” News, to getting a cast ready for a movie!

I love the freedom that freelance gives me. Being in a salon, to me is stifling at this point of my career. I’ve had my own two salons in Saint Louis “Bumpn Heads” and “Celebrity Profiles” at age 22 and I grew up in one…I’m cool! LOL!

Q: What is the most rewarding part of your career?

A: The most rewarding part of my career is looking back and seeing where hair has taken me, and the effect I’ve had on peoples lives and the heads I’ve touched. To build esteem in a lady and to bring out that sexy in someone makes me feel like I’m living for a purpose!

Q: Could you tell us a little about “Weave Wisdom”?

A: “Weave Wisdom” is a 3 part (video) series Hair Tutorial about how to do a weave, best methods to accomplishing ultimate flatness and the proper way to install a weave. It was produced by the staff of “BOSSIP” for “Madame Noire”. You can log onto www.MADAMENOIRE.com to see the 3 minute, 3 part series!

Q: As a professional hairstylist, what are five of your most coveted products (must haves!) and why?

A: As a professional, the five most coveted products I live by are: Real Silk Hair Care Systems, My Extentions from http://www.JUJUHAIR.com, Sabastian Hair Spray, my Spray Shine, and Real Silk Flat Iron! Revolutionary!

Foam Mouses, and Dudley’s Hair Care Treatments are my must haves!

Q: If a woman is bored with her hair, what’s your advice for a quick and easy style switch to get her out of that rut?

A: If a woman is bored with her hair I suggest as a quick fix: to color it or weave it to a desired style!

Q: With Winter just around the corner, do you have any hair tips for our readers?

A: With Winter right around the corner, my hair tip to readers is to have straight and natural hair. Curls are cool, but straight hair is chic, polished, and frizz free!

Q: NEWBIE TIP: If you could share one tip with an aspiring celebrity barber or hair stylist what would it be?

A: My tip to a newbie barber or hairstylist is to be a sponge in your environment. Look, learn, and listen. Find a person who’s work reflects what you aspire to be and study it! Please become diverse in styling short, long, edgy, glam. And diverse in clients – all ages, all ethnicities!
 

Q: CLIENT TIP: What makes for a great client? Is there something that you wish your clients would or would not do before or during their session with you?

A: What makes a great client for me is not coming to me with wet hair. Come dry and ready to go. And know what you want or let me do my thing! LOL!

Q: MARKETING TIP: At this stage in your career do you still rely on marketing and promotion of your skills, or is it more word of mouth these days? If you do still market/promote yourself what has proven to be the most effective?

A: At this point in my career it has been word of mouth for me – how I’ve gotten to where I am. Now that I’m here is when I must market myself via internet – being viral is key to success. Also, a hot client that can rock your work will sell itself…your work will speak for itself!

Q: Any new or exciting projects you’re workin’ on these days?

A: I’m so excited about the “Weave Wisdom” Tutorials I jut completed, as well as being a panelist for Sophisticate Black Hair’s “Ask a Stylist” on their website.

Also, I’m gearing up to shoot and direct my first feature film called “TRI” where I am an actor in it. I’m hoping for the best and ready for the rest!

Only thing between a seed and a harvest is a great expectation! The best is yet to come for me. I’m more than a Hair Stylist! If you visit my website you can also listen to two tracks of music that I recorded as well – “Huslah” and “Not Fair”.

Q: How do you envision your career in the near future? …the distant future?

A: I envision my career in the near future as a media mogul and a TV personality, and the go-to guy for Fly! I will be a catalyst to bring new stars to their fullest potential, from the inside out!