Entertainment
Former Gainesville-based hairstylist finds success in entertainment industry in Atlanta
Perfecting her craft in Gainesville has led hairstylist Antoinette Black to success beyond imagination in the entertainment industry.
Black this year received an Emmy award nomination in hairstyling for her work on the “So You Think You Can Dance” show broadcast on the FOX Network.
Black’s nomination was in the “Outstanding Hairstyling For A Variety, Nonfiction or Reality Program” category. The eventual winner was “Saturday Night Live.”
“I am just so honored, and as I sat in the crowd I thought to myself, ‘This is nothing but God’ for a little girl who grew up in a small town in North Carolina and raised in foster homes,” Black said.
Her nomination was for her work as the hairstylist for Comfort Fedoke, an award-winning dancer and choreographer who has had several roles on “So You Think You Can Dance,” Black said.
Her success is a result of honing her craft, taking a lot of classes, and always being dedicated to learning more and improving her skill set, as well as being dependable, reliable and professional at all times, Black said.
Working on productions involve working 12-hour days that include waking up at 4 a.m. or 5 a.m. to make it to the set, Black said.
“You remain with your actor the entire day,” Black said.
Black became a licensed hairstylist in 1999 after graduating from the cosmetology program at the College of Central Florida in Ocala.
“I was doing hair before becoming licensed,” said Black, who in the past has served as a mentor helping others become licensed professional hairstylists.
“I really pride myself on educating stylists on the importance of continuing to educate themselves, because this industry changes daily and the styles change, so we have to stay up on what is new in the industry,” Black said in a story published in the Gainesville Guardian in 2013 prior to starting a “Stylist Boot Camp” to educate stylists about natural hair care.
Working in the entertainment industry has always been one of Black’s ambitions, and she jumped at the opportunity when a classmate of hers from the College of Central Florida reached out to her, Black said.
“It was always a dream that I had,” Black said.
Since getting into the entertainment hairstyling industry in 2018, Black said she has worked on more than 30 projects in Atlanta and has met and become acquainted with numerous stars in the entertainment industry.
Her niche is natural hair, locs, textural hair and braids, said Black, who used to be the owner of A Nu Twist Multicultural Hair Care Center in Gainesville. After moving to Atlanta to work in the entertainment industry, Black bequeathed her salon to one of her proteges, who now runs the business under the name of “Crowns of Glory Studios” at 1031 NW Sixth St. in Gainesville.
When she is not working in Atlanta, Black said she works out of “Crowns of Glory Studios” doing hair for her VIP customers in Gainesville.
Her future goals include working her way up in the industry to become a hair designer, working in other countries, and endeavoring to “reach back and bring other people into the industry,” Black said.
Her advice to rising hairstylists who want to grow in the industry is to work hard, be dependable, reliable and professional, and to perfect their craft by constantly learning and staying up to date with what’s going on in the industry, Black said.
“You can do it,” Black said. “It’s all about who you know and your work ethic. You have to show up.”
A hairstylist not showing up on time or at all on a production set can stop the entire production from moving forward, which leads to delays and a whole lot of other problems, Black said.
“You have to be on time and in place when you are supposed to be,” Black said.
Her success and accomplishments in the hairstyling industry is because of the love she has for providing a service to a broad range of people, though her primary focus is on natural hair care, Black said.
“It is very important for us to embrace the hair that grows out of our heads because it’s great for self-esteem,” Black said. “We can manipulate our hair in so many ways and it’s a way for us to embrace our culture and who we are.”
With that being said, Black said professional hairstylists must be able to style all types of hair to get ahead in the industry.
“You have to be able to do all textures of hair, and I can do all types of hair,” Black said.
Gaming regulator defers plan to take problem gamblers off self-exclusion list
Here’s a look at what North Texas sports fans can expect in 2025
Neighbors Kick Off New Year with Health and Fitness Resolutions
Joe Rogan disputes podcast Guinness World Record—”that’s mine”
Bob Kraft needs to start running Patriots like a business again, and clean house
Holiday shopping brings a boost to Burlington businesses
Here’s what trend forecasters think you’ll be wearing in 2025 | CNN
These five Jersey Strong gym locations are now Crunch Fitness
These new businesses opened in 2024 in the Corning, Watkins Glen, Bath areas. A look back.
