Each a master of their craft in their own right. Photographer Sequoia Emmanuelle, hairstylist Pavy Olivarez, make-up artist Gregory Arlt, make-up artist Roshar, and make-up artist Jon Lieckfelt – all join #30Voices30Days as our only glamorous group cover!
Founder and publisher, Derek Warburton, discussed what it meant to be apart of the inaugural initiative benefitting GLAAD one by one.
Starting with Pavy Olivarez, who was a hairstylist for multiple covers of #30Voices30Days including Frankie Grande, Loni Love, Jessica Betts, and others.
Who is the true you?
I tend to take what I do very seriously and am quite focused in my profession. The core of who I truly am is an observer of life and what happens around me being aware and mindful of everything . I’m thoughtful and lend my instinct to evolving how I perform as a hairstylist but more so by treating everyone with respect and uplifting the people I surround myself with .
What is your passion?
Simply put what drives my passion is excitement , a challenge , some growth and love. Whatever evokes these things I’m all in. A very deep thought provoking conversation , a beautiful iconic period inspired hairstyle , creating something special that affects someone and inspires them ! This drives my passion .
When do you feel the most authentic?
Collaborations , the value in knowing your voice is being heard and taken into consideration in a situation or a project . The opportunity to allow for an evolving an idea into its greatest potential . I feel most authentic when I create a look and it’s received and my intention is seen and spoken of truthfully and with full understanding .
Why is it important for YOUR voice to be heard?
When you give space to allow your voice to be silenced or overlooked you can and will be erased . I refuse to become invisible . Since I was in high school I always made sure my point of view was considered and absolutely heard , this was key for me as I came out when I was 14.
This allowed for me to flourish and grow as a creative and I understood early on you got your voice , opinion , talent and drive to get through this life and don’t you dare give that up you can cease to exist . Your opinion good bad or indifferent matters because without that there will not be conversations or movement for you or others to evolve. So speak up, be you, and stay creative!
Gregory Arlt with over 30 years in the industry and an Emmy nomination, is a mesmerizing make-up artist.
Who is the true you?
The true Gregory Arlt is a curious, passionate, creative, energetically generous, optimistic spirit living a human experience. I like to think I’m pretty funny, too!
What is your passion?
I am passionate about WAY too many things starting with creating and artistic expression. Generally that manifests through my makeup artistry, drawing, sketching, painting, cooking, or creation of any type. I focus on each and every one of those things with laser sharp intensity as creating is where my passion lives.
When do you feel the most authentic?
My authenticity is not dependent on conditions. Whether I am out and about in the world, spending time with my tribe, basking in nature, creating alone at home or at work with others, being fully presentis how I feel authentic.
Why is it important for YOUR voice to be heard?
I’m not sure if it’s important for “my” voice to be heard per se, but the mere act of being able to have the right to have a voice to express what I know or learned in life is important to me. Teach the children! AND the adults! I strongly believe that it’s our responsibility and divine right to share our experiences and talents, which can strongly help in others’ artistic, career, or spiritual growth. Perhaps gleaning from my experiences can help them navigate their journey a little bit easier.
Known for his work with color and transformation, Roshar’s work has become easily recognizable with clients ranging from NYX Cosmetics to L’Oréal to Paul Mitchell.
Who is the true you?
What you see is what you get. I wear my heart on my sleeve. Being inquisitive and having a drive to constantly better myself is a big part of who I am. Living my life knowing a person can be glamorous without being superficial, a person can be cool and sexy without being mean. A person can be fascinating and mysterious without being petty or belittling others.
What is your passion?
For me passions change, so it’s more about my obsessions. That’s what stays with you throughout your life. One of my obsessions is light. How it shapes an object, how it changes color of the object. This has always been with me and what guides my career as a makeup artist today.
When do you feel the most authentic?
I always feel authentic. But I think that’s due to paying attention and learning through mistakes. We all go through stages in our lives. But eventually learning who we are, learning to make decisions out of love, not defiance, pure intentions, and being open to different context helps. It’s not about me, I’m not a rockstar. It’s about the entire team.
Why is it important for YOUR voice to be heard?
I don’t really go so much by having to be heard. I go more by listening and observing. I’m an introvert. I think before I act and speak. By doing that I find people seem to have an appreciation to my voice. My voice isn’t for everyone, and I’m fine with that. But I find that the people that choose to hear it get surprised that creativity, kindness, and empathy can all coexist.
Jon Lieckfelt, the celebrity hair stylist and makeup artist, whom over his 30 years in the industry has worked with the likes of Kristin Chenoweth, Fran Drescher, Minnie Driver, and Gurus Magazine first ever cover star Anne Heche – to name a few.
Who is the true you?
The true me is everything that you see. I’m the sum of many parts and experiences from my simple( yet hard) life being raised on a farm and rural Michigan to being a key player as a hair and makeup artist in Hollywood. I am all of it and everything in between. I don’t enjoy the typical experiences of gay bars and big parties. I would much rather stay in and create something inspiring for my show @lieckminded on YouTube.
What is your passion?
My passion is LIFE! There is such a gratitude that i feel everyday that i get to breathe oxygen and be afforded the skills to create. It’s endless and bountiful.
When do you feel the most authentic?
I feel the most authentic when I’m focused on doing things that inspire me. From volunteering to make my community better to spending time with friends that know me on the deepest level to showing up everyday as my best self. I show up for my self in this way as a commitment to self. This for me first and foremost and if i inspire others along the way then that is a beautiful thing.
Why is it important for you for your voice to be heard?
Listen, there are so many atrocities happening in this world of ours, i think it is each of our responsibility to speak up and do our part wherever we can even if it’s as simple as educating our own family about what it means to be LGBTQ. Educating those around us about what’s at stake for all of our rights and the importance of voting. The very basic levels of using our voices makes a huge impact globally and if you can do more, DO MORE!! And I do!
Celebrity, fashion, beauty, and portrait photographer, Sequoia Emmanuelle, who photographed some of #30Voices30Days cover stars including Mo Heart, Tara Reid, and Laverne Cox to name a few.
Who is the true you?
From as long as I can remember, I have always wanted to inspire people with art and wisdom, and at my core, that has been a mission for me.
I’ve always wanted to lead as an example as someone who came from very little, to building a successful and fulfilling life. To create my path in a unique way and show people what is possible to create with your life. The way that I grew up led me to have a strong moral compass and a very compassionate view on things, as well as training my whole life as a creative artist.
The true me is a nurturing mother figure, with a big heart and a strong but sensitive soul. My friends would also say, I’m a boss bitch!
What is your passion?
My passion is always Art in everything. I love to be surrounded by creative people, creative spaces, music, restaurants, fashion, etc, I look for the most artistic and creative experience I can have. I have always been an artist in many ways, not just a photographer, but a director, fashion designer, stylist, make-up artist, painter, interior and set designer. I LOVE to cook. I cook all the time and love to cook and host for my friends and family. I often cook meals for people on photo shoots as well.
I also am a HUGE animal lover. I have had many animals throughout my life. Lots of cats and dogs. I can’t live without an animal in my house. Currently, I have a sweet angel fur baby Pomeranian named Lyko (Lee-Ko) and he is my everything.
When do you feel the most authentic?
I love to connect with people and have deep conversations and really get to know people. It can take a while to have that moment, but It feels so good to have authentic and open hearted conversations with people. It’s nice when people can get to know me in that way, and not just the Photographer/professional side of me.
True connection with people is everything to me and very important for my soul.
Why is it important for YOUR voice to be heard?
I am someone who doesn’t usually talk too much, but when I do, I think a lot before I speak, so that what I say is thoughtful and that I can articulate in a way I feel good about and that I feel I can translate in the best way I can. I think being a good listener is just as important as being a good communicator. That is one of the most important things in life I think.
