Personal Inspiration: Merrell Hollis

So in honor of Black History Month I have decided to recognize individuals that have inspired me on a personal level. Each Monday of the month I have selected a different person who I have had a personal experience with and are most likely very involved in our community. The first individual that I would like to recognize is a make-up artist who is truly an amazing talent, humble, and has inspired my own creativity and talents in the artistry world.

From runway to print; from stage to screen, the colorful expertise of Merrell Hollis brushes the faces of the famous.

Merrell is currently Key Groomer for Bad Boy Entertainment. Not only is he on call for Sean 'P. Diddy' Combs, he is responsible for the make-up and grooming of Bad Boy artists.

From Fall 2004 through Spring 2005, Merrell was the Key Make-up Artist for 'Full Plate', a series on the new lifestyle & entertainment channel, TV One.

Other television programs on which Merrell's artistry has been displayed are Oprah, Americas Next Top Model, Entertainment Tonight, MTV's Video Music Awards, TRL, The Early Show, Ambush Makeover and numerous BET shows.

Music videos for Ludacris, Snoop Dogg, Nelly, G-Unit and 112 are just a few in which his creative talents have been featured.

For nearly a decade, Merrell honed his skills with various upscale clients such as Paul Mitchell Hair Care System, Saks Fifth Avenue, Clinique Cosmetics, MAC Cosmetics, Bobbi Brown, Lancome, Borghese and Versace.

His work has been showcased in publications such as GQ, Rolling Stone, Vanity Fair, VIBE, Essence and Men's Fitness.

Merrell earned a degree in Fashion Marketing Design from American Inter-Continental University. He also studied esthetician/skin care at the International School of Skin and Nails.

Most recently you can see Merrell's work daily on the Wendy Williams Show.



Here is where Nathan Seven Scott and I had the opportunity to recognize him as Man of the Month. It was very exciting and Wendy Williams had great things to say about him as well.

Notes from Nathan: When we met Wendy

t had been a cold and rainy weekend.  Due to the weather, I allowed myself to completely shut down.  The television was my entertainment.  I found myself watching outdated movies on Lifetime, remember they used to call it television for women?

Monday came around and it was off to the races.  Dwight and I were finally going to have the opportunity to be on the set of The Wendy Williams Show.  Neither of us knew what to expect.  We had it in our minds how we wanted it to go, but of course we were on someone else's time.  We got there just as Wendy wrapped her show for the day.  We were ushered over to her where her make up and hair stylist fussed over her prior to her time with us.  Everything happened so fast.  It was our hope to get at least 6 minutes with her, but that was chopped in half.  Never the less, Dwight jumped in and seized the day with that charm that only Dwight Allen O'neal can deliver.  I could tell he felt rushed, but it worked out in the end.

After Wendy, the staff and crew set the stage and allowed me to interview Merrell Hollis, Wendy's make-up artist.  The interview was great!  Merrell talked about how he met Wendy as well as what he thought about a few celebrities and their make up.  Ooh the scandal.  It was a great deal of fun, we shared a few laughs and concluded our interview.

Nathan