Nia Long, Other Members Of Black Hollywood Call On Producers To Diversify Makeup Trailer

Hollywood has taken an important step in acknowledging its history of systemic racism and sharing plans to change things in the industry. However, several Black actors have come forward and revealed that one of the major problems on set starts in the makeup trailers.

Due to the lack of diversity in the makeup department on a set, Black actors are often left feeling uncomfortable when an artist doesn’t have a shade that matches their complexion or knows how to style their hair.

Nia Long told Variety that she believes there needs to be an open line of communication between the unions and the studios to make sure the issues in the makeup department are being addressed.

“I think the unions need to be responsible for the amount of diversity there is in the hiring. Producers, studios, networks, need to have a mandate, where the hair and makeup trailer is diverse,” she told the publication.

“If you have a Black lead, bring a Black person into that hair and makeup trailer,” she continued.

Long revealed that the lack of diversity on the set could lead to issues between the Black actors and the makeup department.

“There are talented people of all colors who are capable of doing the job. [But] I don’t want to have PTSD walking in seeing a white woman there to do my hair when I know I’m going to have to explain myself to her,” she explained.

“And that’s going to turn into another thing if she doesn’t like my tone, or she’s thinking that I’m trying to tell her how to do her job.”

In February, “Insecure” actress Natasha Rothwell told The Hollywood Reporter that she had several experiences in which she would wake up early to do her hair before she came to set.

“It’s a real disservice to actors of color who are effectively doing someone else’s job and not getting paid for it. There’s nothing [more] dehumanizing than sitting in a hair and makeup chair and watching your co-stars go through the works and leave, and you’re still there because someone’s moving slowly because they’re very scared,” she said.

“It’s [you] feeling like a problem to be solved,” Rothwell added.

Ultimately many believe that things could change if more minorities were members of the Make-Up Artists & Hair Stylists Guild. Members of the union are allowed to work on Hollywood sets whereas, clients of non-members would have to leave the set to have to take care of their beauty needs at a different location.