wendy williams

Wendy Williams' Makeup Artist Talks Behind the Scenes with Wendy

Since 2008, when The Wendy Williams Show first began, Merrel Hollis has been by Wendy's side creating what he calls her "signature look" every morning at 7am.  I had the pleasure of meeting him backstage when going on the show to discuss celebrity beauty trends and thought you would love to hear what really goes on behind the scenes at the Wendy Show.  Read on to hear what a typical morning is like for Merrel. What’s the most daring look she would ever let you create?

The most daring look that I’ve created with Wendy so far was when I transformed her into Lucille Ball’s character “Lucy Ricardo” and the legendary Dolly Parton.

Describe a typical morning behind the scenes on the Wendy show?

My average day at The Wendy Williams Show studio starts with Wendy sitting in the makeup chair at 7am. After seeing what wardrobe has planned for her, I start with the day’s look before we are bum rushed by 5 producers who all manage to squeeze into my tiny makeup room to prep her for the day. They flood her with the latest Hot Topics and I stay busy trying to keep her attention because I have to have her in and out of the chair in thirty minutes so she can go to the floor to rehearse. When she comes back from the set, I finish her makeup look and then, the door opens to the Queen of All Media.

Unlike her wigs Wendy’s makeup stays consistent, what’s one look your dying to do?

Well, I wouldn’t call her makeup look “consistent” - I would say it has my signature to it - (LOL) but I am dying to do a dark lip on her. She wont let me do it...

Stories & Snapshots from Backstage the Heart Truth Red Dress Fashion Show

Where else would I be able to chat with Wendy Williams about her sleek wig, Kelly Osbourne about her fuchsia lip gloss, Kris Jenner about Kylie and Kendall's modeling careers and Deborah Lippmann about Jillian Michaels?  Of course, only a good cause could bring all of these personalities together and this time it was to spread awareness about heart disease at the Heart Truth Red Dress Fashion Show.  Backstage I weaned in and out of all of them like a sly fox sneaking in a question or two as they were being primped for their runway debut.

There's nothing not to love about Wendy!  She had a glamorous wig on as she was getting ready, but waited until the last minute to place her show wig on.  She described her look saying, "The wig is sleek and the dress is sleeker."

Kelly Osbourne is perhaps the sweetest person and showed me the combination of lip glosses she wanted to wear to compliment her earrings, but her makeup artists wouldn't give me names or allow for pics of the unidentified clear containers.  And of course Kris Jenner was "so excited to be part of something special with her girls who developed in to models."  Yes, Kylie and Kendall were walking too and they're beyond naturally beautiful.

Deborah Lippmann gave the talent manicures backstage and I always love cornering her at this show to talk about what I'm going to see backstage for the rest of the week.  Instead, she had a more captivating story.  As she was painting Jillian Michaels's nails, they were "having girl talk" about heart disease and the scary truth that it's the number one killer amongst women.  Of course, Jillian began giving Deborah "hard hitting health tips" and told her that "people need to get moving, it doesn't matter what they do."  Beyond the glitz and the glam of the evening is the message.  It was nice to speak with Deborah, who I've admired for her skills and polish collection for so long about something tied to meaning.  Oh and of course, Jillian chose to wear Lady is A Tramp, "she's not going to wear a wimpy red," Deborah concluded.

5 Celebrity Inspired Winter Beauty Trends, with Wendy Williams!

This was by far one of the most exciting segments I've done.  Picture this – It's 3pm on Friday afternoon right after Sandy.  I'm checking into a hotel room across the city to indulge in a shower and some heat and I received a call from a producer from the Wendy Williams Show. An hour before I went live the segment was finalized.  That's how it works (sometimes) in live TV.  I love my job.  As soon as I get a clip I'll post it, but here's a link to the information for now and a list of the products used after the jump.  Guys, I had my own green room!