Black people have been setting the stage on fire with their outstanding talent and telling extraordinary stories on screen for decades. However, these artists have been suffering in silence behind the scenes. When the stage or set lights go off and they sit in front of the mirrors in their dressing rooms, they have to take a good look at themselves and their hair. Oftentimes, they don’t like what they see, as their hair has been touched by hairstylists who may meet the credentials to enter IATSE but are not properly trained or qualified to work on the various textures of Black hair. 

In a diverse world that includes diverse casting, this issue has become one of the utmost embarrassing and disappointing kept secrets of the entertainment industry. Black artists are made to feel invisible and dispensable. It’s disheartening, infuriating, and unacceptable to know that some of the nation’s most talented HMU (hair & makeup) artists, those deemed the best and most capable, are not in fact capable of helping you if you are a person of color.  

HMU artists are paid top dollars to perform their talents. On these diverse sets and productions, many of the HMU artists who did not seek to acquire applicable skills for their markets constantly get away with being unprepared for work. Many Black performers end up doing or fixing their own hair and make up themselves-WITHOUT ANY PAY. 

Several of these Black performers are a part of the actors’ unions, SAG-AFTRA and AEA. They pay hundreds of dollars in dues each year to receive adequate support and care which should include getting quality and capable professionals to keep their work environments professional and safe. Despite many complaints, uncompensated wages, and many confused and inept HMU specialists dealing with Black faces and crowns, changes have not been made. Enough is enough. 

Black artists and their allies want to fight for change and demand that their unions stand up to the hair and makeup union, IATSE. They insist on the actor’s unions to pressure IATSE into changing their biased members’ application forms and fees to address discriminatory practices against BIPOCs. They demand that their unions provide better opportunities for BIPOC hair and make up artists as well as compensate any performer doing the job of two professions at once.

Sign the petition and send a message to Actors Equity, SAG-AFTRA and IATSE to get qualified, capable and professional HMU for Black artists!

#BlackLivesMatter #BlackEquity #IStandWithBlackHMU