Master makeup artist, Kevyn Aucoin,
is the Henry Higgins of Hollywood. He has transformed many
an Eliza Doolittle since moving from his hometown in Louisiana
to New York in the early '80s. His clientele reads like
a Who's Who of show business: Björk, Mary J. Blige, Gwyneth
Paltrow, Dido, Elizabeth Taylor, David Bowie, Mick Jagger, and
on and on. His talent has graced almost every major fashion
magazine, and he has received many distinguished awards. Kevyn
has written three books, his recent one entitled Face Forward. He
puts down his mascara brush to reflect on Ronald Reagan, George
W. Bush's new threads, and his disdain for the twentieth century.
What city did you travel to on your last trip?
Dancer in the Dark, the brilliant Lars von Trier
film was the last trip I took.
If you won a million dollars, how would you spend it?
You mean the $400,000 the government would give me after military
spending and George W.'s new suits?
I would give it to my family.
Having been a part of this era of AIDS, how has it impacted
you?
I'm thirty-nine, gay, have been out for nearly twenty-five years,
and have lost more loved ones than I can count. It has
impacted me deeply.
Which living person do you most admire?
My mother.
When you're out on a date, where do you stash your loveglove,
in your pocket, purse, glove compartment, or backpack?
I'm very much married.
If you could change one historical event what would
it be?
The twentieth century.
What do you like least about your appearance?
It's hard to blend in because I'm 6 foot 4 inches. |
How has the AIDS epidemic changed the way you think
about life and death?
It has forced everyone to try to understand what both are really
about.
Name one of your guilty pleasures.
I've been able to tell off (in a non-violent manner) to their
faces Ronald Reagan when he was President, and that lunatic,
Pat Buchanan. That was satisfying!
Name one of your bad habits.
Not enjoying every minute I have here on earth.
If you had a choice to have a dinner date with anyone
from history, who would it be?
My cousin, Jay, who died from AIDS several years ago.
If you wrote a book today about your life, what would
the title be?
I Never Gave UP.
What can we do to help during this ongoing HIV/AIDS
crisis?
Take the shame away from all illnesses and stop pretending that
HIV/AIDS is over.
When you get into bed at night, do you wear pajamas,
nightshirt, undies, or nothing at all?
It depends on what I'm getting in bed to do. |
