Today we’d like to introduce you to Al’ Isha Ray.
Hi Al’ Isha, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I am originally from San Diego, California. I was raised by my grandparents (grandmother). I was born into this world with all odds against me. I was born to two drug-addicted parents (now sober!) and was a very sick child as the result. I used to get bullied a lot because I was not the beauty standard and I came to be a super shy kid to the point when I walked in a room if too many people looked I’d want to cry. I didn’t know anything about makeup and the absolute bare minimum of hair. When I got older (17) I went to THE Alabama A&M University for fashion design, and I randomly got the nerve to audition for a freshman fashion show as a model for WARD Modeling Troop. As I was getting ready to back out a random guy, Camerron Dangerfield (now known to the world as the great Chef CAM), came and looked at me and said, “your auditioning, let’s go.” Well, needless to say, I made it. When they got me dressed for the show and I looked in the mirror, I saw myself for the first time and I made it my mission to make other people feel this way and to be the person I needed to see growing up. I then started modeling as a career and started training to be a makeup artist under one of our makeup artists/hairstylists, Shardae Bransfield.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
No, it has not. I, unfortunately, didn’t get to finish my degree at Alabama A&M and I went back to the small town I was living in (Dothan, AL). I started working at dead-end jobs because work opportunities were the bare minimum. I later moved here to Georgia at 21 and shortly after got pregnant with my daughter, Kyndrix, who is my reason to never give up. Shortly after giving birth, I was very sick. I was diagnosed with a crippling auto-immune condition called Crohn’s disease. Being a newly single mom and being diagnosed with Crohn’s, it affected my employment opportunities. I remember getting fired from a warehouse job and I left the job and went directly to my local Cosmetology school to enroll in the Master’s program. My family told me I was nuts! Haha! It was a hard journey due to my health and continuous hospitalizations, my doctor pulled me out of school for three months. During this time I was told by multiple people, some family included, I should just give up and I was not going to graduate on time being so sick and having a baby on my hip. I went back after my three months and graduated three months early by going to school 12 hours a day to catch up and get ahead. While I’m still a single mom and still have Crohn’s disease, I refuse to let it stop me. I’m grateful for those in my corner who always encouraged me too keep going(Aisha Carroll:@queenallureco, Kuyor Harris:@KuyorReal, Journey Klemm:@undergroundqueen, Kimberly Lee:”Bella_cheveuxsalon, Amanda McPherson:@AmandaStylezzz, Carli Prescott, Cobi Pride, +more)
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
Thank you so much! So I am a multicultural makeup artist, hairstylist, and model. I pride myself on never saying no because of lack of knowledge. I specialize in versatility. When it comes to hair, what sets me apart is that I can provide all services knowledgeably and effectively no matter the hair texture or type. When it comes to makeup, I pride myself on knowing all aspects. I do all skin types all looks and even special effects. With my looks, they aren’t just your typical Instagram looks. They are customized to each client and what will work for them and their occasion/event. With modeling, I find what sets me apart is my ability to adapt. I do print, runway, acting, and dancing. I am not scared of people to look at me and I will do what it takes to make sure I represent the creator/message well. Because I’m well versed in multiple other fields it helps with my ability to translate what the creator wants. Being a plus-sized model that doesn’t fit the typical social media standards has its challenges but the reward of knowing I’m becoming the person I needed to see as a child is much greater. My range in versatility and my perseverance is what I’m most proud of. I refuse to leave this earth, telling my daughter to never give up on her dreams and I not be the example.
What matters most to you?
What matters most to me is being happy and being the best role model I can be for my daughter. I want to get to a point of creative and financial freedom, but I want to make sure I’m also leaving a legacy. Not just for my daughter but for the generations to come. I want them to know how beautiful they are on the inside and let that reflect on the outside. I want people to know you don’t have to change who you are for social media. Real people are really important!
Contact Info:
- Instagram: Instagram.com/_alisharay
- Facebook: facebook.com/arayvanity1111
- Other: www.tiktok.com/alisharay7
