Michael Sullivan of East Atlanta on Life, Lessons & Legacy

We’re looking forward to introducing you to Michael Sullivan. Check out our conversation below.

Good morning Michael, it’s such a great way to kick off the day – I think our readers will love hearing your stories, experiences and about how you think about life and work. Let’s jump right in? What is a normal day like for you right now?
Most days, I wake up naturally. Calm, Intentional. My mornings start with a warm ritual: a handcrafted tea, mushroom coffee, or water with apple cider vinegar—whichever matches the energy or intention I’m setting for the day. I’ll journal or map out my projected itinerary for the day. Then, dive into the work that keeps my world turning: connecting with clients, curating social content, designing creative concepts, or stepping behind the camera or brush. One day it’s a high-fashion editorial shoot, the next a soft-glam transformation for a powerhouse woman…or sometimes just laundry, music, and saving the world in my own way.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Michael “MUSICATED” Sullivan. I’m a creative director, singer-songwriter, makeup artist, and photographer based in East Atlanta. My brand, MUSICATED, lives at the crossroads of beauty, music, and visual storytelling — a fusion of art, energy, and emotion designed to awaken the divine in the everyday.

I specialize in transforming people and projects into experiences — from luxury makeup and editorial photography to creative consulting, content direction, and sound. Every session, every image, every lyric is an extension of that larger vision: helping people see themselves or capture themselves more vividly.

Right now, I’m expanding that vision into upcoming new music releases, curated visual projects, and “Musicated Sessions” (a high-touch creative offering that blends brand strategy, transformation, and artistry). It’s all about power through presence.

Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. What was your earliest memory of feeling powerful?
My first memory of feeling powerful wasn’t about control. It was about presence. Even as a kid, there was something in me that people felt before they understood it.

In grade school, I started realizing how my ideas, creativity, and even silence carried impact. People were drawn in. Some were curious, some inspired, others intimidated. But it was through the moments of resistance — occasional unwarranted tension, projections, or attempts to get me to tone down— that I realized my energy had gravity. I didn’t need to force influence; it was already orbiting around me.

Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
The closest I’ve ever been to giving up was in the last few years — a season that stripped everything from me. I moved to Atlanta to expand, only to be met with wave after wave: my mother’s passing, the loss of my best friend to violence, financial collapse, and the slow unraveling of my mental health. It was a hell of an initiation…one that forced me to meet myself beyond titles, beyond the mask, beyond ambition. I didn’t just survive it; I transmuted it. That pain became the blueprint for my purpose.

Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? What are the biggest lies your industry tells itself?
One of the biggest lies in this industry is that you have to chase visibility…that you’ll get lost in the algorithm if you’re not constantly producing or performing. With the endless stream of content being created every day, it’s easy to fall into that trap. But authenticity and intention still cut through noise. The goal isn’t to appeal to everyone; it’s to build a community that feels you. That’s where real legacy is born.

Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
I want the story to be that nothing ever stopped me. That I lived audaciously, loved deeply, and created fearlessly. That my light was so radiant it kept glowing long after I was gone. Through every collaboration, every lyric, every face I transformed, and every soul I helped remember its own power. I want people to say, “That mf lived a hell of a life.” And to realize the legacy wasn’t just art — it was evolution.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://musicatedminor.com
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/musicatedsoul

Image Credits
Image with grey backdrop / fur attire is credited to Sculpting Light Photography. All other images are courtesy of MUSICATED