Rising Stars: Meet Shannon Balenciaga of Atlanta (City)

Today we’d like to introduce you to Shannon Balenciaga.

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
My journey has been anything but conventional—and that’s exactly what makes it beautiful. I’m Shannon Balenciaga, a multi-hyphenated creative, mother, and CEO with roots deeply grounded in culture, beauty, and advocacy.

I started my career in the world of ballroom, fashion, and entertainment. Being a part of the Iconic House of Balenciaga taught me not only performance and presence but also resilience, innovation, and how to stand tall in my truth. That experience gave me a platform to advocate for authenticity, inclusion, and representation, values that still shape everything I do today.

The vision for ANNAGA Luxury Skincare was born out of necessity and passion. As someone who’s always been immersed in performance and public-facing spaces, taking care of my skin was non-negotiable. But I quickly realized that many luxury skincare products either weren’t inclusive, weren’t effective, or weren’t honest. So, I created ANNAGA: a high-performance skincare line that blends science with soul. Every formula is intentional, cruelty-free, and designed to help people see their skin not as a flaw to fix but as something sacred to nourish.

ANNAGA is also deeply personal. It’s named in honor of the most powerful woman in my life, and it reflects my commitment to beauty. We’re not just selling glow, we’re funding breast cancer research, creating space for all genders, and telling stories that often go unheard.

From the ballroom to the boardroom, my path hasn’t been easy but it’s been divinely aligned. And I’m just getting started.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Yes and no.

It’s been smooth in the sense that I know this journey was pre-ordained by God. I truly believe this path was already written, I just had to put my focus in the right place, pull up my big girl panties, and do the work. But that doesn’t mean it’s been easy.

The struggle has come in getting people to believe, not just in the product, but in me. This isn’t a hobby or a trend; this is my passion. I’ve poured my heart into developing powerful, luxury skincare that works, but when you’re building something from the ground up, convincing others to see your vision is one of the hardest parts.

And let’s be real, this kind of excellence takes money. A lot of it. Funds are required at every level to scale a brand of this magnitude. I’m growing AnnAGA Luxury Skincare from a small seed, but I know it’s destined to become a multi-billion dollar corporation. I see that future clearly.

Like any business, there have been headaches, mistakes, and growing pains. But every error has been a blessing, because I’m learning early, not later when the stakes are even higher. I started this company with one vision, and now, looking at where I am today, it has evolved into something even greater. I had to learn some lessons my way, even when my way wasn’t always the right way. But God? God always reroutes and realigns you to the right path.

“UPDATE”

ANNAGA Luxury Skincare Has a new Home!

I’m thrilled to announce that ANNAGA Luxury Skincare has officially landed its first brick-and-mortar location right here in Atlanta! You can now shop a specially curated product line, tailored to meet the unique skincare needs of clients seeking luxury, healing, and results.

Come visit us inside the beautiful MRSMD Medspa, located at:

📍 652 Bellemeade Ave NW, Atlanta, GA

This incredible opportunity was made possible by MRSMD founder and CEO Buffie Purselle and Dr. David Purselle, whose belief in our mission has brought this vision to life.

And for our glow-getters everywhere, you can still shop online at annagaluxuryskincare.com for radiant, effective, and transformative skincare.

ANNAGA is more than a brand. It’s a movement, and now, it’s home.

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?
At my core, I’m a creator. My art lives at the intersection of beauty, performance, healing, and culture. Whether I’m on a stage, behind a product, in front of a camera, or writing something powerful, I lead with intention, impact, and authenticity.

I’m known for many things, my ballroom legacy as Shannon Balenciaga, my unapologetic voice in advocacy, and now, for founding ANNAGA Luxury Skincare. ANNAGA is more than a brand, it’s a movement. Skincare rooted in science, elevated by soul. I specialize in clean, effective luxury formulas for all skin types, tones, and identities. The artistry is in the details, from how our products feel on the skin to how they make you feel about yourself.

But my creativity doesn’t stop there.

I’m the voice behind the Culture Couture Podcast, which I launched alongside two incredible Black women in Hollywood, Toni of Queens of Production and Fallon of Hello Fallon Entertainment. Together, we’ve created a space where fashion, pop culture, identity, and real-world issues collide. It’s bold conversation meets cultural commentary and absolutely nothing is off-limits.

I’ve been honored to share my talent on-screen as well, including HBO Max’s Legendary, the BET Awards, and VH1’s My True Crime Story. Each of those moments added another layer to my story, proof that visibility matters and that authenticity can shine through any screen.

I recently completed my first book about my life (dropping later this year) a deeply personal and honest journey that I know will touch many. And now, I’m in the final stages of finishing my screenplay for a feature film based on my story. The goal? To one day stand on that stage and hold an Oscar for Best Picture. I’ve rehearsed that speech since I was a little girl, and I believe, with every fiber of my being, that dream will become reality.

What sets me apart is that everything I create starts with my heartbeat. I don’t just make art, I live it. I don’t chase trends, they chase me. Whether it’s skincare, storytelling, or standing up for my community, I pour my soul into it all.

And I’m just getting started.

If you had to, what characteristic of yours would you give the most credit to?
The most important qualities behind my success are vision, resilience, authenticity, and faith.

I’ve always had a clear vision, not just for what I wanted to build, but for why I’m building it. That vision fuels me on the hard days and keeps me grounded when things move fast.

Resilience is everything. I’ve had to push through doors that weren’t meant for me, build tables when none existed, and bounce back from setbacks with even more determination. I’ve learned to turn “no” into new opportunities.

Authenticity is my secret sauce. I don’t pretend, I don’t perform for approval, I show up as myself in every room, on every platform, and in every product I create. That’s why people connect with what I do. It’s real.

And finally, faith. God has been my compass. I move with divine purpose, and I know this journey is bigger than me. That belief has carried me further than talent or strategy ever could.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://annagaluxuryskincare.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/annaga_luxury_skincare?igsh=MTB1aTlvMHppemhsNQ==
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/193L7EJnZq/?mibextid=wwXIfr
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@shannonbalenciaga?si=3v368-wj6uIlifZZ
• Other: https://www.instagram.com/shannonbalenciaga?igsh=MWlncHd0bGd3eXBsZQ==

Image Credits
First picture Kron Moore from Tyler Perry’s The Oval
Lee Daniels in one picture
Mariah Balenciaga from Drag Race & Miss Lawrence Balenciaga in the picture together
Rupaul in a picture
Mary J Blige touching my face at the Purpose Ball giving my Miss Lawrence Balenciaga