Episode 14: Billy B | Lady Gaga, Britney Spears, Mariah Carey, Missy Elliott and more

EPISODE 14: BILLY B
GUEST: BILLY B, @BILLYBMAKEUP
HOST: TIFFANY BARTOK, @TIFFANYBARTOK

Transition Music Prod. by Benny Alexander
Intro and Outro Music by MARTIN

DESCRIPTION: We’re back this week with Episode 14. I sat down with the kindest soul, legendary and visionary makeup artist Billy B. We discuss his humble beginnings from Mississippi to NYC, becoming a self-taught artist, his illustrious career and always remembering where you came from. This episode is packed with so many iconic stories of Billy’s work at the height of pop music and building special connections with Lady Gaga, Britney Spears, Missy Elliot, TLC, Pink, Dolly Parton and so many more. Enjoy!

#makeupbybillyb #billyb #freebritney #mariahcarey #britneyspears #supportbritney #TLC #missyelliott #ladygaga #pink #dollyparton #makeup #makeupartist #legend #icon

Topics & Work Discussed:
- His humble beginnings in Aberdeen, Mississippi, growing up as a young gay man in the south, and his first job in a clothing store which began his self-taught journey.

- Moving to New York, living in a YMCA while working the counter at Macy’s and learning how to do makeup for BIPOC.

- Who else remembers Revlon’s Ultima II The Nakeds? The revolutionary line from Kevyn Aucoin. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ultima_II_(cosmetics_line)

- At one point Billy worked at AREA in NYC. Known for it’s outrageous parties and art world clientele including Liza Minelli, Madonna, Michael Jackson, Jean-Michel Basquiat and Andy Warhol. Photo source: https://www.peterharrington.co.uk/blog/history-is-a-nightclub-downtown-area-nyc-1983-87/

- The late great, Paul Gobel, was a renegade makeup artist and photographer.

- One of Billy’s biggest inspirations is makeup artist and visionary, Topolino. If you don’t now Topolino, you MUST. View his work here: https://www.callisteagency.com/make-up-artists/main-board/topolino/portfolio/

- Billy got representation with Art + Commerce and moved to Brazil working for them while many where creating their portfolios in Paris and Milan

- And then the call came…Billy’s time with Mariah Carey. Initially it was more about HAIR than makeup but their relationship took them on many years of beauty, events, albums, touring, her wedding and most importantly a beautiful friendship. Check out this playlist of music videos Billy and Mariah did together: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL893127C1D1076CFD

- Billy and Britney’s friendship and his commitment to loving and supporting here.

MUSIC VIDEOS DISCUSSED:
TLC “Waterfalls” Music Video
Makeup by Billy B

TLC “Diggin on You” Music Video
Makeup by Billy B

“Up Jumps Da Boogie” Music VIdeo
Missy Elliott’s Makeup by Billy B

Missy Elliott “She’s a Bitch” Music Video
Makeup by Billy B

Lady Gaga feat. Beyonce “Telephone” Music Video
Lady Gaga Makeup by Billy B
Beyonce Makeup by Francesca Tolot

Beyonce feat. Lady Gaga “Video Phone” Music Video
Lady Gaga makeup by Billy B
Beyonce Makeup by Francesca Tolot
(BTS video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7_LtemWWeOs)

Dolly Parton “Backwoods Barbie” Music Video
Makeup by Billy B

Pink “There You Go” Music Video
Makeup by Billy B

Pink “Raise Your Glass” Music Video
Makeup by Billy B

Check out this playlist for all the videos and more: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=opkRF3UZSJw&list=PLazwMe48vfI5daqWNfmXY6A8EncVfFzaK

MORE LOOKS DISCUSSED:
Pink’s Oscar Performance of “Somewhere Over the Rainbow”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Zr0ULEeblc

Lady Gaga’s Pearl AmFAR gala look
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-1250116/Lady-Gaga-wears-pearls-glued-face-AmfAR-gala.html

Britney Spears “Fantasy Twist” Fragrance Commercial
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J1VuHofySus

L’oreal Paris Commercial
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3dSlgh9e54Y