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Style and Substance: An 'Underground' Exclusive
Darrell Redleaf talks Michelle Rodriguez
by: Leigh Lewallen (www.michelle-rodriguez.com)
September 4, 2006

      Darrell Redleaf is one of Hollywood's top stylists and makeup artists. Lending his talents to print ads, major
motion pictures, and some of Tinseltown's biggest names, he has proven himself to be one of the most popular
beauty experts in the business. Along the way Darrell has become a highly sought after personal stylist to the
stars, including Michelle Rodriguez. Darrell was kind enough to sit down with Michelle Rodriguez Underground
to give the fans an inside look at his long time client and personal friend.

How long have you known Michelle and how did the two of you meet?
I met Michelle in 2000, right before Girlfight came out. Her publicist at the time set up a photo shoot at the Los Angeles
Boxing ring on Fairfax/Wilshire. I knew a little about her before I went to the shoot, that she just did a movie called Girlfight.
I knew she was a 'tough cookie' and I thought if I was 'out of line' she would kick my ass! Au contraire! She's a pussycat!
That was our first time meeting and doing a photo shoot, and we immediately "clicked"....we understood each other from
the first time we met. It was an unknowing familiarity, like karma….like she was a little sister of mine. It was like a
brother/sister bond immediately.

What is Michelle's best quality?
Michelle has 2 qualities that make her an amazing individual. She is extremely intelligent and extremely and fiercely loyal.

You've known Michelle for many years. What do you think the most common misconception about her is?
After knowing Michelle for many years, going on 7 years….that's like 21 "Hollywood" years! [LAUGHS] I think the biggest
misconception is that she is some....ass kickin gangsta latina from the ghetto.…although she is latina and will kick your
ass if she is provoked, she is extremely intelligent in esoteric knowledge....quantum physics, metaphysics, laws of nature,
etc. She is really a NERD!

Let's talk fashion. How would you define Michelle's 'style'?
She has her own individual style. It's very urban chic, mixing textures, brands, labels and styles, to make her own signature
style. It's a very comfortable sexy urban chic style, as for her makeup and hair, she leaves that to the professionals as they
all should! [LAUGHS]

How has she changed over the years that you've known her?
I have had the pleasure to see Michelle grow from an urban kid to a very sexy chic movie star, and I have to say, it's been fun
to help her achieve her looks and goals. She has matured into a very real, sexy and powerful woman, with her consciousness
and intelligence raised to help underprivileged children and animals (her personal goals/her charities). She is a remarkable
woman and I'm sure she will contribute to the well being of this planet in her lifetime.

Has Michelle ever fought you on a look you wanted to achieve? Is there anything she's ever refused to let you
do to her?
The only thing Michelle has fought me on, is powder! She hates powder on her face, so I try to distract her or slip it in, on her
face, with out her knowing, but she always catches me! She looks straight into my eyes and says, "Darrell is that powder?"
and I say "NO! WOULD I DO THAT TO YOU????". Of course I would, who wants to look all shiney and oily and sweaty!

People tend to criticize Michelle for her sometimes 'simplistic' look by showing up to events and going out
in public without a stitch of makeup and wearing nothing more than torn jeans and a plain tee. As her
personal makeup artist and stylist, what is your take on this?
Well, as for Michelle going to premieres and events without hair and makeup being done, I commend her on her courage
in doing that, but as her makeup artist and hair stylist that is a big no no....who wants to be in a magazine with the headline
saying "WHAT WAS SHE THINKING"?

Michelle is creating a fashion line, Ishkidada. What do you think, is she a future 'fashion icon'?
I think that whatever she puts her mind to, she will succeed. I know it appeals to her tactile sensibilities.…textures, colors,
shapes. It's very stimulating intellectually to do a clothing line, I would imagine. I, of course can't wait to see the line, as
well as a men's line.

What is one of the 'beauty secrets' or tips you've bestowed upon Michelle that you could let us in on?
Eyebrows!!! Michelle had a unibrow when I met her, now she gets them tended to regularly by a local eyebrow guru! Nothing
like a beautiful arched eyebrow! So when she goes out without any makeup on, and being that she is naturally beautiful, she
can pull off not wearing any makeup actually.

So, tell us something interesting about Michelle.
Every time she and I hang out, whether it's going makeup shopping at Barneys or to check out a new boutique, it's always fun
to hang out with her. I find it funny when people recognize her and approach her, and how she is always so nice and personable
to her fans. She always poses for a picture or signs an autograph. She goes out of her way to relate to her fans.…I have never
seen her be a diva, EVER, but I'm working on that! [LAUGHS]

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