my friend NEMO approached me about being in his short film, titled “A NIGHT AT THE OPERA”. the film follows NEMO (as himself) approaching and courting women of all nationalities after his wealthy friend passes on opera tickets to him. it’s sort of a docu-drama…where characters play themselves partially.
when he asked me to play the part of TANUJA, an east indian girl singer, i was very clear that i stay on the other side of the camera. i acted in film school as part of my program, you know – to understand the actor you become a better director. i did it for fun in the past…with friends and associates, but not seriously.
when he assured me that i would need to act similar to how i am and that a lot of our other mutual friends were in it, i debated the idea. when he told me icon director JIM JARMUSCH was EP’ing it, i jumped off the deep end and agreed. come on, not only is he LEGEND…he also had a starring role in THE SIMPSONS!
since i was to play an “EAST INDIAN” girl who had soul, i needed to play up the look. my hair came into question and a weave was decided upon. yes, you heard me…
the only place i would take my virgin scalp to was Q’s…legendary weave master to the stars.
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this chapter is called THE LIFE AND DEATH OF A WEAVE…
*blowing it out…Q says, “yes miss thang, get into that mutha-effing hair!”
*i’m not tenderhead-ed and this part was a breeze…the next to come was not.
*he works with sunglasses on and still manages to do create magic!
*this is where it got tricky and scary. he used a net to cover the braids, where the hair would be sewn into to avoid stress on my scalp…but sewing the net into place was super painful. i started to feel dizzy and i needed a break.
*i cried a whole lot. props to girls who do this on the regular…i took it out right after the shoot, which was 2 days later. i felt bad, Q is amazing and his work was flawless…but, i just like the feeling of comfort and my own scalp more than anything else.
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ON SET…
*”dramatically curvy”? i wish. i told ELLE that MELISSA FORD would play me in the movie of my life. hahahaha.
*happy make-up face.
*NEMO on set.
*dressed in my regular rags…
*NEMO and me…
*genius photographer JAMIL GS came through. i used to assist him a few years ago.
*CAN’T WAIT TO SEE WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE, I’LL DEFINITELY KEEP YOU GUYS POSTED 
June 21, 2009
lol. that’s a GOOD weave! it looks like your hair, when it was longer. and ur jordans are Sick!! Cant wait to see your acting skills
June 21, 2009
I never got no weave (b/c I’m tender-headed) but I do know that if it looks like your hair when it’s done..that’s means it’s done well. It looks great, and so does the make-up.
*I can’t wait to see this short film, lemmie find out you can act too*
June 21, 2009
Girl, u look gorgeous:)feel ya on the scap thing
June 21, 2009
*CRACKING UP*
@ Melissa Ford is the actress that you chose to play yourself.
Curves is the truth about Melissa
It must of been fun not to go into character ,it seems.
The hair does look like your own sorry to hear about the tears and the pain.
It must of been an experience.
June 22, 2009
u look so pretty!
June 22, 2009
Damn he does a good blowout… Thats some good weave it looks so natural… Vashtie The director comes from behind the lens I see
June 22, 2009
the pic of u in the chair ur facial expression is so funny lol but it turned out great
June 22, 2009
cool, I love acting. Im not a weave fan, but damn that guy is good it does look real, i would get a weave if it blends like that!. I love the make up its pretty and not to over done, look forward to watching you do your thang! lol at the melissa ford comment!
June 22, 2009
oh and the jordan’s (i drool) dope!!!!!!!!!!
June 22, 2009
He did a great job on your weave! LOL. I am very tender-headed so weaves and braids do not work for me at all!! So I feel you on the crying and pain. If I braid my own hair I’m fine though.
Can’t wait to see the finished product
June 22, 2009
can’t wait 2 see the film.
June 22, 2009
Wow! Thats a real damn good weave thang going on. I myself have lioness hair & practically don’t need a weave.Never won’t one either.
You look great in it though & the make up.
Props for the pain…woe…some girls go through this? Really? I must be living behind the moon or something..lol..
Go Vashtie! Can’t wait to see the out come of this.
BTW your blog is awesome.
June 22, 2009
VASHTIE, if i was a chick i would def want to be you. hahaa
June 22, 2009
your weave looks hot, im mad you took it out right after though..smh!
June 22, 2009
I am super tenderheaded, so I can’t take cornrows to get a sewn in weave, it makes me feel like I have to go to the bathroom every five minutes (I swear my bladder contracts, lol) and I start shaking and feeling dizzy too, but you hung in there and it looked great.
Can’t wait to peep the finished product.
June 22, 2009
this should be good. you got to wear your “rags” but I was on youtube looking at clips of sheneneh and i totally thought of you because she ALWAYS has on some cut off shorts and boots just like you….facially she is challenged but vashtie dont front you know you got your style from her lol
June 22, 2009
I can’t wait to see the film as well!
June 22, 2009
Aaaaaahhhhh I can’t believe they put a weave in your hair! I also have a “virgin scalp” and never once used a weave! But they did a great job and looked pretty on u
June 23, 2009
Where did you get this done, I want a Summer haircut but wanted to get a weave so I don’t have to cut my own hair but was weary of doing so because I’ve never had one. He did an excellent job, would love the contact info.