Emmy-Nominated Rodney Jon – A Journey based on Faith and not by Sight!  

Rodney Jon is gaining widespread recognition for his Emmy-nominated work on the Sherri Show. It is not only his work that grabs people’s attention, but also his message and purpose that truly captivate others’ hearts. Rodney has embarked on a journey in the entertainment industry, starting from humble beginnings. Throughout his career, he has experienced both successes and challenges. However, his main focus has always been to uplift and empower those in his circle, particularly aspiring artists and creatives from the younger generation. Rodney believes that his life serves as an example and a testimony for others to learn from, be encouraged by, and find motivation in.  

With the heights of his career at new levels in beauty I had to know if Rodney had always known that this was the path for him. Rodney responded, “During my high school years, I didn’t consider this career path because I didn’t perceive it as a masculine trait. It wasn’t something I had thought about earlier in my life.” He has always had a passion for beauty and fashion, but he never fully pursued it because of his own preconceived ideas. However, when something is destined for you, it inevitably finds its way to you. In Rodney’s case, beauty and fashion consistently made their presence known. 

“You have this gift, and I would love for you to work for me in my store.”  

Even though he was present during those times, he failed to perceive it himself; it was others around him who did. During his time as a personal shopper at J. Crew, he had the fortunate opportunity to style a woman who greatly appreciated his meticulous attention to detail. The woman complimented Rodney, expressing her admiration for his magnetic personality and inviting him to join her store. He was surprised to learn that the company she was referring to was Aveda, a renowned cosmetics and skincare company. At first, Rodney was hesitant because he had never done makeup before. However, he became more interested when she offered to pay him double his current hourly rate. Being a business-minded individual, he accepted the position for two main reasons: the potential for higher earnings and a gut feeling that this opportunity was the next logical step in his journey. 

” She told me I was doing so great in all the other parts of the company and have leadership qualities that are outstanding. The only thing is you’re lacking in sales in makeup.” 

He possessed an inner fire that burned brightly, fueled by his insatiable curiosity for all things related to beauty and fashion. He was determined to learn and grow diligently in his new company and position. A woman entered the store, and he had the opportunity to do her makeup and ended up selling her $500 worth of products. “That’s where my confidence started,” Jon said. His newfound confidence propelled his corporate career to new heights in management. He spent the next eight years with Aveda, followed by two years at MAC, and ultimately one year with Bobby Brown. 

“I became a freelancer, and that’s where the problems started.”  

Rodney openly discussed the challenges he faced during his journey. It all began when he ventured out as an independent artist. Jon said, “This is a phase that everyone in this industry must experience, and there were moments when I had to rely on couch surfing.” It is quite common to come across stories of creatives who frequently engage in unpaid or low-paid work in order to establish their portfolio and expand their client base. Despite his increasing success and expanding network, his financial situation did not align with his hard work, expertise, or education. Rodney experienced a difficult and challenging period characterized by darkness. There were days when I didn’t feel like interacting with anyone. “Even I slept on a train, going back and forth, just so I could have some rest and be alone,” Jon said. He clearly explained to me that he had the option to be with people who loved and cared for him, but he felt that he wasn’t in the right state of mind.  

“It’s like God always allows something to happen in your life to remind you that even though it’s tough and you can’t see a way out, you are on your path toward your purpose.”  

It wasn’t much longer until his luck was about to change, after one final solo train ride. Jon said, “When I returned to my friend’s house, where I was staying, I received a call from a client with whom I had previously conducted business.” She invited him to be the key makeup artist for her Caribbean Fashion Week in Cape Verde, which took her international. This particular part of his story reminds me of the common saying, “Someone is talking about you in rooms you haven’t entered yet.” Rodney found himself in a remarkable position, leading a fashion week in West Africa and enjoying the company of presidents, prime ministers, and other prominent public figures. 

“God put it in my spirit to get on my knees and pray. I was in this spirit of gratitude because none of this happened by chance. So, while I was on my knees, I listened to his voice, and I became obedient. This caused me to pray every day.” 

The prayers were necessary because he had been in a car accident three days before his departure. Rodney described the car flipping over a cliff and rolling five times before landing in the ditch. The passengers, including them, had to be rescued from the ditch, which was a highly distressing and traumatic ordeal. This is something that you either see in movies or hear about in documentaries. I firmly believe that we all survived the accident because I had been praying every day leading up to it. Jon said, ‘I heard God’s voice and trusted His command.’ 

“That was a pivotal moment in my life. I knew now that it wasn’t about me or just doing makeup. It was about what I could do for others. My mentality shifted, and I focused on how I could be an example for others.” 

Following that transformative experience, Rodney felt prepared to conquer Hollywood and made the decision to relocate to Los Angeles. Jon said, “From that day forward, I always reminded myself to never let someone’s inability to recognize your worth dictate your destiny.” His initial experience working in Los Angeles was unfortunate, resulting in a loss of twenty thousand dollars that he would have earned had the production company not terminated his contract for reasons that he still doesn’t understand. Fortunately, the show was short-lived, just like his contract, and only lasted for three episodes, with God seemingly favoring him in this outcome. Rodney expressed, “This situation motivated me to exert even more effort in fully embracing my identity in any professional setting.” No one can tell me that my work or worth is not good enough. 

“One thing you have to really understand is who you are as an artist.” 

Rodney emphasized the importance of artists and creatives staying true to themselves when it comes to setting an example. Remain authentic to your artistic identity and avoid comparing yourself to others or attempting to imitate someone else’s style. “That’s when mistakes happen,” said Jon. He has personally experienced this and wants to bring attention to this aspect of his journey because he understands how challenging, demanding, and unpredictable it can be. In addition to understanding oneself in this industry, he emphasizes the importance for artists and creatives to possess a “solid foundation in business.” Negotiating or understanding contracts can be intimidating at times, but it is important for you to take the initiative to comprehend these matters. 

Being able to say no and move on is essential. 

While in Los Angeles, Rodney had the chance to collaborate with individuals who have since achieved significant wealth and fame. However, he made the decision to decline opportunities to work for them, either without compensation or with minimal pay. Rodney explained that he recognized the importance of considering both the potential benefits and the proposed salary when evaluating an opportunity. However, he found himself at a stage in his career where his intuition strongly advised him to decline the opportunity. If you were to ask Rodney today, he would confidently affirm, “I am still content with the decision I made.” 

“My path is still my path.” 

His path was predetermined when he received that call from Sherri Sheperd, as everything fell into place. I was informed by a hairstylist who worked with Vanessa Simmons that I should prepare myself to relocate to New York. The reason being, I have been offered an opportunity to work on Sherri Sheperd’s makeup. “I told her, ‘No, I’m not,'” said Jon. Similar to the woman who introduced him to Aveda and recognized his potential, the young lady who predicted his career also had a similar impact. However, she was unaware of the upcoming job opportunity; her intuition was the only thing guiding her. Let’s fast forward to Rodney’s first job, where he found himself working on a McDonald’s set. He receives a personal call from Sherri, who asks him if he would be willing to relocate in order to work on her daytime talk show. 

“I packed my bags, and within two weeks I was in New York without a real plan.” 

Rodney made this decision based on faith rather than relying solely on what he could see. The direction of his career with the show was uncertain, but he received a clear message from God, saying, “Just go.” With unwavering faith, he took a leap of faith and never glanced behind. “This is my season, and I am exactly where I am meant to be,” said Jon as we concluded this beautiful conversation. 

Photography Credit:
Lord Kraven Photography