Diva Spotlight: Taylor Dior

Tell us a little about yourself & your daughter:

Hey I’m Chavon and my daughter is 4 y/o Taylor Dior. I don’t know her exact hair type but it’s versatile and seems to take on different textures depending on the product. Since she was a little baby, her hair caused a lot of healthy debate amongst many people. Taylor has had featured stories and topics of discussion on popular blogs such as SandraRose, MediaTakeout, many other hair care forums, and even Hip Hop Weekly magazine. We have been accused of putting chemicals and hair pieces in her hair as early as 5 mths old!! All of the accusations have taught us to have thick skin and that you can never please or convince everyone.

　
Taylor is quite the diva! How does she feel about having the spotlight on her?
Thank you! She is confident and knows she’s smart, beautiful, and strong. She likes seeing herself on tv, movies, internet, and in ads in stores/magazines. It puts the biggest smile on her face and sparkle in her eye. She is very competitive and always strives to be the best whether in sports, in front of the camera, or in school. She likes attention and is quite the comedian always doing silly things to make people laugh.
　
Aside from her beauty and charm, do you think advertisers are drawn to Taylor because of her gorgeous curls?

Yes, I think big healthy hair is a plus when it comes to her booking advertisements. Advertisers and agents love big hair on children…afros, curls, wild hair, etc. It definitely sets her apart because her hair is fuller and longer than many of her peers. It gives a slight advantage and allows her to book varied roles from a mixed child to African American to just ethnically ambiguous. Thus, bringing diverse and added opportunities.

　
How did Taylor get started in the industry?

Taylor’s dad and I submitted her photos to modeling agents/managers in the NY area when she was 5 mths old and waited to see which agents were interested. We thought Taylor was cute (like every parent thinks about their child), and she always took personality plus photos at home with me. She was also very alert and her eyes were huge and bright. Going to strangers was never a problem for her; she just wasn’t a crybaby lol. So we figured she could do some baby modeling since she had the looks and temperament. Better off getting paid to smile than taking pics at home with me for free. A little over a year after signing with a manager, Taylor booked the role of Notorious BIG’s daughter in feature film "Notorious". If anyone’s child is interested in getting into the industry, you can go to http://www.taylordior.com/ and click on become a model/actress.

　
What is your daughter's hair care routine?

I wash and condition Taylor’s hair every week or bi-weekly, depending on our schedules. I only leave her hair out and curly when she has auditions or jobs. It gets too tangled and she hates getting it detangled. The night before Taylor has a casting or audition, I twist her hair and put it into Bantu knots. Then she puts a stocking cap on it to go to bed. Right before her audition, I take the Bantu knots and twists out and run my fingers through it to make sure it looks big and full…the Bantu knots and twists are mainly so that her hair looks curly and wavy without having to use a ton of the curling pudding/lotions to achieve the look. It’s great because then I wont have to wet her hair just to get it curly…I twist and knot it while dry. On nights where she has no audition the next day, I put it in a simple ponytail and twist or braid that, and then she’s off to school the next day. Yea…boring hairstyle I know LOL…

　
What kind of products do you use on her hair?

I have used quite a few different products since she was little. Our current products are Mixed Chicks Products: shampoo, deep conditioner, and leave in conditioner. On days where her hair isn’t wet (non-wash days), I use Curly Q’s "Curly Q Custard". I use it when putting the twists and Bantu knots in Taylor’s hair. It enhances and holds curls while hair is dry. The mixed chicks leave in is great with doing that but on wet hair! Any product I have ever used has been a recommendation from friends. I am no expert on hair and have no secrets to haircare…I just try different products and if I like it, I buy more. I’m definitely open to trying something new on her hair.

　
Have you ever used chemicals on her hair?
No, never and I don’t plan on it. That would be a decision she can make when she’s an adult. If she ever wants a straight look, we can easily achieve that at the hair salon with a wash and set. She gets wash and sets every time she needs a trim. She loves seeing and feeling her hair so soft and straight for the few days it lasts :D
　
Can we see a few of your favorite styles?

Yes here are some photos:

 

　
How did you learn to do all of this?
Some of the pics were hairstyled by a stylist named Amy Theard…the other hairstyles I learned by practicing as a child. I can braid really well even though Taylor never wears cornrows. I can do a lot of styles but only really do them on occasions where Taylor needs a special style. Otherwise she wears a ponytail.
　
How does your daughter feel about her hair? Can we see her favorite style?

I asked her how she feels about her hair and she said "happy because it looks pretty". I just asked her about her fave style and she said "straight" is her favorite style. Too bad she only gets that about twice a year. Here are photos of her straight hair.

　
If you had to share one hair care tip, what would it be?
Kind of difficult because I am learning myself. My advice is to try not to use too much too soon on your baby’s hair and keep the hair protected at night if possible even as a baby. Also, I don’t use "bubbles/balls" in her hair…I only use metal free elastic bands in her hair…headbands and cute clips are fine.
　
Does Taylor have any upcoming projects?

Yes thanks for asking. Her episode of "Unfaithful, Stories of Betrayal" on Oprah Winfrey Network has been re-airing since June. She portrayed the daughter, Morgan. She will also be in an episode of "I Married a Mobster" on Investigation Discovery Channel around September. She has the role of the daughter, Dion. For NJ residents, you can see Taylor in commercials for Health First insurance. She is the girl riding her bike, flying a kite, sitting with family, etc. If you go to your local Target store you will find Taylor’s national ad in the toothpaste aisle. All other projects, videos, updates, and air dates are listed on her official website.

　

Where can we find Taylor?

Here is her facebook page (run by her mom). This is her only page on facebook, all others that you may find are imposters: www.facebook.com/taylordiorofficial ...Her latest projects are on her official website: http://taylordior.com/