Pump It Up

Just found some video of one of Elvis Costello's shows that I did makeup for. This particular episode was with Bono and The Edge (who are some of the nicest people I've ever worked with). I remember the security around the building on this occasion was astonishing... there were security and policemen everywhere. I was escorted to the makeup room by two security guards!! Yet, for whatever reason, I was left alone in the makeup room with no security, alone with The Edge and a shirtless (!) sunglassless (!!) Bono doing his vocal warmups.

Both Bono and The Edge have rosacea- Bono's neck and chest go extremely red and The Edge's cheeks become crimson- and, as the show was in HD I had my work cut out for me. Basically I had to cover the affected areas with a green primer, then bring their skin back to their normal skintone using foundations. (Read: yes, I painted Bono's bare chest.) I'm so pleased to say that both gentlemen were very pleased with the results. We had a great time talking about how all three of us in the room had unusual names and Bono sang a little ditty that he made up about my name and how I must have been teased in school. The Edge told me stories about how he would come to Toronto as a boy and he has many lovely memories here. He also told me the story of how he met his wife... truly, both of these men were some of the nicest people I've met. Mr. Costello and his band The Imposters were always charming, funny gentlemen as well. I have very fond memories of working on 'Spectacle! Elvis Costello With...'

(If you watch the credits at the end of the first video you'll see my name. Small things thrill me.)





Bono also had me hang on to his Carmex lip balm so I could run in on breaks and hand it to him. He said that when he got nervous his lips became dry. I asked him what he could possibly nervous about ? He looked at me and said, "Darlin', have you heard? Elvis Costello is interviewing me tonight!!!"

At the end of the night, I was packing up and The Edge came back in to the makeup room to thank me. I was really struck by how absolutely "normal" and kind of all of the people around them these men were despite how incredibly famous they are. I truly hope I get to work with them again one day.