If West New York residents didn’t already know that Samy, the hairdresser whose salon in Miami gets visits from the likes of Gloria Estefan, Sharon Stone and Raquel Welch, was going to be giving away free makeovers at Veteran’s Park on Boulevard East on April 21, they soon found out.Samy, better known on the streets of West New York as “Samy from Miami,” drove around the town in a white RV Winnebago, stopping along the way to sign autographs and offer residents a chance at a free makeover.
Samy’s visit was part of a tour sponsored by Despierta America, the morning talk show that airs on Univision Channel 41. The tour allows Samy to make over randomly selected viewers from all over the United States.
“I am beautifying America coast to coast,” said Samy, adding that he was in Times Square the day before performing three bride makeovers.
Samy, who has worked on the models for the covers of Cosmopolitan and Harper’s Bazaar magazines, performed two makeovers in West New York last week.
“We chose West New York [as one of our stops] because of the large Hispanic community here,” said Maria D. Montero, the producer for the New York version of Despierta America. “We also have a very good relationship with [Mayor Albio Sires].”
Montero said that segments of the show have been filmed in West New York at least five times before the makeover segment last week.
“The mayor has opened the door for our show all the time,” said Montero.
Making house calls
Although they call him the make-up artist of the stars, Samy said that he also enjoys working on non-celebrities. “Of course, I also do housewives and business people,” said Samy. “I have found that all women have one thing in common. They want to look beautiful.”
Last Saturday, some West New York women gathered around the pavilion on Boulevard East hoping to get picked to receive a makeover on the show.
“We pick random people from the audience,” said Segment Producer Aura Subuyuj.
Some women waited for hours waiting to get picked while others were picked up by Samy while on his tour of the town.
“I don’t know,” said Aleida Garcia who waited well over three hours to get her hair done. “I hope he chooses me.”
Those familiar with Samy’s work and the makeovers he has done on previous shows said that he was well worth the wait.
“He is very good,” said Garcia. “He is one of the best in Miami. But I can’t go there. It is too expensive.”
“We see a big change in the people [that he makes over],” said Asdruval Albiaran, the stylist that travels with Samy. “Some see a big difference. That’s our job.”
According to Subuyuj, Samy’s makeover segments are very popular on the show.
“We get thousands of letters a week asking for makeovers,” said Subuyuj. “The segments are very popular.” While Samy can’t answer each letter, he does choose some of the writers to visit.
“I usually like to pick the ladies that had it rough or had a tough life,” said Samy. “This is more than just some eyeliner and a haircut. This has to be something where there is an emotion.”
Breaking into the English world
The makeovers that Samy provides on Despierta America and the celebrity visits to his salon in Miami have made Samy a household name.
“I’m a household name for the Hispanic world,” said Samy, stopping to talk to a resident who recognized him from television.
However, besides creating looks for many American celebrities, Samy is also working his way into the English speaking world with his line of hair care products, Samy Salon Systems.
Samy Salon Systems are sold on the Home Shopping Network and will soon be sold in stores all over the United States.
“It is quite amazing how receptive the public has been,” said Samy.
His hair care products were introduced three years ago on the Home Shopping Network in Spanish and just last year in English. However, In January of 2002, the Home Shopping Network will be introducing Samy Salon Systems to Italy, Belgium and Germany.
“It is a major step to move into Europe,” said Samy.
Samy will also be seen on the Discovery Channel’s Home Matters show and the Maury Povich show doing makeovers.