Beauty Spotlight on Kimmy Gatewood
This is the TENTH issue of our Beauty Spotlight series, and we’re proud to feature the amazing actor, director, and writer, Kimmy Gatewood. As you know by now, we use this series to showcase rad women who are doing amazing things in the world, and Kimmy is a perfect example of a woman who is really DOING IT.
I had seen Kimmy Gatewood on TV shows like GLOW and Atypical, and thought she was amazing and talented, but our Kimmy Gatewood Fandom/Obsession reached a critical mass when she directed episodes of Sesame Street, The Babysitters Club, and Girls 5-Eva, all within a short amount of time, thus delighting every single member of my household, and winning the permanent honor of our home's "favorite director" category. (If you're new to her work, we recommend watching one of our team's favorite movies, Good on Paper, which Kimmy directed!)
She's recently won Emmy Awards-- PLURAL--for directing episodes of Sesame Street and The Babysitters Club, and has projects coming up that we cannot wait to binge: Muppets Mayhem!, Rom Com musical series Up Here!, and Survival of the Thickest on Netflix!?! Kimmy Gatewood is ON FIRE, people, in the best way.
But more importantly, we've had the honor of meeting Kimmy IRL, and she's as kind, funny, and compassionate as they come. Those qualities show through in Kimmy's work, which is why she's single-handedly making television and movies not just more hilarious and smart, but also more deep, nuanced, and empathetic. Kimmy for President! (Well, not really, because then she wouldn't have time to keep making TV!)
Join the Kimmy Gatewood fanclub right here and find out what Maya Chia products she loves, how coffee is part of her daily routine (uh, same!), and sigh with relief along with us that she didn’t take that podcast producing job...
Maya Chia Beauty: Where would you go if you could travel somewhere right now, all expenses paid?
Kimmy Gatewood: New Zealand. It’s been on my bucket list for a long time. I love an adventure trip and this feels like the ultimate adventurer’s paradise.
MCB: If your 10-years-ago self could see your life now, what would surprise her the most about it?
KG: Little Kimmy would be floored that Big Kimmy worked on The Babysitters Club, has short hair, and won an Emmy, because she did her 5th grade “historic event” on the Oscars!
MCB: What is one thing you do every day?
KG: Drink Coffee!
MCB: Who is the person you wish you could talk to more?
KG: If I could go back in time, I would talk more to my Grandma Gatewood. She passed away a few years ago. She was an extraordinary woman who had 13 kids! Not only that, she grew up in Las Vegas in the time that Bugsy ran the casinos. I’d love to hear the little details of growing up at that time and then how did a person cook for that many people on a daily basis!!
MCB: What are your favorite Maya Chia products, and why?
KG: I love the Straight A Serum and The Advanced Response Complex face and neck moisturizing cream. I am new to clean beauty and I’m so pleased with how plump and clean my skin feels after putting these on.
MCB: What's your "sliding doors" moment? Some time when your life almost took a totally different direction.
KG: I was about to get a plane and accept a job as an EP for a podcast company when the call to audition for GLOW came in. I said yes to audition because it was with my best friend and comedy partner Rebekka Johnson to play…best friends and comedy partners. We got the gig and it forever changed my life. It’s crazy to think where my life would be right now had I got on the plane a few days earlier.
MCB: What is the biggest challenge you face now or have faced in the past? How did you overcome it?
KG: Finding the time to nurture all the aspects of your life is always a challenge. There’s so much pressure to take care of yourself, your family and be the best at your job. One way I deal with the pressure is by journaling. It really helps me focus or expel my feelings! Also, since I travel a lot for work, we decided to prioritize family when I’m in town and when I’m away - that might mean a few red-eyes home (thus the need for good skin care!), but it’s all worth it for the hugs and memories.
MCB: What do you wish you knew/learned sooner?
KG: I wish I learned how to dress sooner in life! You don’t need a big budget to look great. I spent all my money on insane costumes for the stage (I’m a sketch comedian), but never thought of buying myself a new pair of jeans.
MCB: What is one easy thing you do to be more "green" or eco-conscious?
KG: Cloth napkins! They look cute and you can use them at the dinner table and for clean up.
MCB: What's the best advice you've ever received - and think other people might benefit from hearing?
KG: In the entertainment industry, you always feel like you haven’t quite made it. We says things like “I want to be a writer.” Then someone asked me “well, do you write?” “I said yes” “Well, then you’re a writer.” Writers write. Directors direct. Actors act. Eventually you want to be paid for your efforts, but while you’re starting out, don’t forget that you control your own narrative. You are already doing what you want to be!
MCB: What is something you're really proud of?
KG: I am really proud of my homemade pizza. I’ve been hosting pizza night for over a decade and over the past couple of years, it went next level. I haven’t gotten to pizza oven level yet, but I think it’s coming!
We have faith that Kimmy Gatewood can do anything she puts her mind to, including getting to that pizza oven level, and we can’t wait to follow her career in the meantime. Thank you, Kimmy, for taking the time to give us a little peek inside your mind. We love it!