Beauty Spotlight on Paige Davis
Written by Emily Barth Isler
I first met Paige Davis in 2008 through her activism and volunteer work with Operation Backpack and Volunteers of America. I was completely star-struck. I had seen Trading Spaces a few times, of course, but I’d also seen Paige dance and sing on Broadway and knew she was one of the most multi-talented people I’d ever get to meet. Plus, she’s even more stunning in person than she is on TV, if you can imagine that!
Over the years, my admiration for Paige has only grown. I’ve seen her activism work multiply and watched her speak out about issues, causes, and people she believes in. Many people think of Paige as being a sunshiney, perky, effervescent tv personality, which she legitimately is. But I think the reason we all love her is because there’s incredible depth and empathy behind that cheerfulness, and her joy and enthusiasm are never at all fake or saccarine. It’s a rare gift to be that a person who can tap into that sunshine can also have the genuine, real kindness behind it.
I was excited to profile her for Maya Chia’s Beauty Spotlight and to share some of her wisdom with you.
Maya Chia Beauty: What is one thing you do every day?
Paige Davis: Floss. I’m famous for going to bed without washing my face. I think it’s becasue I have back issues, and bending over the sink hurts too much. Bad habit. I do not endorse it. And I’m sure the folks at Maya Chia are mortified to know that now. LOL. But I always floss. Be true to your teeth or they’ll be false to you. Hahaha.
MCB: Where would you go if you could travel somewhere right now, all expenses paid?
PD: Where WOULDN’T I go?!!!! Florence to see The David, Buenos Aires to dance the tango, Barcelona for the architecture, Prague just ‘cause. And on a luxury safari. Elephants are my favorite animal and I’d love to go to Africa. But I’m a wuss when it comes to camping. A luxury safari, however, seems just my speed. Oh, oh, oh!!! How could I forget?! Iceland!! More specifically to see the Northern Lights. The Aurora Borealis has been on my bucket list since I was a teenager.
MCB: What is your favorite Maya Chia product and why?
PD: Really digging the Wonder Balm. It’s too soon for me to have an opinion about the Power Fol scalp treatment, but I have high hopes. And I love all the scents of the products. They’re all a little different and they’re all great. None too flowery or perfumy, just wonderful.
MCB: What's your "sliding doors" moment? Some time when your life almost took a totally different direction.
PD: Oh wow, this is a rough question for me. It brings up the most haunting word…regret. I’m not someone who doesn’t have regrets. There are so many things I wish I had done differently. I forgive myself for not knowing then what I know now, but I do regret nonetheless. I have regrets regarding love and not taking risks to follow my heart. And I have regrets involving my career…not signing with a particular manager at a particular “hot” time in my career, not breaking contracts to follow bigger dreams. There are so many “sliding doors” moments for me, but the important thing is to not judge myself for any of it. It is what it is now. One’s only choice is to contiunue forward. You can’t always make the right decision, but you can always make the decision right. I had a mentor tell me, “You are exactly where you need to be, and that is retroactive.”
MCB: How do you hope to change the world?
PD: The world?! That’s too big for me. I like to believe if I concentrate on my corner of the world it will have a desired ripple effect. I vote. I focus on my marriage. I support my friends. I stay connected to family. I put out kindness.
MCB: What is something you're really proud of?
PD: I’m really proud of me and my husband [actor Patrick Page]. We went through some serious challenges recently. I truly thought our marriage was over. But we both fought our way back to each other. It definitely takes two people wanting the same thing to make it through tough times like we had. But when you’re both willing to listen and change you can salvage a connection. After 26 years I feel stronger than ever.
MCB: If you could change one thing in someone else's life, what would you do?
PD: Recently I’ve been very vocal about the pelvic dysfunction I’ve faced my entire life. Many women suffer in silence because it feels too embarrassing and shameful to talk about the vagina and dysfunction “down there”. I want to let women know there is help. They don’t have to suffer through painful sex or any other discomfort. If I can reach even just one woman and offer her hope, then disclosing my secret to the public will have been worth it.
Paige, thank you for being your honest, vulnerable, amazing self. We’re so honored to have you on the Maya Chia Blog! And readers: if you’re in the Salt Lake area, catch Paige at Pioneer Theater Company, starring in “Hello, Dolly” in May! Get tickets and info here!
Who inspires you? What women in your life, or in your social media, reading list, or news feed, makes you feel like the world can’t possibly be so dark and scary because she’s in it? Tell us in the comments or send us a message! We want to feature more women like Paige, like Damaris, like your role models, like YOU!