Hair department head, “Rustin”
Forney began her career in a beauty supply store, immersing herself in product knowledge and hair tools. “My journey into the world of hairstyling was sparked by the influence of my older sister, Pamela, who instilled in me the aspiration to pursue a career in cosmetology,” she says.
After transitioning into the role of a shampoo technician, she met a producer — which led to her inclusion in the hair team on her first project, the 1997 CBS miniseries “True Women.”
Since then, she has gone on to work on films such as “The Newton Boys,” “One Night in Miami” and “The Kingdom,” as well as TV series including “Empire,” “Friday Night Lights” and “The Leftovers.”
As hair department head on Netflix’s “Rustin,” about the gay civil rights leader that planned the 1963 march on Washington, Forney conducted ample research on the hairstyles of each character. “Given that this project was based on a true story, the imperative to accurately capture the essence of each character’s hair was a daunting task,” she says.
Despite this additional challenge, she says the most fulfilling part of working on the film was the appreciation for the characters’ hair transformations.
Aside from working with “Rustin” star Colman Domingo, Forney has worked with a roster of talent that includes Tracee Ellis Ross, Regina Hall, Cicely Tyson, Katherine Heigl, Kristen Stewart, Keke Palmer, Taraji P. Henson, Mahershala Ali and Jamie Foxx.
Influences: Joanie Yarborough, Phillip Ivey and Medusa
