Who is Derek J?

Story by Ciara Lilly/Interview by J. Hill

Derek J graced our television sets as the flamboyant stylist for Kim Zolciak on the Real Housewives of Atlanta. Many fans were mesmerized by his keen ability to sashay in signature heels, while styling Kim’s various wigs. But Derek J is more than his fabulous wardrobe; he’s a business man who’s taking Atlanta by storm.  

Recently, Derek J sat down with Celebrity Power Magazine to discuss his path of success that includes: opening his own hair salon, J-Spot Salon, his first big screen premier in Chris Rock’s documentary, Good Hair and his top judging spot on Oxygen’s Hair Battle Spectacular.

“…They think I’m just this over the top DIVA, they think I’m just this real gay queeny type of person.  But no I’m a businessman. I run a business. I myself am a business. I’m building a brand.  The heels, the bags, and that type of stuff are just a part of my costuming.  At the end of the day I will step out of these heels and walk just like you and everybody else.”

CPM: Let’s talk about everything you have got going on right now.  You’re all over the TV lately, talk about your new show.

Derek J: Well Yea, I got a new show out on Oxygen called Hair Battle Spectacular, which started in August. It airs right after THE BAD GIRLS CLUB (Each Tuesday at 10pm).  As you know, I still deal with the Real House Wives of Atlanta (Airs Monday at 9pm).  I also opened up a new hair salon in Atlanta.

CPM: What’s the name of the Salon?

Derek J: The J-Spot Salon.  They’re in the middle of construction right now.  When I get back to Atlanta it will be ready for me to open up, so I’m excited.

CPM: Talk about how your life has changed since you’ve been on T.V.?

Derek J: A lot of people think it was something that happened for The Housewives, but I was grinding before The Housewives.  I did two other shows before that and then a movie with Chris Rock.  The Housewives was actually the third thing that I did.  The Housewives actually crossed me over to a different market.  It’s been crazy because I’m just a hairstylist that’s tryna work.  I’m just like everyone else, but to everyone else I’m something else.  But it’s a good thing and I’m happy with it.

CPM: What’s your everyday schedule like, with all the outside projects?

Derek J: Oh yes I still go to work, that’s what pays my bills.  Going to work pays my bills.  All the extra stuff that buys my shoes, my bags, and everything else (he laughs).  I go to work everyday.  I work Tuesday through Saturday when I’m in town and other than that, I am traveling. 

CPM: With all the T.V. shows and stuff like that, what’s next for you?

Derek J: I don’t know.  I just take it a day at a time.  I don’t really plan that far in the future because you never know what might happen.  I plan my stuff day by day and week by week or as it comes.  So much stuff has been happening to me, I don’t know what be going on.

CPM: Since you’ve been on T.V., do you feel there have been any misconceptions about you?

Derek J: Yes, since I’ve been on television, they think I’m just this over the top DIVA, they think I’m just this real gay queeny type of person.  But no, I’m a businessman. I run a business. I myself am a business. I’m building a brand.  The heels, the bags, and that type of stuff are just a part of my costuming.  At the end of the day, I will step out of these heels and walk just like you and everybody else (laughing).  So all that other extra, I’m not extra like that.

CPM: Talk about some of the clients you have, that you’re servicing?

Derek J: Nicole Ari Parker is a good client and friend of mine.  There’s also Terri Vaughn, Angie Stone, and my salon caters to a lot of other clients too.  You know, I’m very selective of who I choose as a client because I need to make sure they understand me and I understand them.  Just because you’re a celebrity doesn’t mean I want you [as a client].

CPM: What’s your ultimate goal for your career?

Derek J: You know, I don’t know.  My ultimate goal is to keep riding this out (laughing); I’m just living right now.  A lot of people set goals and they just try, try, try to make it to that goal, but if you don’t make it to that goal then what do you do? For me, I just kinda set little small goals here or there.  But as for my career, I don’t know what might happen.  I might be doing something else tomorrow, I don’t know.  So I just live my life and go day by day.

CPM: Celebrity Power Magazine is all about positive stuff.  Anything else you want to share with our readers?

Derek J: All I can say is be the best at what you do.  You don’t have to be the good at everything, just be good at what you do.  That’s my motto and that’s my key and that’s what kept me going.  I’m not trying to be good at everything; I’m just good at what I do.

For more information on Derek J you can follow him on twitter: @jspotsalon