Interview With Tabatha Coffey

AE: Now there's you, there's Patricia Field, there's The L Word; do you think the stereotype of the frumpy, unfashionable lesbian is dead?
TC: [laughs] Oh God, I hope so! I think it's great to see more gay women in the media. For a long time it was gay men that ruled the media, and I think it's great that there are great gay women out there that are role models.

AE: Coming off that question, if you think of the term "lesbian hair," what does that make you think of? [laughs]
TC: Oh God! [laughs] I guess I would have to think of mine, because I look at myself in the mirror every morning and I'm a lesbian, so I guess it's my hair. [laughs]

Photo credit: Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images

AE: We recently interviewed one of this season's contestants on Shear Genius, Dee Adames, and she suggested that everyone step away from the faux-hawk and go toward the fullet. I don't really understand what that is.
TC: To me that thing goes into that whole stereotypical thing. I think you need to do what's comfortable for you. I mean honestly, I'm just me. Yes, I happen to be a lesbian, but I'm me. Being a lesbian's part of who I am. Dressing how I dress is part of who I am. So I hate those kind of stereotypical things that go along with it.

AE: Do you have any advice on how you should approach your stylist in order to get a good haircut?
TC: It's really communication. Most of the time when people walk out of a salon and hate their hair, it's because the hairdresser hasn't asked the right questions. You need to know what you do, what kind of lifestyle do you lead. Are you really active, do you have time to put into blow-drying your hair or flat-ironing it. If a client comes in, especially with a picture or thought in mind, is it realistic?

The hairdresser has to reality check the client, and say, "Listen, you're looking for something that is sleek and smooth and straight, and you've got really thick, curly hair; are you prepared to put the work into it to get it there."

So it's really about that communication, and if a hairdresser is not communicating with a client, whether you've been there once or a thousand times … and they're not taking a look at you, then they're not holding up their end of the bargain, and they're not really caring for you as a client should be cared for.

AE: So what's up next for you? Are you back at your salon? Would you do another season?
TC: Oh, absolutely, my fingers are crossed. … I absolutely would because I've had a blast doing this show, and I would be honored to do another one. …

I've got a few things that I'm working on. I'm working on a product line, and I'm thinking of maybe opening another salon … and if I get another season, that would be fantastic as well.