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Monica Bailey; Elevating people in Spectacular ways!


Attractive, professional, and successful African American Woman

I met Monica at Radio City Music Hall when I was fortunate enough to nab a job doing hair for

the Christmas Spectacular in 2016. (It was one of the most wonderful experiences of my life!)

Monica works in guest relations year-round, and during the Christmas Spectacular, runs one of

the stage elevators that take performers and crew from the dressing area to the stage and

back. It’s not your regular elevator operator job, there are queues for when to be on what floor

at what time, who you’re supposed to pick up, what floor to drop them off, etc—it's exhausting

to think about it. But Monica does it with grace, patience, and an unflappable attitude.

We are friends on Instagram and Facebook and have stayed in touch over the years. When I

first opened Astoria Headshots, back in 2020, I remembered her attitude and charisma. So, on

her birthday I asked her if she would let me take her headshots as a present. Due to different

events happening at the time, the COVID pandemic being one of them, and other things since

then, the timing wasn’t right. We stayed in touch and, this past August, I reached out and she

was ready. So, I was grateful to take the opportunity to meet with and shoot her. The

experience was worth the wait.

I like to get to know people while I shoot them because, in my opinion, it helps to get

spontaneous expressions if I can get them to recall a moment or time in their life when I bring it

up. I am happy that I took the opportunity to get to know Monica.

She grew up in Brooklyn and in high school majored in dance, then continued to study dance

at Brooklyn College. After finishing her bachelor’s degree, Monica’s talent and drive afforded

her the opportunity to work with a variety of dance groups and companies: on stage, in music

videos, and in other types of projects.

Being in a place where she could follow another passion -helping others- Monica worked as a

literacy volunteer, which led to a teaching position in the BEGIN program, a welfare-to-work

initiative that focused on employment, education, and skills training. She helped to teach

women to become self-sufficient, helped them finish their GED, prepared them for job

interviews, and gave them the chance to see themselves in a better light so they could become

successful.

Through her education and daily affirmations, she not only taught her students how to get more

from life but learned a lot herself. The job helped prepare her for the future and allowed her to

give back to the community! She is proud and grateful for the success stories of her students

and that she could be a part of them.

When the contract with the BEGIN initiative ended, she decided to get back into the

entertainment industry and began by doing auditions and acting in off-Broadway shows. In

2001, she landed a job on the CBS reality show, “Big Brother” and made it all the way to final

three. She said people still recognize her today from the show and it was an important life

experience.

“Big Brother” opened the door for many opportunities. She has continued to hone her craft by

taking acting classes and has stayed close to the industry by working as an usher on

Broadway, and as mentioned before, at Radio City Music Hall.

It was kismet that we reconnected in August and that she allowed me to do her headshots

because Monica felt it was time to restart her acting journey, which is why she was ready for

new headshots.She’s excited to be moving forward with her next adventure and knows that, in life, when one

door closes, another will always open when the time is right.

Working with Monica was a true joy and pleasure. We talked a lot during our shoot, and we

both had the opportunity to share a many life experiences. She was easy to coach having

some previous rapport. In her shots, it’s easy to see her kindness, understanding, excitement,

confidence, and life success.

Thank you Monica for allowing me to be a small part of your journey and I look forward to

seeing where you will go next!

2 Comments


monicab4091
Nov 02

It was absolutely a joy working with you Paul. You're a gem!! Thank you🥰

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Paul Spataro
Paul Spataro
Nov 04
Replying to

Thank you Monica, the feeling is mutual and I am so grateful to have taken your headshots! You’re a special person and I’m happy to know you. 🙏🏼

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