CR 012: Debi Young on Bringing Kindness, Authenticity, and Artistry to Every Project

The award-winning makeup artist discusses her work on "The Wire," her proudest career moment, and why she always aims to lead with love.

Photo courtesy of Debi Young

There are a couple of things you should know about Debi Young.

First, you know her work, even if you may not recognize her name. She’s provided the makeup for some of the most notable film and television projects of the past 30 years: The Wire, Mare of Easttown, Treme, The Wiz Live!, Jackie, Fences, Queen Sugar, Castle Rock, True Detective, Watchmen, Leave the World Behind, and Shirley—just to name a few. Her work has earned her an NAACP Image Award for We Own This City, as well as four Emmy Award nominations. She’s been profiled in Vanity Fair, has worked with some of the biggest names in the entertainment industry, and is Mahershala Ali’s go-to makeup artist.

Second, once you meet Debi Young, you realize that all the bona fides and accolades—as deserved as they are—are the least impressive things about her. She has a calmness that puts whomever she is speaking with at ease. Interviewing her is less of a question-and-answer session and more like connecting w…