By Micheline Bowman

(Photo by Matthew Jordan Smith/TV One)  

When you say the name Mikki Taylor, the first thing that comes to my mind is ESSENCE magazine. Mikki Taylor, the Beauty Director and Cover Editor of ESSENCE magazine and now adding the title of host to her impressive resume. 

While I’m sure there are other women out there who share the same name, but this Mikki Taylor is in a class all by herself.  I was scheduled to talk with her about being the new host of Makeover Manor airing on TV One. 

I met Ms. Taylor years back when she was in D.C. promoting her book “Self Seduction: Your Ultimate Path To Inner  and Outer Beauty.” Her  spirit and energy was so dynamic! This time I had to conduct a phone interview, but the same energy came through the phone as I answered and she happily greeted me with, “Hi it’s Mikki Taylor.” It was like sitting at home and having a conversation with one of my girlfriends.  

 Micheline- What was your motivation for taking on the role of host on Makeover Manor?

Mikki- I have this thing about makeovers. It would perplex me why they didn’t stick to it.  The people had their hair and make up done and two weeks later they were back to their old looks.  Real change happens on the inside.  That change goes back to my book…Self Seduction. It’s dealing with the self from an inner perspective first. This is a golden opportunity to show what meaningful change is all about. On Makeover Manor, every women and man needs a team to help them.  In the manor we have various rooms and experts in each to assist them. Whether it’s nutrition or personal training, lifestyle or hair…there’s someone to help.

Micheline- What’s the criteria you look for when choosing a guest for a makeover?

Mikki- We received over 2000 entries for the first season. We ended up choosing eight from what we call the master-mind…the person you see everyday and they want the best for you. We wanted a master-mind to write in about someone they thought would be a perfect candidate. So many letters just tore at your heart. I remember one particular letter about a mom that did everything for everyone but never herself. These letters would bring you to tears.  Every letter told a story on how much they wanted to help that person take back their life.

Micheline-  How is this job different from what you do at ESSENCE?

Mikki-It was so enlightening and inspiring. This was an awesome experience and because I do makeovers, I enjoyed seeing them through to the end. Words are difficult to describe how happy I was watching the experts who were right there all the way as the makeovers  were carried out. I believe that grown folks shouldn’t have wish list, they should have check list.  For me to be in the director’s chair and be that deciding factor on the final outcome was an amazing experience for me.

Micheline- What is the most rewarding part of your job as the host of the show?

Mikki-For the first episode we made over Kym Whitley (actress/comedienne) but there was a young man named Henry who lost lost around 130 pounds, but he still saw himself in his old body.  I’d have to say witnessing the self-discovery was the greatest gift.  Watching them see themselves for the first time was humbling indeed.

Micheline- Do you follow up with your guests to see how they are following the makeovers?

Mikki- We haven’t set anything in place yet, but I did speak to the sister of one candidate…a young woman who is a police officer. She told me how her sister had such a new lease on life. To hear this and know that she’s still keeping it together is such a great testimony. Once you discovery your new lease on life…there’s no way you are going back. That kind of change is in place to stay.  People tend to keep going and want more. With Kym Whitley, she learned how to love and how to say no to people who put demands on her life. 

Micheline- What’s next for Mikki Taylor?

Mikki-  There are so many things in the works…I think if I could sum it up…I’m going to continue traveling and using all forms of media like ESSENCE. I want to push women and men to be their best.  This is part of the story from our ancestors.  They didn’t leave us a script but if we use courtesy and love, think about what we can do? I want to keep celebrating our lives and how to OWN our lives. 

Micheline- What’s the lasting impression you want viewers to get after watching the show?

Mikki- I’m hoping this is a show you won’t want to miss and not for obvious reasons, but for the mental changes that will take place. I certainly will be watching with fresh eyes.  There’s nothing like this on television. 

Catch Mikki and the premier of TV One’s Makeover Manor on Sunday, May 25th at 8pm. There will also be subsequent episodes airing in the show’s regular time slot on Saturday mornings at 10 A.M. starting Saturday, May 31st. With a team of style, beauty, and spiritual experts to assist with the transformations, this show will be one to watch.