Meet Antonio Shell

We had the good fortune of connecting with Antonio Shell and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Antonio, looking back, what do you think was the most difficult decision you’ve had to make?
Watching my mother pass away was an indescribably difficult experience. Seeing her fade slowly, knowing that the cancer was winning, felt like a heartbreak that couldn’t be put into words. The hardest part was telling her that she was dying a conversation that stripped away any illusion of hope and left me feeling powerless. It’s not something anyone should ever have to do, and even as the words left my mouth, i felt heavy and wrong. I wanted to protect her from the truth, but in the end, i knew she deserved honesty. The mixture of pain, love, and helplessness in that moment is something that will stay with me forever.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
As a makeup artist, my journey has been anything but easy. I come from humble beginnings growing up on food stamps and in Section 8 housing, where nothing was handed to me. I had to grind hard, putting in countless hours, learning the craft, and building a name for myself without shortcuts or handouts. Every step forward came from pure determination and resilience. I’ve faced challenges that tested my will, but they only fueled my ambition to rise above my circumstances and make a better life for myself. Now, I’m proud of how far I’ve come, knowing that my hard work and persistence are the reasons I’ve succeeded. The same year my makeup career started to take off was also the year I lost my mom, and it felt like my world was crumbling. I wanted to give up on everything. The pain of losing her was so overwhelming that I even thought about ending my own life. It was one of the darkest times I’ve ever faced. But in that darkness, I found strength through my faith in God. I leaned on that faith and the unwavering support of those around me, and they became the reason I’m still here today. It wasn’t easy, but knowing I had people who believed in me gave me the courage to keep pushing forward.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Baseball has always been my favorite sport, though a lot of people don’t know that about me. I’ve been playing since I was a kid, and it’s something that’s always been a part of my life. I’ve spent years honing my skills on the field, and I’m actually really good at it. There’s something about the strategy, the precision, and the feeling of connection with the game that has always stuck with me. It’s been a great outlet and a passion that keeps me grounded, even while pursuing other goals in life.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I would like to give a special acknowledgment to Models Inc. for the incredible impact they’ve had on my life. When I joined the organization in 2007, I had no idea it would lead me to the next chapter of my journey. I didn’t set out to become a model in fact, I joined for a different experience, hoping to break free from the tough circumstances I grew up in, coming from Section 8 housing and the projects. Models Inc. provided me with more than just opportunities; they shaped my path in so many unexpected and meaningful ways. From starting as a model to now working as a celebrity makeup artist, they pushed me to grow into a person I never imagined I could become. I am deeply grateful for their guidance and support, and for helping me transform my life.

Website: www.stylechannelbeauty.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DADq1L9uA4B/?igsh=MWdod2k4NXoxa2dscQ== 

Image Credits
@lachell_a_photography @dreampixx__