Grammy
Award-winning singer, songwriter and actress LeToya Luckett wants heads to
turn.
The
former Destiny’s Child group member – turned solo artist – is the new face and
spokeswoman for Luster Product’s Pink brand Smooth Touch product line. She was
at the southwest suburban Evergreen Park Walmart store Saturday talking to teen
and young adult women about the new line.
The
stop was part of her national appearances at retail outlets.
"I'm
happy to be a part of a Chicago-based family. Luster has been in the
beauty business for years. It says a lot about the brand. Also, I've been using
(Luster's) Pink Oil Moisturizer since I can remember. The fact that I'm now the
face of something that I use means a lot to me," she told the Defender.
For
more than 50 years, Chicago-based Luster Products has been a top supplier of
Black hair care products. The company’s warehouse and plant are located in
suburban Blue Island. Luster's has branch offices in South Africa and London.
"They're
keeping it moving. A lot of these hair care companies aren't keeping up with
the youth, and how things are changing. In my opinion, they're doing a great
job," the singer said.
And
there is an added bonus for Luckett, who has some familial ties to the beauty
industry.
"My
grandfather is a beautician and he still uses Luster products. It’s so cute to
hear him call for products, like, 'You think they'll send me a shipment of
relaxer kits,'" she laughed.
The
Smooth Touch line consists of relaxer kits and a number of products suitable
for all hair types.
"Everything
is made with olive oil and different organic products. The thing that I love
about the brand is that it's a natural product. It's not heavy and it
definitely helps to condition and moisturize the hair, " Luckett said.
Not one
for relying soley on her looks, the R&B songstress has made a foray into
acting. She has a recurring role in the HBO series, Treme'.
"It's
really different. I'm excited about it. I've always wanted to be an actress. I
studied it (acting) when I was young," she told the Defender.
While
filming in New Orleans, Luckett took trips around the city and witnessed the
devastation of Hurricane Katrina.
"It's
real out there. It's real," she said of the destruction.
The
budding actress will star alongside Academy Award-nominated actress Taraji P.
Henson, and actors Michael Clarke Duncan and Henry Simmons in an independent
feature film, From the Rough. It tells the story of the first African American
female coach of an NCAA Division 1 golf team.
Luckett
plays the role of college athlete – a swimmer.
"It's
about athletic accomplishment, but it's a great story for everyone," she
said.
Luckett
also has another project to complete, her third solo album.
"I'm
working on it. The studio is fun to me...actually listening to songs and
writing different things," she said. The as-yet-titled disc is expected in
September.
The pretty-face
Luckett with her long, slender frame said seeing her image plastered in the
beauty aisle of CVS and Walmart can be a bit jarring.
"It
was weird at first,” she said of seeing her face on Luster’s products. “It's a
lot of fun though.”
Luckett
had a long line of fans and well-wishers, but contends that these events ground
her.
"I'm
a relatable person. I'm not one of the untouchables. People understand what
I've been through. This is why I do events like this. It definitely goes along
with the Luster's brand," she said.
Copyright
2011 Chicago Defender
