Exclusive Interview with “Love and Hip Hop: Atlanta” Star Mimi Faust

 

An East Coast native, reality star and entrepreneur Mimi Faust spent her childhood in Virginia, Atlanta and Lost Angeles, before settling in Cobb County, Georgia to raise her daughter. Sadly, Mimi’s childhood was anything but serene; her mother was deeply entrenched in the Church of Scientology, which led to her abandoning Mimi when she was only thirteen years old. Mimi had to grow up quickly and learn to forge her own destiny. In addition to being on “Love and Hip Hop: Atlanta” for the past three seasons, she is the owner of Keep It Clean, Inc. cleaning service, which is a commercial and estate cleaning service in Atlanta. Moreover, this interior decorator in the making has dabbled in remodeling homes of friends and co-stars and has recently ventured into creating her own hair-line of wigs and extensions, adding beauty expert to her list of accomplishments as she uses her business savvy and keen entrepreneurial skills to proudly introduce her new hair-line, “The Maya Collection.” I recently had the opportunity to chat with Mimi about the upcoming season of “Love and Hip Hop: Atlanta”, her love for the shows Empire, Scandal and Fear the Walking Dead, and her beauty secrets. Check it out below!

When you were a kid, what did you want to do when you grew up?

Oh my god, I wanted to dance. I wanted to be a dancer, like a ballerina.

Who were some of your idols growing up?

I really didn’t have idols growing up. I had a really difficult childhood, so I was more worried about what I was going to eat and where I was going to sleep. So, that didn’t leave me a lot of time to be idolizing people.

How has being on “Love and Hip Hop: Atlanta” changed your life?

Well, it’s got its good things and its bad things, its pros and its cons. For the most part, I would say that the lack of privacy is kind of incredible and not being able to just get up and go somewhere. You know, I could just get up and go before and I can’t do that now. I have to think about how I look and if I get seen without any make-up on, and it’s kinda crazy.

So, I’m really curious about the inner workings of reality shows. Are the episodes scripted in any way? How do you guys put together an episode?

Well, what they will do is have the producers talk to all of the cast members and they’ll find out what’s going on in your life. Once they get all that information, they’ll talk to another cast member. In that way, they are able to work out episodes of things that are really happening in our lives.

So, they don’t film you guys 24/7, do they?

No, no, no. Our film schedule is—usually, we find out the night before. Our hours are really crazy and we’ll usually find out the night before. And they’ll say, “Ok, your call time is 9:30 am. They’ll do our make-up, we’ll get dressed and they drive us to our location where the scene will be, we’ll go in. At that time, we’ll find out who we’re filming with because we never know who we are filming with. And, it usually takes us about 6 to 7 hours to get stuff filmed.

Were there any moments last season that you had a really hard time filming?

Yeah, yeah, there were a few. There are always moments where you’re like, “Ah! This is not where I want to be!”

Has there ever been a time when you had to tell them that you just couldn’t film this or that?

Yeah, there have been times where things are so ridiculous that I’ve refused a scene, so, yes, we do have that option.

What can you tell us about the upcoming season of “Love and Hip Hop: Atlanta”?

I can’t tell you anything! (laughs) I don’t even know what’s going on! I know that we’re gonna see some of the old cast there and some new people there, I do know that, but I don’t know who’s going or who’s coming. We find out everything last-minute, pretty much!

What are some of the shows that you are a big fan of right now?

I love “Empire”, “Scandal”…”Fear of the Walking Dead” is my absolute favorite show right now. I just can’t get enough of that show!

It’s funny how “Fear the Walking Dead” and “The Walking Dead” have become the shows where I’m like, “Yeah, don’t call me on Sunday nights because I’m not going to answer!”

Yep, don’t bother me between those hours, yes!

If you could guest star on any show, what would it be?

Right now, it would definitely be “Empire.” I would also like to do “Orange is the New Black.” I like that show, too.

In addition to being on the show, you are involved in a lot of business ventures as well as being a mom. How do you balance all of your responsibilities?

It is extremely hard. I have a really, really, really good assistant and nanny. Because if it wasn’t for her….I mean, she keeps me on time, rights everything down on a calendar—I have a calendar on the wall where she writes down my day-to-day schedule. So, yeah, you just need someone to keep you on track.

What is the inspiration behind your new hair-line, The Maya Collection?

I was wearing this particular hair and I really loved it. I’ve noticed that other hair will shed or get real tangled if you wash it, but this hair didn’t do that. So, I just decided to invest in the company because I really liked their product.

What are some of the beauty secrets that you swear by?

First and foremost, Crest Whitestrips. I swear by them. Have you heard of Wen, the latherless shampoo?

Oh, yes!

Oh my god, it’s so awesome. It’s so awesome! You’ve got to try it. It used to be that you could only get it online but now you can get it at the store as well. It’s really good.

Do you have any hair and make-up tips for busy, working moms or busy women?

Hair, not so much because everyone’s hair is different. Some girls have natural hair and some girls have a weave and some wear wigs, so it’s hard to give tips. As for make-up, I would say just do your brows, your lashes, and your blush—those essential things—and you can take pictures like that and look nice throughout the day.

How would you describe your fashion style?

I would probably describe it as comfortable—fashionably comfortable. I just like to be comfortable. My stylist is always yelling at me to stop wearing all that comfy stuff, and I’m like “No!” I just like to wear my comfy, cute stuff!

What do you enjoy the most about being a part of “Love and Hip Hop: Atlanta”?

Definitely the opportunities that have come from it. So many doors have been opened, which is really nice.

As a self-made entrepreneur, how do you hope to inspire other people?

Hopefully, just by people seeing that it can be done and that I am doing it. I hope, in that way, people are encouraged to go out and do it themselves. I’ve been an entrepreneur for years, so it’s possible to start your own business and do it. You just have to be dedicated and not cut any corners. Make sure your paperwork is right, and make sure that you have a good attorney who can go over any contracts that you may have. Those are some of the most essential things that you will need if you want to start your own business. Make sure you cross all your t’s and dot your i’s.

Make sure you follow Mimi on Twitter at @MimiFaust for news and updates!