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Derrick Rutledge: The makeover artist Having seen life’s ugly side, Washington’s Derrick Rutledge devotes himself to beauty.
“I’m more than just makeup,” says makeup artist Derrick Rutledge, 50, of Washington. “I’m there for support as well.” His client list includes boldface names such as Oprah Winfrey, Patti LaBelle and first lady Michelle Obama. “I still can’t believe I’m here sometimes,” he says.
Marvin Joseph
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THE WASHINGTON POST
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Rutledge works on gospel singer Yolanda Adams during a photo shoot at Roy Cox Studios in Baltimore. Rutledge, who has always battled weight problems, once dreamed of becoming an opera singer, but his voice teacher told him his bulk would never allow him to achieve his goal.
Sean McCormick
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FOR THE WASHINGTON POST
Rutledge at work at a studio in Baltimore. At his heaviest, his 5-foot-7-inch frame carried 565 pounds, and he had a 72-inch waist. Now he sometimes walks with a cane because of damage to his bones and cartilage from the weight. In school, Rutledge was shy and often the target of bullying and teasing. “I took a lot,” he says softly. “It’s too painful.” Food became his comfort.
Sean McCormick
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FOR THE WASHINGTON POST
At Webster University in St. Louis, after realizing a singing career was not to be, Rutledge changed his major to media studies, focusing on a career behind the scenes. He took up photography, which led to his interest in makeup. After graduation, Rutledge returned to Washington, doing makeup for whomever would allow him and learning what he could from library books and jobs at makeup counters.
Marvin Joseph
/
THE WASHINGTON POST
Rutledge backstage with comedian Sinbad and actress Taraji P. Henson at the 2011 New Orleans Essence Music Festival. Rutledge was hired at BET in the early 1990s. Eventually, he was doing the makeup for hosts of all of the network’s programs and guest stars, including a young Beyoncé Knowles. But he rarely left the makeup room and had ballooned to more than a quarter of a ton.
Daymon Gardner
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FOR THE WASHINGTON POST
Rutledge with funk singer Chaka Khan in her dressing room before a performance in New Orleans.
Daymon Gardner
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FOR THE WASHINGTON POST
”He calms me. He knows what to say to me,” says Khan of Rutledge. He has worked for her for 15 years. At far right is Valerie Jarrett, senior adviser to President, Obama. She had dropped in to say "hi."
Daymon Gardner
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FOR THE WASHINGTON POST
Khan with singer Ledisi after her performance at the 2011 New Orleans Essence Music Festival.
Daymon Gardner
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FOR THE WASHINGTON POST
Rutledge backstage with singer Patti LaBelle. LaBelle used to do her own makeup until her makeup bag went missing before a Washington performance. Organizers contacted BET, which sent over Rutledge — who is a diehard fan of LaBelle’s. Eventually, he left BET to join her tour. He traveled with her for 15 years, during which he was dogged by weight problems.
Daymon Gardner
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FOR THE WASHINGTON POST
Rutledge works on Oprah Winfrey's face. Winfrey saw Michelle Obama’s portrait on the cover of Time magazine in 2009, and “I said to myself, ‘Who did that?’ ” Winfrey recalls. She hired Rutledge. “The first lady comes first. When she doesn’t need him, I get second dibs,” Winfrey says.
George Burns
Rutledge works out daily with a trainer. In 1999, he underwent gastric bypass surgery. Today, he is down to 265 pounds and a 44-inch waist — the smallest he has been since junior high school. He spends at least 30 minutes a day in hotel gyms when he travels. He remembers what the first lady tells him about working out: “You’re not doing this for now, but for 10 years from now.”
Sean McCormick
/
FOR THE WASHINGTON POST
Rutledge shows off his former size in the back yard of his Northwest Washington home. He hopes his new body will lead to love, possibly even his first relationship.
Marvin Joseph
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THE WASHINGTON POST
Rutledge before his weight loss.
Louis Myrie
Rutledge, one of six children, works on his mother, Regina Rutledge, in her home in Northeast Washington. She was a teacher, then principal at Drew Elementary.
Marvin Joseph
/
THE WASHINGTON POST
Rutledge with his mother, Regina Rutledge. She is undergoing chemotherapy in her second bout with cancer in two years. Her husband, William, died three years ago at 80.
Marvin Joseph
/
THE WASHINGTON POST
“I feel very good about myself now,” Rutledge says.
Marvin Joseph
/
THE WASHINGTON POST
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