Taylor Babaian

I have had a challenging yet extraordinary life thus far. Like many, I have had a difficult childhood and even experienced homelessness. When I was in high school, I moved in with a Black family in the projects during the time of the L.A. riots. It was also the time when I ate the best (thanks, Mom!). Life got even harder after that. I had my first child a month before my 21st birthday, and my second after my 22nd birthday. I became driven to give my children a different life than the one I’ve had. Thankfully, my hard work paid off and I rose to the top of my industry as a celebrity makeup artist and published three books. I also supported my husband through undergraduate and law school. When he graduated, he urged me to follow my dream of earning a college degree.

The first time I enrolled in college was in 1992, the year after the internet became public. When I announced my return on social media, responses often read “Oh, you’re so brave!”. Why brave? What’s going to happen to me? But it did take bravery. Everything was new to me, including norms that most students don’t think about, like how to study or take a test. The first time I read an academic paper, I thought the abstract was the full paper. I used to look up dozens of words for every page I read!

And yet, it did get easier. I learned to ask everyone questions about everything. At UCLA, my professional accolades didn’t matter. I understood that the average 18-year-old knew a lot more than I did.

I also learned to ignore the noise, and that when people told me something was out of my reach - which I heard often - I realized that they were reflecting upon themselves. Finally, I learned that perseverance is priceless. In June, I graduated Magna Cum Laude with College and Departmental Honors. I was awarded a fellowship and a grant as a research scholar, and I am currently working on launching my brand’s artist program at the International Makeup Artist Tradeshow.

This journey was difficult but not as challenging as my previous life. Many asked me why I worked so hard. I have always seen school as a privilege that many do not get to experience, including my younger self. And that is why I did it: to honor her.

Taylor Babaian
MBA candidate at UCLA Anderson School of Management
Anthropology, Class of 2018