FIrst things first; you have so many things going on! How has your summer been so far?
Well, I just finished Broadway Bares this past weekend. We raised 1.2 million in the two show event, so this summer has been pretty dang great!
How did you get involved in being one of the premier Broadway hairstylists? What are some of your favorite experiences on the Great White Way?
Wow I have so many… I remember walking through the stage door for the first time for the Broadway production of “Spring Awakening’s”. What a rush for this Jersey boy who dreamed his whole life to work on Broadway. Growing up, my mother would bring me into the city for my birthday to see a Broadway show. Now,I go to the same theaters to work and create Broadway magic. Walking through the stage door and walking up the stairs to the sixth floor hair room was a dream come true.
When I was asked to do hair for the last “ABC Daytime Soaps Does Broadway”, I got to do Susan Lucci’s hair. My mother was a huge “All My Children” fan, and getting to hang out and style the sweet and small Susan Lucci made for an amazing night. My gay little heart just fainted when I got to tell my mother I did “Erica Kane’s” hair! There are so many more experiences that I cherish, but those are the two that stand out most.
You’re heavily involved in not only the iconic Broadway Bares, but now Broadway Bares Fire Island! How did you get involved in such an amazing event with such a worthwhile cause?
Broadway Cares/ Equity Fights Aids is such an amazing cause. During my first full time show, the Patti Lupone revival of “Gypsy”, I was introduced to the fundraising efforts of BC/EFA’s Easter Bonnet. That was it. The actors, the staff and crew are truly loving and caring people coming together and raising money for those who are living with HIV and AIDS. I was asked that year to take over as Hair Design / coordinator for Broadway Bares. I had no clue the total craziness it entailed!; 156 dancers, celebrities and performers needed to be styled. Gathering close to 50 Broadway and salon hairstylists to volunteer their time to work together with the 100 person MAC makeup team to create the sexiest and most beautiful show on earth was amazing. Now with DKOYE: The Product, I can help even more and sponsor all the products to make this show an even bigger success.
Two years ago, Broadway Cares started Broadway Bares In the Pines at Fire Island & it was a huge success. Because of the generous folks on Fire Island / The Pines, we stayed in guest houses. Such a beautiful 2 days bonding and coming together to recreate past shows for a very small intimate show. Just like “big” Bares, we pull out all the stops. MAC sends a team and we have hair and wigs, and of course, DKOYE sponsors the event.
You work consistently with some true legends, like Elaine Page, and you recently designed the DKOYE smoothing cream specifically for Bernadette Peters! What was that like
I am truly blessed to have these amazingly creative and inspirational people in my life. I was introduced to these two lovely ladies backstage at “Follies at the Marquis on Broadway”. As I write this, I am waiting to go work the Tony Awards and get to see these two amazing ladies backstage! Having done many of the cast’s personal hair and all the boy’s haircuts, one day I was asked to see Elaine Paige in her dressing room between shows. I walked in to her dressing room and this amazing lady said she has seen my work and wanted to get my advice for her hair. I melted into a puddle. The rest is history, and I am lucky enough to now be Elaine Paige’s US hairstylist.
Having my own hair Product line, I gave them out for opening night gifts. I gave the cast DKOYE: The Control. I would go into the theater early to get the wigs ready for the show. One day I was there working and the door to the hair room opened and it was Bernadette Peters. She looked around and said “Oh! I was just looking for you.”. There was a split-second moment of WOW! She asked about my product line and had some questions. She used to use a combo of products that she used and as hair care product line’s do, they had changed their formula. She asked if I had a leave in conditioner, and at the time I did not. I told her to use DKOYE: The Curl and DKOYE: The Cream. From then on, we played with what she used. She loved it, but there was something missing. I took a small sample of what she loves and went to my chemist and created DKOYE: The Smoothing Cream. She was such a huge asset to making this product, and her feedback has been amazing. I was having trouble with the name and she said, “DKOYE: The Smoothing Cream!” Yes, Bernadette Peters named my leave in conditioner!
Who says that!? Crazy, just crazy. I sometimes can’t believe what the universe puts in my path. Just amazing! I love it. This is even funnier- I was backstage at the Tony’s this morning and who comes running up to me with her hair clipped up and semi wet, but Bernadette Peters! She had DKOYE: The Smoothing Cream in her hair!
You’ve recently stepped from behind the chair to create your own line of hair products, DKOYE! Tell me about them.
Yes, my little project. This was truthfully just a one time thing to promote myself at a fashion show I designed hair for. I wanted to give a small hairspray in the gift bag to promote myself. Well, that was not an easy thing. I found a chemist in CA to create my hairspray. I had to do a lot of research for what I wanted in the hairspray. So DKOYE: The Hairspray was born. Ever since that, many people backstage and on set said it was amazing and I should come out with more. So I flew to CA and created my 10 product line. I reformulated my hairspray so you can choose what strength you need out of one can. Just turn the nozzle and choose your control. From there, I always keep my clients in line. Doing photo shoots and seei
ng models hair get put through the ringer. I believe that products should enhance your hair, not make it harder to work with. There are so many products out there that flake and leave you hair heavy and straw like. DKOYE is made to enhance your hair and to inspire you to do your hair. So many clients have a drawer of product and tuck products away, but with DKOYE, I want people to show it off, just like you show off your hair. When you look good, you feel good. Just looking at my product, rhinestones catch your eye. We all know that if someone has amazing hair, it catches your eye. Yes, being a person who loves me some bling, each bottle of my product is hand rhinestoned to create beauty and sparkle. It makes me smile!
So many of your Jersey fans remember you from your legendary stint as Miss Paradise (to date, the only reigning Miss Paradise to cascade off the roof of the Empress Hotel in the middle of Tea Dance)! What are some of your best memories of your reign as Miss Paradise?
My first memory I remember as clear as a bell is when I won Miss Paradise. Working so hard to make sure everything was perfect and putting the best package together as I could and working with so many talented people to make it come true. I remember walking out for the evening gown competition and walking down the runway. I heard a fan yell out “I love your lip color,” which just made my smile even bigger. That whole night was so much fun. And stressful. A start of an amazing chapter in my life, where I made bonds and friendships that are strong to this day.
Miss Paradise was a truly a huge stepping stone in my life. Being a part of the Jersey drag and club scene was truly amazing. The truly most memorable moment was flying over the pool at Shep’s first ever t-dance. I was so nervous having to do a test run early the day of. Not in drag, but heals on and all. We had 5 lesbians pulling me back and forth across the line. I remember it was time to cascade down for the first time. Then they stopped me to sing fly robin fly. And there went the music. The CD player over heated! So there I was as I was called “the human piny adds” and it started all over again. What a rush! There were so many people watching and cheering. A first for me and everyone at Shep’s first t-dance!
At the end of my reign , Shep pulled me aside on a Monday after tdance and said he has gotten me tickets to see Chitti Chitti Bang Bang. This was an amazing time. This would be the beginning of not just my future but my career. How the universe makes things happen.
Everyone has a “bucket list” of people they would love to work with. Who are a few people out there that you would love to work with, but haven’t gotten the chance to yet?
Hmmm bucket list. I think of this as a visionary board. To get where you want to go you need to envision it. I have done a lot on my “bucket list”. Hmmmmm. Bette Midler, Jennifer Lopez, Katy Perry. I’m sure these will all happen in due time.
What’s next for Daniel Koye?
Just getting my product line into salons and retailers in the US. I have a couple of TV shows I’m working on, and a really hot movie. It’s gonna be amazing. The sky is the limit!
Daniel Koye is a true Jersey success story. From his start on the Great White Way to working with true Broadway royalty, Daniel has shown us that anyone can make their dreams a reality. I got a chance to sit down with Daniel, where we chatted about everything from his famous stint at the Miss Paradise Pageant in Asbury Park to working with the amazing “Broadway Bares”, and how Bernadette Peters actually named one of his products.
First things first; you have so many things going on. How has your summer been so far?
Well, I just finished Broadway Bares this past weekend. We raised 1.2 million in the two show event, so this summer has been pretty dang great!
How did you get involved in being one of the premier Broadway hairstylists? What are some of your favorite experiences on the Great White Way?
Wow I have so many… I remember walking through the stage door for the first time for the Broadway production of “Spring Awakening’s”. What a rush for this Jersey boy who dreamed his whole life to work on Broadway. Growing up, my mother would bring me into the city for my birthday to see a Broadway show. Now,I go to the same theaters to work and create Broadway magic. Walking through the stage door and walking up the stairs to the sixth floor hair room was a dream come true.
When I was asked to do hair for the last “ABC Daytime Soaps Does Broadway”, I got to do Susan Lucci’s hair. My mother was a huge “All My Children” fan, and getting to hang out and style the sweet and small Susan Lucci made for an amazing night. My gay little heart just fainted when I got to tell my mother I did “Erica Kane’s” hair! There are so many more experiences that I cherish, but those are the two that stand out most.
You’re heavily involved in not only the iconic Broadway Bares, but now Broadway Bares Fire Island! How did you get involved in such an amazing event with such a worthwhile cause?
Broadway Cares/ Equity Fights Aids is such an amazing cause. During my first full time show, the Patti Lupone revival of “Gypsy”, I was introduced to the fundraising efforts of BC/EFA’s Easter Bonnet. That was it. The actors, the staff and crew are truly loving and caring people coming together and raising money for those who are living with HIV and AIDS. I was asked that year to take over as Hair Design / coordinator for Broadway Bares. I had no clue the total craziness it entailed!; 156 dancers, celebrities and performers needed to be styled. Gathering close to 50 Broadway and salon hairstylists to volunteer their time to work together with the 100 person MAC makeup team to create the sexiest and most beautiful show on earth was amazing. Now with DKOYE: The Product, I can help even more and sponsor all the products to make this show an even bigger success.
Two years ago, Broadway Cares started Broadway Bares In the Pines at Fire Island and it was a huge success. Because of the generous folks on Fire Island / The Pines, we stayed in guest houses. Such a beautiful two days bonding and coming toget
her to recreate past shows for a very small intimate show. Just like “big” Bares, we pull out all the stops. MAC sends a team and we have hair and wigs, and of course, DKOYE sponsors the event.
You work consistently with some true legends, like Elaine Page, and you recently designed the DKOYE smoothing cream specifically for Bernadette Peters. What was that like?
I am truly blessed to have these amazingly creative and inspirational people in my life. I was introduced to these two lovely ladies backstage at “Follies at the Marquis on Broadway”. As I write this, I am waiting to go work the Tony Awards and get to see these two amazing ladies backstage. Having done many of the cast’s personal hair and all the boy’s haircuts, one day I was asked to see Elaine Paige in her dressing room between shows. I walked in to her dressing room and this amazing lady said she has seen my work and wanted to get my advice for her hair. I melted into a puddle. The rest is history, and I am lucky enough to now be Elaine Paige’s US hairstylist.
Having my own hair Product line, I gave them out for opening night gifts. I gave the cast DKOYE: The Control. I would go into the theater early to get the wigs ready for the show. One day I was there working and the door to the hair room opened and it was Bernadette Peters. She looked around and said “Oh! I was just looking for you.”. There was a split-second moment of WOW!
She asked about my product line and had some questions. She used to use a combo of products that she used and as hair care product line’s do, they had changed their formula. She asked if I had a leave in conditioner, and at the time I did not. I told her to use DKOYE: The Curl and DKOYE: The Cream. From then on, we played with what she used. She loved it, but there was something missing. I took a small sample of what she loves and went to my chemist and created DKOYE: The Smoothing Cream. She was such a huge asset to making this product, and her feedback has been amazing. I was having trouble with the name and she said, “DKOYE: The Smoothing Cream!”
Yes, Bernadette Peters named my leave in conditioner!
Who says that!? Crazy, just crazy. I sometimes can’t believe what the universe puts in my path. Just amazing! I love it. This is even funnier- I was backstage at the Tony’s this morning and who comes running up to me with her hair clipped up and semi wet, but Bernadette Peters! She had DKOYE: The Smoothing Cream in her hair!
You’ve recently stepped from behind the chair to create your own line of hair products, DKOYE! Tell me about them.
Yes, my little project. This was truthfully just a one time thing to promote myself at a fashion show I designed hair for. I wanted to give a small hairspray in the gift bag to promote myself. Well, that was not an easy thing. I found a chemist in California to create my hairspray. I had to do a lot of research for what I wanted in the hairspray. So DKOYE: The Hairspray was born. Ever since that, many people backstage and on set said it was amazing and I should come out with more. So I flew to California and created my 10 product line. I reformulated my hairspray so you can choose what strength you need out of one can. Just turn the nozzle and choose your control. From there, I always keep my clients in line. Doing photo shoots and seeing models hair get put through the ringer. I believe that products should enhance your hair, not make it harder to work with. There are so many products out there that flake and leave you hair heavy and straw like. DKOYE is made to enhance your hair and to inspire you to do your hair. So many clients have a drawer of product and tuck products away, but with DKOYE, I want people to show it off, just like you show off your hair. When you look good, you feel good. Just looking at my product, rhinestones catch your eye. We all know that if someone has amazing hair, it catches your eye. Yes, being a person who loves me some bling, each bottle of my product is hand rhinestoned to create beauty and sparkle. It makes me smile!
So many of your Jersey fans remember you from your legendary stint as Miss Paradise (to date, the only reigning Miss Paradise to cascade off the roof of the Empress Hotel in the middle of Tea Dance)! What are some of your best memories of your reign as Miss Paradise?
My first memory I remember as clear as a bell is when I won Miss Paradise. Working so hard to make sure everything was perfect and putting the best package together as I could and working with so many talented people to make it come true. I remember walking out for the evening gown competition and walking down the runway. I heard a fan yell out “I love your lip color,” which just made my smile even bigger. That whole night was so much fun – and stressful. A start of an amazing chapter in my life, where I made bonds and friendships that are strong to this day.
Miss Paradise was a truly a huge stepping stone in my life. Being a part of the Jersey drag and club scene was truly amazing. The truly most memorable moment was flying over the pool at Shep’s first ever Tea Dance. I was so nervous having to do a test run early in the day. Not in drag, but heels on and all. We had 5 lesbians pulling me back and forth across the line. I remember it was time to cascade down for the first time. Then they stopped me to sing “Fly Robin Fly”-and there went the music. The CD player over heated! So there I was as I was called “the human piny adds” and it started all over again. What a rush! There were so many people watching and cheering. A first for me, and for everyone at Shep’s first Tea Dance!
At the end of my reign , Shep pulled me aside on a Monday after Tea Dance and said he has gotten me tickets to see “Chitti Chitti Bang Bang”. This was an amazing time. This would be the beginning of not just my future but my career. How the universe makes things happen.
Everyone has a “bucket list” of people they would love to work with. Who are a few people out there that you would love to work with, but haven’t gotten the chance to yet?
Hmmm bucket list. I think of this as a visionary board. To get where you want to go you need to envision it. I have done a lot on my “bucket list”. Hmmmmm. Bette Midler, Jennifer Lopez, Katy Perry. I’m sure these will all happen in due time.
What’s next for Daniel Koye?
…Just getting my product line into salons and retailers in the US. I have a couple of TV shows I’m working on, and a really hot movie. It’s gonna be amazing. The sky is the limit!
FIrst things first; you have so many things going on! How has your summer been so far?
Well, I just finished Broadway Bares this past weekend. We raised 1.2 million in the two show event, so this summer has been pretty dang great!
How did you get involved in being one of the premier Broadway hairstylists? What are some of your favorite experiences on the Great White Way?
Wow I have so many… I remember walk
ing through the stage door for the first time for the Broadway production of “Spring Awakening’s”. What a rush for this Jersey boy who dreamed his whole life to work on Broadway. Growing up, my mother would bring me into the city for my birthday to see a Broadway show. Now,I go to the same theaters to work and create Broadway magic. Walking through the stage door and walking up the stairs to the sixth floor hair room was a dream come true.
When I was asked to do hair for the last “ABC Daytime Soaps Does Broadway”, I got to do Susan Lucci’s hair. My mother was a huge “All My Children” fan, and getting to hang out and style the sweet and small Susan Lucci made for an amazing night. My gay little heart just fainted when I got to tell my mother I did “Erica Kane’s” hair! There are so many more experiences that I cherish, but those are the two that stand out most.
You’re heavily involved in not only the iconic Broadway Bares, but now Broadway Bares Fire Island! How did you get involved in such an amazing event with such a worthwhile cause?
Broadway Cares/ Equity Fights Aids is such an amazing cause. During my first full time show, the Patti Lupone revival of “Gypsy”, I was introduced to the fundraising efforts of BC/EFA’s Easter Bonnet. That was it. The actors, the staff and crew are truly loving and caring people coming together and raising money for those who are living with HIV and AIDS. I was asked that year to take over as Hair Design / coordinator for Broadway Bares. I had no clue the total craziness it entailed!; 156 dancers, celebrities and performers needed to be styled. Gathering close to 50 Broadway and salon hairstylists to volunteer their time to work together with the 100 person MAC makeup team to create the sexiest and most beautiful show on earth was amazing. Now with DKOYE: The Product, I can help even more and sponsor all the products to make this show an even bigger success.
Two years ago, Broadway Cares started Broadway Bares In the Pines at Fire Island & it was a huge success. Because of the generous folks on Fire Island / The Pines, we stayed in guest houses. Such a beautiful 2 days bonding and coming together to recreate past shows for a very small intimate show. Just like “big” Bares, we pull out all the stops. MAC sends a team and we have hair and wigs, and of course, DKOYE sponsors the event.
You work consistently with some true legends, like Elaine Page, and you recently designed the DKOYE smoothing cream specifically for Bernadette Peters! What was that like
I am truly blessed to have these amazingly creative and inspirational people in my life. I was introduced to these two lovely ladies backstage at “Follies at the Marquis on Broadway”. As I write this, I am waiting to go work the Tony Awards and get to see these two amazing ladies backstage! Having done many of the cast’s personal hair and all the boy’s haircuts, one day I was asked to see Elaine Paige in her dressing room between shows. I walked in to her dressing room and this amazing lady said she has seen my work and wanted to get my advice for her hair. I melted into a puddle. The rest is history, and I am lucky enough to now be Elaine Paige’s US hairstylist.
Having my own hair Product line, I gave them out for opening night gifts. I gave the cast DKOYE: The Control. I would go into the theater early to get the wigs ready for the show. One day I was there working and the door to the hair room opened and it was Bernadette Peters. She looked around and said “Oh! I was just looking for you.”. There was a split-second moment of WOW! She asked about my product line and had some questions. She used to use a combo of products that she used and as hair care product line’s do, they had changed their formula. She asked if I had a leave in conditioner, and at the time I did not. I told her to use DKOYE: The Curl and DKOYE: The Cream. From then on, we played with what she used. She loved it, but there was something missing. I took a small sample of what she loves and went to my chemist and created DKOYE: The Smoothing Cream. She was such a huge asset to making this product, and her feedback has been amazing. I was having trouble with the name and she said, “DKOYE: The Smoothing Cream!” Yes, Bernadette Peters named my leave in conditioner!
Who says that!? Crazy, just crazy. I sometimes can’t believe what the universe puts in my path. Just amazing! I love it. This is even funnier- I was backstage at the Tony’s this morning and who comes running up to me with her hair clipped up and semi wet, but Bernadette Peters! She had DKOYE: The Smoothing Cream in her hair!
You’ve recently stepped from behind the chair to create your own line of hair products, DKOYE! Tell me about them.
Yes, my little project. This was truthfully just a one time thing to promote myself at a fashion show I designed hair for. I wanted to give a small hairspray in the gift bag to promote myself. Well, that was not an easy thing. I found a chemist in CA to create my hairspray. I had to do a lot of research for what I wanted in the hairspray. So DKOYE: The Hairspray was born. Ever since that, many people backstage and on set said it was amazing and I should come out with more. So I flew to CA and created my 10 product line. I reformulated my hairspray so you can choose what strength you need out of one can. Just turn the nozzle and choose your control. From there, I always keep my clients in line. Doing photo shoots and seeing models hair get put through the ringer. I believe that products should enhance your hair, not make it harder to work with. There are so many products out there that flake and leave you hair heavy and straw like. DKOYE is made to enhance your hair and to inspire you to do your hair. So many clients have a drawer of product and tuck products away, but with DKOYE, I want people to show it off, just like you show off your hair. When you look good, you feel good. Just looking at my product, rhinestones catch your eye. We all know that if someone has amazing hair, it catches your eye. Yes, being a person who loves me some bling, each bottle of my product is hand rhinestoned to create beauty and sparkle. It makes me smile!
So many of your Jersey fans remember you from your legendary stint as Miss Paradise
(to date, the only reigning Miss Paradise to cascade off the roof of the Empress Hotel in the middle of Tea Dance)! What are some of your best memories of your reign as Miss Paradise?
My first memory I remember as clear as a bell is when I won Miss Paradise. Working so hard to make sure everything was perfect and putting the best package together as I could and working with so many talented people to make it come true. I remember walking out for the evening gown competition and walking down the runway. I heard a fan yell out “I love your lip color,” which just made my smile even bigger. That whole night was so much fun. And stressful. A start of an amazing chapter in my life, where I made bonds and friendships that are strong to this day.
Miss Paradise was a truly a huge stepping stone in my life. Being a part of the Jersey drag and club scene was truly amazing. The truly most memorable moment was flying over the pool at Shep’s first ever t-dance. I was so nervous having to do a test run early the day of. Not in drag, but heals on and all. We had 5 lesbians pulling me back and forth across the line. I remember it was time to cascade down for the first time. Then they stopped me to sing fly robin fly. And there went the music. The CD player over heated! So there I was as I was called “the human piny adds” and it started all over again. What a rush! There were so many people watching and cheering. A first for me and everyone at Shep’s first t-dance!
At the end of my reign , Shep pulled me aside on a Monday after tdance and said he has gotten me tickets to see Chitti Chitti Bang Bang. This was an amazing time. This would be the beginning of not just my future but my career. How the universe makes things happen.
Everyone has a “bucket list” of people they would love to work with. Who are a few people out there that you would love to work with, but haven’t gotten the chance to yet?
Hmmm bucket list. I think of this as a visionary board. To get where you want to go you need to envision it. I have done a lot on my “bucket list”. Hmmmmm. Bette Midler, Jennifer Lopez, Katy Perry. I’m sure these will all happen in due time.
What’s next for Daniel Koye?
Just getting my product line into salons and retailers in the US. I have a couple of TV shows I’m working on, and a really hot movie. It’s gonna be amazing. The sky is the limit!
Daniel Koye is a true Jersey success story. From his start on the Great White Way to working with true Broadway royalty, Daniel has shown us that anyone can make their dreams a reality. I got a chance to sit down with Daniel, where we chatted about everything from his famous stint at the Miss Paradise Pageant in Asbury Park to working with the amazing “Broadway Bares”, and how Bernadette Peters actually named one of his products.
Wow I have so many… I remember walking through the stage door for the first time for the Broadway production of “Spring Awakening’s”. What a rush for this Jersey boy who dreamed his whole life to work on Broadway. Growing up, my mother would bring me into the city for my birthday to see a Broadway show. Now,I go to the same theaters to work and create Broadway magic. Walking through the stage door and walking up the stairs to the sixth floor hair room was a dream come true.
Having my own hair Product line, I gave them out for opening night gifts. I gave the cast DKOYE: The Control. I would go into the theater early to get the wigs ready for the show. One day I was there working and the door to the hair room opened and it was Bernadette Peters. She looked around and said “Oh! I was just looking for you.”. There was a split-second moment of WOW! 
