Tuesday Donaldson
Lord, how I love them Southern guls. They’re very upfront and none come more forthcoming than Ms. Tuesday Donaldson. Her casual demeanor mixed with Southern wit and charm made the interview a very entertaining and relaxed endeavor. This public relations maven who attends Florida A&M University has been involved with the music industry for some time now.
Sometimes, you’re just destined for the success that is placed in front of you. With Florida’s explosion in the rap game, Ms. Donaldson has been there before us abroad even knew what was going to hit us. Having worked the first annual Ozone Awards, TJ’s DJ’s and being a helpful part of the Core DJ’s Retreat -- Ms. Donaldson knew her calling before the phone rang.
In this interview, Tuesday Donaldson sits down with Beauty & Brains as she talks about how modeling is only a hobby, discusses the highs and lows of being an event planner/PR and talks a little bit about T-Pain… or should I say Faheem!
B&B: Contrary to your pictures, you’re not trying to be a model, correct?
TD: No, I’m not. It was just a hobby. For the longest, people were telling me to try it out. So, I linked up with a photographer and I did my first shoot and it came out well. I can release my stress and do me in front of a camera. But I do not consider myself a model. I’m an average girl… I just like to try new things. A lot of people have dreams and don’t act upon their dreams. I used my resources and it was a cool experience.
B&B: As an event planner – how does your physical beauty help and hinder your career?
TD: As far as help, it’s a little bit easier to deal with people. It’s always easier when you look a certain way. People look for a certain image; for a certain thing. Especially when you deal with men, they’re more susceptible to go with your ideas. But on the other end, because you posed in front of a camera and all that people will think that you’re dumb. Someone thought that that’s all that I’m into and that I was sleeping with people to boost my career. But I’ve had everything established prior to taking these photos.
B&B: You’re one of the few exceptions where I’ve seen a woman be supremely motivated while still in college. What sparked you to be on the grind so early?
TD: I considered myself an old soul. I’ve been raised by a lot of older people. The things that young teenagers go through, I went through early. By the time I was 14-15, I had already been through those phases. I had lost my virginity, smoked and drank, so when I go to college it has been grind time.
B&B: Is being an event planner something that you’d want to do with yourself as a full-time career?
TD: Not necessarily. Event planning is cool. I like working with the media, I like working with the artists. I know I’m good at that, but I’ve crossed that bridge already. I want to be able to move on to other things and not limit myself.
B&B: Now, you’ve been involved in quite a few hip-hop events. How was it to coordinate show rehearsals and the performance schedule for the Artist Showcase at the Core DJ’s Retreat in Atlanta, Georgia?
TD: It was very hectic. I love it though because it was a challenge. The artists wanted different things. Most people buckle under the pressure, but I am happy working with people. I had no complaints, I was able to stretch myself thin and make things work. The most trying thing was communication between the staff and the artist. There are so many different things that people are being told. I had to make sure that everyone is under one accord and it was hard trying to get people to all hear the same thing.
B&B: As a pretty face, did the artist’s take you seriously when you were handling the artist relations during the JMJ Awards Presentation?
TD: Yeah… at the time I had just shot the pictures. No one really saw them. I had been on the scene for awhile, but at the same time I got respect. People have seen me grow up within the industry. I’ve been handling business. They’re more accepting now, but they don’t treat me any different then they have been.
B&B: What was the most demanding task that you had to do when working for TJ’s DJ’s Inc.?
TD: Oh, hell… the Ozone Awards followed that and that was the most demanding thing. The communication between the staff and everyone else was non-existent. I came in as the clean-up woman trying to clean up everyone’s mistakes. But it was what it was and I enjoyed it none the less.
B&B: What would you say has been the most memorable moment in your career, so far?
TD: The Ozone Awards… the company, period, gave me a lot of opportunity. It opened up so many doors, so that couldn’t take anything away from me because it gave me that seal of approval. I wasn’t a fluke and I am more than just a pretty face. I got the job done and did it efficiently.
B&B: How do your fellow students relate to what you do?
TD: My fellow students know about it and people used to wonder what I did. They never really knew what I did before, but everyone who has a business venture is more open and want to work with me. I’m doing a little bit more networking. A few take it as a joke because they don’t see me hands on, but that’s fine.
B&B: We just did an interview here with Julia Beverly and you also have the distinction of being at the 1st Annual Ozone Awards in Orlando, Florida. I’m sure the networking there was insane. Who’s one person that you connected with that you were even surprised that you got to talk to?
TD: One person who I really connected with was the director of A&R at Shady Records. He was really cool. He was participating in all the events, but he was really open. This guy is alongside Eminem and it was cool. He was really humble and down to Earth. I would have to say that there was no one who was really negative. People were pissed that things weren’t running the right way, but no one came off as just nasty. The environment was just lax. When you cross over the Mississippi line, we just take it a lot easier. That’s why so many people flock to the South because you don’t have to worry about people bumping into and then having to fight because of that.
B&B: You were very active in high school and you’re pursuing your Bachelors of Science in Public Relations. What is one key to being a PR?
TD: Communication. You have to know how to effectively communicate with the public and relay that to the company. You have to tell them what the people want. That’s all a PR person does. They do the research of what the people want and what the company has to do to give the people what the want. When I used to ride the bus, I used to trip out on the little nuiance of what people. I knew T-Pain when he was Faheem. I was born in Tallahassee and we grew up on Ridge Road and 25th. We were right across the street from one another. When I started working with TJ’s [DJ’s], he would always come into the studio to work and show off his demo.
B&B: Aside from the struggles that come with the job – where do you hope this takes you in the end?
TD: In the long run, I am really focused on establishing my company. I want to make sure that I do it right. I want to have longevity and I want my name to reign supreme in this industry as far as being the girl that makes things happen. I have only done a little bit, so far, but I want to do more. Eventually, I would love to work for and have major clients. Ultimately, I want to have success to where my name holds enough weight to where people know that people know that I mean business and I can handle it very well.
Sometimes, you’re just destined for the success that is placed in front of you. With Florida’s explosion in the rap game, Ms. Donaldson has been there before us abroad even knew what was going to hit us. Having worked the first annual Ozone Awards, TJ’s DJ’s and being a helpful part of the Core DJ’s Retreat -- Ms. Donaldson knew her calling before the phone rang.
In this interview, Tuesday Donaldson sits down with Beauty & Brains as she talks about how modeling is only a hobby, discusses the highs and lows of being an event planner/PR and talks a little bit about T-Pain… or should I say Faheem!
B&B: Contrary to your pictures, you’re not trying to be a model, correct?
TD: No, I’m not. It was just a hobby. For the longest, people were telling me to try it out. So, I linked up with a photographer and I did my first shoot and it came out well. I can release my stress and do me in front of a camera. But I do not consider myself a model. I’m an average girl… I just like to try new things. A lot of people have dreams and don’t act upon their dreams. I used my resources and it was a cool experience.
B&B: As an event planner – how does your physical beauty help and hinder your career?
TD: As far as help, it’s a little bit easier to deal with people. It’s always easier when you look a certain way. People look for a certain image; for a certain thing. Especially when you deal with men, they’re more susceptible to go with your ideas. But on the other end, because you posed in front of a camera and all that people will think that you’re dumb. Someone thought that that’s all that I’m into and that I was sleeping with people to boost my career. But I’ve had everything established prior to taking these photos.
B&B: You’re one of the few exceptions where I’ve seen a woman be supremely motivated while still in college. What sparked you to be on the grind so early?
TD: I considered myself an old soul. I’ve been raised by a lot of older people. The things that young teenagers go through, I went through early. By the time I was 14-15, I had already been through those phases. I had lost my virginity, smoked and drank, so when I go to college it has been grind time.
B&B: Is being an event planner something that you’d want to do with yourself as a full-time career?
TD: Not necessarily. Event planning is cool. I like working with the media, I like working with the artists. I know I’m good at that, but I’ve crossed that bridge already. I want to be able to move on to other things and not limit myself.
B&B: Now, you’ve been involved in quite a few hip-hop events. How was it to coordinate show rehearsals and the performance schedule for the Artist Showcase at the Core DJ’s Retreat in Atlanta, Georgia?
TD: It was very hectic. I love it though because it was a challenge. The artists wanted different things. Most people buckle under the pressure, but I am happy working with people. I had no complaints, I was able to stretch myself thin and make things work. The most trying thing was communication between the staff and the artist. There are so many different things that people are being told. I had to make sure that everyone is under one accord and it was hard trying to get people to all hear the same thing.
B&B: As a pretty face, did the artist’s take you seriously when you were handling the artist relations during the JMJ Awards Presentation?
TD: Yeah… at the time I had just shot the pictures. No one really saw them. I had been on the scene for awhile, but at the same time I got respect. People have seen me grow up within the industry. I’ve been handling business. They’re more accepting now, but they don’t treat me any different then they have been.
B&B: What was the most demanding task that you had to do when working for TJ’s DJ’s Inc.?
TD: Oh, hell… the Ozone Awards followed that and that was the most demanding thing. The communication between the staff and everyone else was non-existent. I came in as the clean-up woman trying to clean up everyone’s mistakes. But it was what it was and I enjoyed it none the less.
B&B: What would you say has been the most memorable moment in your career, so far?
TD: The Ozone Awards… the company, period, gave me a lot of opportunity. It opened up so many doors, so that couldn’t take anything away from me because it gave me that seal of approval. I wasn’t a fluke and I am more than just a pretty face. I got the job done and did it efficiently.
B&B: How do your fellow students relate to what you do?
TD: My fellow students know about it and people used to wonder what I did. They never really knew what I did before, but everyone who has a business venture is more open and want to work with me. I’m doing a little bit more networking. A few take it as a joke because they don’t see me hands on, but that’s fine.
B&B: We just did an interview here with Julia Beverly and you also have the distinction of being at the 1st Annual Ozone Awards in Orlando, Florida. I’m sure the networking there was insane. Who’s one person that you connected with that you were even surprised that you got to talk to?
TD: One person who I really connected with was the director of A&R at Shady Records. He was really cool. He was participating in all the events, but he was really open. This guy is alongside Eminem and it was cool. He was really humble and down to Earth. I would have to say that there was no one who was really negative. People were pissed that things weren’t running the right way, but no one came off as just nasty. The environment was just lax. When you cross over the Mississippi line, we just take it a lot easier. That’s why so many people flock to the South because you don’t have to worry about people bumping into and then having to fight because of that.
B&B: You were very active in high school and you’re pursuing your Bachelors of Science in Public Relations. What is one key to being a PR?
TD: Communication. You have to know how to effectively communicate with the public and relay that to the company. You have to tell them what the people want. That’s all a PR person does. They do the research of what the people want and what the company has to do to give the people what the want. When I used to ride the bus, I used to trip out on the little nuiance of what people. I knew T-Pain when he was Faheem. I was born in Tallahassee and we grew up on Ridge Road and 25th. We were right across the street from one another. When I started working with TJ’s [DJ’s], he would always come into the studio to work and show off his demo.
B&B: Aside from the struggles that come with the job – where do you hope this takes you in the end?
TD: In the long run, I am really focused on establishing my company. I want to make sure that I do it right. I want to have longevity and I want my name to reign supreme in this industry as far as being the girl that makes things happen. I have only done a little bit, so far, but I want to do more. Eventually, I would love to work for and have major clients. Ultimately, I want to have success to where my name holds enough weight to where people know that people know that I mean business and I can handle it very well.
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