Frederic Aspiras

Frederic Aspiras is a Vietnamese-Filipino-American wigmaker and hairstylist. Growing up in the Bay Area, Aspiras faced pressure regarding his career choices, a common experience due to his parents’ refugee background. His mother, a hairdresser, recognized his early talent and influenced his path into the beauty industry. He initially gained experience doing commercial hair and makeup work in San Francisco. Aspiras later moved to Los Angeles in 2004 with limited resources, starting over in his career. He took various freelance jobs, many unpaid, to build his reputation.

A significant turning point in Aspiras’s career came when he secured a role as the hair and makeup artist for Paris Hilton. This one-off opportunity evolved into a three-and-a-half-year engagement, during which he toured internationally with Hilton. After this period, he was approached to work with Lady Gaga, initially for a two-month theater tour. This collaboration extended into a lasting partnership of almost 15 years, where he became her personal hairstylist and wigmaker. His work has been featured in major productions, including “American Horror Story: Hotel” (2015–2016) and “A Star Is Born” (2018).

In 2021, Aspiras earned an Academy Award nomination in the Best Makeup and Hairstyling category for his work on the film “House of Gucci.” He was co-nominated with Göran Lundström and Anna Carin Lock for this achievement. This nomination marked a significant milestone, making him only the second Asian person to be nominated in this category. Beyond his technical skills, Aspiras has used his platform to advocate for kindness, perseverance, and representation. He aims to inspire younger generations, particularly Asian Americans and queer individuals, to pursue their dreams and find their place in various industries.