Who was Latisha Chong? Tributes pour in as renowned hairstylist dies aged 32

Famous hairdresser Latisha Chong has died at the age of 32 after a long battle with cancer. On August 20, the New York Times reported that Chong passed away from metastatic breast cancer in July 2022 in Manhattan, New York. However, her death did not receive much coverage at the time.

Latisha Chong has her name associated with working with several A-listers such as Serena Williams and Tracee Ellis Ross.

Everything you need to know about Latisha Chong and her career highlights

A native of Trinidad and Tobago, Latisha Chong moved to the United States with her family when she was six years old.

At the age of 19, she enlisted in the US Air Force and served there before deciding to pursue a career as a professional hair stylist. In 2014, she received an honorable medical discharge from the military. She then enrolled at Charleston Southern University, South Carolina, and earned a degree in biology in 2017.

Chong’s interest in the profession began to develop at the age of 10, when she was sweeping the floors of a salon where her mother also worked as a hair stylist. She learned the tricks of the trade from her mother and later applied them to eventually move up in the industry. Additionally, for inspiration, she frequented salons based in Flatbush, Brooklyn that primarily catered to Caribbean people.

While speaking to The New York Times, Chong’s sister Afesha revealed:

“Black hair is a family thing in our neighborhood. Everyone comes to the salon on Saturday and you learn to nourish your hair but also your soul. Latisha picked it up quickly.”

Latisha began working professionally alongside Michelle Jones and went on to become a world-renowned designer. She has worked with several Hollywood and world personalities including Serena Williams, Ziwe, Tracee Ellis Ross, Jeremy O. Harris, Adut Akech, among others, throughout her illustrious career.

Twitter reacts to the death of Latisha Chong

Twitterati expressed their grief at the death of Latisha Chong at such an early age due to metastatic breast cancer. Several Twitter users paid tribute to the late hairstylist who left his mark on the world of black hair history.

In memory of LaTisha Chong we say goodbye as she rests today. PATTERN salutes her hair artistry. We are very grateful for the contribution she made to our hair story.

We had the opportunity to work with LaTisha on our Expand Your Pattern campaign. Here are some of

In memory of LaTisha Chong 💛 we say goodbye as she rests today. PATTERN salutes her hair artistry. We are very grateful for the contribution she made to our hair story. We had the opportunity to work with LaTisha on our Expand Your Pattern campaign. Here are some of https://t.co/jjXPyRW8Gt

While speaking to WWD media, Ellis Ross revealed the details of her first meeting with the talented designer and recalled her journey with Latisha:

“I met Latisha in September 2021 when we worked together on my Harper’s Bazaar cover, styled by editor-in-chief Samira Nasr and shot by Renell Medrano, and she created some epic curls for that editorial. Then I got to play with her again for the 2021 Met Gala, where she cut and styled a sleek, angular bob to go with my Balenciaga look.”

The actress also spoke about her collaboration with Chong:

“I then brought her in to create rich, textured styles for ‘Expand Your Pattern,’ an international campaign for my hair care line, Pattern Beauty.”

Expressing her gratitude for being able to work with him, Ross sent her condolences to Chong’s family, saying:

“Latisha had a real love for naturally textured hair and that’s what brought our work together. I am so grateful for the contribution she made to my hair story and the hair story I’m telling through Pattern. Sending all love to her son, family, friends and loved ones.”

Her last high-profile work was with Serena Williams for her September 2022 Vogue cover, where she was confined to a wheelchair.

Latisha Chong is survived by her twelve-year-old son Malachi, parents Darlene and Garrick, and sisters Afesha and Tenisha.