This Simple Mentality Changed La La Anthony’s Career Forever

Key Concepts

360 Program: A prison reform initiative founded by La La Anthony at Rikers Island.
Medicube: A skincare technology brand featuring devices like the "Booster Mode" and "Derma Shot" for enhanced serum absorption and skin hydration.
"Trust Your Gut": A core professional and personal philosophy regarding decision-making and authenticity.
Controlled Fun Chaos: A term used to describe the high-energy, unpredictable environment of the Met Gala red carpet.
Gatekeeping: The act of withholding information about favorite products or tools; Anthony explicitly rejects this practice.

1. Professional Endeavors and Projects

La La Anthony balances a multifaceted career as an actress, producer, and entrepreneur. Key projects include:

Scripted Series: Producing a new series with Kim Kardashian based on their real-life group chat, covering topics like dating, parenting, and friendship.
Reasonable Doubt: Filming the next season of the popular Hulu series executive produced by Kerry Washington.
360 Program: A passion project focused on mentoring incarcerated young men (ages 18–21) at Rikers Island. The program provides resources for housing and employment, with recent successes including a participant earning a full scholarship to Columbia University.
Met Gala Hosting: Serving as a recurring host for the Vogue livestream, a role she describes as being at the "pulse of fashion."

2. Productivity and Time Management

Anthony manages her demanding schedule through a non-traditional approach:

Night Owl Creativity: She identifies as a night owl, noting that her most creative ideas for producing and acting emerge in the middle of the night (often around 3:00 a.m.).
Capture Methodology: She uses voice notes and written lists to track ideas during late-night sessions, refining them the following day.
Support Systems: She emphasizes that her success is impossible without a strong family and professional team to help manage the logistics of her various roles.

3. Beauty and Wellness Rituals

Skincare: Anthony has shifted from a minimalist approach in her youth to a more disciplined routine. She emphasizes the importance of removing makeup before sleep, a habit reinforced by her friend Kelly Rowland.
Tools: She is a vocal proponent of Medicube devices, specifically for their ability to penetrate skincare products into the skin. She also favors products from Shani Darden and Karen Bartov.
Morning Routine: She avoids checking her phone immediately upon waking, opting instead for a moment of gratitude and a simple cleansing routine to set a positive tone for the day.

4. Style and Personal Philosophy

Authenticity: Anthony advocates for "trusting your gut" in both fashion and business. She notes that she previously allowed others to influence her style, which led to discomfort, but now prioritizes what makes her feel confident.
Work-Mode Wardrobe: When in "producer mode," she favors a "gritty" aesthetic, specifically sneakers and sweatpants, to signal that she is focused on work rather than being in front of the camera.
Sneaker Culture: An avid "sneakerhead" with a collection of over 100 pairs, she highlights the importance of women entering the sneaker space, citing Teyana Taylor’s Jordan collaboration as a significant milestone.

5. Notable Quotes

"I'm not gatekeeping. I'm telling you guys. I love it and I never got paid a dollar from them." — On her genuine recommendation of Medicube.
"I'm a person that's up really, really late... that's when I feel like I get creative." — On her nocturnal work habits.
"You can't please everyone. So it goes back to like doing what makes you happy." — On the advice she would give her younger self.
"I feel like I'm talking to my son and like I understand what they're thinking... because I'm a mom of a 19-year-old." — On her motivation for the 360 program.

6. Synthesis and Conclusion

La La Anthony’s success is built on a foundation of authenticity, a strong support network, and a willingness to embrace non-traditional work hours. By integrating her personal values—such as prison reform and self-confidence—into her professional life, she maintains a balance between her roles as a producer, actress, and mother. Her approach to business and beauty is defined by a rejection of "gatekeeping" and a commitment to trusting her intuition, ensuring that her public persona remains aligned with her private reality.