Riverhead woman gets surprise makeover on ‘Rachael Ray Show’
Susan Cataldo never imagined she would have her hair chopped off by actress Jessica Alba on television, but that’s exactly what happened on an episode of “The Rachael Ray Show” Monday.
The Aquebogue resident attended a taping of the show Thursday with her sisters Laura and Marguerite, not knowing that she had been chosen for a live makeover on the show.
“I was completely in shock. I’m still in shock,” Ms. Cataldo, 46, told the News-Review Monday night.
Ms. Cataldo said she applied for the makeover, but the show told her she was not chosen and sent her tickets to the taping instead. Then while sitting in the audience, she found out she was going to receive the makeover.
She joked Monday that she doesn’t even really remember what it felt like being up there. She just remembers staring at the scissors in Ms. Alba’s hand.
Ms. Cataldo said her strawberry blonde locks were so long she was able to sit on the ends of them.
“They probably took off 20 inches,” she said.
Ms. Cataldo’s sister, Laura, who knew what would transpire ahead of time, said she’s happy she was able to help surprise her sister.
“She looks gorgeous,” Laura Cataldo said.
Susan Cataldo said her late husband Robert, who died in 2014, was a big fan of Ms. Alba, who, along with Ms. Ray, “couldn’t have been nicer.”
After getting her hair chopped off she changed into a new outfit, got her makeup done and walked back out on stage to a round of applause from the audience.
“I’m sure somebody else was more deserving of such a wonderful day,” Ms. Cataldo said. “My sisters are awesome to make me feel special.”
Ms. Cataldo said she asked the show’s producers to donate the hair to Locks of Love, a non-profit that provides hairpieces to financially disadvantaged children suffering from long-term medical hair loss.
“I’m hoping my hair will help someone in need,” she said. “I think my husband would have liked that.”
Caption: Susan Cataldo, second from left, is flanked by television personality Rachael Ray, actress Jessica Alba and sisters Laura and Marguerite on the set of the ‘Rachael Ray Show.’ (Credit:’Rachael Ray Show’ courtesy photo.)
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