A F F I L I A T E D

01. T H E H A I R S T Y L I S T

Ursula Stephen

June 30, 2011. Oakland, CA. Oracle Arena.

1:30 pm

Stepping off the tour bus I yawned; we stopped to eat before heading to the arena and the combination of food and relaxation on the thirty minute drive here was taking it's toll. Considering the fact that I didn't get much sleep last night, I could really use the nap.

Looking across the parking lot at the row of twenty equipment trucks, I smiled in anticipation of tonight's event. Another city, another show. Last night we were in Anaheim, two weeks ago it was Chicago, last week Canada and Vegas is up next. This was just the beginning, there are about fifty more places to stop before the LOUD tour is over.

Life as a hair stylist to the stars is pretty crazy, but it's a life that so many people would kill for and for that I have nothing to complain about.

"Piggy back ride!!"

I heard a familiar voice say, turning around just in time to see Melissa run full force off the bus and jump on Robyn's back almost knocking her over. Jenna, who was probably giving Rob a rundown of the sound check schedule, caught Rob's blackberry right before it hit the concrete.

"Damn Mel, I got on a dress! You trying to break my back and my phone with your big ass thighs?"

Jumping down, Mel grabbed Rob's hat and placed it on her head, "You got insurance."

"On my phone", Rob playfully popped her on her ass then tried to snatch the hat back. "Not my back."

Mel dodged her then frowned rubbing her behind, "Oww! As much time as you spend on it, you better get that bad boy insured."

"Shit you right! This is my money maker," Robyn said as she bent over to twerk.

"Yall hoes aint got no good sense."

We all laughed before proceeding towards the arena. This was what life was like on the road for us, jokes and craziness.

"I've got hoes!" Rob yelled the beginning of the chorus to Ludacris' song while holding on to her fitted and shaking her head like he did in the video.

I joined in singing the background part, "I've got hoessss"

"In different area codes..."

"Area", Mel took over the background vocals as she placed her arm around me & Jenna's shoulder.

"Area codes"

Doing a pimp walk behind Rob the three of us sang the last line together, "Codesss"

Our laughter echoed throughout the parking lot. We had a ritual for every tour that we did and for this one we sang "Area Codes" when we arrived at an arena the day of the performance. It may seem crazy but it worked for us. We've been through so much over the past few years that we've become more like sisters. And crazy or not we can't function otherwise.

Light screams could be heard as we approached the arena side entrance. It wasn't the normal huge crowd of people, because it was still early, but there were always a few fans that stand where the buses are hoping to catch a glimpse of someone they recognize. Today, about ten people stood behind the barricades with their posters, CDs and whatever else they had hoping to get Rihanna to sign for them. And unless we were completely behind schedule, she always did.