Did you know that a hometown hair and makeup powerhouse works with some of the biggest names in entertainment? 

Meet Emily Bochette. 

As a Cookeville girl, athlete, and firehall loiterer (as daughter of former Fire Chief Daryl Blair), Emily didn’t forecast a career spent glamming celebrities as her future. 

“My career picked me, I didn’t pick it. I got laid off from my dream job when COVID hit. When I lost my job, I didn’t have anything to do and still wanted to work, so I did hair and makeup for weddings. In 2020 alone I did 57 events,” she stated. “A really close friend encouraged me to actually make this a career and go to hair school, and I went. After graduating, I took a job and eventually got referred to Brittany Aldean (wife of country star Jason Aldean), my first celebrity client. She then referred me to others and it dominoed from there.”

Among the many stars who’ve sat in Emily’s chair, names like Katelyn Brown (wife of Kane Brown), Jessie James Decker (country singer and bestselling author), Caleigh Hardy (wife of Hardy), Summer Pardi (wife of Jon Pardi), Raelynn (country singer and the Voice contestant), and Tia-Clair Toomey (Australian weightlifter and six time CrossFit Games winner) make the list. When asked what it’s like to work with celebrities and their significant others, Emily focused on the human side of her job.  

She said, “You grow into relationships with these people. That’s what has propelled my career, relationships. It’s very personal. I’m in their homes. I have so much access, that it truly is a trust-based relationship that you grow into. They are growing in fame and I’m just along for the ride and get to put the tiara on top.”

To focus solely on Emily’s successes would be a disservice to the fullness of her story. Despite enduring true suffering, Emily sees her personal challenges as a vehicle for encouraging other women to shape the lives of their own choosing, despite hurdles and heartaches. 

“In 2021 we had an unplanned pregnancy which started an infertility journey. During this unknown period in which I almost died from an ectopic pregnancy, we became committed to having a baby and got pregnant with Rocco a couple of weeks before starting infertility treatments. Rocco is truly our miracle baby.” She continued, “I want moms to know that you can still have your career. It’s not over because you have children. It’s not over because you want to have a full life. My career is shaped by family, not hindered by it. Everyone thinks you should work 8-5, contribute to a 401k, and then retire, but our world has changed. I literally wear my child and work. My career revolves around my life and I want others to know you can have a career and a family while having the life you’ve always wanted.” 

From awards shows, music videos, and photo shoots featuring household names to the local who walks into her shop, Emily views her vocation as a chance to spread hope and self-confidence. By being vulnerable and authentic, she beautifully represents our community on the grandest stages and the quietest moments every day. We’re so proud to feature Emily Bochette as a Mover and Shaker and think her own words serve as the perfect ending for this article. 

“When someone enters your shop, you’re given the opportunity to pull back the drape of shyness, self-doubt, self-criticism, self-esteem issues and reveal a side of them that they never knew existed. I’m not giving anyone confidence, I’m just revealing it. I truly feel like the women that sit in my chair leave it with an extra shimmer, a sparkle.” She concluded, “I want to plant seeds that blossom down the road. If they dream of doing something big, I want to help them believe it’s achievable.”

– by Andrew Buckner, photos by Abby Weeden