Muse of the Week: The Story of Princess Shaw
Born in Chicago, Samantha Montgomery moved to New Orleans in 2006. By day, she works as a caregiver for the elderly, and by night she fearlessly performs as Princess Shaw online and at local, open mics.
Inspired by her personal joy and pain, from past and present, Princess’ lyrics resonate with honesty and emotion in a very visceral way. It’s this truth that inspired her collaborator Kutiman as well as the emerging fans who have discovered their viral hit GIVE IT UP.
Samantha's documentary directed by Ido Haar will release in theaters and on demand May 27th, 2016. It was the official selection of SXSW Film Festival 2016 and the Toronto and Jerusalem International Film Festivals of 2015. "When an extraordinary artist recognizes another from across the world, and their talents come together, it brings the idea of collaboration and creativity to a whole new level." - Ido Haar
I recently met up with Princess Shaw on her first ever visit to New York City! I had not seen "Presenting Princess Shaw", the documentary in which she is picked from obscurity off of Youtube by Kutiman , before our photo shoot. I did however review the materials provided by her team at Magnolia Pictures and felt she would, indeed, make a perfect Boy Meets Girl muse… what an incredible story! Samantha a/k/a Princess Shaw walked into our shoot ready to rock and roll – seriously, she posed like she had been modeling her whole life. She had just come from a press junket for the documentary the night before at the MoMA and was leaving the next day for more press in New Zealand. When I asked her how she was feeling about this Bieber-escque journey she was on she said, simply, said, "Blessed. Humbled." Nobody deserves the kind of success she's having now more than Samantha. She had to suffer though much hardship and struggle to get here. I did get a sneak peek of the movie after the photoshoot and it truly is an amazing story. A real story about life, struggle, connection and art. Learn more about Princess Shaw in my Q&A interview below and check out her movie next week! Thank you Samantha for being this week's Muse. Keep doing your thing. xx Stacy
1. Are you a Subway or Car (via, uber, lyft or other (bus/walk /etc) girl?
Car.
2. Favorite spot to be creative?
Anywhere inspiration strikes.
3. Causes you advocate for?
Victims of abuse
4. Favorite quote?
"Rock Sauuuuuuce" & "Live, Love, Laugh"
5. Tell us about your last moment you shared with someone?
I met a girl on my travels with the film and she shared her story with me. It was nice to know that people trust me enough to open up.
Photography: Spencer Kohn
Creative Director/Stylist: Stacy Igel
Production coordinator: Puja Singh
Hair/Makeup/Nails: Caravan Stylist Studio
Hair products: OGX , Makeup products, POP Beauty & PIXI Beauty and Nail products: Color Club Nail
Location shots: THE GREGORY
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