Riverhead woman gets surprise makeover on ‘The Rachael Ray Show’
Susan Cataldo of Riverhead, middle, with actress Jessica Alba, left, and Rachael Ray, right, during a taping of "The Rachael Ray Show" in Manhattan on Thursday, Sept. 8, 2016. Credit: The Rachael Ray Show / David M. Russell
Susan Cataldo of Riverhead had quite a surprise when she went with her sisters to be audience members at a taping of “The Rachael Ray Show.”
Her sisters had nominated her for a makeover on the show, with actress and businesswoman Jessica Alba doing the styling honors.
Cataldo had been keeping her hair long, at least waist-length, the past few years, as that’s the way her late husband liked it, said a publicist for the show.
But, as time passed, Cataldo felt she was ready to make a change.
On the show, which was taped on Thursday and aired Monday morning on WABC/Channel 7, Alba, a pair of scissors in hand, asks Cataldo whether she’s willing to take the plunge.
“If I can donate it,” a grinning Cataldo said of her strawberry blond locks.
As Ray bundles the hair into a ponytail, Alba mentions that her daughter donated her cut hair to Locks of Love, a nonprofit that provides hairpieces to financially disadvantaged children who have long-term medical hair loss.
Then the big decision is made — just how short to go.
Alba turns to the audience for guidance, and then with a snip, snip, snip is soon holding the tail of the pony, so to speak.
Off Alba and Cataldo go for the rest of the restyle, which was revealed at the show’s conclusion.
To audience applause, Cataldo walks onstage wearing a cobalt blue, form-fitted and curve-enhancing dress with black open-toe, ankle booties. Her hair is now softly curled and closer to shoulder length. All this with the help of Alba and her hairdresser and makeup artist.
“Oh my God, you have a waist,” Ray says, telling Cataldo how gorgeous she looks.
“Yes, it is amazing what they did,” Cataldo says.
