Author: Charie Van Dyke

Who Is Andrea Alcala?

Andrea is someone who always wanted to do great things with makeup. She came to New Image College to learn everything she could. She worked hard in class, stayed focused, and gave it her all. She was always the kind of student who didn’t give up—even when things got tough.

Her Instagram handle is @akristina, and you can check out her makeup looks there. You’ll see how creative and detailed her work is.

After finishing school at NIC, she went into the makeup world ready to work. And now, all that hard work has paid off in a huge way.

What Did Andrea Work On?

Andrea worked on the FX show Shōgun. It’s a big, epic show with lots of detail and big characters. It’s set in the past, with warriors, leaders, and lots of powerful scenes. The way everyone looks on screen—the hair, the clothes, and especially the makeup—is a huge part of why the show feels so real.

Andrea’s job was to do makeup that fits the time period. That’s what the Emmy category was about—"Period Or Fantasy/Sci-Fi Makeup" without prosthetics (which means no fake noses or masks—just makeup).

This kind of makeup is not just about making someone look nice. It’s about telling a story through how someone looks. And Andrea did it perfectly. That’s why she won.

What Is an Emmy Award?

In case you’re not too into TV stuff, let’s make it simple.

The Emmy Awards are the biggest awards for television. They’re kind of like the Oscars, but for TV shows instead of movies. If you win an Emmy, it means your work is the best of the best.

There are lots of Emmy categories—acting, writing, directing, music, and yes, makeup.

Andrea won one of the technical Emmys. These are given at the Creative Arts Emmy Awards, which happen before the main Emmy show. These awards focus on behind-the-scenes work—like costumes, sound, and makeup.

Even though these are called the "creative arts" awards, they are just as important. Without this kind of work, the shows wouldn’t be nearly as good.

How Big Is This Win?

This is huge.

Winning an Emmy is not something that happens every day. A lot of people work in TV for years and never win one. Andrea won one fairly early in her career. That says a lot about how good she is.

Also, it’s not just any show. Shōgun was one of the biggest shows of the year. Everyone was talking about it. And to win for makeup on a show like that? That means Andrea’s work stood out even in a big, fancy, high-budget project.

It’s not easy to get noticed in a show with so many moving parts. But Andrea made it happen.

What Does This Mean for NIC?

At New Image College, we always say that hard work and real skill can take you far. Andrea is a real example of that.

She started here as a student, just like many others. She practiced, learned from her teachers, and worked on her craft. And now she’s standing on one of the biggest stages in TV.

This win is also a big deal for our current students. It shows them that dreams can come true if you stick with it. Andrea was once sitting in the same classrooms, using the same brushes, and working on the same kind of projects. And now, she has an Emmy.

We hope this makes everyone at NIC feel proud. Because this win is a win for all of us.

What’s Next for Andrea?

We’re pretty sure this is just the start.

Once you win an Emmy, people notice. More job offers, more shows, maybe even movies—there are so many doors that can open.

Andrea’s work speaks for itself. She knows how to make people look right for a scene, whether it’s something set in the past, a fantasy world, or even something modern. That’s a gift, and the world is starting to see it.

Whatever comes next, we’ll be cheering for her.

A Message to Andrea

Andrea, if you’re reading this—we are so proud of you.

Your win means a lot to everyone at NIC. Your journey is proof that hard work and passion really can lead to amazing things. We hope you’re celebrating big-time (you deserve it).

We can’t wait to see what you do next. And we’ll always be here, cheering you on.

One Last Thing

Sometimes we all need a good reminder that big dreams can come true. Andrea Alcala’s story is one of those reminders. She took her passion for makeup, worked hard, learned everything she could, and now she has one of the top awards in the world.

She’s living proof that if you stay focused and keep doing the work, big things can happen.

Everyone at New Image College is proud, happy, and thankful to have been a part of her story.

So once again, big cheers to Andrea—and here’s to even more great things ahead!

To learn more or connect with New Image College, click here!