NBC's Olympic 'Makeup Lady'


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LONDON - Tucked away in a backroom at NBC's London Olympics building is a desk so full of stuff that only a true artist could appreciate it.

The artist in question is Kathy Eckenbrecht, a makeup artist from Salt Lake who has been able to do makeup for the Olympics for over a decade making athletes and anchors look good.

"It's a dream come true, really," Eckenbrecht said.

It's a dream and at the same time a struggle to make sure everything is perfect. Millions tune in to the games around the world and with NBC as the only station to cover it for America any blemish will be found.

"There is no room for error here," Eckenbrecht said.

Eckenbrecht still doesn't believe she's here, London is her sixth Olympic Games where she's been hired to do makeup for American athletes who get interviewed on NBC's set and for some of NBC's hosts like Mary Carillo.

"She is very talented at what she does," Carillo said. "She makes me airable. She gets me on air and looking alert and pulled together."

Carillo first met Kathy during the Torino Olympics in 2006 and never forgot her.

"Kathy is the salt of Salt Lake City," Carillo said.

In fact, Kathy has worked with Carillo for so long and knows her well enough that she keeps a special mix of makeup just for Carillo.

"She was great and we have crazy hours here at the Olympics," Carillo said. "We work long hours and I have requested Kathy ever since."

Kathy started with NBC during Salt Lake City's Olympics and has been to every one since. She's humble, but she must be doing something right.

"I hope so," Eckenbrecht said. "So far, so good."

Even though she's been able to meet so many people it's the athletes, who just won gold, she really feels a connection to.

"When they come in for their interviews and they are in a special spot that is absolutely unbelievable," Eckenbrecht said. "They've just done something super-human and they are so happy."

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