Maria Margarita Endicott: Halsey's Brand Manager and Board Member for about-face
Introduce yourself to us! What do you do in the industry? Where are you from?
Hiii my name is Maria Margarita Endicott (my new last name yay). I’m from a quiet border town called Sierra Vista, Arizona, roughly 15 minutes north of the Mexican border. I’m Halsey’s brand manager and a Board Member at their makeup company, about-face.
How did you get your start in the industry, and how long have you been in the industry?
I’ve been in the industry (including all my interning, which definitely counts!), for roughly 8 years. My trajectory was pretty non-traditional…I was a junior studying at the University of Arizona when I moved to LA for modeling. There’s a lot of overlap in the fashion and music world so while I was modeling full-time, I started interning at music companies here and there, it was kinda like my side hustle. I started freelancing as a production assistant then went on to be an intern at NBC Universal in the TV Music department, which was fun. I was an A&R intern at Atlantic records, and that was my last internship before I started with Halsey as her assistant.
When did you know being in the business is what you wanted to do? Was there a specific moment where you were like “oh god, this is what I want to do for the rest of my life”?
Yes, actually. It had nothing to do with my school or interning experience haha. Back in 2013, I was a patron at a music festival (which is such a crazy concept to me now because I hardly ever go to festivals just for fun anymore). I studied abroad in Australia and I came back to the US with some Aussie friends and did a big festival run. I remember I was at Austin Psych Fest watching one of my favorite bands, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club. I was in the crowd and having this like spiritual moment, looking up into the sky, listening to this band play these loud fucking guitars, blowing my face off and I remember thinking “I wanna live here. I wanna be here and be a part of live music”. Be careful what you wish for - because thaaaat’s what I got. But I swear to god I will remember that moment forever.
Is there anything you struggled with (or even still do struggle with) being in the industry?
Imposter syndrome - not sure that will ever completely go away, ha.
What is the best part of your job? Why?
Oh man, I love my job, I genuinely do… that’s going to be tough to pinpoint…I love my team, I love the projects we work on together - it’s a beautiful thing being able to help fulfill someone else’s vision you genuinely believe in on such a grand scale. Those are the best parts I suppose.
I also love that my days are different. I love getting to work on different projects, going on tour and festivals, or being on set. The constant variation keeps me on my toes and constantly learning. I’m never bored.
What is it like working at a beauty brand with Halsey rather than the other stuff you work with them on?
Ash and I have so much fun working together on about-face - playing with formulas, coming up with shade names, designing packaging, planning campaigns etc. Makeup is a completely different art form than the usual projects, it’s all very playful and creative!
Do you see yourself staying in the music side of things or venturing outside of that? I’ll always be involved in music to some degree. I love it! Music moves me in ways other things can’t. It’s a lifelong passion and I’m incredibly grateful I’ve been able to turn parts of it into a career. Now, I’m married to a songwriter/musician so it’s kind of inescapable at this point.
Is there someone who you consider as your mentor in the industry?
I’ve had some really strong and inspiring women in my life that have looked out for me/cheered me on in different stages of my career:
Mollie Lehman - VP of A&R at Atlantic Records
Tara Beaudine - Halsey’s Business Manager at PSBMGMT
Michele Jubelirer - CEO of Capitol Records
Despite how busy we get in the music industry, I truly appreciated the time these women made for me over the years. I’ve always valued those moments.
What advice do you have for women who want to get their start in the music industry?
Work hard and when you feel like you want to give up, keep going.
Be kind to everyone, even when you don’t feel like it.
What are some of your other hobbies? What do you do in your free time (which we know can be very hard to find)?
I am really into fitness, I do all the things: boxing, cycling, yoga. My gym is my community. Movement makes me happy. I also love reading, film, fashion, and meditation.
Who is your all-time favorite artist?
Julian Casablancas from The Strokes.
What is something you can't live without?
My sound machine and my earplugs.
Go-to Karaoke song?
“That Don’t Impress Me Much”. Shania Twain’s the shit.
Tea or Coffee?
Coffee, for sure.
First concert you went to?
I can’t remember my first concert, but I remember my first music festival. It was in 2012 and it was Parklife Music Festival in Sydney, Australia. It was the first time I ever saw Tame Impala - which was fucking bananas.
Who is your dream artist or band to work with?
Honestly, I can’t imagine a better gig than what I have now.
What does a typical day at work look like for you?
As mentioned prior, every day is different. But I start every day the same. I wake up, I brew my coffee, I meditate, read, and work out. Some days I am on set, some days I am in the studio, some days I am flying to Tokyo, or in a fitting. I couldn’t replicate the same day.
Where do you see yourself in five years?
I try to stay open to opportunities so it’s hard to say…I certainly imagine myself still at this company. The next couple of years will definitely bring about changes in my personal life, because I want to have kids. I guess in 5 years, you’ll hopefully find me backstage or on set somewhere with a baby on my hip, still doing what I love.
What do you hope to see done in the industry within the next few years?
For the planet’s sake, a more sustainable way of touring.
What are you most proud of?
Family first, then my career. I’m one of six kids, my siblings and I are second generation who grew up in small town America. It’s pretty remarkable to see where we’ve all ended up in life. We’re so blessed to have parents who deeply love and supported us growing up, we couldn’t have done it without their sacrifices.
Lastly, what saying do you live by?
Be here now.
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