• Celebrity
    • Cardi B and Offset Cover
    • Celebrity News
    • ‘Yes, Girl!’ Podcast
    • Entertainment
    • Black Celeb Couples
    • Celebrity Moms
    • Red Carpet
  • Fashion
    • Digital Cover – Method Man
    • Digital Cover – Zazie Beetz
    • Fashion News
    • Fashion House 2021
    • Street Style
    • Accessories
    • Fashion Week
  • Beauty
    • Black Beauty Awards 2022
    • ESSENCE Hair Awards 2022
    • AVEENO® Skin Health Startup Accelerator
    • MAYBELLINE: FIT ME MATTE + PORELESS
    • Beauty News
    • Skin
    • Makeup
    • Nails
    • Girls United: Beautiful Possibilities
  • Hair
    • Hair News
    • Natural
    • Relaxed
    • Transitioning
    • Weaves
    • 4C
  • Love
    • Love & Sex
    • The Solve Podcast
    • Weddings
    • Parenting
    • Relationships
  • Lifestyle
    • Build Your Legacy 2022
    • Prudential – Dream & Plan with Confidence
    • Black History Month
    • AMEX Platinum Travel
    • Holiday Gift Guide
    • Lifestyle News
    • Coronavirus: Everything You Need to Know
    • Health & Wellness
    • ESSENCE Eats
    • Money & Career
    • Entrepreneurship
    • Travel
    • Food & Drink
    • Black Travel Guide
    • Currency Conversations
  • News
    • Latest News
    • Raise Your Voice
    • Culture
    • Politics
  • Videos
  • Festival
  • Events
    • Road to Festival
    • 2022 Black Women In Hollywood
    • 2022 HOLLYWOOD HOUSE
    • Entrepreneur Summit 2021
    • Wellness House
    • VAX & VIBES Louisiana
    • Girls United Summit 2021
    • She Got Now
    • Fashion House 2021
    • GU Back To School
    • Dear Black Men
    • I Am Speaking
    • WELLNESS HOUSE: YEAR OF RENEWAL
    • Power Tools
    • Making Moves Now: Virtual Bootcamp
    • #EF SESSIONS
    • Cares Act
    • News & Announcements
  • Essence Studios
  • Girls United
  • Subscribe
  • Newsletters

WHERE BLACK WOMEN COME FIRST

Every day we're serving Black women deeply. Come get a plate of goodness! Sign up for daily content and exclusive offers you'll love!

Your email is required.
Your email is in invalid format.
Confirm email is required.
Email did not match.
By clicking Sign Up, you agree to our Terms of Use and that you have read our Privacy Policy
Skip to content
SUBSCRIBE
  • MAGAZINE
  • NEWSLETTER
  • Celebrity
    • Cardi B and Offset Cover
    • Celebrity News
    • ‘Yes, Girl!’ Podcast
    • Entertainment
    • Black Celeb Couples
    • Celebrity Moms
    • Red Carpet
  • Fashion
    • Digital Cover – Method Man
    • Digital Cover – Zazie Beetz
    • Fashion News
    • Fashion House 2021
    • Street Style
    • Accessories
    • Fashion Week
  • Beauty
    • Black Beauty Awards 2022
    • ESSENCE Hair Awards 2022
    • AVEENO® Skin Health Startup Accelerator
    • Beauty News
    • MAYBELLINE: FIT ME MATTE + PORELESS
    • Skin
    • Makeup
    • Nails
    • Girls United: Beautiful Possibilities
  • Hair
    • Hair News
    • Natural
    • Relaxed
    • Transitioning
    • Weaves
    • 4C
  • Love
    • Love & Sex News
    • The Solve Podcast
    • Weddings
    • Parenting
    • Relationships
  • Lifestyle
    • Build Your Legacy 2022
    • Prudential – Dream & Plan with Confidence
    • Black History Month
    • AMEX Platinum Travel
    • Holiday Gift Guide
    • Lifestyle News
    • Coronavirus: Everything You Need to Know
    • Health & Wellness
    • ESSENCE Eats
    • Money & Career
    • Entrepreneurship
    • Travel
    • Food & Drink
    • Black Travel Guide
    • Currency Conversations
  • News
    • Latest News
    • Raise Your Voice
    • Culture
    • Politics
  • Videos
  • Festival
  • Events
    • Road to Festival
    • 2022 Black Women In Hollywood
    • 2022 HOLLYWOOD HOUSE
    • Entrepreneur Summit 2021
    • Wellness House
    • VAX & VIBES Louisiana
    • Girls United Summit 2021
    • She Got Now
    • Fashion House 2021
    • GU Back To School
    • Dear Black Men
    • I Am Speaking
    • WELLNESS HOUSE: YEAR OF RENEWAL
    • Power Tools
    • Making Moves Now: Virtual Bootcamp
    • #EF SESSIONS
    • Cares Act
    • News & Announcements
  • Studios
  • Girls United
Home · News

8 Things to Know About Melina Matsoukas

Melina Matsoukas is not only the director of the pilot for Issa Rae's comedy Insecure but a Grammy-winner and the brains behind hit music videos like "We Found Love," "Pretty Hurts" and many more. From her stellar sense of style to her epic boss moves, this is why you should know who Melina Matsoukas is.

By Dominique Hobdy · Updated October 27, 2020
01
Melina’s World

If you don’t know who Melina Matsoukas is, it’s time to change that. She’s not only the director of the pilot for Issa Rae’s newly picked up comedy ‘Insecure’ but a grammy award winner and the brains behind hit music videos like “We Found Love”, “Pretty Hurts” and much more. From her stellar sense of style to her epic boss moves, this is why you should know who Melina Matsoukas is.

Instagram/Melina Matsoukas
02
Melina’s World

She’s moving on up. Melina is the director behind Issa Rae’s pilot for new comedy ‘Insecure’. The series has just been picked up by HBO and follows two modern Black women as they navigate uncomfortable and racy experiences.

Instagram/Melina Matsoukas
03
Melina’s World

She’s a record breaker. Melina is the first ever female director to win MTV’s Best Video Award for Rihanna’s ‘We Found Love.”

Instagram/Melina Matsoukas
04
Melina’s World

She’s honed her craft. Melina has worked with everyone from Jay Z and Beyonce to Jennifer Lopez. Her talents don’t stop at music, she also has big clients on her resume including Coca Cola, Lexus and Adidas.

Instagram/Melina Matsoukas
05
Melina’s World

She’s an internet darling. Her YouTube channel has over a billion views, while her Instagram boasts 25k followers.

Instagram/Melina Matsoukas
06
Melina’s World

She’s stylish. We all love a good slay and Melina provides them consistently. From sleek and minimalistic to fun and boundary-pushing, she can own any look.

Instagram/Melina Matsoukas
07
Melina’s World

She’s has international reach. She was the brains behind Solange’s video for ‘Losing You’ which helped her snag the best pop video award at the UK MVAs.

Instagram/Melina Matsoukas
08
Melina’s World

She isn’t stuck in one lane. Her short film Negros Negros was nominated for a Directors Guild of America award and got her recognition as the Director of the Year in 2009 by the Music Video Production Association.

Instagram/Melina Matsoukas
09
Melina’s World

She has an amazing crew. From top fashion editor Shiona Turini (pictured here) to Solange and Beyonce, Melina rolls with the best of them.

Instagram/Melina Matsoukas

Read More

Beauty
Sir John Is Bringing Further Diversity And Inclusion To CTZN...
News
Ketanji Brown Jackson Sworn In To Supreme Court As First Bla...
Food & Drinks
Chef Nyesha Arrington Went On A Moroccan Adventure Through Food
Art
18 New Books We Can’t Wait To Read This Summer
Shop
Get Coi Leray's 2022 B.E.T. Awards Look With These 4 Key Pieces
COMPANY INFORMATION
  • Our Company
  • Customer Service
  • Essence Ventures
  • Change Your Address
  • Contact Us
  • Job Opportunities
  • Internships
  • Media Kit
  • tag
SUBSCRIBE
  • Newsletters
  • Give a Gift of ESSENCE
  • Magazine Tablet Edition
FOLLOW US
MORE ON ESSENCE
  • Home
  • Love
  • Celebrity
  • Beauty
  • Hair
  • Fashion
  • ESSENCE festival

ESSENCE.com is part of ESSENCE Communications, Inc.

Essence may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.

©2022 ESSENCE Communications Inc. All Rights Reserved. | Privacy Policy | Terms of Use | Essence.com Advertising Terms

Get The ESSENCE Newsletter and
Special Offers delivered to your inbox

By clicking Sign Up, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

Get The ESSENCE Magazine
by subscribing below
subscribe now