I revealed the finalists in the StraightFromTheA Derek J makeover giveaway on October 25, 2012.

I’d received so many entries that I just couldn’t go through them all by myself, so I had to call in some reinforcement.

Since celebrity hairstylist Derek J was unavailable that night, my boo Funky Dineva stopped by last night in her best wig to help me weed through the entries.

We selected the top 10, but I decided it would only be fair for YOU guys to select the actual winner of the contest.

VIDEO: Funky Dineva Assists ATLien in Contest Selection…

The competition was fierce and the race was close, but you guys voted and selected the winner.

So without further adieu… the winner of the StraightFromTheA Derek J Makeover is….. *drumroll*

Ronda Butler!

Rhonda won the reader poll with 1,435 votes!

I appreciate everyone for being such good sports. And since there are NO LOSERS at StraightFromTheA.com, all of the finalists have won a lil something.

Here’s the deal. I really wanted to give everyone a car but I’m not Oprah, so here’s what I came up with.

Grand Prize Winner! Full hair & makeup from Derek J & staff:
1. Rhonda Butler

Runner Ups: Hairstyle from Derek J (I’ve got you on salon services up to $100 anything above and beyond that is all on you!)

2. Shiobhan Rogers
3. Danielle Samuels
4. Danielle Ballard
5. Debbie Carpenter

Consolation Prize: $25 Giftcard
6. Felisha Draggs
7. Marie Terrell
8. Michelle Corbitt
9. Erika Robinson

FINALISTS PLEASE NOTE: You all will be receiving emails later today on how to collect your prizes.  Thanks again for participating and a huge THANK YOU for supporting StraightFromTheA.com.

Rhonda Butler

I want to be chosen because I want it, need it and I am a mess.  I am a busy mother of 3.  Working, Lacrosse, Basketball, Boy Scouts, Swim, Trying to workout, working at a Human Factors/Ergonomics company, trying to start my own company has taken its toll.

I appreciate the local news/entertainment you provide and I actually am very inspired by your story.  How you went out, quit your job, and begin to do what made you happy. *Standing O*  It takes great courage & strength to do that

Right now, my everyday hair routine consists of mousse and a headband.  Heyyy, don’t judge. LOL.  I wake up uninspired and I don’t feel my best because of my busy schedule.  A new do would make me feel a little better. *Blinking Eyes…Very Fast*.

I would love for Derek J “to give me an ole nasty natural looking Malaysian multi colored, curly something” wait maybe not LOL. I am open for it all and ready to go.  (Side Note: I learned about Funky Dineva from your site). See Izzz a loyal viewer & supporter!!!!!  Pick-meeee.

Love your way & A-town down.

Shiobhan Rogers:

I would first like to say it is a WELL known FACT that I am a LOYAL and avid reader of straightfromthea.com if Michelle Brown didn’t confirm it as far as I’m concern it’s falls under the category as she would say “anatomy of a rumor” (I have since applied that motto in everyday life). Newho, I’m a huge fan of Derek J, and would love the opportunity for him to make me over. I have had the pleasure of meeting him once at a RHOA premiere party held at BarOne which is nice might I add. He was very pleasurable to be around. I have been following Derek Js work since I first saw him in “Good Hair” and it continued as I watched him on Hair Battle Spectacular. I feel as though I’m deserving of this makeover because I have reached a milestone in my life. Im 27 and most of the time you will still see me in a ponytail which makes me feel like a little girl. When I’m out with my daughters I still get asked if they are my little sisters. My daughters are my world but I would like to be viewed more as there mom vs a girl who looks like there big sister. Now while I’m not rushing to age I do want to look more age appropriate that represents who and where I am in life. My day consist of waking up at 5:30 am to get my girls ready for school and off to work by 9am. I get off at 7pm then I hit the gym for a hour. As you can see that leaves no time for myself and hardly any for my girls, but at this time it’s what mommy must do. I hope to win this so I can finally emerge as the woman that is in me but doesn’t show on the outside. Thanx for the opportunity to tell a little of my story.

Danielle Samuels:

I would love to be considered for the Derek J Makeover give-away and here is why…Over the last 6 months I have been working hard to makeover my life, emotionally and physically. I have been working out 5 days a week and because of that I had to stop going to my hair salon where my hair was being pressed (spending 70 a week to have your hair straightened just for it to snatch back with unrivaled fury after one workout is not smart). Well I started wearing it reallly natural and while some people have curly natural hair I don’t. My natural hair started breaking since it wasn’t being pressed anymore and while I have lost 30 pounds at the gym I don’t feel cute or glamourous like I did when I had longer hair.

I would love to get a new long look but have not been able to financially. I am working on pursuing my dream of being a makeup artist and wanted to make my look more glam so I wanted to get a luxurious longer look but unfortunately financially I just can’t right now. While feeling a bit down about that I went on your site and saw your posting about this give-away! I was so excited!!! I would love to have a new hair style and to have the opportunity to have it done by DerekJ…Oh my goodness I would love that!!! Please consider my entry? I love StraightFromTheA and have been a long time follower of yours and have been inspired by you following your dreams and destiny and also by your weightloss

Danielle Ballard:

I believe that I should win the Derek J Makeover because I’ve earned it
I’m a single mom with a teenage daughter and an almost grown 20yr. old son.

In 2008 I was diagnosed with Stage III Breast Cancer. and GOD HEALED me!! PRAISE HIM!!!I had a bi-lateral mastectomy and reconstructive surgery..and when the doctors went in to remove the “cancer” and my breast &lymph nodes they cancer was gone!!!! All praise be to GOD. The doctors (with their scientific minds) were dumb founded ,BUT not me, I KNOW what a HEALER GOD IS! …

So after the surgeries and doctors visits I began going Natural..not by choice at the time, but because I was learning how chemicals and the things we eat can be harmful to our bodies… I’ve worn lace wigs,weaves,braids,etc… and just recently at the beginning of this year I decided to just wear my natural hair no add-ons of any kind. I do like and I’m enjoying “getting to know”MY HAIR& my real texture , but I would love to have this make over and get some Professional tips on taking better care of and growing my hair.

If (WHEN) you pick me it is going to be greatly appreciated! I recently went through a hard break up and was suppose to get married September 22 of this year…but “surprising” enough my then fiancee waited until I announced to ALL my family&friends and we went through ALL the pre-marital counseling to tell me he “wasn’t ready”,that he needed to “get himself” together….welp! after all was said and done and tears shed and heart hurting I just recently LET GO and LET GOD and I’m feeling better about myself and Know My WORTH and I’m ready for a fresh start!

So THANKS in advance for choosing me (call those things that be not as tho’ they were).
P.S. and this is PERFECT! it’s breast cancer month and I’m celebrating my 4th yr.of being a Cancer DEFEATOR and continuing to THANK GOD and give HIM all the glory for HEALING ME!

Debbie Carpenter:

Thanks for having this contest! It would be a lot to me to win this! I have been laid off for over a year and a half and JUST got called back to work 2 weeks ago. While laid off I really let myself go. I was depressed about everything and basically became a couch potato and didn’t take care of myself at all. Now that I am back to work I have a much better outlook, however I still look like the lump on the couch who didn’t take care of herself OR her hair for a loooong time.

I really need to update my look as I think this would help my attitude and encourage me to work hard at getting back to my former self. My hair has always meant a lot to me and I would love to put it in Derek J’s hands! Extensions have always been a dream of mine but never in my price range.

Felicia Draggs:

I love change and I’m always on straight from the a getting more insight on people. I also see how Derek J can turn you form a pumpkin to a queen.

I work very hard. I am a Parent Mentor in the public school system and my job is to jeep the kids in school help them graduate from high school. I also work with the parents on a lot of home issues.

I take students to and from the doctor and take them home. I feel like I deserve this because for one I am in the eye of the public and I’m always helping someone get what they need. Thank you

Good Luck Ladies!!

(Voting ends at 5pm Monday, October 29, 2012, winner will be announced 1pm October 30, 2012)

Marie Terrell:

My name is Beth-Marie. I am ’’SCRAIGHT FROM THE A,’’ a true bred, born, and raised GA peach.
I’m a single mom with two beautiful children: Joi, aged 4, and Maxwell, aged 18 months. I’ve always taken pride in my ability to be independent and provide for my family, but in May 2011, my world was turned upside down. I was an employee with the state of GA for 4+ years and unexpectedly became unemployed. Although I was able to receive unemployment, my finances has drastically reduced. My primary focuses became taking care of my children and keeping a roof over our heads.

I have applied to hundreds of jobs with no replies. My self-confidence was definitely shaken. I was unemployed for a little over a year but I didn’t give up! I was determined to put myself in a position where I could one day have my own business without having to ever worry about being ‘’let go.‘’ I enrolled in classes at GA Perimeter College to get an Associates in Business Administration.

I am so blessed to say that I received a job this month! I absolutely love my job. I am the lead teacher for one-year-olds. I will also be graduating with a business degree in December 2012. I am so thankful. I feel like I can somewhat breathe now. But you can imagine during the past year-and-a-half that I haven’t had the finances to pamper myself at all. My hair is damaged from lack of TLC. I’ve found some crafty ways to make my hair look decent (emphasis on decent). I usually hold on to lace wigs as long as possible (longer than I should) or attempt to do my own sew-ins with recycled hair. I hadn’t realized until recently how much I missed my old ‘’diva swagger’’ and how my confidence declined. My confidence may have plundered, but my spirit was never broken. My children and strong will have been the driving forces to push me to “lemonade out of lemons.”

I believe that I’d be a great makeover client and I love Derek J. He’s so talented! Not only do I need it physically, but I think I need it emotionally, as well. A makeover is just what I need to awaken that dormant ‘’diva swagger.’’ I also believe that I need a new look to go with this new chapter in my life: a new Job, new degree, newfound confidence, and all the other positive things that are taking place! Not to mention that I’m sure my daughter would take great pleasure in trashing my wigs (she says they look like pets)!

Michelle Corbitt:

My name is Michelle Corbitt and I read your blog faithfully. My husband is now an advide reader on Straightfromthea.

I have had the same look for 8 years now, please help me. Sometimes I look in the mirror and I know that my hair needs a change.

I am from tha A and I repping Campbelton Rd(HOLLA) and I know if I was there my hair would be the case.

Erica Robinson:

My Hair is NOT Layed!! Ok…my name is Erika and I am currently a third year law student right down 20 at the University of South Carolina.  I have been natural this time around for two years and I am currently wearing tree braids. Honestly, I have no idea what I need to do with this hair on my head. None. I am currently, like droves of soon to be law school graduates, looking for a job and need a look that provides with the versatility and sassyness that a 30something girl like me needs.  I think you should pick me because:

1) I’ve watched RHOA since the beginning and have coveted the hairstyles that Derek J provides to some of the wives
2) I’m a law student…I can’t hardly afford a good stylist right now!
3) I would be forever grateful
4) In my rep for the A..you will also notice my Agnes Scott College ring (I went there for undergrad) even though its Decatur…it still counts!
5) You can JUMP START my job search with a new look!