Throwback Thursday: Kathy Wakile, Hairspray Queen

The RHONJ star dishes on her amazing '80s 'do.

By Pat Cauley Sep 19, 2013, 3:12 PM ET

Ever wonder what our Bravolebs looked like before they were Bravolebs? Each Thursday, we'll celebrate #TBT and dig through the archives for a vintage photo from the past—or revisit a memorable moment from one of our shows—and share some backstory on the picture.

How to Watch

Watch The Real Housewives of New Jersey on Peacock and the Bravo app.

Long before she was slinging Cannolis and trying to keep her husband Rich in line, Real Housewives of New Jersey star Kathy Wakile sported a head of hair akin to an '80s hairspray queen.

But, what viewers may not know is that Kathy became a licensed hairdresser upon graduating high school and worked in a salon up until she was seven months pregnant with her daughter, Victoria. "I loved being a hairdresser," Kathy has said. "I started working in a salon as soon as I was allowed to; just sweeping up, shampooing, whatever I was permitted to do at an early age of 13 years old."

The hair aficionado has always been fond of doing her own locks too, even now that she’s a Housewife. "It’s always very strange having my hair done," she says. "I prefer to do it myself, however I need to have it done for my one-on-one interviews. The cameras pick up every piece of fly-away hair, and so for those days I need another set of hands. I tend to like my hair messy and touchable, that look doesn’t read well on the interview set."

Well, if this week's #TBT picture is any indication, messy and touchable has been Kathy’s hair mantra for quite some time!