‘I simply feel blessed:’ Champion Talladega gymnast gets NIL deal with beauty brand

By Brandon King

Talladega College gymnast Krystin Johnson made history at the recent USA Gymnastics Collegiate Nationals Championships with a victory in the vault.

She joined Fisk University’s Morgan Price as the second HBCU gymnast to win a collegiate national championship

Johnson is also securing victories off the apparatus. She recently scored a NIL deal with Kaleidoscope Hair Products.

Kaleidoscope Hair Products was created in 2014 by New Orleans-based hairstylist Jessica Duaprt. She is known to her 2 million followers on social media as @darealBBJudy. The brand retailed in Sally Beauty, Target, and Walmart stores. 

In addition to her agreement with Kaleidoscope Hair Products, Johnson has deals with a Black-owned Good Girl Energy T-Shirt Brand and SUPLMNT, the first black-owned insulated water bottle company.

“What I can really say about that is that I’m happy to be working with these Black-owned businesses, including Positive Girl & Company, which Tabitha Brown supports also,” Johnson told HBCU Sports.

She also hints at more opportunities in her future.

“I am super excited about a couple of others that I’m not at liberty to say at this moment,” said Johnson. “I simply feel blessed.”