Whitney Cunningham of Biltmore/Arcadia on Life, Lessons & Legacy

We recently had the chance to connect with Whitney Cunningham and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Whitney, thank you so much for taking time out of your busy day to share your story, experiences and insights with our readers. Let’s jump right in with an interesting one: Have any recent moments made you laugh or feel proud?
The most recent meaningful moment I’ve had was watching my older brother propose to his long-term girlfriend. I’ve never seen him so happy, and witnessing his smile genuinely filled me with joy. As a family, we’ve endured so much — losing our mother and our oldest brother — so now it’s just him and me. This proposal wasn’t just about love between two people; it was about growth, healing, and the start of a new chapter for our family. I’m so excited to gain a new sister, my very first official sister-in-law.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Whitney Cunningham is the powerhouse behind Whicked Ent. and Whicked Lashes. Through Whicked Ent., she curates high-energy events that connect communities and celebrate culture. With Whicked Lashes, she delivers luxury lash services and premium products that empower clients to look and feel their best. Partnering with top venues, brands, and career colleges, Whitney blends entertainment, beauty, and opportunity—making every connection impactful.

Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. What’s a moment that really shaped how you see the world?
The moment that changed how I see the world was in the fall of 2006, when I lost my mom. That loss opened my eyes in a way I can’t explain. It showed me that life isn’t fair to anyone, and everything can change in the blink of an eye. No matter how broken you feel, life doesn’t stop — it just keeps going. I had to make a choice: either let that pain define me, or use it to push me forward. Every day when I wake up, I remind myself that I have a choice… to move forward or stay stuck in sorrow. And staying stuck just wasn’t an option for me.

What did suffering teach you that success never could?
Suffering has taught me gratitude — real, deep gratitude for the things we so easily take for granted every day. I always say, “I’m way too familiar with rock bottom.” And the thing about rock bottom is… there’s nowhere lower to go. The only direction left is up.

When you’re that low, it takes an incredible amount of strength to pull yourself out of the darkness. But once you do, you see life differently. You appreciate the light more because you’ve felt the depth of the shadows.

But success has its own shadows. She can be a distraction from humility. With success often comes power, and with power comes the illusion of being untouchable. When you start feeling invincible, it’s easy to drift away from reality. And when you’re that far removed, it becomes harder to be present, intentional, and teachable.

Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? What would your closest friends say really matters to you?
I think my friends would say what matters most to me is staying true to yourself and believing in yourself—no matter how it looks to others. The right people will gravitate to the real you. Because at the end of the day, authenticity will take you further than any façade ever could.

Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
I would hope they say, I lived with gratitude, even in the shadows, because I knew the climb from rock bottom made the light worth it. I stayed true to myself and believed in my path, no matter how out of reach it seemed. Even when I felt everyone counted me, I over came every challenge gracefully, and didn’t back down. I was intentional with my energy, genuine in my heart, and carried a natural charm that needed no performance. When I’m gone, I hope they remember me as someone who was real, present, and unafraid to be exactly who I was. A loving friend, sister and aunt, who wasn’t afraid to make mistakes and learn from them.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://whicked-lashes.square.site/
• Instagram: Whickedwhit, Whickedlashes, Whickedent.
• Facebook: Whitney Lynn