Transcript

Wind, Gowns & White House Runways: Untold Glam Team Stories | The Look

From Michelle Obama · Episode page · Watch on YouTube

· 1 h 15 min · 12,408 words · 112 timestamped sections

This is the full, timestamped transcript of "Wind, Gowns & White House Runways: Untold Glam Team Stories | The Look", an episode of Michelle Obama published December 1, 2025 (1 h 15 min, about 12,408 words). It mentions 41 people, works and ideas, including Jeremy Carl, Trifecta, Johnny, Amika, Yene.

What this episode is about

The content features a discussion among a close-knit glam team, reflecting on nearly two decades of collaboration in preparing for high-profile events, revealing behind-the-scenes anecdotes about outfit choices and the creative process. Team members share experiences of glamorous looks that never made it to the public eye and explore the dynamics of their working relationship.

Key takeaways

  • Behind the glam: Teamwork makes the dream work, and dodges sleeves becoming accidental gravy ladles.
  • Outfit diplomacy: Luxury drapes wouldn't cut it when navigating White House dinners or unexpected hugs.
  • 'Working gown'—when formal wear meets functionality, avoiding the sartorial soup splash.
  • Carl's magic touch: 15-minute makeup marvels, perfect for presidential precision and salon speed-demon.
  • Style roulette: Outfits reflect mood, proving even fashion icons have last-minute wardrobe whims.

What is discussed, and when

  1. – 10:00: Naeem Khan, Trifecta, Trifecta plus one
  2. – 20:00: Curtis Wayne Wright, Girls Opportunity Alliance, Johnny, Tina Knowles
  3. – 30:00: Johnny, Nantucket, Alex May, Yene Damtu
  4. – 40:00: Johnny, motorcade, Christmas tree lighting, portrait unveiling
  5. – 50:00: Ann Page, Biden's inauguration, Georgetown, Trifecta
  6. – 1:00:00: Trifecta
  7. – 1:10:00: Amika Stylist Collective, loveamika.com, Pequila Riley, True and Pure Textures Extensions
  8. – 1:14:32: Trifecta, Trifecta plus one, Johnny, Kristen Jarvis

Notable quotes from "Wind, Gowns & White House Runways: Untold Glam Team Stories | The Look"

  • I'm sitting here with Trifecta plus one.
    about Trifecta · at
  • I'm thinking of that is probably like a hee funny moment. Is there was a Naeem Khan gown.
    about Naeem Khan · at
  • I'm pretty sure it was the White House Correspondence Center.
    about White House Correspondence Center · at
  • Some of my favorites or of you are from international trips for the Girls Opportunity Alliance trips to South Africa.
    about Girls Opportunity Alliance · at
  • And shortly after I got licensed, I met Johnny and I started working with him.
    about Johnny · at
  • Probably when we went to Nantucket.
    about Nantucket · at
  • Alex May's my scheduler was there.
    about Alex May · at
  • And a motorcade waits for no one.
    about motorcade · at

Who and what is mentioned in this episode?

People

  • Jeremy Carl — Person · 24 mentions
  • Johnny — Person · 7 mentions · first at
  • Yene — Person · 6 mentions
  • Jiri — Person · 2 mentions
  • Yanae — Person · 2 mentions
  • Naeem Khan — Person · 1 mention · first at
  • Tina Knowles — Person · 1 mention · first at
  • Curtis Wayne Wright — Person · 1 mention · first at
    And by Johnny you mean Johnny Wright. Yes, Johnny Wright.
  • Yene Damtu — Person · 1 mention · first at
    All you have to do is search my name, Yene Damtu.
  • Alex May — Person · 1 mention · first at
  • Ann Page — Person · 1 mention · first at
  • Pequila Riley — Person · 1 mention · first at
    Versatility from my clients, I know that True and Pure Textures Extensions, founded by Pequila Riley, who's a part of the Amika Stylist Collective, is my go-to.
  • Kristen Jarvis — Person · 1 mention · first at
    There was some Kristen Jarvis used to call One of my assistants.
  • Ronnie Flowers — Person · 1 mention · first at
    Many more people, even down to the first guy who did my hair, Ronnie Flowers.
  • Sasha — Person · 1 mention
  • Thebe Magugu — Person · 1 mention

Companies & orgs

  • Amika — Company · 6 mentions
  • IMO — Company · 3 mentions
  • Girls Opportunity Alliance — Company · 1 mention · first at
  • Versace — Company · 1 mention · first at
    When you had the purple Versace on and the cat eye, where were we?
  • Revolt — Company · 1 mention · first at
  • Amika Stylist Collective — Company · 1 mention · first at
    That True and Pure Textures Extensions, founded by Pequila Riley, who's a part of the Amika Stylist Collective, is my go-to.
  • Givenchy — Company · 1 mention

Products & tech

Concepts & topics

Places & events

Sponsors

Full transcript with timestamps

All right, everyone. This is a pretty cool experience that we're having. I'm sitting here with Trifecta plus one. You're the plus one. I figured that. We thought it would be just fun for us to kind of connect, answer some questions, let people get a sense of what it has been like over the last probably almost two decades of being in each other's presence, behind the scenes, getting ready for events, picking out outfits hair makeup. We've got Meredith, Carl, my makeup artist, Meredith, my stylist in Jerry, my braider, Yanae, my hairstylist.

This is the team for all the IMO listeners. This is the team that helps me get my stuff together. And these are all special people who I love dearly, who are like family to me. And I couldn't do the things that I do so seamlessly without you. So welcome to IMO as a team. We're just gonna answer some questions. So we're gonna get going. Let's let's kick it off with Carl. So here we go. The question is, were there ever looks that didn't make it out of the fitting room and why? Oh for sure. Yes many many many many many books.

Let's talk about that. Were there any looks that you wanted me to wear? Yeah. Okay. What were the so many Because I have the photo roll and I had to go through all of it for this book. And I was like, oh my God, look at that. Look at that. Look at that. Look at there's so many. There were so like because it would be like sometimes we would have a few gowns and one would get worn and then the other one would kind of be a backup, or maybe I liked it better, but you like the other one or whatever. And it just would never necessarily come back around.

So there were so there were so many, like a lot of good ones. But we tried. We used to always conspire behind the scenes and be like, we want this. So when she asks Let's all say But I would always still be like, I don't wanna I don't wanna like go back and forth too much. You know what I mean? But there was this one the the one I'm thinking of that is probably like a hee hee funny moment. Is there was a Naeem Khan gown. Mm-hmm. And it had these really long sleeves coming off. So when you lifted your arm I remember that.

Almost came down to the floor when you lifted your arm. Sort of like an umbrella, sort of like fans. Well Okay. Mm-hmm. See you. But you were like dancing around. You were like, oh yeah, I'm gonna wear this, like kinda like sarcastically. Sure, I'm gonna wear this. Like I was like, we just can't have the drama. Some of the gowns, you know, they had to be working gowns. That was always the thing. And if there was so much on there that, you know, working gowns like is like like am I gonna hug somebody with all this extra sleeve?

And you know, what am I gonna reach over to Barack and hit them in the face over dinner? And how are the sleeves? Are they gonna fall into the gravy as I'm eating? You know, those would be some of the practical things that would keep that could keep a look in the closet. And big sleeves like that, you know. And most people I've never heard someone say working gown. Yeah. That's like a new new term. We're working working. But I understand. It's yeah, that's so that's what it was. So there was there were a lot of things and a lot of it was that if it was like uncomfortable, too fussy, something too dramatic or too crazy, yeah. We that those wouldn't make it out. And then sometimes it was just like a numbers game.

Yeah. The beauty that was that you, Meredith, always provided me with multiple options. And that was, you know, first of all, we were never cornered. We were never unprepared because you never knew whether a zipper would break or even in that very last fitting, something didn't work out. And it also gave me choice because we would do these fittings and then it would come to the night of the event or the day of the event and be questioned well, what do I feel like? Exactly. And as a woman, sometimes you just wake up and you're like, I just I don't feel like that.

Or I'm feeling like yellow. Or I d I you know. So I always had room for feeling the moment, which I appreciated. No problem. Thanks. All right. Next question. What's the shortest amount of time you've had ever had to do a full look before she went on stage or TV? Maybe like it Thirty minutes? No, I think we've done shorter. Like fifteen. For like full gl like start to finish? No, no, no. Touch all for full glam. No. But for what was the question? Or touch up. The question was a full look. Oh, for a full look. So I'm classifying that as hair and makeup because all my stuff was pre I've done your face in fifteen minutes. You have I know that.

So I I think we can do a full we've done a full look in under an hour for sure. For sure. I think we've done a full look in forty five minutes. Yeah. Now is the fifteen minute face for a casual day? It's most likely and it has been for casual reasons, yes. But Carl is fast. I know, that's unlike I would like a fifteen minute. Yeah, that's that's marking. That's a gift of Carl that he doesn't like. I was actually trained like that. Yeah. Next. Because Carl, you got your start. I got my start working at the Four Seasons. There was a salon there and they wanted you to go quick 'cause a hairdresser would be behind the person going So I learned to go quick, fast, and keep it going.

Yeah. That's how we operate it. So I'm very much that person next, next next. I would any given day I could have eight to ten people on a day just going. I mean, I still do that with wedding parties, but working in a salon atmosphere, everyone has to work diligent diligently and with other folks like a hair person or makeup or someone doing an up to or we'd switch going back and forth. So you just had to work quickly. And that came in very handy. I knew you appreciated Yeah. Some I mean, you know, because I oftentimes I'm getting I would be getting stuff done, reading a briefing, getting briefed, preparing for the speech, kind of thinking over things in my head where I kind of just zoned out and you all are doing whatever you're doing. And I look up, get out of the chair, and I'm ready to go.

But you just talk about that. What? How you just get out of the chair. And not look at yourself. Can you explain in detail, please, why you do not look at yourself? We would like to know. Well, because number one, I I know I'm gonna look great because you all would never yeah, I trust you all. You never set me up. It's almost like hair and makeup is I'm preparing. Yeah. I am already preparing for what I'm gonna do. So it's almost like once it's done, I'm now into work mode. And working doesn't have anything to do with how I look usually.

You know, it's what speech am I giving and who am I gonna see? And how do I want that interaction to go? So it's almost like I automatically turn off and and I don't have to look. But you did know the moves like to move your face in the right place or suck in your jaws, your cheeks were applying while I'm applying. So it was sort of like a little dance of sorts. I know I need to stop reading. And you'd be talking and reading and doing it. So Yeah. That was awesome. We had our dance. We did. We had our dance. What did that offend you that I didn't look at myself? Carls think so.

Sometimes I would be like look at yourself, you look beautiful. Yeah, I do. And I look over and go like it's great. Yeah, when you really feel yourself like a little show to dance. A little shoulder action. Yeah. What is one word you'd use to describe MO's style, beauty, hair, evolution from the White House to today? Yeah yeah yeah. Badass? Okay. Oh, or maybe it's badass. Yes. You know, there's a little dash in the middle of the badass. Yeah. Mm-hmm. I would say effortless. Mm-hmm. And yet so full of effort. Yeah.

Mm-hmm. For everybody but Right right right it's for her. Right. No. I mean it's kinda using a word you said in the question, but evolving. Okay. Would be a word. That's a word. That's great. That's a word. That's a one word. Ooh. It's Now you go. I just keep coming back to authentic. Yes. That's a good one. You just are authentically you're you. And it's refreshing. Can I say unapologetic? You can. Yeah. Say that. That one. Yeah. Badass. Badass. Unapologetic. Authentic effortlessly effortful. It wasn't my word. Do you have a word?

Chic. You know, I think that the the classic. Yes. I think classic. All right, next. Okay. Is there a hidden gem look you all love that maybe didn't get as much public attention? Yes Mary. Please share. I'm pretty sure it was the White House Correspondence Center. You wore a Javanchi couture gown. So this must have been the very last year because I would have never done a couture European house. Gold meets skin tone, two layer gown. It was so beautiful, but the pictures from that event were always at a weird angle with weird lighting.

And it's always sitting. It's yeah, and you really could so I was always like looking for a picture of that. I remember Remember that one. Do you remember that? And I have some on I have a few on my phone, but it was just one of those where I was like, damn, that was such a thing and it just kind of flew by. Me it's funny how a lot of times I don't even remember the look with the event. So I have to, you know, I mean, th th there's such an out of body experience to getting dressed when you're working in it that it's, you know, that's why it's so I I couldn't have done this book without you all because half the looks I'm like, what was what was I wearing?

When was that? What about you guys? Any looks I there's like no pictures of them because all of mine are like when you're having like a speaking engagement that is like not televised or like open to the public. Okay. So like a lot of those looks eat. They down. They eat, they do down. Do the do the hand thing. I don't know which one is one. It's the middle. I think it's the middle, I think. Is it this is this eating? Yeah. Can you describe one? Because those are more recent something. Maybe the the more recent one when we were in Romania with the skirt.

I love that. It had the ruffle. Yeah. And like the little split. That was Just yeah. Yeah. Okay. People use it. Yeah, maybe. Hopefully. Some of my favorites or of you are from international trips for the Girls Opportunity Alliance trips to South Africa. Oh yeah. South Africa. Oh yeah. The last South Africa Oh okay, the one with your mom. Swanic. I love that. Who was that designer man? Thebby Magoo. Yes. And he did his collection all around like heirlooms and and history and connection to to loved ones. And so he made that one with your mom on it. And it was just so beautiful.

The pattern of the print was her face. Yes. But it's in the book. That one is in the book. Yeah, that was a good one. And then the the knit sort of polo with the colorful address. Is one of the things that we've got. Yeah. I loved I loved yeah. I loved that look. Everything, the colourfulness. I remember. Goodness. Yeah, it is. It's in the book, but those photos are like BTS photos that other people from us. They've been seen, but I want to talk about them. Of course. The Tina Knowles. Oh yeah. Oh yes. The suits the black suits that deserve more attention.

They're not. T for Albi. Oh yeah. Oh yeah. Oh yeah. That's right. So I love those looks on you. Mm-hmm. So those are two of my favorites. There's lots, but those two really they're similar and I just really Yeah, strong seating. Yeah. Strong shoulder. A cla a classic tuck. The little flare of the leg, the tightness of the waist, it was just sheep. That jumpsuit. Yeah, that was a good one. Good one. Fire. Okay. What's Mo's tell when she really doesn't like an outfit in a fitting? Hard hitting questions. It's pretty clear.

There's not it's not like I need to not some secret I don't really need to like read her like does she like it? Is she not? Is she just being enlightened? It's pretty clear if she d doesn't like something. Well, I usually make fun of it. She makes fun of it. But you sometimes and I feel like more and more, you'll give me a little room to say, Well, let's let's look at it before you just go, I don't like it and be like, Wait, let me just process 'cause maybe we can change it a little bit or something. We're pretty honest in in the the fittings.

Yeah. Sometimes I'll do like with the sleeves. You know, if I put it on and I'm like, Oh boy, look at me coming in big bow. Here oh you remember the suit that had the huge the huge I do. I mean it's just Crush crush crushing me. Right. I mean it was a great it was an aqua sequin jacket. I am when I'm not gonna be my designer because I don't want to insult anybody. But the flower was was like I did love that come out. So I went to them, I had to say, Could you please make a flower about half the size? The flower was applied.

I said they're gonna walk in and they're gonna say who But it was hot. Who's with that flower? The big flower was hot. That looked great though. It was just too big of a flower. They scaled it down. Yes. They did. But I liked the big fire. You know what I mean? Exactly. Yes. Sometimes the job is a little too much. It's okay.

Hey everybody. I am here with my sister daughter friend, everything hairstylist Yane. Yane, welcome to the podcast. Thank you for having me. I know I get to have have you here and we get to talk. All the things. More conversations. Yeah. We've been working together for a a while. I mean, you've been styling me exclusively almost for a decade now. Mm-hmm. But in the orbit for about sixteen, seventeen years. Sixteen, seventeen years. Yeah. See you look at you and you think, Well, she's sixteen or seventeen. So you started when you were eight years old.

Yeah, twenty one. Twenty one. Share with us our our our listeners, our audience, your story of how we met and how you came into my life as baby. As a little baby. As a little baby stylist. Scared baby style. Scared baby. We met in two thousand and nine. I started doing hair. I had just got licensed actually, shortly after shortly before we met. But I had started doing hair when I was in middle school. That's when my my interest in the beauty space first peaked. By sixteen, I decided to go to cosmetology school. And you were like Doing people's hair in the neighborhood, your family.

I was A neighborhood braider, I had a little salon set up in my parents' garage. That's the funny thing. It's like It's like your parents hook you up, let you be a little entrepreneur. Yes. It was so nice. It was like the early 2000s and I was doing all the braiding and all the things. My brother was my very first client. I would start a braid here, it ended here. My braiding seals were horrible. But but you were seven. Yeah, but it was it was fine. It was like it was my practice. So it was really great. And then went to cosmetology school.

And shortly after I got licensed, I met Johnny and I started working with him. And by Johnny you mean Johnny Wright. Yes, Johnny Wright. Johnny Wright. Primary hairstylists throughout the White House years. Yeah. Mm-hmm. And he took me under his wings and brought me in and that's how we met. And I started working with the girls, which is crazy because I was the baby, but they were the babies too. And I got to her. How old were they when you first cause it was at the very beginning. So they were ten and seven when you met them. Yes.

We used to do the twists. The things and and Sunday wash day routines and all the fun times and chaperoning them and just being a part of their lives. It was now being a little bit older and having my own kids, it's like, oh, those were the fun moments. And I remember what that was like when I was in their age and I was, you know, getting my hair done by my mother. Well, that was the beauty of them. You were their big sister. And it was good for And even my big sister. You yeah, it was all the sisters falling down because you also did grandma too.

Yes. So it was all of us ladies together. But y I love the fact that you were their big sister hair mentor. At the very beginning, that they had somebody younger who understood what they were trying to do and you were teaching them all along about hair health and hair care, and you would have the arguments with them if they wanted to switch a style that you didn't agree with. Yeah. I'd be like, okay, you guys learned this in school and this is all cute, but we have to think about what's gonna work beyond this period in time and making sure that when we finish throughout all of this that your hair is still healthy and you could do whatever you want when you're an adult and you actually have the freedom and the financial capacity to do whatever you want and be creative.

And so it was fun times for sure. And you know, the the thing is people don't realize that you were also studying to get your degree. Yep while you were working. Because your parents were in s tell 'em about that because your parents were supportive. Were supportive of me doing hair kind of sorta, which is why they let me go to cosmetologists when I was sixteen. But there was a caveat. I still had to go to college. But what I ended up working with Johnny and moving because you guys want and took office and I packed my life and moved across the country from California to DC, I dropped out of college.

And so my parents were like, Okay, you s you you still have to go to college. So I did. I went back Still have to go to college. Still have to go to college, which, you know, I'm so grateful for because I think that people don't realize that as beauty professionals or service providers, we're entrepreneurs, and it's extremely important for us to have these skill sets and to have the knowledge to properly run a business. And going back to school and getting my degree in business really helped me, which now that I have a salon, it has helped me build the team that I have. It has helped me run my business in a way that is profitable and that makes sense and I'm able to scale.

So I'm grateful that I went back to college. But it would be in the salon in the middle of touch ups helping Johnny out or join the girls. I'd be in the corner riding my doing her homework. Doing my homework. And it was actually kind of funny because the girls would look at me and they'd be like, Are you really doing homework? And I'm like, Yeah, just like you guys, I have homework, but I'm, you know, in my twenties now and you're not, but this is the reality of life. So What was it? What was it like for you being that young entering into that arena?

What did it feel like the first time you had to walk into the White House? A lot of nerves. A lot of nerves. You know, and I think not only was it that I was young But you grow up in a society where people don't have respect for the traits, right? People don't think that, like, even my parents are like, you have to go to college. So I had to be a doctor, a lawyer, an engineer, or go down this traditional trajectory when it came to education. So coming into that type of space, you're always doubting yourself to be like, am I adequate enough?

And that was something that I struggled with all throughout our time there. But there was this reinforcement. I knew that I was adequate, but you still have these doubts. And so the first time coming in, it was just do the job. It was Easter weekend and it was before the Easter egg roll. And I was shampooing the girl's hair. And your husband walked in and you were like, This is Yanae. And I was like shampooing here. And I was like, hello, sir. And then I just went right back and I was like, don't say anything, don't make eye contact.

Don't look him in the eyes. Just like do your job. And I just kept hearing my parents in the background be like, don't embarrass us. Act like you have manners. You know, so there was all of these pressures because there was so much respect. And as a young little black girl, I also knew what it meant to have someone like you and your husband in office. And so there was that added layer of pressure where it was just like we also had to make sure that we did you guys right and make you proud. And we had to make sure that we were doing the best of our ability to keep your guys' legacy as bright as it was.

You made me so proud all the time. That you know, your skill set, your professionalism always showed through. You were never late, you never complained, you never talked about your homework, you didn't treat it as a problem. You were kind, gracious, all the things. And it has been just amazing to watch you grow. And now you are your own business owner. Can you talk a bit about where you are in life now? Founded esthetic salon in two thousand and seventeen. We have a team of twenty three individuals that we have grouped.

Three people working for young. Isn't that crazy? I can't stop but think of this child as a baby. So I s I I came to the opening. Yes. Right. Okay, for the opening. But still watching you be a baby boss is I still like to take the title of baby boss. I mean I'm gonna hold on to that title. But we have twenty three t p team members that work with us from styling team to assistants to our operations manager. Mm-hmm. And we have three apprentices right now that are going through cosmetology school with us as well, because rather than going and paying, they're coming and getting firsthand experience, trade experience on the job, which I'm extremely proud about.

I'm not just for myself, but for the other salon members who are pouring into these young girls as well. And they're from all different walks of life and all different ages. And so I'm grateful for that. We have a thriving clientele book that we're so grateful for that supports us, that does a lot in the community, that supports us, that gives back, that brings ideas to us that we're always grateful for as well. And as you know, like the relationship we have, we have very intimate personal relationships, and we're getting we get to be a part of all of their big life moments, good and bad, to just have someone to lean on.

And like you, my clients pour into me and help me become a better person, a better woman, a better mother, a better wife now in this era of my life, like you do. And you Philosophy. She is beautiful hair but healthy hair. Good hair is healthy hair. And so health is first, the health integrity of your hair. We could have versatility, but we have to make sure that we're doing a 360 approach. We're looking at it from the inside out. What are you eating? What is your diet? What is your lifestyle? Like, is this conducive to what you do and what your hair goals are?

And not really being so fixated on like length retention, but healthy hair. So sometimes we have to do a cut or a chop to grow it out. If we used to need to use extensions, if we need to go into protective styles, all is well and all is necessary, but understanding who you are and giving you a personalized approach. And this is what I love. Like about what you bring to the industry is that you're not just concerned about the outside, the esthetic. And people ask me, well, what's your favorite hairstyle that Yene has done? I mean, I like them all, but what I love about you is that you care about my health.

So you create styles for the moment that that fit the moment, but also don't damage my hair, that keep me looking fresh and healthy and up to date. You know all the trends. You can take me through all the things. You absolutely do. But at the core of your philosophy is teaching, training, and hair health. Education is extremely important and transparency is really important. I think that so for so long, women have felt captive to their hairstylists and they're not Say that again. They're not able to recreate things because hairstylists are like, this is my territory, this is my landscape, this is my space, and I have to be in control. And I'm for me, it's like, no, because if a client doesn't come to me every single day, they are in control of their hair and they need to be able to make it look good regardless.

Because if someone stops on the street and says, Who did your hair? You gonna say my name. So I need to make sure that you have the education, you have the products, you have the skill set, you have the tools at home to maintain your hair and that your hair is healthy and it works for you. And education is at the key foundation of everything that we do. And one thing you all understand. Very excited about is that services from people like Yene are available to everyone now. Yes, yes, yes. Because of Airbnb and their new special efforts to not only offer wonderful places to stay, but they can access your services through Airbnb.

Can you talk about that Absolutely. Nice relationship. Washington DC, but also in LA, which is where I'm so shout out to California. Airbnb's new platform makes it easy to book services with professionals for all special events from birthdays to weddings to girls' getaways. You could find a makeup artist, you could find a massage therapist, hairstylist, and even me. All you have to do is search my name, Yene Damtu. And if you're also a hair professional looking to grow your clientele, you too can list your business on Airbnb at Airbnb.com slash services.

What's the most chaotic? We pulled it off at the last second moment that still makes you laugh. Probably when we went to Nantucket. Oh yeah, that was a good one. Yeah. It was like James Bond. It definitely gives James Bond. Yeah. We were in the vineyard and doing your hair in the in Well we we we were scheduled to I had a speech in Nantucket. Right. In Vineyard and Nantucket are very close. And it was a four group, and I had a plane to get over there. Everything was set to go. It was a standard speech, but people were waiting because I was the keynote.

And we were all, you know, doing hair. Right. And I was thinking, oh, this is working out well. The sun was shining. We're gonna be able to do that. Shining bright. Shining bright. But the one thing for people who know the vineyard, that area, that fog can come in like in a second. And that's exactly what I saw. I looked up and I was like, I was waiting. It went from sunny to you just saw the fog coming. Coming in. And then I immediately said, Oh my God, the airports are gonna be shut down. We need to go now. Now right?

Yeah. Alex May's my scheduler was there. She called the plane, she was like, We're on our way. We rush, everybody just gets their stuff. We get in the cars, we get to the airport, literally walk up the steps, and the pilot, like, yep, they just shut down the airport. And I was like, Oh man. And I hate like not when I make a commitment, it's a really big deal. And even though it was un, you know. The weather and it was Mother Nature right. I was like, call there's somebody on the island, Doug is like the he's like the the mayor. The like the quasi mayor of of as we call him, we refer to him because he's so helpful all over the island, owns restaurants and all this sort of stuff. And whenever we're in trouble, we'd like call Doug, right?

'Cause Doug had a fishing boat and we thought, well, maybe we can get over there by boat because fog doesn't stop you. So we called Doug. Doug's like, Oh, yeah, I actually I'm I'm free. I can get you there. So from the airport we get to the pier, get on his he's it's a lovely fishing boat, but it's It is nice. But it's a fishing boat. But it's a it's a fishing boat. Nice fishing boat. Open fast, it's got all the sonars so you can see in the fog and it's completely dark. You can't see like 10 foot in the middle. Yeah, you can't see your hand in front of your hand in front of you.

And I was like, Are you sure this is safe? He's like, Yeah, I do this all the time. But I looked at the team and I said, Look, I'm gonna go because I'm not gonna miss this. I promised these people that I was going. I said, But you guys do not have to, you know, I already had my hair makeup done, I had my braids done. I was like, I'm gonna be fine. Like, I don't need touch-ups, you know. You guys, because I don't want you to be on some boat and comfortable, you know. I didn't want to put you in that position because it was my choice.

To go. Which I applaud you and commend you and respect you for that. Like you absolutely asked us, like, do we feel safe? Are you okay? Like you don't have to go. Like it's totally up to you. But you ain't gotta go. Yeah. And I appreciate that, seriously. And you all were like Yeah, we're like, we go for the bazaar. Go for a minute. I wouldn't have been in. We know I gotta say. I know I gotta say it on Ghost. They only had to say we made it on time. And she looked fabulous. You would have never zoomed up. Yeah, the Coast Guard.

Just a little bit. Just a little bit. It gave. It was a little bit. We got in. We made it. We were like high-fiving each other. It's like done. Another. Didn't break our record. We didn't miss an event. We were not late. It was like the team was together. I got touched up real quickly. We were good to go. Awesome. That was a good one. That was a good one. Well done, team. Yes. Thank you. Well done, team. My favorite was Christmas tree lighting. You remember that? Oh with the water when she was in the rain? Yeah. Meredith, remember that?

Yeah. What did I have? 20 hats ready to go. 20 hats, hand warmers. Yeah. And the I just remember she was on stage and it was just water dripping on her face and hair. And again, black hair. Yeah. You know, when water touches it, it doesn't stay the same. I just remember being backstage and it was me and Johnny, and we were just everybody had a blow dryer. Oh, yeah. And we were just trying to dry her. Yeah. She was like, it's Fine. It's fine. It's raining. I'm just like raining. It's fine. And we're just like we can't. Yes, but if your hair is But your hair is going to reverse.

You're going to have a little afro. You're going to have a little afro. We're going to see multiple textures and that's not what we're going to do. That was the one. Outdoor events were always a problem. I remember we were in India and it was a independence parade and it was pouring rain and it was like an hour, probably 90 minute parade. And remember we were, you know, we were sitting outside in the rain for a good hour and a half, but we knew that going to it because you changed the hair or you changed the hair.

Johnny, it was Johnny. Johnny changed the hair. He put it in a bun. And I think we made sure that whatever I was wearing could be drenched. But, you know, we look great. Yeah. Yeah. But all those foreign trips, I feel like those were always the the ones for me to this question was like whether I'm getting you ready on a plane, you're doing her makeup on a plane, you're doing her hair on a plane, and then running to the next event or waiting in hold, and you come back and you're like, okay, I only have 10 minutes, and we're like, what? And then have to move really quickly.

It just was always different on those trips because you're kind of where you are. Like you're not coming back to your house, you're where you are, and then you have to go to the next place. The thing is that there's a time limit. You makeup has forty-five minutes. Hair has four whatever it was. And when you're done, you're done. It goes to the next. There's no time to dilly dally. You have to do your work in that time allotted and move on to get it done. Because you're never late. No. And a motorcade waits for no one.

So Butter. But we did it. I mean, there were times we were we were remember we were in Liberia and we were in a s we were in a school with no electricity. Yeah, working with glasses on the phone. That was wild. That was pretty wild. So you take a long car ride and then you have to get out and meet with the president and sit in front of girls and you know, and you guys are usually coming from the motorcade way in the back and rushing in and we were running touching up. Yeah, foreign travel was and everybody's a jet lagged.

Yeah. So it's and it wasn't like we would land and then go to the hotel and have a good night's sleep and, you know, wake up the next morning. It was like you land and you're working, you know, you land and there's a military greet and the heads of state are there and you may have just gotten three hours of sleep on the plane right there. And you you're up and it's the day begins. I just no, it was that I was sleeping on the floor. Which I mean I'm grateful I got to lay on the floor, honestly. Yeah, for real. I mean that's like kind of a luxury.

We're to be honest. In the back where you weren't. In the back. We were on the back of the bus. In the back and it was all you know, it was usually you and me, Johnny and and we all had our little sleep systems that we would do. Because you look at the floor. I would try I would go behind the seat and lay on the floor, but then I would get up I would wake up and I everyone else was asleep because I had to get start steaming the clothes and I had to go underneath the plane into the belly of the plane. Oh, I didn't know that steam the clothes down there.

Well, cause I couldn't go I couldn't go anywhere except there because Yeah. Sleeping. It was dark everywhere except down there. And so I would go down there and I'd be like, Oh, I'm gonna throw up down here. Like it was just it was like being in the bottom of a boat or something. I was steaming these clothes. It was a lot. It was a lot. It was intense. A lot. Like there was no. Or when you guys had to be on the military helicopters, if we were Hilo and talk about it. Yeah. I em have motion sickness. You did. I don't know if that's a diagnosable thing.

Horrendous for you. I was just sick. I would be sick from the moment the car left the White House. Motor kids. Yeah, it was just it was just Horrible. You have motion sickness. All right. Yeah. I was just always praying a eyelash wouldn't when you get off to wave that the eyelash wouldn't be waving with you. Don't lose don't But it never did. No, no, eyelash just stayed on for eight years. I got some tricks for that. Way to go. Way to go. Who's most likely to suggest a bold risk? Let's all say. Mary. Oh. For sure.

A given. I don't know what to say. I appreciate the award. I appreciate the award to the gold to the gold boots to the or sequin boots. Sequin boots. Sequin gold boots to There's so many. To the ch rose chain link chain chain link dress to the Oh, that was a station. I think my bar for weird is just so high that like it just all feels like yeah. Right. What's wrong with these things? They're just shiny or whatever. But yeah, I I you know what? That's a compliment. That's a compliment. I kinda did it already. It was like the three Bantu knots that she's like, Don't are we doing knots again?

Don't put don't don't do any more knots. I'm like It just seems so big. It was like one of the one two. It's just like, oh my God. I it was a little bit It looked cool. It was I have a lot of people like that. I want that was the softer version. I wanted to like do it all over. Yeah. Absolutely not too much. Okay. You got your age on it. Exactly, I got it. There's there's your Absolutely. Yeah. For me, going with a bright, bright lip was always a little bit of a Like a red. Yeah. I do. I do, but it was like one of the least things that we've done is the red lip.

Yeah. So that would be my bold mood move. Yeah. So yeah, I would say Yeah. We should give you a plus down. When you had the purple Versace on and the cat eye, where were we? Oh, that was remote. Revolt. Oh that look was pretty much while we were on tour, yeah. That was a little bold. Okay. And I liked it. New wor well. Yeah. Thank you. You're welcome. Of all the looks, which one felt most powerful in the moment and why? Your portrait unveiling in the White House to me. Oh yeah. Because you had braids like you're in the White House with braids. Like that was very much so a powerful moment for me. I feel like black women, black people, people in general, like I it I th it was a powerful and bold statement and which looked professional.

Yeah. You know what I'm saying? So I that was a moment for me. For sure. Most people I like Biden's inauguration. Mm-hmm. I thought that was powerful. Yeah. You had a mask on. I had a very small real estate to work with on that. But I give you a But that eye was popping. That smoky eye was going off. But yeah, that was a very powerful moment. I mean, wind was a thing, you know. Wind was 'cause coming off of Air Force One, you know, you know, th those arrivals were always always windy. I don't think we ever arrived anywhere where the wind and it could have been the position of the plane, the stairs were so high, you're on an open runway usually with no no buildings or barriers, you know, and you'd step out out of out of that door and you just Yeah.

You're trying to look welcoming, like, oh, we're here without without blinking and you know and we'd walk down the stairs into work into a greed. So the hair and clothes would have to stay intact. You're walking down the stairs, making sure that your skirt doesn't fly up. Mm-hmm. And the wind is coming straight up. Yeah. Those stairs usually. Yeah. And unfortunately it didn't always work out. Like sometimes Right. There was never a full, but there was a lot. There I mean, you think people be like, Well, then you learn after a while, but I swear I would l it would be like there's no wind.

People say, It's not windy, it's not windy, it's not okay, okay. Then you get out and all of a sudden it's like hair skirt. Like it's just like, Oh no, why did I believe them again? But yeah, wind was a thing. When was a thing. Weather. Weather was a thing. Yeah. That was a you know, the no matter what we were doing, the weather would go on, events would be planned and you know, they never got canceled because of snow or cold or rain or you know, it just hat mud. I mean we we would you know I was Driving my car, the snow's hitting the bottom of the car.

I'm just like, why is no one on the road? Where is everybody? It's like, why didn't we get Like nope nope nope. Events still happening. People are still gonna show up to the White House by hook or by crook.

Carl, welcome to the podcast. I'm so happy to have you here. You look so cute. You know I love you dearly. How long how long have we been working together now? We have been working together it's been almost sixteen years. Doing my makeup, making sure that I'm beat, got my lashes intact. It's been a fast fifteen years. It really has. And y I think I've spent more time with you than mo most people on the planet. I feel the same way. Yeah. Yeah. And it's been a a a good stretch of time. But I wanted you to talk a little bit more about Carl.

I mean, I know your story. We've spent so much time together. I've gotten to know you. You were a sp besides being an amazing makeup artist, you are just a phenomenal person. And I just want you to share a little bit about your upbringing, how you got into makeup, all that good stuff. Okay, well, thanks for having me. Happy to be here. So my first client was my mother. I used to watch Ann Page. I used to watch her doing her makeup all the time. And one day I asked her if I could do her makeup because I thought I could do a better job.

She obliged and she started asking me to do it a lot. How old were you? I was around 14, 15 years old. I never really thought that was a job or it could even be a career until I moved to Washington, DC, and I got a job working in a store. They sold skincare, hair care, and they had a makeup counter. How old were you when you I think it was in my twenties. And when folks would come up to the makeup counter, I would insert myself to help them with a new lipstick or find a foundation that matched and just even do their makeup.

One of the customers was an editor from a magazine, and she asked me if I'd like to help her on her wedding day to do her makeup. Wow. So I said I would love to do that. What'd you think? Were you nervous or were you feeling confident? Oh, I feel like No, I wasn't at all. It's kinda like behind the scenes. That's where I feel very comfortable. So I did her makeup and when the magazine came out, there was a picture of me in it. And I ripped it out and I thought, What am I gonna do with this? So I went to the four seasons at the five star hotel in Georgetown.

And I asked, Are you hiring a makeup artist? They got the owner of the salon. We met over tea and had a conversation. She asked me if I had ever worked in a salon. I said no. She said, Are you a prima donna? I said, What is that? She hired me off the spot. I work. I worked there for fifteen years. Having the opportunity to work with a lot of dynamic people. That's when I received the email from the White House asking me if I would like to do your makeup. Mm-hmm. Because we, you know, by way of our team, we were looking for a new makeup artist.

Your name kept kept coming up again and again because by then you had become one of the top makeup artists. You might not brag on yourself in DC. Because by then you had had all this experience doing celebrity clients, doing other people's weddings. So your name was at the top of the list. Love that. So I feel like I was sort of like on an audition. They sent three pictures of how you preferred your makeup. So when I went into the White House, I thought it was a hoax at first. Mm-hmm. But I went to the White House and I was escorted upstairs to the salon where I stood at complete attention from my military background.

You are a military kid, yeah. Military kid. So I'm standing at attention and you walk in the room and you ask me how I'm doing. I said, I'm nervous as crap ma'am. And you laughed. You said, Can I get you something to drink? I said, I can't drink and do your makeup, ma'am. You said, I'm speaking of water. The room laughed, it kind of broke the ice. Nice. And the next thing I know, I was being invited to go on your first solo tour as first lady to Haiti and Mexico City. Yeah. A a baptism by fire, as they'd say, right?

Right. I mean it was like a very solemn experience to we went to a a joyous experience. So it was two big things that two different things at one time. And on the flight home, I was asked if I'd like to complete Trifecta. I said yes on the spot. We got it. Yes, I do. And I tell this story because you don't have to rip out a page out of a magazine or go into a salon and ask if they're hiring. You can simply just list your services on Airbnb. Mm-hmm. And if you wanna find me or my team, you can find us on Airbnb. And that is so cool.

It is so, so cool. It's one of the new features of Airbnb where you can contract out for a whole range of services in a site. I think it's a clever addition. I think you know, and it's not just makeup, but it you can get a masseuse, a chef. That's amazing that somebody can access one of the top celebrities in the country through Airbnb to do their makeup. Airbnb dot com slash services. Slash services. You got it. And hey, the the just putting in a pitch, it's like Carl, you are so good with all kinds of clients. I mean, people may think, oh, he does make up for Michelle Obama, but the spectrum of your experiences with race and age and class and background, you are able to work with any and everyone.

So anybody who is smart enough to contact Airbnb. Slash services. There you go. Oh thank you, Michelle. I am so proud of you. Thank you. Many more years and excitement together. And I'm I'm I'm happy to have you by my side. I'm happy to be here.

What's the one inside joke mantra or phase phrase that has carried this team through for years? Like somebody's always caring for caring for Carl right? Oh right. It's like Did you go to the bathroom? Yeah. We're getting ready to go on an hour drive. I guess I went. And then he would go, No, I should go and then go hold on wake up. Yeah, so there's that. Well, you guys have had some adventures outside of the event, especially on travel. I mean like you guys your your your excursions throughout different countries.

And the and the times where we just sat in a hold for six hours and just laughed and fought and just everything. Buckingham Palace, we were sitting there all rolling around. Did you We didn't sleep. Yeah. We just waited, we waited. We were just in there, dude. We were we we were rolling around on I mean we were just I'm literally like trying like on a couple of your necklaces some bracelets. Just kind of. It was it was wild. Wait, do you remember the last day at the White House? Yes, I think. Yes. And heart. And Carl.

He was in Hills. Yeah, I've heard this story. He was that was so much fun. I have all the pictures, I have all the videos. We laugh. We laugh. And that we walked out to the garden. That was that was a nice night. I was on a we had a pajama party. Pajamas and pajamas. We did the sleepover because it was inauguration. So there was fear that essential people wouldn't be able to get back in. So and it was also our last night as trifecta in the White House. So it was kind of a goodbye. Sasha had her friends over for a sleepover.

You guys stayed for a sleepover, and we had pajamas and snacks and champagne. We went to the gardens. Yeah, Sam came. We went down with Sam. It was really a fun night. We laughed that night though. Yeah, we cut off. That was so fun. In Jiri and Carl specifically can you tell us a little bit about your personal journeys? What are some of your first memories related to hair and makeup? And how did those memories impact you? Well, my journey began. My first client was my mother. I used to do her makeup when I was 14 years old.

I'd watch her doing her makeup all the time. And I asked her if I could do her makeup one day because I thought I could do a better job. She obliged. And she started waking me or asking me to do her makeup all the time. And I just really never thought that was a job or occupation. And I just moved to DC, worked at a store that sold hair care and skincare. And they had a makeup counter. And I inserted myself at the makeup counter when anyone would get near. And I just started to build a name for myself and went from there to the four seasons and got a call or email from the White House, asked me if I want to come in and do your makeup.

What'd you think when you got that call? It was a hoax. And they sent three and this is before social media, this is before iPhones. That was like even it was like Blackberry time. Yeah yeah. Anyway, I came in and I met you and I told the story and that's how I got introduced to makeup and the my passion. And you're you you're like the top m makeup guy here in D C. And Jerry, what about you? What's your journey to to to here? Well it all started. It's like, no. I just I my mom used to take me everywhere with her. So she was in the salon every two weeks.

So I would just be there and kind of the all the ladies that were there, I was like, they're entertainments for me. It's like they're giving me dollars. Crazy. But yeah. So like just being in the salon and like watching her get her hair done and everybody else get their hair done. And then I would come home and like mimic that on my Barbie dolls, and then like trying to do my own hair. She would send me to the salon. I'm getting my hair done. But then I just started braiding randomly one day. One of my peers had to been like middle school.

I w saw her corn roll this little boy's hair. And I watched her the one time and I went home and sat in the mirror and tried it on myself and went to school like that. And then people's like, Oh, who did your hair? And I'm like, Oh me. Then I'm like braiding people's hair in class. I know, should have been paying attention, but I wasn't. And then so like just that fascination of hair and just like watching people and I I was like, Well, this could be a thing, I guess. Like it could be a career. And went to hair school and then I met Yene prior to her school. We met, I was still in high school.

She had already graduated. We met at a funeral. So like we say like we're bonded through tragedy or what have you. And it not to say like it fell in my lap, but like just knowing you and it like you working with you. And it just is like, oh, we're looking for somebody new. And she brought me in. And obviously, like, yes, I knew Yene, but like my skills got me here, you know, and like and it kept me here, really and truly. When were you the most each of you the most nervous? In your roles. Working with you. Yeah. My introduction to you.

Oh, yeah. What it was every time. Yeah. I'm like the very beginning. I cried on my way to the White House. Did you? I did. I was like, I can't believe. I called my dad, like, he's like, what? What's wrong with you? I'm going to the White House. He's like, did somebody have a gun to your hand? He's like, okay, like like you'll be fine. You got this. You know what you're doing. You know your crappy study hard to do this. You'll be fine. And it's like, you're right. But it's Michelle Obama. I don't know. But yeah, that that first time was like, wow, I'm obviously nervous, like meeting you and I didn't I didn't even touch your hair that day.

I was assisting. Like I was just there. But it must be intimidating walking up to that house for the first time. Absolutely. Yeah. Especially like a house that we weren't allowed to enter. Mm-hmm. You know, probably had to enter through the service entrance. If so. So yeah. That was like that was a big deal. Yeah. I don't know. There's so many Yeah. I'm a nightmare. Nervous. I'm nervous. I am I get nervous because it just I just haven't ascended to that place am working on it where I just can feel like things are gonna work out.

It's more like, oh my God, everything's this is going. It's all gonna go up in the Smoke and emit it. Just 'cause as I'm twenty minutes. It's been twenty years, but it's all right. What I do and like how how it looks gonna come out. Is it gonna be made correctly? Is it gonna ship on time? Dah da and then putting it on, is she gonna like it? Is she not gonna like it? And then there's just so many elements and I I get nervous. I don't know. And I'm sure different elements of intimidation about the White House, sure.

For me, but also I I don't know, just the things related to the work. I was 21, moved across the country. You were a baby. I was a baby. But beyond that, I came into a role as an assistant. And I always, I understood the magnitude of like the importance as a black woman of who you were in your hair and the choices that you made of how you showed up. And so I always felt like I was trying to fit in, like fill shoes that were like too big for me to fill, or that I wasn't good enough to fill. So there was always this time of like when I would stand in, or if I was there to learn or to practice, or just to to do you for something that was like not as important.

Am I doing it right? Did I follow every single step of the last person as opposed to me just being an artist? And it was really, it's a really interesting dynamic because I would do the girls and I would work with your mom, or I had clients outside of that, and I was perfectly fine. But it was, I think there was always this pressure of I have to do it exactly like my predecessor. Like I like I just had to pick up the curling iron in the same place and I had to start where they started. And I was taught that way. I was told like I start in the front, start in the front, and I'm like, okay, but that's not that wasn't me. That wasn't my artistry.

So I always was nervous. And I think that I finally, even afterwards, even after you would be finished, I'd look and I'd be like, I don't think I did that right. I should have done this differently. And I always critiqued myself because I never felt like it was up to par.

And in this space. How you show up. And how I show up. True. I mean, it still amazes me how young you all were. Yeah. I was 20. You started and walked into that arena. I mean, it's, yeah, I'd say this to you all individually and as a team, you know, and it's always part of that pep talk. It's like you all were operating in your fields at the highest level, under the most pressure, with really little, if any, room to mess up. And that's a lot of pressure to have in your 20s, you know. But you also had the energy to keep up at the pace.

I mean, I mean, we haven't even gotten into, I mean, this was constant. This was eight years of constant movement and pressure and beyond, because life didn't really slow down after much after the White House either, with two books, two major book tours, and you know, all the other speaking engagements and press and on and on and on. It didn't really stop after we left the White House. It's, you know, I mean, I I just think it's important for. You know, our listeners, especially to those who are young and they're starting to do something new in their lives.

It's like you guys are an example of what young people are capable of. You know, if you've set the bar high for people, like it was set for all of you. You you know, y you you reached it and surpassed it. Thank you. Thank you. Appreciate that. Yeah.

All right, Mish, Michelle. We have done so many fun looks together over the years. One of my personal favorites is when we started wearing your natural curls. And for me, I love it because I felt like it was the opening of the freedom of post life Michelle. Yeah. Where you were in control and you got to do whatever you wanted with your hair. Tell me, you know, that's the vibe that she felt as well. I I agree. I mean I I love I I loved my hair all the time because I had wonderful stylists like you helping me. So I never had to worry about it.

But as you know, there I I always wanted to have the freedom to live my life without you. I didn't want to you know, I didn't want to feel like I couldn't go out, I couldn't do anything unless Yene was there making it happen. So when we started to go into the natural looks and wearing my natural curl curls and even working with in Jerry with braids, I mean the freedom that you're talking about Well I know you love your brain. She loves her braids. Well, because I'm also very active. Yes. I'm swimming all the time.

I'm playing tennis and and I can do it myself, whether you're there or not. But the natural style that you structured, I loved it because it was fully me. It was free. It was also a representation to all textured girls out there that our hair comes in all different shapes, sizes, and and colors. And the sh this straight look and bouncy look is wonderful. It's fun, but the way our hair curls naturally is also beautiful and full and alive in ways that we got to celebrate. Absolutely. And the other thing is is that with braids and natural hair, you are able to be in control, right?

And it, and I think that particularly when you started wearing your hair natural, it was the rite of passage that everyone else was just like, okay, Michelle's doing it. I could do it too. Right. Like everybody love the flowy, bouncy and I love that too. But I also love the versatility that our hair has. We have our hair can be a chameleon and we there's so much that we could do with it. And so you are able to embody that and show that to everyone to kind of give them be like, all right, girl, you could do this too, which is extremely important.

You know that I'm very big on making sure that your hair isn't just looking beautiful, but that it stays healthy. Absolutely. And that goes back to the products that we use. So you know that I love your braids, and I love that the braids give you the versatility that you want, and which is why we've played with you parts, we've played with wigs, we've done so many different things to master the look that you want for the time and place that you are and whatever you're doing. So I love Amika. We use Amika on your hair all the time, and it is a Brooklyn born salon powered brand.

Which I love that. Yeah. Yes, it's made by stylists. It is high performing and it has amazing ingredients like Seabuck Therm for visible results. It's designed to meet all hair needs. It gives us hydration, strength, smoothness, and shine. Amika is built with stylists, not just for them, which makes pro hair care joyful, approachable, and inclusive for all. And when I want fullness or versatility from my clients, I know that True and Pure Textures Extensions, founded by Pequila Riley, who's a part of the Amika Stylist Collective, is my go-to.

And you were just telling me what does Amika mean? It means friend. I didn't know that until you just mentioned it. Yeah. Yeah. So I love all that. If you want to experience these same pro love products, check out Amika at loveamika.com and use code IMO20 for 20% off through the end of February. Because with Amika, all hair is welcome, every texture, type, and style.

Funniest moments It's hard to remember all the funny moments 'cause we're together so much day to day. You know, and in the White House we were like it was just So much day to day. The parties. Being able to go to the White House. Clock that. Clock that seed right there. I think that there was a beauty of being in the salon. The salon always was joy and laughter. And I don't think anywhere else in the White House, East Wing, West Wing experienced what we experienced in the salon. And I felt I also feel like it was like this hidden world that everyone wanted to kind of be a part of. It would be always interesting when you would travel or someone would come up from the East Wing to come be and like observe us.

And we'd kind of just be like, okay. And then we would have to like dress the part and like look a certain way and just sit there politely. But the second whatever happened in the salon, the second we walked out that doors, it was like business. But in there, we could laugh, we could cry, we could joke with one another, we could look at what's interesting on a blog or watch something on TV or talk about anything that's going on freely in a way that just in that space, in that time, we couldn't do anywhere else. Now there's nothing more intimate in a person's life other than their relationship with their spouse and their family than people who are touching you, you know, hair makeup clothes.

I mean, you guys, you know, are taking off tops and pulling down pants and you know, there is a clear done it all. I have done it all. Right. I'm like I just want to make sure that that's you because no one actually medical. It's no medical. Don't worry about it. But the intimacy that happens, and I think that's true for is it definitely true for me. I think it's true for all people, women in particular, because this is this is what we have to do to be ready. Like you said, it's like women have the job they do and then the job they have to do to get ready and the people that they rely on to get it done.

That's why the energy, I don't I know a lot of women will relate to this, the energy, at least for me, of the people who touched me mattered. You know. I could tell that. Yeah, it absolutely it could it could lift me up. Energy is transferable. Yeah, or it could level me. Yeah, and the intention. I mean, we always talked about that with designers. If I Yeah. Heard that a designer wasn't treating people well or was rude or was rude to you if I heard that people were rude to you. I was generally like, I can't wear that.

I can't wear those clothes if I know that about the person. And you guys help to in some in some really hard moments, you know, tough positions and tough times, tragedy and, you know, I could go into that space and just feel safe and let go a little bit. Even in the middle of a day, that was hard. And that, you know, that's why, yeah, women, we have to protect our spirits with who we let in. You can't just let anybody do that. I think that stuff transfers for sure. Sure. But I'm grateful to you all, proud of you. Thank you for being the people that you are.

Professional kind reliable, in so many ways, your family. You are my family. And I'm just glad that you guys get the opportunity to be lifted up through not just this podcast, but in the look. I I want the people to know Trifecta plus one. You guys are you guys did some made some history. Yes. There was some Kristen Jarvis used to call One of my assistants. Yeah. So really early on. Mm-hmm. Call hair, makeup, wardrobe, triple threat. And from that, she says, and maybe this is true or not, we were all sitting in a hotel room.

It's all a little blurry. And going back and forth, triple threat, triple threat. And somebody just threw out trifecta. And Johnny, who was there at the time, was like, We're trifecta. That's it. That's who we are. Right. And so and and then they just started calling us that. I wasn't I I personally wasn't sure if it was like a compliment or like more of like Kind of like sounds like triple thirds. I wasn't sure if it was kind of like, oh, they are just like taking up, you know, because it was like you've talked about, like it was different to have to organize so much of scheduling and process around making sure all of these elements, hair, makeup, and water, were in place, making the time for it, carving that up.

So I wasn't sure if it was kind of like, oh, here comes Trifecta again. You know, I didn't know, but apparently it was a compliment of sorts. I like the term over glam squad. Well Secret Service is always like trifecta, trifecto's coming in. And try fact that it's just the three people who are with you on any given day. Always hair, makeup. And wardrobe. So So There's four of us, but there's three on a a given work day. Correct. You guys are a reflection who of the folks who've been with me from day one until now.

In the book, you know, I do my best to acknowledge all the many, many people throughout the eight years and beyond have played important roles. And I'm grateful to all of them. They're all talented professionals in their own right, and they they've all played a major role. You guys just happen to be the people who were with me pretty much from day one. Trifecta plus one happens to be the people sitting in this chair right now for the moment, but it encompasses many people, right? Many more people, even down to the first guy who did my hair, Ronnie Flowers.

My very first hair slide. Go out, shout out to Ronnie. He did my hair for most of my life until I went to the White House. So a lot of people have played a role in this journey, and I'm grateful to you all. You know, the I wanted to you know, this just a small token. I've got gifts for you all. These are champagne and water glasses. Oh. Oh thanks. Thank you. Wow, I'm gonna be drinking water like a Thank you so much. Thank you. Oh yeah, that is perfect. Thank you. You know I love me some champagne. Yes, and watch me break this.

I'm just gonna keep my bag. Oh no, Carl could show our thank you so much. I'm clumsy no, you you don't have to open them. I would that Thank you so much. Thank you so much. Yeah.

Questions about this episode

What is "Wind, Gowns & White House Runways: Untold Glam Team Stories | The Look" about?

The content features a discussion among a close-knit glam team, reflecting on nearly two decades of collaboration in preparing for high-profile events, revealing behind-the-scenes anecdotes about outfit choices and the creative process. Team members share experiences of glamorous looks that never made it to the public eye and explore the dynamics of their working relationship.

What is mentioned in this Michelle Obama episode?

41 people, works and ideas are mentioned, including Jeremy Carl, Trifecta, Johnny, Amika, Yene, Airbnb Services. Each one on this page links to its own page with every episode that mentions it.

How long is "Wind, Gowns & White House Runways: Untold Glam Team Stories | The Look"?

The episode runs 1 h 15 min; the transcript is about 12,408 words in 112 timestamped sections.

More from Michelle Obama

About this transcript: the episode's spoken words as captioned on YouTube, split into timestamped sections. Reclip.Me locates every person, work and idea in the text, keeps the time it is first named, and quotes the words around it verbatim. Last updated December 17, 2025.