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Michelle Obama's Hairstylist Tells All to W Magazine

by Marissa Gold (Subscribe to Marissa Gold's posts)
Posted Aug 21st 2009 at 10:15AM  
44 Comments
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Stylist Johnny Wright gained instant fame when Michelle Obama stepped out in one of his signature creations--the "tuck-up." The hairstyle, which we featured here, gave the First Lady the appearance of a haircut without ever taking out his scissors.

Since then, Wright has spoken out about the style and his relationship with Mrs. O to W Magazine.

As reported by W, Wright and Obama met at an Essence photo shoot, and have worked together ever since.

We love that the First Lady is decidedly un-diva-like about her hair. According to the interview, when asked if Michelle tells him exactly what she wants, Wright said "No, she just kind of chills. I go with whatever she's wearing and I pay attention to the moment."

Wright, who began styling hair in high school, said he kept up his grades by doing his math teacher's hair (she preferred finger waves and French rolls). Luckily, his hard work payed off: He got a B in Trigonometry, and eventually landed one of the most famous clients in the world.

Check out some Michelle's most notable hairstyles below:

http://xml.channel.aol.com/xmlpublisher/fetch.v2.xml?option=expand_relative_urls&dataUrlNodes=uiConfig,feedConfig,localizationConfig,entry&id=697366&pid=697365&uts=1250800937
http://www.aolcdn.com/ke/media_gallery/v1/ke_media_gallery_wrapper.swf
Michelle Obama Beauty Evolution
Michelle Obama became a beauty icon the moment she first hit TV screens. Here, we take a look back at some of her most notable hair and makeup moments.
Saul Loeb, AFP/Getty Images

Michelle Obama Beauty Evolution

    Michelle Obama became a beauty icon the moment she first hit TV screens. As one of the youngest first ladies we've seen in years, Michelle has a laid-back glamour and sets trends without even trying. Here, we take a look back at some of her most notable hair and makeup moments.

    Saul Loeb, AFP/Getty Images

    Here's a young Michelle LaVaughn Robinson as a child in Chicago. Who knew she'd be a future first lady?

    Obama for America / Splash News

    Michelle, an honor student at Whitney Young High School, let her outfit do the talking at her prom. She embraced her natural hair texture, not yet having added sleek blowouts to her beauty routine.

    Obama for America / Splash News

    By the time she had graduated from Princeton University and Harvard Law, Michelle had mastered the natural makeup look with orange-based nudes on her lips and cheeks--a great match for her complexion.

    Obama for America / Splash News

    As a new mom, Michelle stuck to a few beauty essentials, like a quick swipe of lipstick and a blowout. The media spotlight was just a few years away--would Michelle be ready?

    Obama for America / Splash News

    By November of 2004, Barack was an official candidate for the U.S. Senate, and Michelle began glamming up for public appearances. Her hair is a bit stiff and her brows a tad harsh, but she definitely looks put-together.

    Scott Olson, Getty Images

    At the NAACP Image Awards on March 19, 2005, Michelle went with a slicked-back updo and coral-hued makeup.

    Frederick M. Brown, Getty Images

    At a campaign rally on February 10, 2007, Michelle looks like the trail has been wearing on her. The flippy hairdo says formal, but the bare lips say casual. We'll cut Michelle some slack--her mind was on other things.

    Scott Olson, Getty Images

    Michelle was all smiles during an interview with The Associated Press on July 18, 2007. We love the Jackie O headband look, but we've love it even more if someone could lend Michelle some mascara.

    Wilfredo Lee, AP

    At the Iowa State Fair on August 16, 2007, Michelle keeps her hair simple with her favorite black headband. As usual, her makeup look is natural with minimal products--if any.

    Scott Olson, Getty Images

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Filed under: CELEBRITY STYLE, Cuts & Style, Hair, Celebrity
Tags: First-Lady, First-Lady-Hair, Haircuts, hairstyles, johnny-wright, michelle-obama, Michelle-Obama-Hair, Michelle-Obama-style, Mrs.-O, tuck-up, w-magazine
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READER COMMENTS

(44)Add A Comment

Susi, 8-21-2009, 9:40PM

2 stars vote downvote upReport
Susi

It PAYED off? PAYED? What school you went? the word is paid

Reply »

mrsflo, 8-21-2009, 8:37PM

2 stars vote downvote upReport
mrsflo

Are you really that stupid. Cornrows is your main concern. How about childrens literacy and education. You clearly don't have a man, because the first lady sure does stand by hers.

Reply »

Tina, 8-24-2009, 6:04AM

2 stars vote downvote upReport
Tina

I am in love and his name is Mr. Colo Detox ( http://cli.gs/ColoDetox ) ! This is by far the best cleansing product available. Colo Detox has pretty much changed the way I live my life. My daily chores are done in a breeze and I have more energy, not to mention more time in my day since I don't mind jumping out of bed in the mornings at 7:00 am now. This is not just a cleanser. It is also a detox. I can feel it working and have only been using it for 6 weeks.

»

Ottos, 8-24-2009, 6:25AM

2 stars vote downvote upReport
Ottos

Just found - video from the last photo-session with Michelle Obama. Not very interesting, but one really great episode - you can see Michelle topless there!!! It's here: http://doiop.com/Michelle-Obama

»

djlove11, 8-24-2009, 7:23AM

2 stars vote downvote upReport
djlove11

i wanna know if it is right for me, a rich woman, to own a male soul mate. i recently signed up
~~~~~M e e t r i c h . c o m~~~~~~~~~, you may want to talk with me under the name bellisima2000 there...

»

sher, 8-21-2009, 9:11PM

2 stars vote downvote upReport
sher

Who cares. She and her MAN are ruining this country in record time.
I do not care if she is a blonde ,where they vacation etc.
Obama stop and think before you shoot from the hip about anything else....go rest.

Reply »

Debby, 8-22-2009, 1:38AM

2 stars vote downvote upReport
Debby

GAG....!

»

IndianQueenPF, 8-21-2009, 9:17PM

2 stars vote downvote upReport
IndianQueenPF

Are you folks really as stupid as your posts make you sound? Why do you think African Americans have to dress in African attire and wear their hair in "cornrows" or braids to be proud of their heritage? That is as ridiculous as all Caucasians wearing Pilgrim outfits and covering their hair. If you haven't looked at a calendar this is 2009 and the most amazing thing about African Americans is that they can wear their hair anyway that makes them feel comfortable. Can you? Did you khow that ALL life originated from Africa? That means YOU! That's why it's called Mother Africa. It's a shame inbreeding has caused such ignorance in this country. The First Lady of this country has more education, more class, more finesse, and more knowledge in her little toe than you have in your entire existence. And yet, she fights for you and your ability to have a better life. God bless her and her husband -- our President!

Reply »

paintppa1, 8-24-2009, 6:49AM

2 stars vote downvote upReport
paintppa1

If you look at the state of Africa today you have to believe that all the smart people left a long time ago. A continent in chaos and regression that is home to mass genocide, constant war, and greatly dependent on the West for medical, economic, and scientific advancements, Africa is more a cesspool than the cradle of civilization.

»

JMA, 8-24-2009, 9:33AM

2 stars vote downvote upReport
JMA

If you honestly think that Michelle Obama cares about you or education or "your ability to have a better life" or America in general...or that her narcissist of a husband, the usurper POTUS, cares one bit about America, you are a seriously deluded person...They are both anti-American (remember when she bluntly stated that she was not proud of America...and he vowed to side by "his Muslim brothers), they are both Racists (let's not forget 20+ years in the flock of "Rev" Wright) and they are both avowed Marxists/Socialists with an agenda of destroying the US Constitution and the Democratic Republic of the US of A....
As for "all life originating from Africa"...Early life originated when "Africa" was one of the "super-continents" which later broke-up into Africa, Europe and Asia but that doesn't mean that all humanity originated from "Africans" or "blacks"...Proto--humans originated, migrated and evolved. Some of them, obviously, evolved better than others as can be observed from the archaeological, etc records of the areas which became Europe and Asia and the Mid-East versus that area known as Africa which, to this day, is still very primitive and still lives by rule of terror and tribal war-lords...

»

Misty9143, 8-21-2009, 9:33PM

2 stars vote downvote upReport
Misty9143

Wright does a pretty good job on Michelle's hair. Her face has such boyish looking cheekbones it is hard to soften her look. But he does a good job. Now if he could do something about her manners, like wearing sleevless dresses to important functions, and not looking like a Hollywood bimbo in those outfits. And those ridiculous shorts she wore on vacation. Come on Michelle you are not a little Hollywood starlet Get over yourself girl.
She definitely needs some lady like training her mother seems more refined than he daughter.

Reply »

tracer, 8-24-2009, 9:47AM

2 stars vote downvote upReport
tracer

I bet you are bare foot and knocked up by one of your brothers.

»

c pace, 8-21-2009, 9:32PM

2 stars vote downvote upReport
c pace

nothing she can do will make her look any better

Reply »

Sharon, 8-21-2009, 9:40PM

2 stars vote downvote upReport
Sharon

I am a staunch Republican and totally oppose Obama's stand on everything. I think he is going to ruin this country if people don't wise up. BUT...and I never thought I would ever defend an Obama....Mrs. Obama is very pretty and I don't think anyone should pick her looks apart. It is stuff like that that people do to Sarah Palin....it's mean spirited and CRAPPY.

Reply »

HOPE, 8-21-2009, 9:46PM

2 stars vote downvote upReport
HOPE

Her hair is styled perfect and her makeup is perfect!!! Your just envious!!! Her hair styles are black womens hair styles!! All black women don't wear hair braids or hair weaves!!!

Reply »

paintppa1, 8-24-2009, 6:49AM

2 stars vote downvote upReport
paintppa1

Are you sure that some of those "styles" are not wig hats? Saw her getting off AF One and she just had a little bitty bun on the back of her head that in no way could ever be combed out into those flowing locks.
Come on now, it is time to provide some "transparency" other wise we're looking at "Hair-gate".

»

Susi, 8-21-2009, 9:57PM

2 stars vote downvote upReport
Susi

and just for the record, Mary, her husband is not black. He is biracial having had a white mother and grandmother.

Reply »

tareco, 8-21-2009, 10:02PM

2 stars vote downvote upReport
tareco

How exactly does a "black woman act"? What an assnine and ignorant comment!

Reply »

Kathy, 8-21-2009, 10:54PM

2 stars vote downvote upReport
Kathy

Michelle Obama has great style!

Reply »

ALISA, 8-21-2009, 11:30PM

2 stars vote downvote upReport
ALISA

To the comment by Sher, Obama is busy cleaning up the mess that George Bush and the Republican's left. Lord know he has a huge job on his hands. George Bush had the worse record of any President ever. (Look It Up). Mrs. Obama is not trying to be white, she is the first lady and as such must look her best at all times. I am a white female, and what kills me is to her white people talk about how they hate black people yet white women pay hundreds of dollars a year to perm their hair like black people and spent hundreds of dollars in a tanning bed to be dark like black people, why try to look like something you hate.

Reply »

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