Straightening hair sure has its privileges… especially if the locks you are working on belong to the nation’s newest first lady.
Michelle Obama has guaranteed her hairstylist a place in history, in addition to helping him land a development deal to star in a new reality show.
Johnny Wright… remember the name. It’s one you’ll be hearing a lot of in the near future. The former Chicago-based hairstylist, who worked on the first lady’s coif for the Democratic National Convention, her upcoming appearance on the cover of Vogue magazine and other occasions, has reportedly signed a deal with 44 Blue, which produces such reality shows as Style Network’s “Split Ends” and A&E’s “L.A. Gang Unit.”
Show producers say Wright is the perfect fit for the upcoming series.
“There aren’t many people of color doing makeover and beauty shows,” noted show producers. “We figured there’s got to be somebody out there with a mainstream clientele, but brings a different point of view.”
Wright, who recently moved to Los Angeles, has also worked on other famous clients, including Vivica A. Fox, Rebecca Gayheart, Lauren London and Candace Bushnell.
Interestingly, producers say that they chose Wright for the new show prior to knowing about his Obama connection.
Not sure I buy that…
From dos to dresses, Michelle Obama has also made Jason Wu a household name.
The 26-year-old New York City-based fashion designer will now be able to see his work in the Smithsonian. That’s where Wu’s most-famous dress is now headed two days after First Lady Michelle Obama wore it to 10 Inaugural Balls.
After reviewing designs from Marc Bouwer, Reem Acra and Oscar de la Renta, Obama chose Wu’s one-shouldered silk chiffon number covered in organza flowers and Swarovski crystals.
Yesterday Wu told reporters that no one was more surprised that Obama chose his design than he was. Wu learned of Obama’s choice with the rest of the world when she unveiled it at the first televised Inaugural Ball.
“I was in awe when I saw her. I was emotional, I was amazed,” Wu told Meredith Vera on the Today Show, “I wanted to design a gown that would highlight her best features.”
In addition to Wu’s elaborate gown, Michelle Obama also chose 60-carat white gold and triple rose cut diamond drop earrings, a 10-carat center stone white gold and black rhodium rose cut diamond ring and white gold and diamond bangles from Loree Rodkin.