Michelle Obama’s former hairdresser, Johnny Wright, works with Tamar Braxton “To Catch a Beautician” on VH1.
In the series, premiered Monday (9 pm), clients faced a stylist who damaged their hair. Wright then goes in and runs a beautician through the “hair camp,” giving them clues from his years of experience – and the opportunity to redeem themselves by rearranging the keys of their disgruntled clients.
“I gave up 300 clients in Chicago in 2017 to pursue a career in television,” Wright told The Post. “I dreamed of doing this since 2007 … but was interrupted by First Lady Michelle Obama when I first moved to DC to accompany her for eight years.”
Johnny WrightVH1
Wright, a native of Chicago, first met Obama shortly after Barack Obama announced his presidential election in 2007. “My agent ordered me to shoot the cover of Essence magazine. I did it [Michelle’s] hair and we get along well, “he said. Wright continued as his personal stylist from 2009-2017, traveling with Obama to more than 40 countries while maintaining a list of celebrities including Kerry Washington, Reese Witherspoon, Lisa Ray McCoy, Janelle Monae, Candace Bushnell and Queen Latifah – charging them from $ 500- $ 550 up to $ 5,000 (for full day care).
“What I want you to take away from this event is how important communication is in every aspect of your life – especially in a hair salon,” said Wright, who first learned how to make hair from her grandmother at age 3. She graduated from Dudley Beauty College of Chicago (after working at Ebony Fashion Fair) and getting her beauty license in 2000. She worked for L’Oreal for 16 years.
“I think there is language for hair [and] if it doesn’t move it doesn’t have a voice, “he said.” Hair always says who the woman is. This is the first thing you see before she talks … So I see my career as a storyteller. “
Singer / actress Braxton (“The Real,” “Braxton Family Values”), who hosted the series with Wright, said he could connect with customers on “To Catch a Beautician.”
“The first episode really stood out to me because how many of us have problems weaving where you feel like someone is pulling your hair,” he said. “At this event you will catch a glimpse of the real me and the compassion that I have for people.
