To create a show as captivating as Genius: MLK/X, every detail must be meticulously perfected. With the passionate portrayal of visionaries Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X on our screens, we had to speak with the creative mastermind behind the looks that transport us back in time — Jessi Dean.
Jessi Dean, the Department Head of Hair on Genius: MLK/X, brings characters to life on screen, ensuring their hair supports the telling of these stories with captivating power. Jessi has invested hours of research to ensure her work authentically represents these historical times. With such a beautiful and compelling representation, we were excited to sit down with Jessi to talk about her career journey and the work that makes these TV moments feel so real.
In this episode of Volume Up by The Tease, Jessi shares her thought process behind the looks, how she captured the stories to be as realistic as their time, and the importance of maintaining the integrity of the actors’ hair. Jessi talks about how learning from family about how to style and take care of natural hair during these times helped inform and inspire her style decisions.
“Maintaining our actors’ own hair is a priority. So, I navigate according to how much hair I need to maintain. It’s covered, it’s protected, we send them home with products they could use while we’re filming.”
Jessi also shares her go-to products in achieving these looks– products worth adding to your kit. We learn about the depth of detail she considers and her favorite moments communicated through her work. Her work evokes powerful emotions, and you can listen to this podcast to hear all about it.
“There was an emotion across all of the production. It sent chills through me. Reliving that time, us going back in time, really feeling it, are my most memorable times. I had my team, and we all felt like we were there and it was meaningful, it took us back, then we reflected on where we were present day, and it really caused us to be reflective.”
We also talk about where Jessi sees the industry heading and where we’re at now. And, she shares her thoughts on the work towards ensuring stylists are being thoughtful towards actors with textured hair. This is an episode you don’t want to miss.
Listen to the full episode here or wherever you stream, and head over to our Instagrams @Readthetease and @volumeupbythetease.
