Janelle Monáe’s Hairstylist Shares How She Created The Singer’s Sky-High Met Gala Ponytail

Janelle Monáe and celeb hairstylist Nikki Nelms have been making hair magic together for well over a decade. We’ve seen them come up with everything from googly-eyed space buns and pink-lipped ponytails to blonde updos and neon pink underarm hair — and we never cease to be amazed by their over-the-top creations. Even, when they’re simple. 

[SEE ALSO: 9 Celebs Who Rocked Black Fashion Designers At The 2023 Met Gala]

Case in point: The “Glass Onion” star’s sky-high ponytail at this year’s Met Gala. While many were gagging over her bikini-baring Thom Browne look styled by Alexandra Mandelkorn — because, body — we were also vibing over her towering ‘do. 

As with most of their creations, the hair was inspired by the fit — this time, the “exaggerated tweed tuxedo,” Nelms shared with us.

This is a common process for the two. In a previous interview, she told me, “I let everyone else move comfortably in all the other elements: wardrobe, makeup, nails, whatever, and I just come up with what works best for her hair from the moment or whatever the mood is.”

For this look, she said, “We really wanted to make this look special since this [was] the first Met Gala where her hair [was] visible since 2017.” (This statement alone led us down a Met Gala rabbit hole, where we recalled that she was a gladiator in 2022 and mad hatter vibes in 2019 and 2018). 

Nelms also shared deets on how we could actually steal this style for our own personal slay using wire, hair extensions, and some gel (there’s a reason why she’s known as the “Hair MacGyver”).

Before starting, she reached for products from the Black-founded beauty brand Mielle Organics to prep Monáe’s hair. She started off with their Pomegranate & Honey Moisturizing and Detangling Shampoo and Conditioner and followed up with the White Peony Leave-In Conditioner.

We made sure to note every single product because, in previous conversations, Nelms has shared she really only cosigns “obedient” products. “When I say obedient, I mean they do what they’re supposed to do,” she explained. 

To style the ponytail base, she reached for the Avocado & Tamanu Anti-Frizz Stay Straight Serum to help straighten her tresses while pulling it up into a tight bun. To get the sleek effect, she reached for the Rice Water & Aloe Braid Gel. “It was perfect to get a nice smooth base braid,” she explained. She finished with the Pomegranate & Honey Blend Super Hold Gel “to get those edges laid downnnn.”

After she secured the base, Nelms went to work creating the “cylinder-like” structure. “I added wire and wrapped the hair around to create the height and structure,” she said. “Throughout the updo, I pulled pieces out and re-wrapped it into knots around the pre-wrapped hair to add dimension and depth.”

Once set, she went back in and wrapped ribbon into the hair to coordinate with the black-and-white bow/tie she pinned onto the side of her hair.

Now, if we’re being honest, many of us will try to recreate this at home — and not, well you know, get it exactly the same. But, that’s okay, because Nelms is all about you finding yourself within your ‘do. “I really want to see more personal, more diversity… ‘cause nothing’s going to fit everyone,” said Nelms in our last chat. And, the advice still stands.

Happy styling!