Jayèma has embarked on an extraordinary journey this World Cup season. Few can match her experience styling athletes from England, Brazil, the United States, and Canada, while also forging bonds with Lamine Yamal’s family, all without realizing who Lionel Messi was until recently.
She attended her first men’s football match but left early during a frenetic game between Mexico and England at the Azteca Stadium due to the overwhelming energy. As one of the most dedicated stylists and male groomers in elite sports, she has helped numerous footballers feel confident about their appearance.
“All those early mornings, late nights and missed flights.” Jayèma said after returning to Los Angeles from Mexico City. “give me a call to retouch their hair” She may soon find herself heading to Kansas City or Miami if Marcus Rashford or Noni Madueke reach out for a quick hair retouch ahead of England’s World Cup quarter-final against Norway on Saturday. “I’m always tired but my work ethic is next to none. I’m always available.”
Under the sunny California sky, Jayèma beamed when discussing her brief break after attending last Sunday’s exhilarating match. “It was good but I didn’t stay to the end. It was too much. There was someone in my ear, like literally shouting in my ear, and they were throwing drinks everywhere. The Mexicans were rowdy. I heard the [England] boys had a nasty welcome when they arrived. I was like: ‘God, I need you to let them win. Make them know they’re not alone.’”
Following the exhausting match, she was left bewildered. “I still don’t understand football, like how it ends up with people crying,” she shared, her London accent highlighting her astonishment at the emotional intensity. “But I won’t lie to you. Even though I’m not big into it, I did feel proud when England won. I saw real joy.”
Did she jump from her seat when Jude Bellingham scored twice, especially since she had shared a laugh with him earlier that week? “No, but I was happy we won. It was my first ever game of football.” Jayèma paused and added, “Actually I’ve been to a female soccer game as I work with some great women footballers.”
She was shocked by the footage of Jordan Henderson breaking his wrist during the post-match celebrations. Jayèma, known for her warmth and friendliness, was astonished to discover that Henderson was part of the England squad.
“I didn’t know who he was and he helped me carry my bags when I got to the England house. He was such a gentleman and I had no idea he was a player. I kept going up to him when I needed help with the wifi. I was the only woman there but everyone was so gentlemanly. “I didn’t even know Jude was a player. But we worked out my birthday was the same as Jude’s and [Eberechi] Eze’s. All three of us have their birthday the same day [29 June]. So it was mind-blowing to look them up and see their millions of followers.”
“I was one of the first people to have an Afro-Caribbean salon in Vicarage Field [shopping centre] in Barking. I was only 17 and had the vision at 15. But I’m always focused. Even when my peers were having fun at university I was working on a plan. Things are happening now and it doesn’t surprise me because of the work I’ve put in. I’ve paid my dues.”
Jayèma, whose real name is May Jika, originates from Plaistow in east London. Her brand name combines the initials of her brother’s, mother’s, and her own name, and she has been carving out a successful career since her teenage years. “Everyone was shocked I didn’t know who they were. They enjoyed me treating them like normal. I did their hair, ate with them, laughed with them. They were very down-to-earth and relatable – same as the Super Bowl guys I’ve worked with.”
Her skills gained recognition from prominent WNBA players, including the celebrated A’ja Wilson, who promoted Jayèma on social media and invited her to the Paris Olympics two years ago. During that time, she met LeBron James, Steph Curry, and Kevin Durant. “I feel we launched a look for him. He’s such a lovely guy.”
Though based in London, Jayèma frequently travels to the United States. Her work has increasingly drawn the interest of footballers, including Raphinha, whose hair she braided during Brazil’s World Cup. “Noni is such a character. He’s so funny. I love both of them. Noni knows what he wants but Rashford told me he was new to braiding so he let me choose what I felt suited him. I looked at his face shape and aura and gave him something to boost his confidence. “I remember the first day I finished working with them. They were about to go for their match and I was on a flight to LA. I prayed for them and went to sleep. When I woke up, and it was time to get off the flight, my phone was buzzing. Rashford had scored and, wow, I was happy for them. He told me he loved his hair and lots of attention was paid to his look after the goal. But I didn’t know how big the World Cup was then. I know we love football in the UK but I didn’t know to this extent – like all the love I’m getting, with people saying: ‘Thank you for looking after our boys.’ I’m like: ‘Wow! Give me another medal!’ “I told Rashford I’m the least sports person in the world but I’ve ended up in sports. Over the last year and a half I’ve been the only stylist who has covered most of the major sporting platforms. I feel like a lot of [sportspeople] are not really sure what they want and they’re also scared because their priority is to perform well. But they’ve seen my work and they know they can trust me to create a style that’s only going to enhance their game.”
Madueke and Rashford asked for her assistance at the England camp before their opening match against Croatia. “Do you know what? The England team told me about Messi. I don’t think I’d seen his face until a few weeks ago. I told one of the female soccer players I work with that if I saw Messi I wouldn’t recognise him. She was like ‘What!? He’s the only person I would ask for a picture.’ But I’d heard of [Cristiano] Ronaldo.”
“I was asked to style his mum’s hair and afterwards everyone was like: ‘Oh my God! You’re big time now. How do you know Lamine Yamal?’ I was like: ‘You mean her little son?’ It was then I realised he’s one of the biggest footballers in the world. I’d been in their house sitting around with the grandma, the whole family, eating chicken and fried rice and they were making me things. I didn’t know what it meant until I posted a picture and my friends went crazy.”
“No, he has his natural hair. I just do it for his mum and in the World Cup I saw them all together. Me and his mum are cool and Lamine’s [three-year-old] brother Keyne [who has become a viral sensation] is so smart. He loves African dancing and I say to his mum: ‘How does he know all the songs at his age?’ She just laughs. “They’re so humble. His mum told me the story of their struggle and how she chose his name – because Lamine and Yamal were the two men who helped them when he was so small. I got goosebumps when they were telling the story. They’re lovely people.”
While Messi displayed his brilliance once again during this tournament, Jayèma laughed when I mentioned that he doesn’t have the trendiest haircut in football. “I heard of him for the first time yesterday,”
Jayèma navigates the elite football circles without recognizing many star players, yet she has built a genuine friendship with Lamine Yamal’s family.
“He’s got that long blond hair and he’s big.”
Has she styled his hair? “It’s a possibility because I went through his profile and he’s done braiding before.”
“But [Haaland] could reach out after the World Cup because he plays in the UK, right? It could happen.”
What about Erling Haaland? “I don’t understand it. These [racist] people want them to play for England but how do they expect them to perform when they’re being abused?“I began to see [racism] when I started posting about the players. I was very surprised by some of the comments. Why are people so harsh on these young men who want to do well so badly? People don’t understand the sacrifices they make. They have such a work ethic and are so positive.” Jayèma exclaimed. “Exactly. Football is meant to bring us together and give unity. With my work I just want to showcase the fact that these footballers are amazing people.”
Would it be an intriguing challenge to work with Haaland’s flowing locks? “It’s a possibility because I looked through his profile, and he’s done braiding before.”
However, that won’t be happening this week, as when the Ghana squad tried to book Jayèma before facing England, she felt it was her duty to decline. “But [Haaland] could reach out after the World Cup since he plays in the UK, right? It could happen.”
As we look forward to England potentially reaching the World Cup final, I ask Jayèma if she knows what happened to Rashford, Bukayo Saka, and Jadon Sancho after the Euro 2020 final against Italy at Wembley in 2021. She shakes her head, and upon hearing about the racist abuse directed at the young players after each missed penalty in the shootout, Jayèma appears horrified.
“I don’t understand it. These [racist] individuals want them to play for England, but how can they expect them to perform when they’re being abused? I began to notice [racism] when I started posting about the players. I was very surprised by some of the comments. Why are people so harsh on these young men who want to succeed so badly? People don’t comprehend the sacrifices they make. They possess such a work ethic and are incredibly positive.”
Jayèma lights up when I mention that the England team, with its diverse backgrounds and hairstyles, serves as an encouraging counter to racism and divisive politics. “Exactly. Football is supposed to bring us together and foster unity. Through my work, I simply want to highlight that these footballers are remarkable individuals.”
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