A London hairdresser has revealed she faced a high-pressure Hollywood challenge when tasked with creating a wig for Cynthia Erivo’s character in Wicked—with only three days to deliver.
Maria-Josee Mampuya Yonda, originally from the DRC and now running a North London salon, was called in after the original wig for Elphaba, the green-skinned lead played by Erivo, was deemed too thick.
Despite the tight deadline, Yonda embraced the “golden yet scary” opportunity to contribute to the film, which follows the friendship between Elphaba and Glinda, played by Ariana Grande.
Yonda, a former refugee who arrived in the UK without knowing English, worked tirelessly for three days and nights from her North London salon, Josee’s Professional Braiding Studio, to craft a custom wig for Wicked.
Despite her 30 years of expertise and a recent feature in Vogue, Yonda described the high-stakes project as a nerve-wracking experience.
Opening up to the BBC, she said: “I wouldn’t lie, I was trembling. I was scared, I was worried. [I thought] it wasn’t up to my strength but I said I can do it.
“I got the call and I told my daughters ‘oh by the way we have to do a wig that’s going to be used for a film and the actress is called Cynthia”‘.
Yonda’s hard work paid off as her micro knotless braided wig was featured on-screen in Wicked, which delighted fans worldwide.
The intricate design creates the illusion of natural micro knotless braids, a style where tiny extensions are seamlessly integrated into the braid for a lighter, more natural look compared to traditional braiding methods.
The micro knotless braided wig, known for its durability and long-lasting style, allowed Erivo to transform into her Wicked character without altering her iconic shaved look.
Crafting such a complex wig on a tight deadline showcased Yonda’s exceptional skill and resilience, despite once doubting her ability to compete in the industry.
“The other hairdressers used to kind of criticise me and look down on me,” she told the publication.
The interview took place while Yonda was still attending to her clients’ hair at her professional hair salon in Seven Sisters. The predominantly Black clientele relax in leather chairs, watching their transformations unfold in wall-mounted mirrors.
Yonda’s passion for hairstyling began in her childhood, evolving from a beloved hobby into her lifelong craft.
“I came here as a refugee from DRC Congo with no word of English so I learned English and then because braiding is like Senegal, Ivory Coast – all the French countries. It’s our hobby. When we were young we really loved doing braids,” she said.
Yonda’s expertise proved invaluable to Wicked’s hairdressing team after they hit a roadblock. The original wig for Erivo was deemed too thick, prompting the team to enlist Yonda’s salon to create a thinner, more suitable replacement in just three days.
Now able to share her achievement, Yonda posted on Instagram, unveiling Erivo wearing the custom wig alongside behind-the-scenes footage, proudly announcing, “The secret’s out!”
She continued: “Keeping this under wraps for so long has definitely been a challenge but we can finally reveal that @cynthiaerivo hair was done by none other than @joseesprobraidingstudio.
“When we say this micro knotless braided wig took us three days and three nights to complete! It was no joke. Let’s just say our fingers were hanging on for dear life by the end of it.”
She also thanked Sim, the movie’s hair designer, and Universal Pictures UK for the “wonderful opportunity” and said she was grateful to have her work on the big screen.
Wicked continues to dominate, now available on digital formats featuring deleted scenes, while still breaking box office records. The hit musical has grossed $432.9 million domestically and $643 million globally, cementing its status as the highest-grossing Broadway adaptation in history, according to the Daily Mail.
