Sean James prepared Curtis for her moving tribute to Rob and Michele Reiner—an especially personal moment given James’ own history with the Reiner family
LOS ANGELES, CA, UNITED STATES, September 18, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ — Celebrity hairstylist and men’s groomer Sean James joined his longtime client Jamie Lee Curtis at the Primetime Emmy Awards, styling her hair for one of the ceremony’s most emotional moments: Curtis’ appearance during the In Memoriam presentation honoring Rob and Michele Reiner.
James, who has worked with Curtis for more than 27 years, was part of the team preparing the Emmy-winning actress for the evening. Grace Ahn created Curtis’ makeup, Jane Ross handled styling, and Curtis wore earrings by jewelry designer Cathy Waterman.
For James, the evening was about much more than the glamour of an awards show.
“There was all the excitement that comes with being at the Emmys and getting Jamie ready, but underneath it was a tremendous sadness,” James says. “Jamie was preparing to walk onto that stage and honor Rob and Michele. It was an incredibly emotional moment, and I was grateful to be there with her.”
The tribute came during an extraordinary period of Emmy recognition. Curtis, an Emmy winner for her acclaimed portrayal of Donna Berzatto on The Bear, was again recognized with an Emmy nomination this year. Rob Reiner also received a posthumous Emmy the previous week for his guest performance on The Bear, adding another poignant connection to Curtis’ tribute.
A PERSONAL CONNECTION TO ROB AND MICHELE REINER
The moment held additional meaning for James because he had his own longstanding professional relationship with the Reiner family.
Over the years, James had been to Rob and Michele Reiner’s home on several occasions, styling Michele’s hair as well as their daughter’s hair.
His relationship with the Reiners also included the landmark 2012 Los Angeles presentation of 8, written by Academy Award winner Dustin Lance Black and directed by Rob Reiner. The play chronicled the federal court challenge to California’s Proposition 8.
For the production, Sean James served as Department Head of Hair and Makeup and Key Hair and Makeup Artist, assembling and overseeing the hair and makeup teams responsible for preparing its extraordinary ensemble cast.
That cast included Brad Pitt, George Clooney, Martin Sheen, Jamie Lee Curtis, Kevin Bacon, Matt Bomer, Chris Colfer, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Christine Lahti, Jane Lynch, Matthew Morrison, John C. Reilly, George Takei, Yeardley Smith, Rory O’Malley and Cleve Jones, among others.
“Working on 8 was something I have never forgotten,” James says. “I created and led the hair and makeup teams for this remarkable group of performers. Rob was directing, Jamie was part of the cast, and I already knew the Reiner family from doing Michele’s and their daughter’s hair. It was an important production with an important message.”
That history made the Emmy tribute particularly difficult.
“All these years later, there I was doing Jamie’s hair as she prepared to walk onto the Emmy stage and honor Rob and Michele,” James says. “It brought together so many different chapters of my life and career. I had been in their home. I had worked with them. So this was very personal. I was incredibly proud to be there for Jamie, but there was a genuine sadness behind the evening.”
CREATING JAMIE LEE CURTIS’ EMMY HAIR
For Curtis’ appearance, James stayed true to her unmistakable short hairstyle while creating texture, separation, definition and sculpted points.
James used T3 styling tools to shape and direct the hair, beginning with Phyto Styling Mousse to create body and workable texture. Evian Facial Spray was misted through the hair during styling, while Bed Head Manipulator was used to piece out individual sections and emphasize separation and definition.
James finished the look with got2b hairspray, sealing the style and maintaining its texture throughout the evening.
“I wanted the hair to have texture and points—to be piecey and defined without looking overly styled,” James explains. “Jamie’s hair always needs to feel like Jamie. I used Manipulator to pick out individual pieces and create that separation, and then sealed everything with got2b so it would hold while maintaining the texture.”
The finished hair complemented Grace Ahn’s makeup, Jane Ross’ styling and Cathy Waterman earrings, creating a polished but understated look appropriate for the significance of Curtis’ appearance.
JAMIE LEE CURTIS — PRIMETIME EMMY AWARDS
Hair: Sean James
Makeup: Grace Ahn
Styling: Jane Ross
Earrings: Cathy Waterman
Hair Tools: T3
Hair Products: Phyto Styling Mousse, Evian Facial Spray, Bed Head Manipulator, got2b Hairspray
MORE THAN 27 YEARS WITH JAMIE LEE CURTIS
James and Curtis have worked together for more than 27 years across film, television, editorial, press and red-carpet appearances.
Their work together spans numerous chapters of Curtis’ career, including Freaky Friday and Freakier Friday, the Halloween films, Knives Out, Everything Everywhere All at Once and Scream Queens, among many others.
“Hair and makeup are part of helping someone prepare to step in front of the world, but sometimes the reason they are stepping out there is much bigger than any of that,” James says. “Jamie was there to honor people she loved. Our job was to support her and help her feel ready for that moment. I was incredibly grateful to be by her side.”
ABOUT SEAN JAMES
Sean James is a Los Angeles-based celebrity hairstylist and men’s groomer whose career spans television, film, fashion, editorial, red carpet and private clientele. Vidal Sassoon-trained and represented by Celestine Agency, James has contributed to more than 2,000 episodes of television and has worked with leading figures throughout the entertainment industry.
James is currently working as a hairstylist on the NBC comedy series Newlyweds while continuing his longtime work with Jamie Lee Curtis and other entertainment clients.
When not working on set, James can be found behind the chair at Matthew Preece Salon in Santa Monica, offering precision haircuts, color, highlights, gray blending, color correction, smoothing services and men’s grooming.
James is a member of IATSE Local 706.
SALON & PROFESSIONAL BOOKINGS
For salon appointments, Sean James can be booked at Matthew Preece Salon in Santa Monica. 3109074022 Clients should specifically request Sean James when making an appointment.
For red carpet, celebrity, television and film, editorial, press appearances, weddings, special events and other professional bookings, Sean James is represented by:
Frank Moore
Celestine Agency
PRESS CONTACT
Sean James
Celebrity Hairstylist & Men’s Groomer
Represented by Celestine Agency
Frank Moore, Agent
Amanda Kent
Boundless Media USA
2128334448 ext.
email us here
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