Jayèma is on an extraordinary journey during this World Cup. The London-based hairstylist has collaborated with players from England, Brazil, the U.S., and Canada, creating memorable moments with Lamine Yamal’s family, all while only recently becoming aware of Lionel Messi’s significance.
Her first experience with men’s football was at a dramatic match between Mexico and England at Azteca Stadium, where she left early due to the intense atmosphere. Jayèma’s knack for uplifting footballers through her styling and boosting their self-esteem has distinguished her in the realm of elite sports grooming.
“All those early mornings, late nights and missed flights.” Jayèma shares the morning after her return from Mexico City to Los Angeles. “give me a call to retouch their hair” She might soon find herself traveling to Kansas City or Miami if Marcus Rashford or Noni Madueke requests a quick hair touch-up before 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.”
As the California sun beams down, Jayèma reflects on her brief respite from work after attending last Sunday’s riveting 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.’”
After the tiring game, Jayèma expressed her bewilderment regarding football. “I still don’t understand football, like how it ends up with people crying,” she admits, her London accent revealing her astonishment at the emotional highs and lows. “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.”
When questioned about her celebration after Jude Bellingham scored twice, especially after joking with him earlier that week, she replied, “No, but I was happy we won. It was my first ever game of football.” Jayèma then recalls, “Actually I’ve been to a female soccer game as I work with some great women footballers.”
She was taken aback when she saw footage of Jordan Henderson injuring his wrist during the celebrations. Jayèma, known for her warm and friendly nature, was surprised to find out 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 full name is May Jika, is from Plaistow in east London. She named her brand by merging the first two letters from her brother’s, her mother’s, and her own name, and since her teenage years, she has built a successful business. “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 attracted the attention of prominent female basketball players in the WNBA, including the iconic A’ja Wilson, who commended Jayèma on social media and invited her to the Paris Olympics two years ago. This opportunity allowed her to meet stars such as LeBron James, Steph Curry, and Kevin Durant. “I feel we launched a look for him. He’s such a lovely guy.”
Although based in London, Jayèma often travels to America. Footballers like Raphinha have increasingly recognized her talent, requesting her to braid his hair again during Brazil’s World Cup campaign. “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 welcomed her to 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.”
Jayèma laughs when I bring up Messi’s hairstyle, noting his lack of a distinctive look. “I heard of him for the first time yesterday,”
Despite navigating the elite football landscape without recognizing many famous athletes, she has forged a genuine connection 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 exclaims. “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 interesting challenge to work with Haaland’s flowing locks? “It’s a possibility because I went through his profile, and he’s done braiding before.”
However, there’s no chance of that happening this week. When the Ghana squad tried to book Jayèma before their match against England, she felt compelled to decline. “But [Haaland] could reach out after the World Cup because he plays in the UK, right? It could happen.”
As we look ahead to the possibility of England reaching the World Cup final, I ask Jayèma if she knows what happened to Rashford, Bukayo Saka, and Jadon Sancho after the Euro final against Italy at Wembley in 2021. She shakes her head, and upon hearing about the racist abuse directed at the young players after their missed penalties, her expression shifts to one of horror.
“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 lights up when I mention that the England team, with their diverse backgrounds and hairstyles, acts as a hopeful counter to racism and divisive politics. “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.”
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