EMMYS 2021

Jurnee Smollett's Updo at the 2021 Emmys Included a Tribute to Michael K. Williams

The nominee honored her late Lovecraft Country co-star with a custom hair accessory you probably missed.
Jurnee Smollett on the red carpet at the 2021 Emmys
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As Kerry Washington said in her tribute during the 2021 Emmys, Michael K. Williams "wouldn't have missed this." The star of The Wire and Boardwalk Empire, who died September 6, will be especially missed tonight. He was nominated for his role in Lovecraft Country.

In a touching nod to her co-star, Lovecraft's Jurnee Smollett accessorized her updo with a pin that read "MKW." Hair stylist Nikki Nelms posted a video of Smollett's full glam, and honed in on its finishing touch. 

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Courtesy Nikki Nelms

"[Smollett's] chic updo is light and airy at the top, which is reflective of the volume in the Dior dress," Nelms said in a statement sent to Allure, noting that she used Maui Moisture Flexible
Hold + Coconut Milk Curl Foam Mousse to create hold that didn't look too stiff. "We paired the look with a bold lip. I collaborated with the Emmy Nominee and decided hair up was the way to go. We also added a commemorative ‘MKW’ pin for the memory of Michael K. Williams, which I added to the twist in the back." 

In her own statement last week, Smollett honored her friend and colleague. "Our souls tied," she wrote on Instagram. "We joked that we had a trans-physical connection. I can hear your voice now giving me another pep talk."


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