Joe and Jada Podcast
Episode: Angie Martinez IRL – June Ambrose: Styling Icons, Grief Attacks in Paris & Never Chasing Clout
Original Air Date: March 12, 2026
Host: Angie Martinez | Guest: June Ambrose

Episode Overview

This episode is an in-depth, heartfelt conversation between Angie Martinez and legendary stylist/designer June Ambrose. More than a discussion about fashion, the talk delves into legacy, grief, joy, creative self-expression, the realities and pressures of being a Black woman in fashion, and forging a unique path in an industry that often undervalues its greatest contributors. June shares raw stories from her experiences with loss, her creative process, and her boundary-pushing work styling icons like Jay-Z, Mariah Carey, Missy Elliott, and Busta Rhymes. The episode pulses with wisdom, vulnerability, and memorable stories about behind-the-scenes moments that shaped pop culture.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Moving Into a New Life Phase: Empty Nesting and Motherhood

[04:45–06:22]

• June describes adjusting to her children becoming independent young adults and becoming an empty nester.
• She speaks with pride about raising them to be ready for the world, sharing, "I felt good. I felt accomplished. Like I had raised humans… young adults that were ready." [05:37]
• Staying close via a family group chat is crucial for her, especially with all the challenges young people face now.

2. Choosing Joy & Navigating Grief

[06:41–14:35]

• Joy as a Muscle: June explains how her background in theater taught her to tap into “sense memories” to sustain happiness, even through difficult times.
  • "Joy is a muscle. You have to exercise what that feels like and know that it's okay to keep lifting that." [07:46]
• Losing Her Mother: One of her most moving shares comes when she opens up about the loss of her mother and experiencing deep sadness for the first time.
• Grief in Paris: She recounts experiencing grief attacks while working on the "On The Run" tour with Jay-Z and Beyoncé in Paris, and how Jay-Z helped her process her pain.
  • Quoting Jay-Z: "He said, 'Just let it run through you.' … He would look over at me and I would just be crying… and he’d just say, 'It’s okay.'” [12:07]
• June memorialized her mother during this time by placing locks with her initials in every city she visited on tour.

3. Safe Spaces for Vulnerability in Creative Circles

[15:50–18:08]

• Angie and June discuss the importance of having "safe spaces" to process real emotion—especially as Black women expected to always project strength.
• June touches on her upbringing as a latchkey kid of a single mother, always taking early responsibility and, even then, being encouraged to find her own way.

4. Origin Story: Permission, Identity, and Standing Out

[19:10–22:45]

• June shares stories of growing up in the Bronx as a creative, precocious West Indian girl, and how her mother gave her the freedom (and gentle consequences) to express herself through clothing.
• "She didn't overproduce me, so I was always able to wear a cape at a young age." [20:10]
• She discusses overcoming discrimination and forging her own sense of self in a time when being West Indian wasn't celebrated.
• Exposure to new worlds (arts, museums, travel) was vital in nurturing her creativity.

5. Entrepreneurship and Early Hustle

[27:34–28:41]

• Even as a child, June showed a knack for entrepreneurship—making and selling book covers, pencil holders, and staging her first fashion show in elementary school.

6. Finding 'Main Character Energy' and the Right Kind of Attention

[29:36–33:38]

• Angie and June discuss the need for "main character energy," especially for people in supportive or service roles who risk being overlooked.
• June jokes about always loving attention, but also highlights the balance between enjoying recognition and being modest or even shy.
• Not everyone wants to stand out, and that's okay—it's about finding your own comfort zone and style identity.

7. The “Juniverse”: Authenticity vs. People-Pleasing in Fashion & Life

[33:38–36:33]

• June's concept of the “Juniverse”—her own world of authenticity and energy, where self-expression matters more than other people’s judgments.
• Notable quote: "I don't subscribe to fame, I subscribe to energy. At the end of my life… I hope people remember the way I made them feel." [33:38]
• Creating for oneself vs. trying to please critics or followers in fashion/life.

8. Collaboration, Style, and Creating Iconic Moments

[36:33–42:12]

• An honest look at styling icons, the collaborative process, and learning from major public moments—like the infamous gold outfit June made for Angie at the MTV Awards.
• Angie reflects on the importance of feeling prepared and in control, and June accepts responsibility for any discomfort and the value of apology.

9. Fashion, Recognition, and Staying Relevant

[42:12–47:44]

• June answers questions about whether she seeks recognition for her influential work (e.g., styling for "Belly," launching women’s basketball at Puma) and how she handles not always getting public credit.
  • "No, no, no. I get my flowers. I am very blessed… the blessing is that people still want to collaborate with me." [42:48–42:55]
• Focus is on continued impact—not chasing clout or validation.

10. Artistry, Influence & Industry Challenges for Black Designers

[68:55–71:38, "IRL Voice Note" Segment]

• June addresses a poignant listener question about why Black designers face harsher public critique and systemic barriers.
• She details the business realities—harder access to financing and manufacturing—and encourages young Black designers to "focus on production" and build independent communities.
  • "We are our worst enemy… but we've always been held to higher standards." [68:55]
• Notes her own cautiousness about launching independent product lines due to the heavy financial risk.

11. Iconic Clients: Real Life Connections Behind Legendary Looks

[72:07–81:56]

• Angie asks for real-life stories about working with Mariah Carey, Busta Rhymes, Missy Elliott, Mary J. Blige, Jay-Z, Diddy, and others.
  • Mariah Carey: Hates bags and trying on clothes—June would put things on herself to convince Mariah to wear them. [72:50]
  • Busta Rhymes: "I made him the royal sultan of hip hop… he was the best, always down for anything." [74:29]
  • Missy Elliott: First artist with an Adidas collab; June credits Missy’s trust and willingness to collaborate.
  • Mary J. Blige: "She thinks I’m batshit crazy… but energy and authenticity are everything to her." [77:13]
  • Jay-Z: Now mostly styles himself; June remains a creative consultant and lifelong collaborator.
• June describes the different dynamics of working with men vs. women and the trust required in styling artists at different career stages.

12. Legacy, Loss, and Honoring the Past

[82:06–89:00]

• Discussion of June’s feelings about not being invited to the Met Gala and the complicated emotions tied to artists whose legacies are now fraught (e.g., Diddy, artists impacted by scandal).
• The pain of having formative work overshadowed or excluded because of others’ actions:
  • "How does it serve any of us to not celebrate what... we should all be sad behind that." [84:03]

13. Body Confidence, Age, and Taking Care of the Temple

[61:24–62:58]

• June discusses body image, health, aging, and navigating industry pressures as a woman in fashion.
• Strongly anti-ageism, she expresses sensitivity to being called “auntie” and asserts the ongoing need to claim relevance.
  • "Aging can be cruel… comparison will rob you of all your joy." [61:42]

14. Universal Style Advice & Unlocking Confidence

[53:30–57:36]

• The true definition of ‘swag’ isn’t about clothes, but about confidence and persona.
  • "The definition of swag is persona. It is confidence. It is attitude. It is articulation at its finest." [53:35]
• For those wanting to reinvent themselves: start small, try things outside your comfort zone, remix silhouettes, and experiment—the analogy of “dating” to find your style.

15. Living for Yourself vs. Outside Approval

[57:36–61:24]

• Layering personal fulfillment against society’s gaze; stripping down to “your temple,” then dressing up only as it serves you.
• "When you start to feel like just strip down, that's enough, then starting to layer things on top starts to feel a little bit more tangible." [58:10]

16. Affirmations, Aspirations, and Legacy

[89:00–98:29]

• June answers “IRL Ball of Questions”—sharing life goals (travel, seeing the Northern Lights), favorite affirmations, and establishing strong boundaries around her emotional labor.
  • On boundaries: "I am no longer available for people who don't see what I see in myself." [92:29]
• June’s greatest wish: when entering a room, she wants people to feel joy and like they “want to dance.”
• The episode ends in tears and joy as June reflects on being her mother’s legacy, the immigrant experience, and the importance of being seen and remembered.
  • “Her legacy is the fact that she was here, that she created me, that she gave me this life… If I don’t continue to celebrate that, then it’s as if she wasn’t here.” [96:34]

Memorable Quotes

• "Joy is a muscle. You have to exercise what that feels like and know that it's okay to keep lifting that." – June Ambrose [07:46]
• “He said: ‘Just let it run through you.’” (on Jay-Z’s wisdom during her grief) – June Ambrose [12:07]
• “At the end of my life… I hope people remember the way I made them feel.” – June Ambrose [33:38]
• "I am no longer available for people who don't see what I see in myself." – June Ambrose [92:29]
• "The definition of swag is persona. It is confidence. It is attitude. It is articulation at its finest." [53:35]
• "I owe it to her. I am my mother's legacy." – June Ambrose [98:25]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Empty Nest & Motherhood: [04:45–06:22]
• Tapping into Joy/Grief After Mother's Passing: [06:41–14:35]
• Creative Upbringing & Permission to Stand Out: [19:10–22:45]
• Entrepreneurship & Early Hustle: [27:34–28:41]
• “Main Character Energy” & Attention: [29:36–33:38]
• The Juniverse & Authenticity: [33:38–36:33]
• Iconic Client Stories: [72:07–81:56]
• Industry & Recognition: [42:12–47:44]
• Black Designers & Industry Double Standards: [68:55–71:38]
• Style Advice, Persona, & Swag: [53:30–57:36]
• Boundaries, Affirmations, & Legacy: [89:00–98:29]

Tone

The conversation is honest, uplifting, vulnerable, and full of humor and wisdom. June radiates positivity, creativity, and fierce self-awareness, but never downplays the challenges she and others have faced. Angie keeps it real, both as a peer and as a friend. This is a must-listen for anyone interested in fashion, Black excellence, cultural history, or building a creative legacy from scratch.