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.
