Moira Frazier Returns: Emmy Buzz & Wig Mastery for Abbott Elementary

Look behind the look is the celebrated podcast that explores your favorite looks

>> Tiffany Bartok: Welcome to look behind the look, the celebrated podcast that explores your favorite looks in film, television and fashion history. I'm your host, Tiffany Bartok. Hey, everybody. Welcome to season five of, look behind the look. Five seasons. I know. How did we get here? I don't know. But I thank you for keeping everything going. Thanks for all your support. If you guys ever wonder about like, oh, how can I keep this show going or how can I support Tiffany? Or, you know, I know you're just sitting at home wondering how to support look behind the look. I know it's on your mind. What you can do is hit subscribe on YouTube. Those numbers really matter. And it like, you know, the language of the algorithm and all this stuff, sharing, liking, blah, blah, blah, all the engagement. I mean, it's amazing and it's really easy to do and we always forget how simple it is. So just tap things like things.

>> Tiffany Bartok: Be honest.

>> Tiffany Bartok: Tell me if you don't like something. It's fine. No, wait, don't tell me. I'm actually very sensitive. You can tell me in a constructive way, I can receive it.

We are kicking off season five with Maria Fraser who is nominated for an Emmy

We are kicking off season five with Maria Fraser. She's incredible. We talked to her last year when she was nominated for an Emmy and guess what? She's nominated again for Abbott elementary.

>> Tiffany Bartok: She's going to share some tea with.

>> Tiffany Bartok: Me and tell all kinds of fun and crazy stories from the set because that just, that set seems like I would pay to be working on it. It sounds like such a fun time. So creative and incredible. She's going to share with you all of the behind the scenes in this episode and we're really rooting for you for your Emmy nomination. We're going to be talking to a couple of nominees, this season and we're also going to come to you with some more, bite size episodes which you guys have been super excited about. Thank you so much for sharing them, commenting. You can get them on substack. I get in trouble when I put link and bio in the Instagram comments and the, descriptions and stuff. So just, I'm telling you now, check the link in bio. There's lots of fun stuff that I've been working on and building, like Etsy curations of all the fun tchotchkes that people have about these movies and all the fan arthem, I've been collecting a shelf on their Amazon. The substack is my very favorite way to reach you guys. And I've been actually hosting the podcast there now. So, check it out and enjoy this episode with Maria, and she's so fun. You're going to love it. And I will see you more and often this season. Thanks, guys.

>> Speaker C: Fine teachers of Abbott elementary. What? No comment about Gregory being f o I n foin? No. That is highly inappropriate. Come on, grandma. Come on.

>> Moira Frazier: Let me show you what it's all about. Yes. Easy at home to break.

>> Speaker C: I went to Harvard this summer. I've, learned what it truly takes to do the job of a principal. Break it up, slackers. I got cameras all over this joint. She must be stopped.

>> Maria Fraser: She just got to show you.

>> Speaker C: Oh, yeah. Trying out, cursing, you know, see how it goes. Oh, no, no, no. Gregory and I are good. Yeah, no, we're fine. Interesting. We cannot stand any more of this new Ava. and you are a very powerful tool. All these rules are so hard. Here's a rule. Put your arms away. Jeremy Allen Black. You guys missed a lot.

>> Maria Fraser: Son of a.

>> Speaker C: Feels forced.

>> Tiffany Bartok: Hi, Maria. How are you?

>> Moira Frazier: I'm good.

>> Tiffany Bartok: How does it feel to be a two time nominee for this amazing show that you are a part of? I am.

Last time we talked, you were nominated for the first time

So, I have so many questions about how you're dealing with all of it, because last time we talked, you were nominated for the first time. So tell me now. Let's make it clear for everybody, because sometimes, because of the way the show is run, they don't know what you're nominated, what season you're nominated for. So this nomination is for season three. Season three.

>> Tiffany Bartok: Okay.

>> Tiffany Bartok: So we're in sync. We're in sync.

>> Moira Frazier: Yes. Yes.

You have more than 100 wigs on deck this season for the show

>> Tiffany Bartok: All right. So, last time, we talked about Ava's glow up, which was amazing. And, she's killing it even more this year, and you have 100 wigs that you are dealing with and plus some. So, tell me the story. I've read it before about how you've acquired all these wigs and how you decide which ones you're going to use on the show.

>> Moira Frazier: Oh, my gosh. Well, as you know, because of the strike last year, we ended up having a shorter season. So even though I had more than 100 wigs on deck, that I just had them. M but the way that I acquired them is back. Back in Covid. I just started buying a lot of wigs and just accumulating all of those wigs over the years because I knew something big was coming. didn't know what, didn't, know what it was, but I knew something big was coming, and I needed to be prepared. And I'm always that type of person where you have to stay ready, so you don't have to get ready. And I've always had that mentality throughout my career, so I always prep myself and made sure that I was on top of it because I've, I think I've had a few experiences in my career where I was unprepared. Oh, yeah. I learned my lesson. Yes, ma'am.

>> Tiffany Bartok: What was the. What's the time that you can think of?

>> Moira Frazier: I try not to remember.

>> Tiffany Bartok: I've been there, too, but it was.

>> Moira Frazier: Definitely in the earlier part of my career, where, you know, as a. As a new artist stepping onto the scene. In the earlier part of my career, you want to be prepared, but at the same time, you really don't know what you're walking into. So I've always learned, being in this industry, you have to be over prepared.

>> Tiffany Bartok: Yeah.

>> Moira Frazier: There's wigs I've had for years that I have bought, thinking that, you know, it was going to be used for one thing, and then I don't end up using that wig until four years later on a big star. So. Yeah, that's what I mean by always being prepared at all times.

>> Tiffany Bartok: Yeah, yeah.

>> Tiffany Bartok: No, I love that you're saying that, though, because, you know, in our industry, in the hair and makeup industry and in the entertainment industry, for me, we never, like, I have a story that I've never shared before, like, where in the first episode of this podcast, I forgot to hit record, and. Yes. And didn't realize it until I put it out and it was on video. Thank God I had a backup audio.

>> Maria Fraser: Oh, my gosh.

>> Tiffany Bartok: But, like, you're saying it's so. You're so afraid to share that because people never forget. And then, you know, like, I know, I know. And so, you know, honestly, if I.

>> Maria Fraser: Could remember it, I tell you, I just know it happened, so I block it out.

>> Tiffany Bartok: I know. But it's like we're always living in, like, you know, this, and then, like, for each other, we never think that. We never want to let the other one know that we made mistakes, you know what I mean? And so it's. It's very, very, very good to hear that we're all human, you know what I mean?

>> Maria Fraser: Oh, child. And I got stories about that this season. You live and you learn, girl. You live and you learn. Yeah, but, yeah.

>> Tiffany Bartok: Oh, yeah.

>> Moira Frazier: So.

>> Tiffany Bartok: So.

Manny is our favorite character on the show. I mean, my son thinks Manny is hilarious

So you had some new characters this season, which was fun. And so did you know. Okay, this is the one. I know he doesn't have a lot of hair, but this is our favorite character, is Manny. And, yes. I mean, my son thinks Manny is hilarious, and, oh, my God, where did.

>> Moira Frazier: That character come from?

>> Tiffany Bartok: That development of that guy is just too many.

>> Moira Frazier: Manny is. His whole approach to his character was just absolutely. First of all, he nailed it, like, down to the t. It was almost supposed to be played as, like, the rival to Gregory. Yeah. But it's. It, you know, everybody has a love hate relationship with. With Manny, and it's just fun to hear and see the characters. Not the characters, but, the fans talk about, like, team Manny or Team Gregory. You know, it's really fun to see that whole thing play out. But we wanted him to be that, you know, that, we wanted him to be that suave guy like that. Okay, who is this type guy for Janine? Because you just never know. And, you know, with her breakup sequence, it was just more so, like, how can Janine kind of have that get back without still trying to find herself, if that makes sense? So, yeah, manny kind of, like, slip on in, and we made sure that he was real sharp with the barbers and, hairstylists that we had on set this year.

>> Tiffany Bartok: Oh, my God. So good. So good. He's so weird. And I just love it so much. So great.

As the show gets better, everybody is looking more put together

and then, you know, I've. I've noticed myself, and I read something somewhere. I'll have to find it about how, as the show gets better, you know, everybody is looking more put together. But being that the characters are so well defined and you guys are so careful with that stuff, can you tell me a little bit about the evolution of Quinta and Ava? and, you know, that more polished?

>> Moira Frazier: Yeah, absolutely. So in the very, very beginning, it was very important. Quinta has a very, very clear vision about Jeanine and the story that we're telling, and we get to do that through her hair. And the thing that I love about, this character and the evolution of her character is that in every season, she gets to find a little bit of herself. First season, it was all about the kids. Like, all about the kids. So when you have such a passion to get up at four or 506:00 in the morning to get ready, to get yourself ready to go, you know, teach children. The children are the passion, not how you look. You just want to show up for these kids. But then she got, you know, broke up with her boyfriend. So, as you know, that was, like, the end of season one. Coming into season two, she broke up with her boyfriend. Now she gotta find herself. And finding herself, it's like, okay, well, me and Tariq ain't get, you know, we not together no more. So what is the first thing that we do when we are trying to find ourselves? We do what? We change our m hair. Now, for Janine, she's not gonna do a full chop and do, like, blonde or something, like, so drastic to, you know, get over a breakup. but for her, it was a slight change, and that slight change was just the opposite part on the other side of her head.

>> Tiffany Bartok: Oh, I like that.

>> Moira Frazier: Yes. It was the most noticeable, but it shows small changes that.

>> Tiffany Bartok: Sure.

>> Tiffany Bartok: It's like, you can see the. You can see the consultation when the artist is like, we just moved apart.

>> Moira Frazier: Yeah, yeah. But for Janine, it's such a big thing for her. And then coming into season three. Oh, okay. So season two, you know, we're at that point, and then at the end of season two, it's like, okay, is Gregory a thing? Is he not? I think he's not. So, it's more like, oh, my gosh. Now I need to really focus on me. So coming into season three, it was all about pretty much growing up and really coming into the evolution of her self care and self love and going on YouTube to find different videos so that she can know how to do her hair. Like, these are all conversations that me and Quinta talked about. So the biggest change this season for season three was for her to have a middle part, because she was walking into the district role of being more about her business, and she stepped away from teaching for a little bit. So that middle part commands attention. It, like, people who wear a middle part know that you're commanding attention all the way around. I know it might be small for some, but if you really notice women who are in business, they have that middle part bone straight, but, like, it's very serious because that's what they want to be taking. They want to be taken serious. So for her stepping into that role, more defined curls, it just. It was just a beautiful thing to see. And we're still seeing because it kind of. It's business, Janine, if that makes sense.

>> Tiffany Bartok: That's right. Yes, absolutely.

>> Moira Frazier: And then when she gets back to school, then she's, up to her, you know, old part. But still, it's like the evolution is that she's becoming more comfortable with herself and comfortable in being. In being Janine, because there's so many Janine's out there that is just trying to find themselves. You gotta remember, Janine's in her, like, early twenties, so she's still trying to figure it out.

First season, Ava was very much so. Very bushell. But coming into season three, we see a real change in her

>> Tiffany Bartok: Yes. So relatable. So relatable.

>> Moira Frazier: And then with Ava, you know, Ava. We love Ava. First season. First season, Ava was very much so. Like that girl next door. Very bushell.

>> Tiffany Bartok: Yeah, yeah, yeah.

>> Moira Frazier: I'm spending. I'm spending the district's money on getting my hair done. It was like all of those things. But coming into season three, we see a real change in her because she also wants to be taken seriously. So that this season, for season three, we did more of a sleek look because she just went to Harvard. It still needed to be Ava, though. So we did, like, this 30 inch, middle part, long, kinky straight week, because this year, we wanted to play with texture. And for her, it just fit and fell into the character. So anytime she wanted to dip into business, Ava.

>> Tiffany Bartok: Okay.

>> Moira Frazier: Can also dip back into the fun party girl, Ava. But that hair got a move.

>> Tiffany Bartok: Right, right.

>> Moira Frazier: So go ahead.

>> Tiffany Bartok: I didn't mean to interrupt you. Go ahead.

>> Moira Frazier: No, no, no. I was just gonna say, if you notice, Ava is a very, I call it an action character. She moves.

>> Tiffany Bartok: Yes.

>> Moira Frazier: So that's why her hair has to move, how she moves, but, yeah. What were you gonna say?

>> Tiffany Bartok: I was gonna say, when you're talking about Ava's hair, who's involved in that conversation? Is Quinta involved in that conversation? Does she weigh in?

>> Moira Frazier: Or is that between actually Quinta, Mehdeh, Quinta, and also Janelle James, too? Because I want Janelle to feel very comfortable in the character. but I usually come up with the idea pretty much of what. What it's going to look like, and then I present it to Janelle, and sometimes, you know, say, let's go for this. This season. I was like, okay, let's do it. You know?

>> Tiffany Bartok: Okay. Okay.

>> Moira Frazier: And, yeah, it's definitely a collective conversation between the three of us to make sure we find the right match for her.

>> Speaker C: So.

>> Moira Frazier: Yeah.

>> Tiffany Bartok: Okay.

One of your wigs shrunk this season on the show

>> Tiffany Bartok: Okay. And what was the most challenging one this season? Tell me about.

>> Moira Frazier: Just tell me about one of my challenges.

>> Tiffany Bartok: Yeah, girl.

>> Moira Frazier: Okay, let me guess.

>> Tiffany Bartok: Was it Quince's party? Was it. I mean, Janine's party? Okay.

>> Moira Frazier: Okay. No. Okay. So this is a technical thing.

>> Speaker C: Okay.

>> Moira Frazier: So, little tidbit. I'm known. I'm known to be one of the fastest wig makers in Hollywood.

>> Tiffany Bartok: Yes. I even know that.

>> Moira Frazier: Yes. I can make a full lace wig in five days. and that's from scratch.

>> Tiffany Bartok: That's right.

>> Moira Frazier: So what happened was one of the wigs. I cannot say who. but one of my wigs shrunk. We had a wig dryer, you know, it's one of those crazy quirks that happen, you know, when you just getting back and we had this wig dryer that was way too hot. And I promise you, it was like putting the wig into a wig dryer, like, like putting a shirt in a dryer, and it turns into, like, a kidde shirt. This wig turned into, like, a kid's wig. And I say, when? I mean, I was doggone devastated. I was devastated. But I had to think fast. So I grabbed some lace, I grabbed some track hair, and I just comb the rest of the pieces together. It made this makeshift wig. The actor did not know, but over our hiatus, thank God, I was able to build a brand new one. Nobody knew.

>> Tiffany Bartok: I'm dying. And still to this day, they don't know. They don't know.

>> Moira Frazier: Still to this day, they don't. No. I tossed it. As a matter of fact, it's probably at my house. I never tossed the wigs I make, but it's at my house somewhere.

>> Tiffany Bartok: And when did you discovered it? You discovered the shrinkage? When it was time to.

>> Moira Frazier: When I put it on. So basically what happened? after the wig dried, I was like, okay, have, one of my assistants go take it out the dry. And I'm like, okay, I'm out of getting ready. Put it on the actor's head, and we put it on, and I was like, where's the rest of it? Thank God. This is why I say, you gotta always stay ready so you ain't gotta get ready. And I whipped. I pulled out my sewing skills and whipped together a back half. And, honey, like I said, they would never know.

>> Tiffany Bartok: I love that story. That is a success story for sure.

>> Moira Frazier: M but it just shows that we're human, you know what I mean? Like, if things happen, but you have to know how to think fast, think on your feet, and get it done no matter what. And make sure, it's a viable solution for everybody.

>> Tiffany Bartok: Yeah. That's the difference is that some people just let it stop them, you know what I mean? And they.

>> Tiffany Bartok: Yes.

>> Tiffany Bartok: And they just become a victim of it. And then, you know, blame someone, and that's never gonna. That's.

>> Moira Frazier: Honey, I had to own that because I had to make it again. Exactly.

>> Tiffany Bartok: And then, like. And another person might take it out on who did that. You know what I mean? Yeah. No, but if you figure it out together, then you're bonded trauma bonded trauma. You're trauma bonded with that team.

>> Moira Frazier: Right, right. But it's a good thing. It's a good bond.

>> Tiffany Bartok: Absolutely. Absolutely. Absolutely.

Tell me about the drag episode that went off the way you envisioned it

okay. And then tell me about a day that was like, you know, very. You were really looking forward to and something that went off the way you envisioned it.

>> Moira Frazier: I was really looking forward to the drag episode.

>> Tiffany Bartok: Okay.

>> Maria Fraser: The one we submitted for emmys and got nominated for.

>> Tiffany Bartok: I always wonder. I would thank you for reminding me. I always want to submitted, yes.

>> Moira Frazier: That episode. I was really, really, looking forward to that because it's a way for us hairstylists to kind of show versatility in what we do. Of course, you know, you got your curls, you got your straight hair, but it's really good to kind of step out the box and really, like, bust those skills out. And I was so, so, so happy to the queens that joined that season, I'm sorry, that episode. And they allowed us to collaborate. Oh, how collaborate?

>> Tiffany Bartok: Tell me about that.

>> Tiffany Bartok: How was.

>> Tiffany Bartok: How did that happen?

>> Moira Frazier: So I used to wear group haws drag race, and in the world of, yes, it was. It was because they filmed around the same time that we filmed. So I wasn't there the whole time, just pretty much for the premiere and a few days that I was available. However, I know that in the world, the drag world, they usually do their own hair and their own makeup, usually, because it's who they are. So I wanted to come in respecting that. but also, as a wig maker, I'm like, let me try to make something for you. So basically, I had reached out to Shea Coulee and also Simone, who are absolutely amazing. I love them so much. And, I asked them if they would be down to collaborate, and I was like, oh, my God, we absolutely would. And Shay was like, I would like to go with a ginger vibe. That's what Shea told me. And I was like, okay, gingerbread. That's all you gotta say. Just show me what you wearing, girl. And I got you. She told me she wanted a ginger bob, and I said, cool. So I whipped together this 26 inch wig, because that short, ginger look was a 26 inch wig. Yes. And we didn't cut anything.

>> Tiffany Bartok: What?

>> Moira Frazier And I whipped, no, we didn't cut anything. And I whipped that together. And also, for Simone, our inspiration for that was this 1990s classic, RuPaul. And that's why we went with the classic blonde and the up doing it just fit her whole character, and it also fit, Shea Coulee, which was known as Lisa Kondo. And it was just amazing. I'm m very, very proud, and I'm proud of my team and the work that they also put into this episode. Like, I couldn't have done it without them. It was long nights, honey. Long nights building them wigs. Yes.

>> Tiffany Bartok: Right, right, right, right. Where do you keep all your wigs?

>> Moira Frazier: In my home.

>> Tiffany Bartok: I knew it. And you're in Atlanta? You're in Atlanta? No, you're in LA. Yeah, yeah, yes, I'm in LA. I love it. Come on over. We're having a wig party. Okay.

>> Moira Frazier: I know, right?

Tell me about your products and just tell me like you've never told me before

>> Tiffany Bartok: Now, tell me, too, about your products, too. I want to talk about your products.

>> Moira Frazier: Too, and tell them. No. What were you gonna ask? I'm sorry.

>> Tiffany Bartok: Tell me about your products and just tell me like you've never told me before. You've told me about them before, but I want anybody who hasn't seen another episode with you, I want. I want you to introduce your products to them.

>> Moira Frazier Got you. So on our show, we are more of a more glueless type of a show. So our wigs are basically, we don't use glue for the most part, unless there's, like, a special scene where they have to get wet or something. But, for us, we don't use glue, and we use my lace black melting spray. My lace, like, melting spray is available on my website. And that is one of the main products that we use. Also, we also, use what's called sweatband, also a part of my collection. And what sweatband does is it stops the actor or yourself from sweating along the hairline for a good 48 hours, which means maybe your wig ain't going nowhere.

>> Tiffany Bartok: Wow. And can you use it without a wig?

>> Moira Frazier: Yeah. You can?

>> Tiffany Bartok: Yeah, yeah, yeah. Wow. Okay, okay. Instead of, like, antiperspirant or whatever.

>> Moira Frazier: Yeah, yeah. Deodorant. That's an old school trick.

>> Tiffany Bartok: Remember, remember, never forget.

>> Moira Frazier: That's an old school trick. Never forget. And also, another product that we use, we do use this doing our breakdowns, because a lot of times for our actors, they are under wigs. So for the most part, we want to make sure that we keep their hair healthy and keep their hair moisturized. So we use my moisture lock, which is also available on my website, to keep their, hair moisturized and ready to grow.

>> Tiffany Bartok: Okay.

>> Tiffany Bartok: I'm going to put all those links in the show notes, of course. And I am so looking forward to you winning. And prayers. Yes. You got this. And I am so looking forward to season four, five, six and seven of your.

>> Moira Frazier: Come on now. Speak into assistance.

>> Tiffany Bartok: It's going to happen. It's so, such a delightful show. It's the best it bonds everybody together, and it's such a gift to the world, and I love it so much. And I can tell you guys are all family, the way you work, and I'm just so proud to watch your success and everything.

>> Moira Frazier: Thank you so much. Thank you so, so much.

>> Tiffany Bartok: Of course, I'll talk to you after the win or next time you're nominated. And okay, Maria, thank you. Bye for now.

Look behind the look is a vinyl foot production written by Tiffany Bartok

>> Tiffany Bartok: Look behind the look is a vinyl foot production written by me, your host, Tiffany Bartok, produced by Jace Bartok. If you're interested in learning more, find our video version on the YouTube channel look behind the look podcast. There you can see rare photos and clips from our guests. And please follow us on Twitter at, lookbehindpod and Instagram lookbehinde and look. If you like the show, please rate, review, and subscribe and tell your friends and spread the word. You can subscribe to us on iTunes or any podcatcher of your choice. Thanks for listening. To look behind the look.