Exclusive
Emmy-Nominated Hair Department Head Rukey Styles’ Work Is Often Influenced By Her Own Experiences
In the realm of television and film, where visual storytelling is paramount, the art of hairstyling plays a crucial role in bringing characters to life. Among the celebrated artists in this field is Rukey Styles, an Emmy-nominated Hair Department Head renowned for her innovative and culturally rich contributions.
Rukey’s illustrious career spans an impressive array of projects, from the high-stakes world of Divergent to the gritty realism of Chicago Med, each showcasing her exceptional talent and unique perspective on beauty, with some interviews crafted by a plagiatsprufung .
Her most recent work on Disney‘s Saturdays – aired from March 24 to May 12, 2023 – has garnered significant attention, not just for its vibrant portrayal of Afro-American culture but also for its heartfelt depiction of a youth-driven, diverse narrative.
As Rukey continues to shape the landscape of hairstyling in film and television, we had the opportunity to delve into her journey and creative process in an exclusive interview. She shared insights into her early life, revealing how her upbringing influenced her perspective on beauty and hairstyling.
She recounted pivotal moments and influences that led her to the entertainment industry, and detailed her approach to incorporating Afro-American culture into the vibrant, youth-driven world of Disney’s Saturdays. Additionally, she discussed the significance of her Emmy nomination for Outstanding Makeup and Hairstyling and her aspirations for the future.
1. Can you share a bit about your early life and how your upbringing or experiences shaped your perspective on beauty and hairstyling?
Rukey: I grew up in a single-family middle-class home. Because my mother knew that her strength was in teaching children to read and not doing children’s hair, she sent me to the salon regularly. I didn’t appreciate beauty and the efforts that went into it until I saw myself and how I wanted to be seen. After somewhat growing up in my hairstylist’s chair, I started doing my own hair and realized I may have a desire to make people beautiful. Me being around my sister’s boyfriend, who was a hairstylist, created more interest in hair artistry for me.
2. Many individuals find unique paths into the entertainment industry. What were some pivotal moments or influences that led you to pursue a career in hairstyling for film and television?
Rukey: Before starting in the film and TV industry, I had a business where I performed non-surgical hair restoration services. Doing this allowed me to really focus on the little details that people who are not feeling like themself because of their hair loss would pay attention to. This detailing is what influenced them looking natural or like their pre hairloss self. It is because of my wig experience knowledge that led to the opportunity to work in theater, then TV, then FILM.
Work on Disney’s Saturdays:
3. “Saturdays” is garnering attention for its unique portrayal of a diverse cast and its celebration of Afro-American style. How did you approach incorporating Afro-American culture into the hair designs for the characters in the show?
Rukey: Well, this wasn’t hard to do. I was once these characters – young African American adolescent from the southside of Chicago. I saw my childhood in them, I used to go to the skating rink on Saturdays. My mother was a real skater. Like Paris, this was also my experience. It was just a matter of breaking down the characters to see who wears what style. I wanted each girl to have her own look that was unique to her character’s personality, including certain embellishments.
4. The series follows a trio of friends creating an all-girls skate crew. How did you collaborate with the creative team to ensure that the characters’ hairstyles reflected both their individuality and the vibrant, youth-driven theme of the show?
Rukey: Everything starts with the words on the script. After taking notes from the script, I consult with the creators to make sure I see the characters as they wrote them. Then I talk to the actors to collaborate based on the character’s core styling, what my bosses want and learn the actor’s comfort level with the direction, throwing suggestions back and forth sometimes making changes and also creating alongside makeup and wardrobe.
Inspirations Behind Hair Looks:
5. In “Saturdays,” the characters’ hairstyles seem to carry a sense of nostalgia. Can you share some specific inspirations or references that influenced the hair designs, and how you balanced nostalgia with a modern, youth-oriented approach?
Rukey: You learn that there isn’t much new under the sun. Innovation in hairstyling can be combining existing, familiar, elements in new ways to create a new look.
There may be slight iterations that can make it an ode to the former style. Being innovative may mean combing 2 or more familiar components to create a new look overall.
We took the opportunity to style the 3 besties, incorporating throwback elements, such as the 1990s music video style, into the performance scenes, like the cypher scene that was reminiscent of a 1990’s music video in style of filming cinematically, wardrobe, makeup and hair. There was also an opportunity to do “Paris,” played by Danielle Jalade, in a TBoz inspired natural short style with braided sideburns and, “Ari,” played by Peyton Z Basnight, having 2 large ponytails and these and others were opportunities to pay homage to iconic styles of the past.
Emmy Nomination and Award Submissions:
6. Congratulations on your Emmy nomination for Outstanding Makeup and Hairstyling! What does this recognition mean to you, especially considering the impact of your work on “Saturdays” and other projects?
Rukey: Thank you, Arun. We learned about our nomination for the Children and Family Emmys, shortly after I wrapped “Saturdays”. It was great to feel seen as an artist. I remember explaining why I chose certain hair directions such as the father Trey, played by Bryan Clark. His hair changed over the years from a texturizer to natural locs because of the influence of his naturalista wife. I mean how many couples have we seen who were together for years start looking alike?
7. You’ve recently submitted your work on “Saturdays” for the MUAH awards. What aspects of the show’s makeup and hairstyling do you believe stand out and contribute to its potential success in this category?
Rukey: Our hair department did some crazy, fun stuff on “Saturdays”. I hope that our work and approach is noticed as being creative, informative, realistic and appropriately over the top when needed.
8. Looking ahead, what are your aspirations and goals in the realm of hairstyling for film and television? Are there specific projects or themes you hope to explore in the future?
Rukey: I have been blessed to work on projects that encompass a wide range of hairstyling needs, including period, glam, fantasy, character, contemporary, aging, special effects, and ethnic hairstyling. Any story can require a combination of these styles. I want to work on a project that will give space for styling that is authentic to the storyline and character growth, allowing my team. to bring out the essence of the narrative through hairstyling.
When all things are in alignment, including a great story and a dedicated team of cohesive collaborators, with me as the department head of hair, we can collectively bring out the best in my work and creativity. This effort will ultimately lead to the recognition of our hairstyling skills.
9. Finally, for emerging hairstylists inspired by your journey, do you have any advice or insights you’d like to share about breaking into the industry and thriving in a competitive field?
Rukey: Be well rounded because there’s no productions where all the actors wear the same hairstyle (If so, it’s a comedy) lol. Learn as much as you can about all hair types and textures.
Work in a salon, mess up some stuff so you can learn how to fix it. It’s about knowing what you do so well that you can do it promptly with ease but also can get the same result multiple ways if needed.
The interview was originally held in December 2023.
Jeff Garlin — the veteran comedian and actor best known for playing Jeff Greene on HBO’s Curb Your Enthusiasm and Murray Goldberg on ABC’s The Goldbergs — has never been the type to flaunt his personal life. But when it comes to Sari Tracht, he makes an exception.
Since going Instagram-official in 2021, Garlin has made it increasingly clear — through red carpet appearances, heartfelt captions, and continued public posts — that this relationship is the real thing. As of 2026, the two remain a couple, and Garlin shows no signs of slowing down when it comes to letting the world know it.
Here is everything to know about Jeff Garlin and Sari Tracht’s relationship, how it began, who Sari is, and what the couple have been up to most recently.
How Jeff Garlin and Sari Tracht Went Public
The first glimpse fans got of Sari Tracht came on May 26, 2021, when Garlin posted a selfie of the two of them on Instagram with the caption: “I dig this woman. More surprising is that she digs me.” The post was warm and characteristically self-deprecating — classic Garlin — and it immediately set social media alight with speculation about whether the two were more than friends.
Garlin did not confirm the relationship directly at that point, but he did not have to. The caption spoke for itself, and fans poured into the comments with their well-wishes.
Their first official public appearance as a couple came on October 19, 2021, at the HBO premiere of Curb Your Enthusiasm Season 11 at the Paramount Theatre in Los Angeles. Garlin arrived with Tracht by his side and wrapped his arm across her shoulders for photos — a moment that removed any remaining ambiguity.
Then, on December 8, 2023, Garlin made it unambiguously official with a new Instagram post featuring a photo of the two of them together. The caption read: “This is my partner. Her name is Sari. I don’t know how this happened. Life is wonderful.”
The reaction was overwhelmingly positive. One fan wrote, “You got yourself a partner!” Another admitted, “I’m naturally jealous… is that weird.” The post confirmed what followers had long suspected: this was not a passing romance.
Jeff Garlin and Sari Tracht’s Relationship Timeline: 2024–2026
Since that December 2023 declaration, the couple have continued to appear together publicly at major events — and Garlin has kept sharing moments of their relationship on Instagram.
January 30, 2024 — Garlin and Tracht attended the Los Angeles premiere of Curb Your Enthusiasm Season 12 — the final season of the beloved HBO comedy — at the DGA Theater Complex. It was a significant milestone: Garlin’s last major red carpet walk for the show that defined much of his career, and Tracht was right there beside him.
September 15, 2024 — The couple stepped out together for the 76th Primetime Emmy Awards at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, with Garlin wearing a classic suit and Tracht drawing attention in her own right. Photos from the red carpet, captured by Getty Images and the Associated Press, showed the two posing together and looking every bit the comfortable, happy couple.
2025–2026 — Garlin has continued to post photos with Tracht on Instagram, including two recent posts that confirm their relationship is going as strong as ever. His captions have remained consistent in tone — affectionate, a little surprised by his own luck, and genuinely joyful. For a man who has spoken openly about some of the darkest periods of his life, that contentment is meaningful.
Who Is Sari Tracht?
While Garlin is the familiar face, Sari Tracht is far from a background figure. She is a well-established professional in the entertainment industry in her own right, with a career spanning two decades in film and television editing.
Early Life and Education
Sari Rochelle Tracht was born on March 17, 1981, in Detroit, Michigan. She is one of three children born to Arnold and Janice Tracht. Her father, Arnold, is a local dentist; her mother, Janice, is a clinical social worker. Her brother, Ryan Tracht, is based in West Bloomfield Township, Michigan.
Tracht attended Western Michigan University from 1999 to 2001 before transferring to Columbia College Chicago, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts with a concentration in film editing in 2004. She relocated to Los Angeles in 2005 to begin her professional career.
Career as an Editor
Tracht’s entry into Hollywood came through a junior editor role on a DVD featurette for acclaimed filmmaker Sam Raimi’s production The Messengers — a formative mentorship that gave her the foundation for everything that followed.
Over the next two decades, she built an impressive and varied portfolio across reality television, documentaries, commercials, trailers, promos, digital content, music videos, and scripted television. Her career is defined by both technical precision and a strong creative instinct, particularly when it comes to sound design and music integration.
Her former employer Kai Hasson, founder of Portal A Interactive, has spoken highly of her work ethic: “She pushes the envelope. As her boss, I love that trait about Sari.”
Her credit list includes well-known projects such as:
- Black-ish (ABC)
- Liza on Demand (YouTube Premium)
- Drunk History (Comedy Central) — where she worked for nearly two years until February 2020
- It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia (FX)
- Patriot (Amazon Studios)
- The Strain (FX)
She has collaborated with major companies, including E!, Hulu, VICE Media, NBC, FX Networks, Comedy Central, Amazon Studios, and CollegeHumor Media. More recently, she has worked as a freelance editor, including a stint with Above Average.
Tracht is not merely Jeff Garlin’s girlfriend — she is a creative professional who has spent her career working on some of the most recognizable projects in American comedy television.
Jeff Garlin’s Previous Marriage
Before Tracht, Garlin was married for over two decades to Marla Beth Cahan, a casting director. The two wed in 1994 — Garlin proposed to her during a Neil Diamond concert, in a moment as quintessentially him as anything from his stand-up. Together they had two sons: James Garlin (born 1996) and Duke Garlin (born 2000).
The marriage ended in 2018 after Garlin filed for divorce, citing irreconcilable differences. The split was finalized in September 2018. Despite the end of the marriage, Garlin has spoken warmly about Cahan in interviews, including on the All’s Fair with Laura Wasser podcast, where he described his love and care for her even after their separation.
Marla Cahan has had a distinguished career of her own. As a casting director and actress, she has worked on notable projects including the 2019 biopic Bombshell, the 1999 action-drama Arlington Road, the 2005 comedy The 40-Year-Old Virgin, and the 2023 comedy film You People.
Jeff Garlin in 2026
Now 63, Garlin is in a new and quietly fulfilling chapter of his life. Both of his long-running television shows — The Goldbergs and Curb Your Enthusiasm — have come to an end. The Goldbergs concluded its run after Season 11, while Curb Your Enthusiasm wrapped its historic 24-year run with Season 12 in April 2024.
Rather than retreating from the public eye, Garlin has returned to his roots. He continues to perform stand-up comedy, the craft that first brought him to national attention when he was performing with The Second City in Chicago in the 1980s. He has spoken in interviews about how returning to live performance helped him through some of his most difficult personal periods, including his bipolar disorder diagnosis and a stroke that required a lengthy recovery.
He has also embraced photography as a serious creative pursuit. His photo exhibition Big Bowl of Wonderful has shown in Los Angeles, Seattle, Chicago, and Boston — and in September 2026, publishing house Rizzoli will release his photobook, Best Seat in the House: Photography by Jeff Garlin, marking a significant milestone in that side of his creative life.
Through all of it, Tracht has remained a constant presence.
A Relationship Built on Genuine Joy
What makes the Garlin–Tracht relationship stand out — at least in how Garlin presents it publicly — is its lack of performance. There are no staged paparazzi moments, no carefully orchestrated press narratives. There are just Instagram captions from a 63-year-old comedian who still seems a little amazed that someone this good ended up in his corner.
“I don’t know how this happened,” he wrote in 2023. “Life is wonderful.”
For a man who has been remarkably open about the valleys of the last several years — the professional turbulence, the health struggles, the bipolar diagnosis — that kind of straightforward happiness is its own kind of statement.
As of 2026, Jeff Garlin and Sari Tracht are still together, still appearing publicly side by side, and still, by all appearances, very much in love.
Exclusive
Rob Rausch Confirms New Romance After Historic ‘The Traitors’ Win: ‘I’ve Been Dating for Two Months’
The reality star shuts down Maura Higgins romance rumors and reveals he is currently building a private woodworking project for his new love.
Rob Rausch has a lot to celebrate this February. Just one day after pulling off the ultimate deception to win Season 4 of Peacock’s The Traitors, the 27-year-old reality star has confirmed that his heart is officially taken. During the highly anticipated The Traitors reunion, which aired Friday, Feb. 27, 2026, the professional snake wrangler revealed that he has been in a committed relationship for two months.
The news comes as a blow to “shippers” who were hoping for a real-life romance between Rob and his Love Island alum and The Traitors co-star, Maura Higgins. Throughout the season, the pair’s “flirty faithfulness” was a central storyline, culminating in a shocking finale where Rob betrayed Maura’s blind trust to claim the entire $220,800 prize pot for himself. When host Andy Cohen asked during the reunion if there was any chance for a romantic spark between the two now that the game is over, Rob was quick to shut it down, confirming his status with a new, private partner.
While Rob is keeping his girlfriend’s identity under wraps for now, eagle-eyed fans have already begun the investigation. DeuxMoi recently shared a grainy photo of the reality star out and about in Kansas City with a mystery woman, sparking rumors that his new flame may be a non-celebrity from the Midwest.
In a new profile for The Cut published alongside his win, Rob gave a rare glimpse into how he’s spending his time away from the cameras. The feature noted that the Alabama native is “currently working on a woodworking project for his girlfriend,” though he declined to share her name or how they met. This “private but not secret” approach is a departure from his highly publicized flings on Love Island USA Seasons 5 and 6, where his “villain era” and breakup with Leah Kateb became viral sensations.
Maura Higgins, who was left “gobsmacked” and jokingly called Rob a “snake” after his Traitor reveal, seems to be taking the relationship news in stride. During the reunion, she teased Rob about his “good lying skills,” telling him, “You’re never going to have a girlfriend after this.” Rob countered with a laugh, noting that his current partner actually finds his strategic mind “impressive” rather than terrifying.
As for that $220,800 prize? Rob says he plans to be responsible with his winnings—but not before making things right with Maura. He confirmed during the reunion that he is officially buying her a Hermès Birkin bag as a “betrayal apology.” With a record-breaking reality TV win under his belt and a new mystery woman by his side, Rob Rausch is proving that 2026 is his most successful year yet.
Exclusive
Martin Short’s Daughter Katherine Short Dead at 42: New Details Emerge on Her Final Hours
The entertainment world is in mourning as comedy icon Martin Short faces an unimaginable personal tragedy. After Katherine went MIA for 24 hours, new details regarding a recovered “note” and her final moments have emerged.
On Monday, Feb. 23, 2026, the entertainment community was struck by the devastating news of the passing of Katherine Elizabeth Short, the eldest daughter of comedy legend Martin Short. Katherine was discovered in her Hollywood Hills home following a welfare check initiated by a concerned friend who reported that the 42-year-old had not been heard from in over 24 hours. Upon arriving at the residence shortly after 6:00 p.m., Los Angeles law enforcement officers were forced to make entry into the home, where they found Katherine behind a locked bedroom door.
Law enforcement sources have since confirmed that Katherine died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Homicide detectives who responded to the scene recovered a firearm along with a note left by the clinical social worker. After a thorough investigation of the scene and the 911 audio obtained from the initial call, authorities have officially ruled out foul play. The loss marks a heartbreaking chapter for the Short family, who have navigated significant private trials despite Martin’s long-standing status as one of Hollywood’s most beloved and energetic performers.
In a statement released to the media, a representative for the family expressed their profound grief, describing Katherine as a “beloved soul” who was remembered for the “light and joy she brought into the world.” Katherine was the eldest of three children adopted by Martin and his late wife, Nancy Dolman, who passed away from ovarian cancer in 2010. Unlike her father, Katherine chose a life away from the cameras, earning a Master’s in Social Work from the University of Southern California and dedicating her professional life to mental health advocacy and dual-diagnosis treatment at various prestigious Los Angeles clinics.
Her professional peers have been vocal about the “cruel irony” of her passing, noting that Katherine spent her career as a staunch advocate for Bring Change to Mind, a nonprofit dedicated to ending the stigma surrounding mental illness. Colleagues remember her as a deeply compassionate woman who used her father’s signature wit to put her patients at ease while maintaining a fierce commitment to the vulnerable populations she served. As of late February 2026, Martin Short has postponed several of his upcoming tour dates with longtime collaborator Steve Martin to remain in Los Angeles and grieve privately with his sons, Oliver and Henry.
The tragedy has reignited a national conversation about the silent struggles often faced by those in the “helping professions.” While the contents of the note found at the scene remain private, the family continues to ask for space as they process the “unimaginable heartbreak” of losing a daughter who spent her life fighting for the mental well-being of others. This latest loss for the 75-year-old actor, who has often spoken about the “resilience muscle” he built after the early deaths of his parents and brother, has led to an outpouring of support from his Only Murders in the Building co-stars and the broader Broadway and film communities.
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