There’s something really special that happens when two Broadway girls who go way back sit down and talk honestly about identity, beauty standards, and self-acceptance. In this episode of The Salisha Show (formerly Black Hair in the Big Leagues), host Salisha Thomas reconnects with Broadway performer Joanna Alexis Jones for a heartfelt conversation about her journey with textured hair, confidence, and finding herself both on and off the stage.

Best known for making her “epic Broadway debut” in Hamilton, Joanna opens up about the pressure many Black women feel to straighten or alter their natural hair in order to fit in professionally and socially.

From Disneyland to Broadway

Salisha introduces Joanna not only as a Broadway talent, but as someone she’s known since their Disney days. The chemistry between them makes the conversation feel warm, nostalgic, and deeply personal from the very beginning.

Joanna reflects on balancing life as a performer while also navigating her own personal growth and identity. Even something as simple as being a “morning person” despite performing nightly on Broadway becomes part of a larger conversation about understanding yourself and honoring your own rhythms.

Joanna Alexis Jones’ Natural Hair Journey

One of the most powerful parts of the episode comes when Joanna shares how her relationship with her curls evolved over time.

Growing up, wearing natural curls simply didn’t feel trendy or widely accepted in many spaces she occupied. Like many Black women, she internalized the idea that straight hair was the default.

“No one else really around me was doing that to their hair… I was like, ‘Oh, this is what you do with your hair.’”

Joanna explains that her curl journey truly began around 2016 while living in Las Vegas. After years of heat damage and relaxing treatments, she discovered Dominican salons — an experience she says completely changed her perspective on textured hair care.

What resonated most was the realization that textured hair didn’t need to be “fixed.” Instead, it could be protected, celebrated, and versatile all at once.

She describes how Dominican stylists understood her hair texture immediately and helped her embrace healthier practices without sacrificing style.

Representation, Identity, and Black History

The conversation expands beyond hair into identity, culture, and education.

Joanna shares that during the pandemic, she intentionally spent time reconnecting with Black history and learning things she was never taught in school — including the history of Black Wall Street and Juneteenth.

Rather than only focusing on career advancement during shutdowns, she focused inward.

“Diving into myself as a human is only gonna make me a better actor, a better performer.”

Salisha and Joanna also discuss the importance of passing cultural knowledge and self-love down to future generations, especially when it comes to natural hair and understanding Black heritage.

Creativity During Difficult Times

Like many Broadway performers during the pandemic, Joanna had to rediscover what kept her grounded outside of performing eight shows a week.

For her, creativity became a lifeline.

She shares that writing and recording music helped keep her sane during uncertain times, alongside support from friends and family in California.

It’s a beautiful reminder that artistry doesn’t only exist onstage. Sometimes it exists in healing, experimenting, reconnecting, and simply allowing yourself to evolve.

“It’s Never Too Late”

The episode closes with one of Joanna’s most encouraging reflections:

“It’s never too late to make a different decision in your hair journey.”

That sentiment perfectly captures the heart of this conversation. Whether it’s hair, identity, confidence, or career — growth is always possible.

And honestly? That’s what makes this episode so timeless.

Listen to the Full Episode

In this episode of The Salisha Show, Salisha Thomas and Joanna Alexis Jones discuss:

• Joanna’s Broadway journey and Hamilton debut

• Natural hair and textured hair care

• Dominican salons and curl restoration

• Beauty standards in the entertainment industry

• Black identity and cultural education

• Creativity during the pandemic

• Learning to embrace authenticity

You can listen to the full episode on The Salisha Show Website or wherever you stream podcasts.