A 71-year-old woman cried tears of joy after receiving a stunning makeover that made look as young as she feels.
Joanie Tucker from Summerville, South Carolina, was plucked from the crowd in the Today plaza on Thursday for a head-to-toe transformation after years of religiously watching Louis Licari and Jill Martin’s ‘Ambush Makeover’ segment on the show.
‘I am 71 years old and I feel like I am 29 years old, so that to me is a celebration. Because I wake up every day just thankful for being here,’ she said.
Then and wow! Joanie Tucker, 71, from Summerville, South Carolina, received an ambush makeover on the Today show on Thursday after years of religiously watching the segment
Her turn! The mom said she watched every single week and doesn’t think she has ever missed the segment
‘I watch every single week. I don’t think I have ever missed an Ambush Makeover. I love Louis and Jill and I can’t believe this is happening to me.’
Joanie admitted she never thought she ‘had a chance in a million’ of being picked for a makeover, explaining the only reason she was there was because of her daughter-in-law Jen and her son.
‘I am just so emotional. I can’t believe it,’ she said before she met with Louis, a celebrity hairstylist, and Jill, Today’s lifestyle contributor.
‘This is my before and I am looking for my happily ever after,’ she said as she struck a pose with her daughter-in-law, her brother Tom, and her friend Peggy.
Family: Joanie said the only reason she was on the show was because of her daughter-in-law Jen (right)
Unveiling: Joanie’s daughter-in-law Jen, brother Tom, and friend Peggy were all amazed by her new look
Joanie had a smile on her face when she stepped on stage modeling a chic blazer, new Warby Parker glasses, and skinny jeans.
Jen, Tom, and Peggy all loved her new look, and when she turned around, she was so stunned that she took off her glasses and put them back on before taking a second look.
She was so happy she ran over to Jill and Louis, saying: ‘Oh my God, I’ve loved you guys forever.’
Joanie’s curls were blown out, and Louis explained that he ‘softened her hair color’ and ‘painted a few highlights around her face.’
Thrilled with the results: ‘Oh my God,’ Joannie said when she looked in the mirror for the first time since her makeover
Heartwarming moment: Joanie started to cry when hairstylist Louis Licari explained how they updated her look
‘It looks quite great — and I think someone is going to cry,’ he said, prompting Jill to hand her a tissue.
‘Tears of happiness, I hope,’ Louis said.
While Joanie was dabbing her eyes, Jill explained that she dressed her in a sleek blazer, a leopard top, skinny jeans, and heels because she said she wanted basics that she could mix and match.
The stylist topped off the look with a pair of statement earrings and new glasses.
Beautiful before and after: Callie Wheeler, 32, from Portland, Oregon, also received an ambush makeover on Thursday morning’s show
Surprise: Callie, who lives in Paris, was spending time with her mother Kathy in New York City this week, but she never imagined she would end up getting a makeover
Callie Wheeler, 32, from Portland, Oregon, also received an ambush makeover on Thursday morning’s show while visiting New York City with her mother Kathy.
‘My mom and I live on opposite sides of the world right now, so we met in the middle. She’s from Oregon and I live in Paris,’ she said. ‘I thought this was a good opportunity to hang out in New York for a little bit.’
Callie explained that she is an ‘adventurous person’ and wanted ‘a little bit of a professional edge’ to her look.
‘Get me up to par with the Parisian fashionistas,’ she said, noting that she is ‘feeling pretty excited’ about her transformation. ‘I didn’t expect to wake up and get a makeover this morning.’
Warm embrace: Callie stepped on stage wearing a flirty floral dress that was actually picked out by her mom, who teared up when she saw her daughter’s new look
Parisian chic: When it came to styling Callie’s chin-length bob, Louis explained that left it a ‘little bit in disarray’ because he wanted to keep her looking ‘young’
Callie stepped on stage wearing a flirty floral dress that was actually picked out by her mom, who teared up when she saw her daughter’s new look.
‘Oh my God, who is that?’ she asked when she turned around to look at herself in the mirror.
When it came to styling Callie’s chin-length bob, Louis explained that left it a ‘little bit in disarray’ because he wanted to keep her looking ‘young.’ He highlighted her brown locks in a natural way, keeping her hair darker at the root.
Jill, meanwhile, dressed her in a black floral frock, which she paired with black tights and trendy ankle booties.