Law Roach on retirement, anger and why he hasn’t driven a car in nearly a decade

“What’s the craziest thing Law Roach has ever done in a fit of rage?”

That’s the question moderator Anthony Allen Ramos posed to the superstar stylist Wednesday afternoon during their conversation at Lombardi House in LA, as part of a special event to showcase Netflix’s new series. Beef. The question is clearly inspired by the plot that follows the lives of two characters, played by Steven Yeun and Ali Wong, in the aftermath of a road accident. And Roach’s answer reflected where he is now in his life and career.

“Quit my job,” Roach offered as the room, filled with media and influencers, erupted with laughter and applause. “Thanks, Netflix, because I needed this.” That line got a lot of laughs too, and then Roach clarified that when he announced he was retiring from the personal styling, he wasn’t excited about one specific incident (at least that’s what he was willing to reveal with a mic in hand) but was in upset instead that he lost track of himself.

“It was the anger I had that I had with myself,” he explained. “I think I’ve given so much of myself to my clients, to my career and to my success, that I don’t remember exactly when I was last a priority for me. At that moment [when I announced my retirement], Some things happened, but I was not mad at anyone from the outside. I was angry with myself. I found out that I didn’t love myself. All my anger was internal. In that fit of rage I said, ‘You know what, let someone else do it.’”

While the event literally had anger printed on the invitation — dubbed a “Release Your Rage” retreat — the well-produced afternoon had an easy, light-hearted feel. Guests hovered over the lawn, nibbling on light bites like wontons and dumplings (from RiceBox with sauces from Fly by Jing), sipping refreshments (like Health-Ade kombucha), and practicing mindfulness (painting and plant therapy followed by a meditation and sound bath ).

During a five minute conversation with The Hollywood Reporter at the event, Roach also had brain health as he talked about how he processes the most important life decision, why he doesn’t drive and the most interesting inbound phone call he’s received since announcing he’s quitting personal styling. (Hint: there may be more TV involved!).

I saw you at THR’s Stylists Dinner just a few days ago and you’ve been around the world ever since. First of all, how was India?

India was incredible. Whether you work in fashion, art or any of the creative industries, you want to feel and experience the colors of India. I got the chance to do that and it was incredible.

It was a nice surprise to get an invite to a special event for this Netflix show Beef and then see your name on it. Why did you say yes to come here today?

I said yes because it made sense and because of the topic. I think I also agreed to do it as part of my healing. My announcement to retire is still very, very new, very recent, and I am still going through the healing process. Honestly, I go through all these different stages of grief. The phase I’m in right now is uncertainty. I went through grief, I went through guilt. I have a big company and I employ a lot of people. I felt really guilty about making this hasty decision and wondered how it would affect them. Now I’m in this healing process and I’m making sure I understand that the decision I made was to put myself first. That all fit very well with the decision to come here, because that’s what I experience in real time.

I can understand that, it’s a lot to process and manage with your big career. You mentioned some of the themes that Beef touches, healing, trauma, anger. Let’s ask a stupid question first: are you currently in a fight with someone?

(laughs) The internet would like to think I do, but I don’t. I don’t have beef for anyone. No ill will, nothing negative at all with anyone.

I was thinking about you when I drove her today knowing I’d talk to you because this show starts with a traffic accident and I wasn’t sure if you drive?

I don’t drive.

Not you?

No. That’s why I don’t drive. I have seen [road rage] while I’ve driven in the back of cars and it just feels dangerous. I don’t want to be prone to that kind of anger either. I don’t know if I want it or not, but just when I moved to LA, I didn’t have to drive anymore.

How long has it been since you drove a car?

Almost a decade.

You’re not missing much, it can be a mess out there.

Didn’t think I was. (laughs) I sit in the back of the car and focus on answering calls, replying to emails, talking to my assistants, conference calls or Zoom meetings. I never get stuck in traffic because I’m always so busy I don’t even realize what’s going on.

I don’t know if you could see it when you walked in, but out on the lawn today there are many activities to help guests work out their anger or de-stress. There are many wellness options for you to choose from right now, I’m curious how you de-stress or what you do to manage your current situation?

I am studying. Again, I am on this journey to learn and find out who I really am and find out what makes me happy and how to de-stress. Right now the stress is gone because I don’t have the job, you know, but it’s more about managing anxiety than anything. I think that comes from knowing that I really made the right decision. But again, it’s a process. I didn’t plan to retire and wake up the next day and everything was perfect. I need to experience new feelings and emotions.

While you’re doing that, I’m sure you’re probably also juggling a lot of new opportunities. What’s the most interesting inbound call you’ve received since you made the announcement?

I got a few calls from very, very well known production companies to see if I was interested in that space.

And the answer?

The answer is yes. Do you know what the thing is? I want to try everything. I want to take every opportunity and try to see what else I’m good at. I am also entering this phase of my life with the [belief] that I’m not afraid of failure. I just want to try. If I’m good, I’m good. If it’s not me, it’s not me. At the end of the day, if nothing works out, I can always go back to being a stylist because we know I’m good at that. I have skills, but in this meantime I want to try as much as possible. I want to do as many things as possible.

Last question: Are we ever going to find out who the mystery guest was that you met before the Vanity Fair Oscar party, the one who experienced a wardrobe malfunction when he got out of the car?

Um no. (laughs)