Justice for Fabio: The Hairstylist Legend's Story

Welcome to the Main Event, the ultimate podcast for hairstylists who are ready to build a thriving career and be a part of a supportive community. We're your hosts, Rachel and Tara, and we're so thrilled you're here. With over 40 years combined experience in the industry and multiple beauty businesses, we're your mentors to help you navigate your journey as a hairstylist where you feel supported, seen, and heard. This is your safe space to connect, relate, and elevate your career. We're here to keep it real. Sharing expert insights, personal stories and strategies to help you grow behind the chair and beyond. Whether you're just starting out or a seasoned pro, we've got your back. So turn up the volume and get excited because we're sharing the latest challenges and trending topics about our industry. Let us know in the comments if there's any topics you want us to cover, subscribe now and enjoy the show. Welcome back to the Main Event. We're your hosts. I'm Tara. I'm Rachel. And today we're gonna be talking about the Mentor. We have t-shirts on him that are representing him. Him, his name is. To Fabio Elli. I said that right? Yes. You said it correctly. I wrote it even though I'm Italian. I had to write, write it out. Sumit. I had to write it out the way it sounded phonetically too. Right? Um, also known as Big Daddy in the hair industry. Um, I been following this case for a very long time and I happened to be in the Wellis studio, um, when it was announced that he had passed, so that was heartbreaking. Sure. There were so many people. That he had touched their lives and they were devastated. And I think it was like shock, like no one could believe that, like they were hearing this correctly. Um, so I, um, unfortunately didn't get the opportunity to ever really work with him, but many of the people that I worked with, um, did work with him and credited a lot to their journey and their career from him. So that day it was nice, like everyone was sharing stories of how he touched, you know, so many different hairdressers lives. Um, you know, he's had an extensive career. He worked with celebrities and he was a global ambassador with different companies. Um, and just really from what I've heard and seen, just very down to earth and definitely very passionate about our industry, about being a mentor to people. He sounds like he impacted a lot of lives, so many people, and it didn't, you know, with his status, it didn't matter if you were, you know, fresh out of beauty school. If you were in beauty school, like he would. Feel like he would talk to everybody like they were the same. Um, so I know he definitely helped a lot of people in their career path if they were like, I don't know if I should go this way or I like this, but I wanna do this. Like, he would help them along their journey, um, which is such a special person to have and I know we all could use someone like that. So this case definitely, um, has been ongoing. Um, if you've been following it, his wife, um, was found guilty. Um, so hopefully she hasn't been sentenced yet, but she could face life, uh, in prison without the possibility of parole. So, um, I'm hoping that's what she gets because that's what she deserves. So when it first, the story first came out, they had suspected it was a robbery because his Porsche was taken, they framed it that way, right? They, they tried to frame it that way. And basically this was all for, he had like a $1 million insurance policy. See, which I still don't get because they're in California. Right. And if she just divorced him, she probably would've gotten half on half. And you know, I, she wasn't living a bad life, so she ended up, uh, meeting a lover. Um, supposedly he was like an ex porn star or something like that, and the two conspired, um, to taking him out. So, uh, he for money. For money, I guess. So just for the million dollar, whatever policy. And then probably, she probably assumed everything would be left to her. And the kids, they did share three kids together. Um, and unfortunately she had this where her, one of her daughters is the one who discovered him. So I, my heart breaks for her. So sad. I can't imagine that. Um, you know, I think about my own father, like I would be devastated. And the fact that her mother put her in that position is just. Disgusting. So, um, he was stabbed multiple times on his deck and they ended up finding DNA evidence in his Porsche, which was stolen. When it was recovered. They found, you know, um, DNA evidence tying to her lover. Um, which he, once they arrested him, he ended up just, pleading like I did it. That's it. So he's in prison, for life. Oh, they already sentenced him? Yeah. I forget the actual legal term of it, but, basically like he didn't have to go to trial. He just was kind of like, okay, this is what I did. This is He confessed and he confessed. Yeah. So, um, her on the other end was still in denial and. Um, sending, like they, they ended up, obviously in this day and age, like everyone knows you can trace everything. Oh my God. Yeah. So, um, after reviewing like her phone records and everything, I mean, they found out, um, and both of them did attend the funeral that she was texting her lover, like nudes. And everything. So in the middle of the funeral, I guess so. So, um, again, that just shows so cold hearted, like what a cold hearted killer. So, um, I'm happy that they did some great police work. They figured this all out. I'm happy she's finally being held accountable. For her actions, they said the only time they saw her cry during the trial, which you can watch, on court TV, I believe is when the verdict was read. So I don't know if she's really that narcissistic that she thought she'd get out of it or away with it or something, maybe. Um, but what we really wanted to just shine light on is, I mean, he was only 49 years old and he touched so many lives along his journey. He has a tremendous family. He has a sister who also is in the industry who's, you know, obviously been pushing to get, um, justice for him. But if you think 49 years and. From what everyone told me, he had a ton of energy, who knows how many other stylists and things he could have done for our industry or people that helped, and she took that all away for a million dollar policy, which I just, I still can't understand. It's really not that much anymore. That's what I, it's just mind blowing. You're living in California. I mean, that's not, that's really not that much. I, we just kind of wanted to just do this episode to pay him tribute. And really, you know, if you aren't familiar with him, look him up and all the great things that he had accomplished during his career. And like we said, we try to take from that and we also try to mentor people and. Kind of, remind ourselves of him. So these shirts say pay it forward. And that was one of his big beliefs. And that's what we try to do with the stylist. So we encourage you to do that in your own shops and round other stylists. If there's some younger stylist you wanna take under your wing. Um, we just, let's do it all for us to elevate our own industry as a whole. As a whole. Yeah. Because I think it's so important and, um. Just like I said, hearing all of these people and how important he was to them and all the different things that he helped them with and was always there and just like someone to talk to. It's like, I mean, people were devastated, so it's like he's touched so many lives and I just wish that none of this happened and that he would've still been here. Agreed. Because I think he would've just done continued to do so much Good. Yeah. So we just pray that she gets, the strongest sentence she can possibly get and never sees the light of day again. Um, and hopefully he can rest, uh, knowing that he has some justice and for his kids. I hope that, they have the best possible lives they can and always remember him because I know we will always remember him in the industry. He's such a strong player, so I wish, do you wish I had the opportunity to meet him? Oh, I know, after hearing all of it, like, I mean, obviously I knew him. I was working in Wella at the time, so it was like, you know, he was a big presence. And again, like Wella, we ended up getting all these shirts at, uh, a training event and like it was always talked about and. So it's like you felt like you got to know him mm-hmm. Just from living their stories. So yeah. It's just, it's amazing to me that somebody who was just so bright and such a good legend hearted person. Legend, yes. Who he is. He is a legend in our industry. Could unfortunately have this happen to him. Mm-hmm. And it's just. You. I don't know. I have a son. I always tell him, be careful who you marry because you don't know. Like, I'm like, you better make sure you pick a good one because here so many years, you know? Um, who would've thought zip of the lip on the money? Yes, exactly. I don't know. It's just pure greed. I don't know what else this woman could have wanted. She was living a very lavish lifestyle and had everything she could possibly want and. It's almost still giving me OJ vibes. Yeah. Well it just don't know why. Yeah. The hey, the driving away, the knife. Yeah. I mean it definitely, you know, I could see that California, there's a lot of combined things. There's too many similarities and synchronicities. It's just something you don't even expect. And then it's like to see, I know 2020 did a whole thing on it and it's like, it's the hairdresser, it just like shocking to me. Um, and like I said, nobody would've ever had thought Yeah. Or assumed that this could happen. And, um. So unfortunate, like when you think of someone that has just done so right by so many people, like you're like, who would ever wish 'em harm? You know? Mm-hmm. And then to know that it was money backed and it is just awful. Like me, you don't wanna be with him. Then he, she could've just gotten a divorce, you know what I mean? Then she still would've ended up completely fine and ran off with her, whatever lover. And now, unfortunately now, I mean, I don't know if anybody's seen her, but she looks a mess. I didn't, I haven't seen her. No. Ragged is all her right now. Um, so, and that's exactly what she deserves. So I'm just happy that they got it all right and that justice has been served. Has been served. Then hopefully everyone can move on and his memory will always live on. And where can we find out more information about this case? There is on court tv. They were doing it live, so I believe the, um, the date of her sentencing, I believe is in June. I don't know the exact date. Mm-hmm. So, um, that'll you get your popcorn. Yeah. Get your popcorn ready. And there's a lot, um, 2020 I know did a whole episode and everything so you can kind of watch the whole story. Just even just googling different articles, like a lot will talk about his background and all the amazing things that he's done. So, you know, just something to, we just wanted to share our, you know, thoughts and experiences on this and hopefully going forward we never have to talk about another hairdresser I know can be seriously being like murdered like that in cold blood. Yeah. But definitely appreciate all everybody that was able to figure this out and. Lock her up. So yes, please check out and research it a little bit more, and also to research all the great things that he did. So, and if you did have the pleasure of working with him, then share and cherish those memories and try to pay it forward like he would've wanted. Um, and hopefully we can just keep growing and elevating the industry. Yes. And leave your stories in the comments. We would love to hear from you, and we'd love to hear. How he impacted you in your journey as well. And we'll link the court case in the show notes below. That's a wrap on this episode of The Main Event. We're all about empowering our community and supporting each other, so if you love today's conversation, share it with a fellow stylist and let's grow together. Don't forget to subscribe and leave a review and connect with us on Instagram. At the Main Event Show or our YouTube both linked in our show notes below, got a topic you want us to cover, send us a dm. We'd love to hear from you. Until next time, keep creating, keep growing. And remember, you're a part of our family now.