Additional Coverage:
- Law Roach says he tries not to be friends with his clients: ‘I want to get paid’ (businessinsider.com)
Celebrity stylist Law Roach emphasizes the importance of maintaining professional boundaries with clients, sharing that he generally avoids becoming friends with those he works for. Speaking on SiriusXM, Roach explained that mixing friendship with business can blur lines and complicate getting properly compensated.
Roach cited his relationship with Zendaya as a rare exception. Having grown up together, they share a familial bond, which allows for a more personal connection. However, with most clients, he prefers to keep a clear divide between work and friendship.
He illustrated the challenges with an example he often shares with his assistants: when clients invite him over socially but then ask for styling favors, it becomes difficult to treat those services as billable work. “This is your business, this is your livelihood,” Roach said, underscoring the need to protect professional boundaries.
This stance is consistent with Roach’s previous comments, including a 2015 interview where he noted that while he builds strong relationships with clients-seeing them at their most vulnerable without hair or makeup-he still opts to keep things professional to avoid potential complications.
Other public figures have echoed similar sentiments. In 2025, comedians Abbi Jacobson and Ilana Glazer shared that they intentionally kept a distance outside of work while filming “Broad City,” prioritizing the professional nature of their collaboration over personal friendship to maintain a healthy working environment.
Experts also highlight the importance of separating personal and professional roles. Hakan Ozcelik, a management professor at Sacramento State University, advises that employees bring their “best professional selves” to the workplace rather than their “intimate selves.” Etiquette coach Mariah Grumet recommends steering clear of sensitive topics like religion, politics, or personal health when interacting with coworkers, regardless of closeness, to ensure respectful and boundary-conscious communication.
In sum, maintaining clear boundaries between work and friendship helps preserve professionalism, supports a healthy work dynamic, and safeguards one’s livelihood.
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- Law Roach says he tries not to be friends with his clients: ‘I want to get paid’ (businessinsider.com)