By
Erin Coulehan
Editorial photography by
Jordan Licon
Hair by
Luly James
Makeup by
Gina Mendiola
Additional photography courtesy of
Abe Bueno-Jallad and Luly James; “The Chosen” Press Center
Editorial assistance
Katherine Kocian
Under the glitz, glamor, and glitter of Los Angeles, where dreams are both born and realized, few stories are as romantic – or authentic – as that of Abe Bueno-Jallad and Luly James, a dynamic creative couple whose journey from the borderlands of El Paso, Texas, to the heights of Hollywood spotlights is as heartwarming as it is inspiring.
Abe Bueno-Jallad, an actor with deep roots across the American Southwest and Mexico, has taken the entertainment world by storm.
With a unique blend of mixed-race heritage – speaking Spanish, English, and Arabic fluently – his cultural fluency and versatility as an actor have made him a sought-after talent in both English and Spanish language films. His role as “Big James” in the wildly successful historical drama “The Chosen,” a multi-season series on the life of Jesus, has solidified his place in Hollywood, with millions of viewers captivated by his performances. “The Chosen,” which boasts over 253 million viewers and is available on major streaming platforms like Netflix and Amazon Prime, has pushed boundaries as the first multi-season series about the life of Jesus, making him part of a monumental cultural moment that he refuses to take for granted.
“It’s easy to focus on when someone, quote-unquote, ‘arrives,’ but people often overlook the journey that got them there. The road is paved with failures, trials, errors, and successes,” he explains.
What makes Jallad’s path even more extraordinary is his unusual start.
Before turning to acting, he was immersed in psychiatric research, working on a grant in New Mexico. His background in mental health gives him a distinctive emotional depth and empathy, something that surely contributes to the authenticity of his performances. Jallad views acting as a way to bring people together through storytelling, a mission that aligns perfectly with his work on “The Chosen.”
Though constantly traveling between California, New Mexico, and Texas, he maintains deep ties to his roots while exploring creative opportunities in Los Angeles.
On the other side of this power couple, Luly James is a force in the world of beauty and celebrity hairstyling.
Growing up in Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua, her passion for connecting with people and expressing creativity through hair started at a young age. From braiding dolls’ hair as a child to creating iconic looks for the Oscars, her journey has been one of continuous evolution.
Today, she works with some of the biggest names in Hollywood under the mentorship of celebrity stylist Adir Abergel, known for his innovative red carpet hairdos for stars like Gwyneth Paltrow, Marion Cotillard, and Kristen Stewart (to name a few).
James’ career is not just about hairstyling; it’s about building connections and empowering women to feel their most confident.
“When I get a new client, I build a mood board of what she feels and who she is,” she shares. “What does she do on her day-to-day? Where does she get her coffee? How am I going to make this color accentuate her beauty and be part of her life?”
Her spiritual outlook and dedication to her craft have earned her a place among Hollywood’s elite.
“Luly’s journey is unique. She was already on my radar, doing fashion weeks in New York and LA,” Jallad recalls.
Whether working on the red carpets or crafting editorial looks for fashion week, James brings a mix of soulfulness and precision to her work.
“Luly has been such an instrumental part of building the Hair by Adir empire,” Abergel tells The City Magazine. “She is an incredible hair stylist, but her gifts are being able to bring in an entire community of hairstylists to Hair by Adir by creating educational programs to inspire the next generation.”
James’ impressive range in the beauty industry extends from product development and marketing to haircuts, highlights, and more.
“One of my favorite projects the first year I was working for Hair by Adir,” she recalls, “is when I was able to make my first mood board – for Anne Hathaway.”
While working on the film, “The Idea of You,” starring Hathaway and Nicholas Galatzine, James created a Silver Lake chic look for the star’s character.
“She was a gallery owner in Silver Lake, California, and she had long, flowing, hair that she would put up for bedroom scenes with her new lover,” she explains. “All of those things were explored in the mood board, then we got to see it come out years later.”
Meanwhile, Jallad’s life took a turn toward the nomadic, bouncing between filming locations from Louisiana to Italy. During this whirlwind of career highs and global travel, they managed to stay connected across time zones, their bond deepening despite the miles.
The couple’s reconnection in Los Angeles was nothing short of serendipitous.
Growing up in El Paso, Jallad and James were childhood friends and classmates at Polk Elementary through Franklin High School, their paths crossing in the sprawling, sun-drenched landscape of their shared Texas border town.
However, it wasn’t until they both found themselves in L.A., immersed in their respective fields, that their friendship evolved into a powerful partnership.
“It was such a surreal experience – living the dream – so to speak,” says James. “At one point, I was crashing at a friend’s place because I had work during L.A. Fashion Week,” she explains. Her friend, a mutual high school friend, lived across from Jallad, narrowing the gap between time and distance.
After that, he’d often meet her upon her arrival in L.A.
“Abe picked me up from the airport, and we’d go to different events, parties, and meet-ups. That was life from 2015 until the pandemic hit. After that, I went full-time with Adir, who was looking for an assistant. It was perfect timing because I was burnt out from working behind the chair,” she says.
Their shared journey from the Borderland to the glittering lights of L.A. gives them a unique perspective on their work, one that is grounded in their mutual heritage and deep respect for each other’s creative process.
“It was wild,” he agrees. “We were living this dream, running into people who were doing the same. I remember Luly needed a place to crash during L.A. Fashion Week, and – somehow – it all lined up with her staying with a mutual friend who lived near me. That’s how it’s been: constant movement, meeting up in random places, working hard, and making it all happen.”
Their love story, a mix of spontaneity and planning, became part of that travel lifestyle. They set a rule to check in with each other every 10 days, figuring out where in the U.S. they’d meet next. It wasn’t the typical dating story, but it was perfect for them. They embraced romantic getaways in places like Utah and Big Bend, enjoying nature and deep conversations as they learned more about each other. “We had these beautiful escapes into nature: Utah, LA, New Mexico, Marfa, Big Bend,” he says, reminiscing about their unique path.
They are an unstoppable duo in L.A.’s creative circles and beyond, as well as newlyweds and new parents.
“Our baby? He’s such a sweetheart, the chillest little guy. He cries when babies cry, but he loves being around music and groups of adults. He’s perfect, man. It feels like everything was meant to be,” says Jallad. “Luly and I had deep talks about family; her grandma passed away, and I had just lost my grandfather, along with other family members to COVID. It was a year filled with grief and realizations, but now, here we are with this beautiful baby in El Paso, surrounded by community.”
Whether he is preparing for his next major project or she is styling a client for fashion week, the couple supports and inspires one another, sharing a deep understanding of the challenges and triumphs that come with creative careers.
“We’re still figuring out how the hybrid life works, traveling between El Paso, Albuquerque, and LA. Bringing more work to El Paso would be ideal,” says Jallad. “Luly’s enjoying her time in the editorial world and isn’t rushing back to studio life. We’re constantly talking about how to make this lifestyle click. Once I’m done filming The Chosen, I’d love to see an El Paso to Albuquerque to LA life – dream big, right?”
Together, they embody the spirit of reinvention, their journey from El Paso to the glimmering lights of Hollywood is a testament to the power of following your passion.
“I want to continue to develop the educational program for our team of assistants – I want to keep that team always growing and flourishing,” says James. “When it comes to myself, I still dream of working on campaigns for Chanel – which I’ve done before – but I also really want to work on a runway show for Chanel.”
For Jallad, the success of “The Chosen” has been a defining moment in his career.
“The show’s success has been wild, going from independent production to resisting offers from Amazon and Netflix, then becoming our own studio. It’s opened me up to a whole new audience, but I’m still passionate about acting and even want to get back into theater. It’s been an incredible journey,” says Jallad.
The series, which boasts over 253 million viewers worldwide, has transcended language barriers, with plans to dub it in 50 languages and subtitle it in more than 600. It’s a historic production, and for Jallad, being part of this groundbreaking show is deeply personal. He’s not just telling a story: he’s bringing to life narratives that resonate across cultures, much like his own story. Jallad’s background in psychology adds a unique layer to his work as an actor, enabling him to dive deeper into the complex emotions of the characters he portrays.
“I auditioned four times, not even for the role I have now,” he explains. “It all felt so fortuitous. When the pandemic hit, I left L.A. and moved to New Mexico, thinking I might start over, maybe even leave acting. But then ‘The Chosen’ called, offering me a series regular role. I moved out of my apartment, sublet it, and signed a seven-season contract, unsure if the show would last that long but ready for the ride.”
James’ work, meanwhile, is a testament to the ever-evolving nature of the beauty industry.
“I never wanted to just be doing highlights and haircuts, I wanted to exercise that skill, but I also wanted to not be tied down,” she explains. “I also love the idea of creating a space where creatives can come together and collaborate – and it doesn’t have to just be hair stylists – tattoo artists, writers, any kind of creative.”
Her collaborations with Abergel and experiences at elite fashion events like the Met Gala, fashion weeks, and awards shows have honed her skills and elevated her artistry to new heights.
During awards season, for example, James works with fashion magazines like “Cosmopolitan,” “Allure,” and more to break down celebrity red-carpet appearances as part of her work with Abergel.
“So, when Nicole Kidman is hitting the red carpet, the whole look has to be dissected and sent out with behind-the-scenes images that Adir distributes to the publications so they can have the first photos,” says James.
Her dream of creating a space to merge editorial styling with behind-the-chair work reflects her vision for the future – one where beauty is about both creativity and connection. Whether she’s braiding intricate styles or perfecting her color technique, her work has become a staple at Hollywood’s most glamorous events.
“Right now is a very beautiful time in my life where I have found a balance between career and personal life,” she says. “I am now a new mother, which has opened up this whole other side of me that I have fallen in love with.”
Additionally, she adds that her home of Juarez has been on her mind.
“I’m so inspired by every opportunity I get to go there and just watch people,” she says. “I want to be more involved and I think that keeps me dreaming of the future.”
As they navigate the whirlwind of their respective careers and family, their shared history and commitment to their crafts bind them together. From the border town of El Paso to the heart of Hollywood, their story is one of passion, resilience, and the magic that happens when two creative forces reconnect and rise together.
“We’ve invested so much in freedom – the freedom to follow our careers wherever they take us while staying rooted in what it means to be in El Paso,” says Jallad.
Their love story isn’t just about romance – it’s a partnership built on shared creativity, mutual respect, and a deep connection to their roots. Together, they are not only making waves in their industries but also creating a legacy that reflects the beauty of collaboration and the power of chasing one’s dreams.
