Natural hair can be challenging. It takes patience, skill, and discipline. Sometimes we need inspiration and tips from our favorite YouTube bloggers, or even from celebrities with natural, curly hair.
It helps when famous people that we know and love carry one or more of our same beliefs. In them, we can find strength, hope, and courage to persevere.
In this post, I’ll share the insights of seven celebrities with natural hair whose stories you’ll love.
Solange Knowles
Solange Knowles made the natural hair news in 2009 when she stopped wearing wigs and weaves and started wearing her given hair. We’ve seen her hair grow over the years from a sexy TWA to a voluminous and lustrous afro.
She seems to have a different take on wearing her hair natural. She said she first began wearing it because she was tired of worrying about going swimming, according to Essence. She says that it was if her hair was holding her back.
So true, sometimes it’s easier just to let it out, and let people see the real you. And who knows, they may even like it.
Lupita Nyong’o
This Oscar-winning actress has been an inspiration to all black women by showing off her elegant ebony skin and natural kinks. Nyong’o doesn’t just make neat and tidy natural ‘do’s with her tresses. She goes all out and shows us what black hair is made of.
Her celebrity stylist, Vernon Francois, is credited with giving her the most intricate and fabulous styles. He has paid homage on Instagram to African tribal women and their elaborate hairstyles. Together, they make a fantastic team and give motivation to all black women.
Erykah Badu
No natural hair celebrity list is complete without Erykah Badu. She was rocking natural hair when barely anybody was. For a massive star, it was remarkably different and refreshing. In a time when it wasn’t popular to embrace natural, Erykah’s brave move helped to pave the way for millions of naturals.
“Pretty much everything you do as a black woman is a political statement,” Erykah Badu said in an interview with Curlology. She says health and being non-conformist are motivating factors in her decision to wear her given kinks.
Badu was also careful to express her belief in having an unprocessed mind along with the natural mane. She said that the brain was the most important thing and that she’d “rather see a person with a natural mind and processed head than a processed mind and natural head.”
Viola Davis
Academy Award and Golden Globe-winning actress, Viola Davis, isn’t afraid to show her natural self in front of the camera to millions of viewers.
On Anderson Live talk show, Davis talked about getting rid of her wig and that it was a way to embrace herself. She said that she still wears wigs, but announced that she was done with hiding her natural self.
She made a bold move by removing both her makeup and wig before going to bed on a now-famous scene of hit television show, How to Get Away with Murder. The bravery let the whole world see her real self.
Davis has talked about her natural hair in other national venues too. It’s inspiring to know that someone is representing black women, and educating people about the challenges of wearing natural hair in public.
China McClain
Many of the actresses and singers on this list are older women in their 30s and beyond. As we mature, some of us tire of covering our real selves and choose to let people see who we really are.
However, actress and singer, China McClain show us that even younger women are getting comfortable with their hair.
19-year-old McClain made a big statement this year when she revealed America her curls on Instagram. She looked more beautiful than ever, rocking her natural hair and workout gear. Just her statement, “…I’m sick of straightening this magic,” makes you smile with hope and pride.
It’s empowering to see black women gaining confidence to wear their African kinks at an earlier age. It tells us that there will come a day when black women everywhere will no longer face social pressure of adhering to Caucasian standards of beauty.
Jill Scott
The feeling that you get from singer-songwriter, Jill Scott, is freedom. She discusses the controversy about demanding to appear on the front cover of Essence with natural hair. “This is the simplest form of myself. I look in the mirror, and it’s like, ‘Hey, there you go. What’s up, girl?’ For me, hair is an accouterment. Hair is jewelry. It’s an accessory. Tomorrow I may want a wig down to my butt, and I’m gonna rock it, and the next day I may want a big Afro, and I’m gonna rock that too…”
As much as we love natural hair, it feels good to hear a natural diva say they’ll rock a wig too, if they feel like it. It gives a sense of independence and freedom from all sides. She’s doing it her way, and it sounds like she’s having a ball.
Janelle Monáe
Janelle Monáe is a singer, songwriter, actress, and model who has advice for other naturals: Embrace your hair. The celebrity says she loves protective styles and wears lots of hats.
“Natural hair has always been in, but its celebrated even more now. So, let your natural hair shine. There’s so much beauty in our natural state,” she tells naturalistas everywhere in Essence Magazine.
It’s beautiful to hear words of encouragement by such amazing celebrities with natural hair. Even just looking at pictures of them donning their natural given hair is motivating.
What do you think about natural hair celebrities’ decisions to rock their natural curls and make public statements about black hair?
Hey Curl Friend, I’m Patrina Haupt the creator and author of Natural Hair Queen. I hope you find my healthy hair care tips helpful in your hair journey. Healthy hair care practices are definitely, what helped me to achieve waist length hair.
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