Black Celebrities Frustrated & Fed Up With Hollywood Hairstylists Who Lack Knowledge On Black Hair
Recently a young model and college student sparked a major conversation that centered on Black women in the entertainment industry. The 21 year-old model named Olivia Anakwe shared an experience that she encountered after realizing how difficult it was to find a stylist that catered to black hair. While in Hollywood, Olivia described how a fashion show actually requested that she wear her natural hair, free from any styling. When she arrive to the fashion show to prepare for hair and make-up, there wasn’t anyone who could properly style her hair. The model felt compelled to find answers after she posted a video of two hair stylists completely “butchering” the model’s natural hair. After posting the video on Instagram, the models caption spoke volumes and brought awareness to the lack of hair stylists that constantly deal with black women in the entertainment industry on a daily basis.
Nigerian Model Olivia Anakwe Calls Out Hairstylists Who Can’t Do Black Hair at Fashion Shows pic.twitter.com/gj2mZIBw2P
— 72HRS✨ (@72hrbeauty) March 12, 2019
A part of Olivia Anakwe’s post on IG read the following caption:
“This message is to spread awareness & hopefully reach anyone in the hair field to expand their range of skills. Black models are still asking for just one hairstylist on every team no matter where your team is from to care for afro hair. I was asked to get out of an empty chair followed by having hairstylists blatantly turning their backs to me when I would walk up to them, to get my hair done. No matter how small your team is, make sure you have one person that is competent at doing afro texture hair care OR just hire a black hairstylist! Black hairstylists are required to know how to do everyone’s hair, why does the same not apply to others? It does not matter if you don’t specialize in afro hair, as a continuous learner in your field you should be open to what you have yet to accomplish; take a class. I was ignored, I was forgotten, and I felt that. Unfortunately I’m not alone, black models with afro texture hair continuously face these similar unfair and disheartening circumstances. It’s 2019, it’s time to do better.”
https://www.instagram.com/p/ButwQUgg6L0/
Olivia’s bold statement and captivating post sparked conversation among Black Women in the Entertainment Industry as it spread like “wildfire”. Many other celebrities, actresses, comedians, and public figures made comments in response to Olivia’s topic of how Hollywood seriously needs to hire hairstylists who cater to black “afro” hair. Actresses Yvette Nicole Brown and Gabrielle Union both made comments regarding this intricate topic within the black culture.
Yvette Nicole Brown wrote on Twitter:
“Most black actresses come to a new set w/ their hair done (me) or bring their wigs & clip-ins w/them. It’s either that or take a chance that you will look crazy on screen.”
Gabrielle Union weighed in on the discussion by adding her comments:
“The pressure to “just be happy they picked you & you got a job,” don’t ask for the SAME things every other actor / model gets on GP.” Listen, if u stay quiet, u WILL have bald spots, hair damage, look NUTS (tho they will tell u its cuuuuuuuuute)!”
And lastly, comedian and The Real’s host Loni Love also chimed in with the other ladies to make a statement about the lack of black hair stylists in the industry. She jokingly wrote on March 11 via Twitter:
“Honey I have brought my whole glam kit, flat irons, pink lotion, Shea butter at times during a new set. I’m tired of looking grey with red lips.”
With the conversation now making headlines this week, hopefully this will bring a major “hiring” process for new hairstylists that can cater to ANY/ALL TYPES OF HAIR! Maybe Olivia’s daring move to call out a need for hairstylists that can properly do black hair will allow other celebrities to speak out as well. Like the 21-year-old model wrote, “This is not okay. This will never be okay. This needs to change.”
