Gabourey Sidibe and Kelly Ripa Stumble Over Afros, Normal Hair, and Being Americanized

April 11th, 2012 - By Brande Victorian

Source:Blog.sfgate.com

Yesterday, Gabourey Sidibe stopped by “Live with Kelly!” to talk about her role on Showtime’s “The Big C” and there was an interesting exchange between Gaby and the host, Kelly Ripa.

Overall, the interview went really well. Gaby showed off her fun personality which completely conflicted with reports about her having a mean, diva-like attitude—especially considering she entered the set doing the running man.

Later into the interview, Kelly asked about the upcoming season of “The Big C” and mentioned that Gabourey’s character Andrea will be returning to her roots after a trip to Africa. Kelly says she loves African-inspired clothing and wonders if Gabourey feels the same, to which she responded, not so much. She told her:

“I’m actually African, I’m Senegalese, and so I’m over it.” She also added that she she hasn’t worn “stuff like that” since she was like 11.

“I’m very Americanized and I hated the afro.”

Kelly tried to follow up that statement with a question on how long it took Gabourey to kill the afro her character had to wear and change her hairstyle, but it just turned into a jumbled how long-afro-normal-hair-regular-get back to-mess once she realized her use of the words normal and regular probably didn’t come out right. (good catch Kelly)

Gabourey said it only took about 10 hours from the time she landed back home from Puerto Rico where they were shooting to have the fake afro removed and the silky weave she was wearing sewed in, and she seemed quite proud of it. Overall, the convo wasn’t a big deal, but I thought her disassociation with dashikis and the “African style” of dress and hair Kelly is fond of was sort of interesting in a way.

Check out her segment from the show here. What do you think about the interview?


Brande Victorian is a blogger and culture writer in New York City. Follower her on Twitter at @be_vic.

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  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_5G3UV47TG33STBZQ5KY7GDTMHQ Astro

    Can someone explain that so call “African culture”? How many on here knows any real African celebrities? Seriously?

  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_5G3UV47TG33STBZQ5KY7GDTMHQ Astro

    I don’t have many Black celeb crushes because of the taste which I have. I hate when folks acts as if Blacks are own by everyone but themselves and their whole life has to be politicize/racialized. It sucks!

  • Jason

    The white woman loves the Afro and African prints,the black woman hate the Afro and African prints clothing, but prefer the weave that she ignorantly flaunts…..smdh.There are several other things she can hate about herself before an Afro, she even loves the jewfro and hates the Afro.She thinks that the valley vocal fry way of speaking sounds good,oh well.How can you get over your identity, that is what you are…….not a bright chat at all.She definitely  had issues growing up, maybe from bullying or taunting.

  • trustmelove

    This is just my opinion, but I actually think the afro is more flattering to her than the straight hair.  The straightened hair makes her already full face appear even fuller, plus she or her “stylists” seem to use a  lot of product on the straightened look, so it makes her look extra greasy.  But if she likes it, I love it.

  • Gmarie

    that’s her preference. let her live.

  • Goziem

    In my opinion, she hates herself and hates that shes African descent. You don’t publicly get over being associated with being African except you have a strong dislike for it. Akon is Senegalese and hasn’t made a bone against it. He embraces it. She will have been more embracing of Africa if Senegal was located in Europe. I dont even have an idea why she came to Africa recently but i hope she doesn’t repeat her visit, cos she no longer welcomed. Am from Nigeria though and i stand for the average African.

  • Candacey Doris

    She has her opinions. Personally, i like african print. I just don’t like the way the clothes are cut and styled. They’re boring. I’m forever saying that i’ll get some cloth and cut it cute so i don’t have to wear some big dress that flatters no one or the same style of pants.

  • Nina Dashotta

    OHHHHH she would be so much healthier and look cuter if she lost about 30 lbs. she is probably tall but whoa I don’t wanna see her fiestiness be misinterpreted as “angry fat black woman”. She got the attitude to go with getting big roles but she needs to lose some weight. I’m not saying conform to hollyweird standard but life longevity standards

  • http://www.ctsocialmediamangement.com/ Dianne M. Daniels

    Two concerns here: first, Gabourey’s weight – she has trouble moving (getting into her chair) and breathing (a few seconds of the ‘Running Man’ should NOT have made her that out of breath) – I’m not sure of her height, but she appears to me to be carrying too much weight for her height. I worry about her – as a young woman, she needs to be careful about her health. Even if she is not now suffering with diabetes or heart disease, as she continues to mature, that will certainly be on the horizon. Her career will suffer if she does not take care of her health.

    Second – she refers to herself as Senegalese – completely ignoring the African-American side of her heritage. That is troubling because she is a combination of both categories and should fully embrace both. I ran into her at a casino in CT during a show and she seemed sweet – keeping a low profile so as to enjoy the show and not be swamped by fans. I didn’t blow up her spot – just smiled and waved a little – and she seemed to appreciate that. If she were my daughter, I’d tell her to be careful of her health – she could have a long career and a good one.

    Being natural, I disagree with the weave, but that’s MY choice, and not hers. I don’t think the hair necessarily is the best look for her, but again, it’s HER choice. I wish her only the best. The awkwardness in the interview came from Kelly – wonder if someone whispered in her ear that she shouldn’t refer to a black woman’s weave as her “normal” hair?

  • :)

    Even Africans in Africa wear their hair straight and with weaves. If not, Its cornrowed or braided. So I wouldnt say her not liking her hair is rejecting her culture at all.

    • Didshereallygothere

      Got any smiley quips for the SKIN BLEACH phenomena plaguing your cultural cheerleaders and mascots for African Pride?

    • Empress123

      Africa is a continent made up of countries. MOST in Africa do not wear their hair straight and are not running to Sally’s for the latest Remy. MOST of them do not bleach. Skin bleach is actually illegal to sell in certain parts of Africa. Most of them wear their hair natural. Now I think Gabe not liking her hair ironically makes her just like the character she played in the movie Precious. I don’t know if she just plays these roles because she is just so happy to be getting cast and doesn’t pay attention to the message behind them. She seems a bit shallow and lacks self esteem (calling herself a grenade, really sweetie?). I think she would be cuter without the wig/weave but it is obviously not my call….

  • lalala

    has to do with self-esteem maybe. often low self-esteem people try to justify their approach on elements of life in which they struggle. not trying to pick on her but that’s what i felt after hearing her.

  • Ravensholst

    I’ve seen some nice African inspired clothing…the prints are beautiful! I’m always curious about how WE would feel about our natural hair or ‘afros’ if the hot comb or relaxer never came along…would we still be saying ‘some look right w/it and some dont?’ That’s bull! God Created us w/ beautiful textured hair and we still cant see it..pitiful.

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