WENN
Every now and again, the conversation surrounding the level of wokeness of Black women with blonde hair arises, and every single time it does I find myself tired. Because Black hair is always seen as political, it’s hard for some to fathom that some Black women dye their hair blonde just to try something new or different (not to be like white women). Or, in Cynthia Erivo’s case, to stand out more from the crowd rather than blend in with European beauty standards.
“Some people like it; some people hate it. I don’t care either way,” the Broadway star told Essence of the praise and criticism she’s received for her hair in a recent interview. “I did it because I really wanted people to see my face. The thing about me and having dark hair is I felt like I was hiding and the white hair feels like a light bulb. You can’t miss me. I just stopped being afraid of my face. My hair was really long and I just want to spend less time doing it and have you see my face. Never want to hide behind hair. It’s fun and easy to dress.”
As you’ve likely seen, the Nigerian beauty routinely switches up her style, sporting a kinky fro one minute, and soft waves or curls the next. But if people can’t understand why, no matter what style she wears, her hair is always a shade of platinum blonde, Cynthia says that’s not her problem.
“Hair dye is hair dye. My hair still grows in black at the root and I don’t run to the hairdresser when it happens. I don’t feel like me having blonde hair stops me from wanting to encourage Black women. I’m very happy being Black. It’s something I’m very proud of, and specifically being Nigerian, I couldn’t run away from it if I tried.”
Check out the products Cynthia uses to keep her mane healthy and fabulous and her running list of examples of Black women whose hair naturally grows in in shades other than black on Essence.com.
