An Ode To Cicely Tyson, A Trailblazer Of The Natural Hair Movement - Page 11

Source: CBS Photo Archive / Getty

If you know your history, then you’re well aware that you can’t speak about natural hair without bringing up Cicely Tyson.

The acting legend, who passed away on Thursday (Jan. 28) at the age of 96, was the very first woman to choose to be front and center on television with her natural hair on full display in 1963.

After initially confusing her hairdresser by opting to cut her hair off and wear a TWA before it even had a name, the move would inspire so many young women, who at the time were opting for straight styles, to follow Tyson’s lead.

“That is what created the natural hair craze,” she said during an episode of Oprah’s Masterclass in 2014. “I got letters from hairdressers all over the country telling me that I was affecting their business because their clients were having their hair cut off so they could ‘wear it like the girl on television.’”

And while she looked beautiful with the style, it, like so many innovative ‘dos she would eventually wear, didn’t come from a quest for attention, a desire to try something different, or out of vanity. In just about every case, her hair changed to go with the roles she played as the actress immersed herself in her characters. That attention and respect for her craft not only would make her a legendary, pioneering actress, but as a wonderful added bonus, make her a trailblazer in the natural hair movement.

When I think of Tyson, and how daunting it must have been to choose to appear on East Side/West Side, on national television with her short, natural cut, boldly defying oppressive beauty standards at a time when representation was not even thought of as a conversation, it is awe-inspiring. It was a first step in normalizing Black hair as God created it: no conks, no shiny Supreme wigs, just tight coils. It was also the first in an effort that continues, despite attempts to deem the styles we’ve gone on to innovate and embrace as inappropriate, unprofessional, and not worthy of the cameras. But with initiatives like the CROWN Act law to create protections against discrimination based on race-based hairstyles, the freedom to wear these styles unabashedly, as Tyson did, can expand. It allows us to feel more confident about wearing our hair in braids or an afro for a job interview, or to be in the armed forces and be able to wear the cornrows and twists we love without fear of disciplinary action. But before we got here, it all began with one woman’s choice to walk into a hair salon in Harlem and fully commit to a role by shedding her strands, caring not how she was perceived. A revolutionary act that, interestingly enough, to Tyson, was a simple one: “Every time I changed a hairdo, it had not to do with me,” she said. “It had to do with authenticating the character that I was playing.”

She opened doors in more ways than just her performances on stage and screen. She paved the way in celebrating self-expression for Black women.

To see the ways in which she was a trailblazer in natural hair and protective styling, all the way up until her death at 96, hit the flip to look on in wonder of an icon who won’t soon be forgotten.

Source: Michael Ochs Archives / Getty

A photograph of Tyson around 1966 shows her wearing the teeny weeny afro that shook the TV world.

Source: Ian Showell / Getty

Tyson was a lover of intricate braids. This ‘do, which some referred to as braids in a “pineapple” updo, was a favorite of the star that she wore during the ’70s. She first really got into wearing cornrows when she starred as Rebecca in the 1972 film Sounder. “I knew during that period that women in the South cornrowed their hair, so I said that Rebecca would wear her hair in that manner,” she said of her decision to first don such a look. For her work, and dedication to her craft, she was nominated for an Academy Award.

19th February 1973: American actress Cicely Tyson at a reception in London. (Photo by Ian Showell/Keystone/Getty Images)

Source: Michael Ochs Archives / Getty

Tyson wore variations of these braids, including on the cover of magazines like Jet. The more ornate and intricate the look, the more up her ally it was. These particular braids pictured, with the beading and the pieces that come down in front of the ears, gave Fulani braid vibes. Tyson, along with Nina Simone, were two of the first major names cited as wearers of cornrows in the public eye, which to this day is a beloved look. Gorgeous!

CIRCA 1973: Actress Cicely Tyson poses for a portrait wearing a cornrow hairstyle in circa 1973. (Photo by Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)

Source: Ron Galella / Getty

Just when you thought you were doing something with the little fabric you found on Etsy, Cicely Tyson was rocking the headwrap look first, and to perfection. This image was taken in 1973, and as we can all attest to, twisted headwraps are still a go-to look for women looking to hold down twists and other protective styles while looking chic. If not for the fact that this image is in black and white (and for that very retro top), you could confuse this image for a modern-day photo.

Cicely Tyson during National Society Film Critics Awards – January 21, 1973 at Algonquin Hotel in New York City, New York, United States. (Photo by Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images)

Source: Fotos International / Getty

Fully committing to her characters, per the usual, Cicely Tyson took her hair down very low to play Binta, Kunta Kente’s mother, in Roots. This look is reminiscent of the parting done with Bantu knots (just without the actual knots). The look, and of course, her supreme acting, garnered her an Emmy nomination for her work in the iconic miniseries.

American actors Cicely Tyson (L) and Maya Angelou look lovingly at a baby in a scene from the television mini series ‘Roots,’ directed by Marvin J. Chomsky, John Erman, David Greene, and Gilbert Moses, 1977. (Photo by Fotos INternational/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

Source: Ron Galella / Getty

Another trendsetting look, Tyson, pictured here with Louis Gossett Jr., and Maria Conchita Alonso, sported what looked like early loc extensions. They framed her face beautifully as she stepped out for the 1st Annual Minority Motion Picture Awards in 1993. When I wore a look like this back in 2010 to create faux locs, the hair used was the same exact texture and look as the hairstyle Tyson sported here, way back when I was a preschooler.

1st Annual Minority Motion Picture Awards; Louis Gossett Jr., Cicely Tyson, and Maria Conchita Alonso (Photo by Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images)

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As Tyson got older, she started to embrace a lot more protective styles like wigs, and not just traditional styles. She decided to have a lot of fun. As you can see, she definitely made a statement in this bob wig with its chopped bangs and ends. It’s a look that harkens back to some of the styles she wore in the ’80s that were fun and also had the blunt, choppy effect.

Lee Daniels’ “The Butler” New York Premiere – Inside Arrivals; NEW YORK, NY – AUGUST 05: Actress Cicely Tyson attends Lee Daniels’ “The Butler” New York Premiere at Ziegfeld Theater on August 5, 2013 in New York City. (Photo by Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images)

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We’re particularly fond of this short, curly wig (as well as the stunning ensemble she wore with it). The curls framed her face in a lovely way, and they were light, fun, and springy, which you can’t go wrong with at any age. When this image was taken, she was about 91 years old and stylin’.

14th Annual Elton John AIDS Foundation An Enduring Vision Benefit; NEW YORK, NY – NOVEMBER 02: Actress Cicely Tyson attends 14th annual An Enduring Vision Benefit Gala presented by the Elton John AIDS Foundation at Cipriani Wall Street on November 2, 2015 in New York City. (Photo by Gilbert Carrasquillo/FilmMagic)

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Ms. Tyson was serving serious looks. Not only do we love the simple skirt with the decorated top (in a dreamy deep blue shade), but this wig, heavy on the bangs and almost giving us bowl-cut vibes, is also swoon-worthy on the star in this image. She topped the look off with huge hoop earrings and a lovely smile. She stepped out in such fancy fashion for the Primary Stages 2016 Gala.

Primary Stages 2016 Gala; NEW YORK, NY – OCTOBER 17: Actress Cicely Tyson attends Primary Stages 2016 Gala at 538 Park Avenue on October 17, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Desiree Navarro/Getty Images)

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If you doubted that the Academy-Award nominated actress could wear a pixie cut, you’ve been proven wrong. Not only did she love braids and a good afro (including a bountiful wig version), but she also appreciated the edginess and fun of a wispy cut wig like this one.

I Have A Dream Foundation “Spirit of the Dream” Gala; NEW YORK, NY – JUNE 09: Actress Cicely Tyson speaks during the I Have A Dream Foundation “Spirit of the Dream” Gala at Gotham HallCicely Tyson on June 9, 2015 in New York City. (Photo by Cindy Ord/Getty Images for I Have a Dream Foundation)

Source: Paul Archuleta / Getty

Tyson was also lovely in softer wigs, like this dreamy look with its soft curls, which fit in just right with her gown. She sported it to the American Black Film Festival Honor Awards in 2017. The rich brown hairstyle was a beauty on the star, and the makeup on the actress at the time played into the overall delicate look.

BET’s 2017 American Black Film Festival Honors Awards – Arrivals; BEVERLY HILLS, CA – FEBRUARY 17: Actress Cicely Tyson attends the BET’s 2017 American Black Film Festival Honors Awards at The Beverly Hilton Hotel on February 17, 2017 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Paul Archuleta/FilmMagic)

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Never forget though, age never kept Tyson from experimenting with funky cuts and colors when it came to her protective styles. At the National Cares Mentoring Women Movement event in 2018, she matched her hair to her gown. She looked stunning in an ombre blue wig with a soft bump curl at the ends. It was another fun look that framed her face.

National CARES Mentoring Movement’s Third Annual For The Love Of Our Children Gala; NEW YORK, NY – JANUARY 29: Honoree, activist, and actress Cicely Tyson accepts an award onstage during the National CARES Mentoring Movement’s third annual For The Love Of Our Children Gala on January 29, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Bennett Raglin/Getty Images for National CARES Mentoring Movement)

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Get into this entire look, will you? Tyson, pretty in pink (and red), attended the Emmys in 2017 in this showstopping number. Because of the color and design of her outfit, she kept it simple with her hair and jewelry. The end result is this short cut wig with wispy bangs. If you ask us, it was one of her very best looks — from head to toe.

69th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards – Arrivals; LOS ANGELES, CA – SEPTEMBER 17: Actor Cicely Tyson attends the 69th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards at Microsoft Theater on September 17, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)

Source: CBS Photo Archive / Getty

In one of Tyson’s last TV appearances, which was a visit to The Talk before the pandemic took hold of everything, she looked to be the definition of cool. She sported hip leather, and to match the sleekness of that, decided to go with an asymmetrically cut, short curly wig. A finishing touch? A pop of lovely red on her lips. Never will you come across a 96 (95 in the photo)-year-old with as much swag as Tyson had. A trailblazer indeed.

The Talk; LOS ANGELES – FEBRUARY 11: Actor Cicely Tyson visits “The Talk,” Monday, February 17, 2020 on the CBS Television Network. (Photo by Ron P. Jaffe/CBS via Getty Images)