Things We Saw Today: Olivia Anakwe Calls out Hairstylists Who Aren’t Trained to Style Black Hair
In a fantastic piece from Teen Vogue, model Olivia Anakwe was interviewed by Jessica Andrews about the lack of knowledge regarding Black hair among professional hairstylists. Anakwe talked about her experiences with stylists who didn’t know how to do basic Black hairstyles like cornrows or understand the care that natural Black hair sometimes needs, and that a lot of damage can be done to the hair as a result.
“After one lady attempted and pulled my edges relentlessly, I stood up to find a model who could possibly do it. After asking two models and then the lead/only nail stylist, she was then taken away from her job to do my hair. This is not okay. This will never be okay. This needs to change.”
A lot of Black celebrities and others have taken to Twitter to discuss their own experiences, and I think it was a fantastic thing that Teen Vogue brought this conversation to the mainstream.
PSA: If you cast a POC— And thank you for doing so!—you also have to hire someone who knows how to do ethnic hair. Not someone who’s “comfortable with it” but someone who actually knows how to style ethnic hair types.
Congratulations on advancing to the next level of inclusion! https://t.co/A1Q9ZpvXmH
— Natasha Rothwell (@natasharothwell) March 11, 2019
Important Thread! 👇🏾 What alot of non-industry folks don’t realize is that u can’t just use ur normal hairstylists/barbers/makeup artists on a union job (most jobs are union) Those artists HAVE to be IN THE UNION & getting them in has NEVER been easy or smooth. Ever. Like never. https://t.co/vBMFla2cQ2
— Gabrielle Union (@itsgabrielleu) March 11, 2019
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 🥴) https://t.co/vBMFla2cQ2
— Gabrielle Union (@itsgabrielleu) March 11, 2019
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. Many of us also bring our own foundation. One too many times seeing no shade that matches you will learn ya! https://t.co/mGAzpuoKtb
— yvette nicole brown (@YNB) March 11, 2019
#ActingWhileBlack Makeup & Hair in one bag. The other bags are filled with clothes because some wardrobe stylists don’t know that cute clothes exist in sizes larger than size 10. “Here try on this mumu, I know it’s a little big, we’ll just belt it!” #ActingWhileBlackAndChubby https://t.co/gl3b64Omtj
— yvette nicole brown (@YNB) March 11, 2019
I trained editorial hair and makeup with the worlds biggest makeup academy and artists and not once were we offered training in black hair. It wasn’t even an option. It’s a very real issue that is not being addressed. https://t.co/op3vdvaNdb
— Raji Sandhu (@Miss_Raji) March 11, 2019
100% of Black Actor/Actress I’ve spoken to on this topic face the same thing in film and television. Hair Stylists in our industry should have proper training, AND be able to show proof. Too often they begin to “figure it out” the second we sit in the chair. https://t.co/qf662oqA8d
— Yahya Abdul-Mateen 2 (@yahya) March 9, 2019
Tell’em Olivia!
Candice Patton talked just yesterday at SXSW about non getting support on her show when she asked for hairstylist & MUA who know how to do Black hair & makeup.
I mean, it’s 2019 & it’s the minimum! https://t.co/6dZtfKNxS6— 💜⚡Iris West-Allen=SuperHero👑#WakandaForever✊🏾 (@KnowledgIsPowa) March 11, 2019
This is a huge issue and as we talk about more representation, that has to also mean having that representation and diversity behind the scenes, along with these skills becoming part of the primary curriculum for beauty stylists.
(via Teen Vogue, image: Frazer Harrison/Getty Images for New York Fashion Week: The Shows)
- Congresswomen Deb Haaland and Sharice Davids have introduced a resolution recognizing Native American women for Women’s History Month. ” My resolution honors the stories and contributions of Native American women which are often left out of the conversation.” (via Native News Online)
- Terry Gilliam’s Time Bandits is going to be adapted for TV by none other than Taika Waititi himself! (via The Wrap)
- BTW, Captain Marvel is still killing it, just so you know. (via Boing Boing)
- Nadia Shammas has a graphic novel coming out and we are so excited!
I’m so happy to finally announce that I’m doing SQUIRE, a Middle Eastern fantasy YA graphic novel with @TheFoofinator for Harper Collins! Thanks to @ComicsisPeople for his endless support. I can’t wait!! https://t.co/nT0aA1Evy3 pic.twitter.com/JcaWkAu81H
— Nadia Shammas @ ECCC (@Nadia_Shammas_) March 11, 2019
- Beyoncé and Jay Z are going to be recognized by GLAAD with the Vanguard Award. “Beyoncé and Jay-Z are global icons and passionate defenders of human rights and acceptance for all people.” (via The Root.)
- While I was at SXSW, I did not get to see Us but I can tell you that so far, it’s looking pretty damn good with a 100% rating from reviewers who saw the film. (via Comicbook)
It’s Monday again. Ugghhh.
(image: NBC)
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