Tyra Banks Real Hair Dismay
In retrospect, it’s my fault. I shouldn’t have gotten my hopes up. I shouldn’t have come into the new season of the Tyra Banks Show with expectations.
But I did. My bad.
Tyra's real hair, ZOMG!
For some reason, when Tyra announced September 8 would be “National Real Hair Day,” I confused “real” with “natural.” I assumed we’d be seeing a supermodel first — iconic beauty Tyra Banks sporting her hair as it grows out of her head. Embracing her hair’s true texture.
Wrong.
Instead, what we got was Tyra with her hair slick straight and dripping wet, a texture clearly chemically assisted. (PLEASE prove me wrong, if you disagree). And then she proceeded to introduce her hairdresser, Oscar James, who gave her a fancy blow out and used heat to style it into curls before a rapt studio audience.
It’s comforting to know that I’m not the only one who was disappointed by this heavily hyped television event. During the show Tyra became a Twitter trending topic, and the consensus in the natural hair community seemed to be a collective meh, served with a generous dose of side eye.
I started out the episode with a heavy heart. From minute one it seemed that Tyra held some outdated hair beliefs — namely, length = beauty. I’m not clear on why her hair had to be soaking wet the moment she appeared – to the point where her back was wet too. The only thing I can think of is, to add to the appearance of length.
Every time Tyra insisted it was her responsibility to show young girls what real hair looks like, it made me cringe. And as Concrete Loop pointed out, why did she feel the need to repeatedly declare that she isn’t bald?
The potential was there for this show to educate women of color about the beauty they so often hide behind sewn in pieces and slathered on chemicals. Instead it quickly devolved into a self-aggrandizing display that (in my opinion) reinforced negative assumptions about black hair — further compounded by the other guests on the show. All of whom had their hair styled and styled and styled some more before their “big reveal.” And then it was time for the Perez Hilton interview and I swear, my hand up and flipped the channel all of its own accord.
I always try to look on the bright side… so I’ll end with this. Tyra’s “Real Hair Day” was the beginning of an important conversation. But myself and the many natural haired women I know, were left cold by the episode. Where were the women with kinky, coily, natural hair textures? Why not feature a woman with a TWA? Why not expose her hair as it truly is — unaltered texture and all? Maybe, despite the hype, Tyra wasn’t yet ready. And that I can almost respect.
Going natural shouldn’t be a fad — it takes dedication, committment, and courage. Maybe this was a baby step for Tyra. I’m gonna hold out hope that someday she’ll do an episode that truly displays a range of hair textures and explores the deep feelings associated with natural hair. If not now, then hey — there’s always the premiere of season six.
Photos are from Tyra’s Twitter page.
Category: Famous Faces, Hair, Issues
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- Black was always Beautiful « Lifestyles of the Reckless & Famous | September 26, 2009
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I was disappointed that there weren’t any “kinky” hair guests on the show who do not have processed hair and their natural hair has very tight curls. I didn’t relate to anyone on the program and my hair is very kinky, thick and never been processed – that’s the natural hair that needs to be exalted.
I will admit I was guilty of that, assuming real hair day meant Natural hair day. I mean, why all the fuss over chemically straightened hair? That is not revolutionary. I think it was damaging for her to say that she wanted to show all the little girls out there what real hair looks like. She’s actually perpetuating the same damage she wanted to undo. Real, beautiful hair = straight hair.
I dunno. Like you said. Mehbeh next season.
Didn’t see the show but I’m not surprised.
She IS a Model. Actually, a Super Model.
Clearly she has been brainwashed to think of beauty as being determined by specific features.
A couple of years ago she discussed weight and realized how unrealistic her/society’s thoughts were around normal/real sized women. Maybe she/her people will come across this and other blogs about the “big reveal” and she’ll understand more about true beauty.
Let’s hope her next reveal will truly be about her natural hair.
I don’t expect much from Tyra. I’ve learned to keep my expectations low since I started watching Top Model, which I no longer watch. I had a feeling it would be relaxed. It was so extra. The wet hair/back/clothes. As much as Tyra wants to be a “deep” interviewer, she comes up very short everytime. I love her hustle though.
I was curious enough about the show would be like to record it. I wasn’t expecting Tyra to have natural hair at all because she said REAL hair, not natural. Since I didn’t have any high hopes, I wasn’t that disappointed. The piece was just as fluffy as I thought it would be, but that girl whose white mom shaved her head so she wouldn’t have a nappy headed baby broke my heart.
I have chemically straightened hair and I’ve been debating on whether or not to go natural. A friend of mine has natural hair and we have talks all the time about what it entails and the commitment. I was disappointed with Tyra’s show for different reasons. I figured that her hair would be relaxed. She’s a model and has an image to uphold. I was disappointed when she said she was still going to wear weaves, wigs and pieces. When she said that it completely negated the purpose of the show IMO. I was hoping there would be a hairdresser that would talk about natural hair and the process of going natural and what it takes to take care of it. I thought having Perez Hilton on the show was random and a waste of time. Oh Tyra, you tried but you came up short.
Tyra doing this is one small step for other women to appreciate the hair coming out of their scalp. I hope we can at least find a second to at least acknowledge her for taking that much needed step. I’m not sure if she has a perm or if that’s a dominican blow dry (which it appears to be). She has green eyes for all I know she might have a certain texture of hair that doesn’t “kink” when in it’s natural state. I didn’t see the whole show did she say she “permed” it? Or is that what everyone is assuming?
I laughed so hard at this because it was exactly what I expected from Tyra… nothing!
There was no way in the world that Tyra was going to come out on national television without her hair freshly permed, dripping wet and blown out by the king of processed hair. Give me a break.
It’s just sad and shameful.
I feel bad for all of the little girls and grown women that look up to and respect her.
As has been stated, she’s looked upon and always saying how she wants to be a role model. Well she didn’t just drop the ball, she shattered it here.
Real hair? Major side eye!
Well for me that is how my hair looks when washed and I don’t have chemically treated hair.. I can’t dye or perm my hair but everytime I get my hair done people swear I have a perm???? Some people are born with kinky hair and I’m one of the few that wasn’t.. And when tyra said real hair day I just thought she meant her hair sans weave.. Cause technically its her hair permed or not..
Gigantic “meh” indeed. Chile please. I’m not surprised at this failed attempt to connect with real women. Solange got crucified all over the blogosphere for her bold and fab move, but Ty Ty baby thinks she’s doing something. I would have thougt that she was natural under the ever present remy 33/2B but I guess she really thinks that she needs her extensions, all the time. What about the ((shudder)) “good hair “episode? Where is the self love? The happiness in our nappiness!! Tyra let go of weavy and let us see that
gorgeous face!! Rant over, I’m going to class. Peace bellas!
To be honest, I wasn’t falling for it. As much as Tyra tries to be the down to earth, around-the-way-girl always proclaiming when she can, “Chile, this is a weave…”, she is a glamour, hollywood girl. Unfortunately, I would think that the latter would be shown more than the ‘natural’ Tyra we Natural Women would care to see.
Not a surprise at all, yet it is a damn shame.
I didnt watch the show and I really had no intentions of watching it.. But I kinda figured her hair would be relaxed.. I will be natural 2 years in Feb 2010 and when my hair is soaking wet it does not lie like that. My 10 year old daughter watched bits and peices of the show and she came in the room with me ( ironicly as i was flat ironing my hair to get my ends clipped..lol) and said “Momma, Tyra’s doesnt have anybody with hair like you on it” then walked back out.. But I do think that its time for people in her position to engage in the natural community… When I first went natural i admit my purpose was to let it grow out and then relax it again. However once I saw my texture and how healthly it was..I decided this was the best decision I have ever made…. Tyra needs to have a series of shows on this topic and not just “real Hair” to prove she has hair..but to showcase its beauty and how beautiful we are as a people with only what God Gave us…
Bless you, Afrobella. I couldn’t agree with you more. Tyra really didn’t do much of nothing. She never does…though she ‘tries’. She’ll never be on Oprah’s level of seeming genuineness and I say ‘seeming’ ‘coz it ‘seems’ that sometimes even Ms. O pushes it.
But that’s a rant for another day. Length = beauty. Yes, that’s the message I got too and I kinda want to shake my head. Thought it was kinda wtf-ish that all those YT lady’s were like cheering and going on…..they have no idea the struggle with hair has been (and probably forever will be) for Black women since we landed on this side of the world.
Again, she tries. She does, but this just shows how ‘affected’ Ms. Banks is. *sad face*
Bella ,
I never assumed that Tyra would be in curly fro glory on the show why should you have. I had the thinking that by natural hair she meant no WEAVE not Kinky Natural she has never have unchemicallly treated hair so I never expected her to have it. I thinkn you missunderstood whatshe meant you have to think about the person and then think about the statement sometimes. Simple mistake. Maybe one day she will come around *wink*
I think that hair is just a personal choice. Hair is an accessory. I don’t believe that just because one chooses to wear extensions or a weave makes you any less beautiful or educated about the beauty of natural hair. I wear my hair natural but I do love fashion and accessories and have a drawer full of beautiful wigs when I want something different for the day.
tyra’s such an overall disappointment. her thinned out hair was nothing worth mentioning & making an episode out of.
I like the insightfulness of this post and love the comments and I certainly understand everyone’s frustrations.
But, afrobella you gotta do what you’re doing…which is running a blog dedicated to natural hair. You may not be as big as Tyra or have as much money, but, you have something going here so keep at it.
As others have said, I never thought for a second that Tyra was going to wear her natural texture, I thought she was going to wear her REAL hair which only means no weave. We have to stop expecting celebrities to be what we want them to be. They are who they are.
Tyra has been in the industry since she was 17 years old…she’s been in an industry that praises size 0s and 2s, weave and extensions, white over black, light over dark. So, why in the world would you think that she would want natural kinky hair? That doesn’t make any sense and is unrealistic.
She is a product of her environment. I like Tyra because although she isn’t necessarily “conscious” she’s trying…she’s trying to get the convo started and that’s what’s important. There has been no other black model to do what she has done, bring up the issues that she has. She ain’t the Virgin Mary…meaning she ain’t carrying the savior…she’s gonna make mistakes. But, at least the Chanel Imans, Jourdan Dunns, and others can possibly come out with their own TV shows, talkshows, win emmys, and maybe even go natural. Remember there had to be a Hattie before there was a Halle.
I must agree with Styleis20/20
Look, we all know that we can wear our own relaxed hair. We all know that hair is an “accessory”. But let’s be real: If you can only feel “beautiful” if your naturally nappy hair is straight, then you need to be re-programmed. If you “fear the nap”, there’s a problem. Simple as that. Now, we all have been there, but if you’re still there, don’t try to act free. People will work with you, but don’t try to front. I don’t like that.
If your hair is not naturally kinky, then rock what the good Lord gave you, which should be the point. But black people, as a whole, struggle with natural kinks, not naturally straight/wavy hair.
Tyra had the opportunity to show the world that “real hair” for the vast majority of black women is…beautiful, glorious and full of wonder, sans any chemical enhancement. She passed on that, and that’s just the way it is.
I will commend Tyra on shedding light that most female celebrities wear wigs, weaves, pieces, etc.
I’m not sure people are really ready to put natural out there. Many women are ready to go that route because they may not like the texture of their hair. Others just can’t think about it.
The highlight of the show was the young woman with biracial heritage. She found some prejudice in her own home with her mom cutting off her hair to avoid the true texture. When she came out with her natural curls which were AMAZING, I hoped that she would put the flat iron away for good.
Tyra is an air-head thats all that can be expected of such….I have relaxed tresses myself was never an advocate of weave etc
but Ms.Banks was acting as if all sistahs aport that Yaki etc…..SMH
Bella! You just said everything that I was thinking about Tyra and her “real hair.” I couldn’t tolerate the first 30 seconds of the episode and was actually relieved to see Perez Hilton because I could pretend it was a different episode and what I had previously witnessed was just a really poor stretch of my imagination. I watched her natural vs. permed hair episode just the night before in order to prepare myself for what might be. I shouldn’t have. Because I too had increased my expectations based on the fact that she had introduced this topic to her audience before. “Real” hair should have been a walk in the park for her. It is evident that she, like so many others (esp. those in the industry), is still tottering on the “embracing my natural pattern” vs. “embracing what is socially acceptable” hair seesaw. I guess it will take time. Hopefully though, this is a step in the right direction.
I have to admit, I really thought she meant that her hair wasn’t relaxed.
Whatever, I have my eye on Bey, apparently her hair IS natural.
I can’t hate on Ty Ty Baby, she means well, and for some women this is a major first step. We just need to encourage more women to embrace their natural curls.
I was looking forward to Tyra sporting a cute TWA. I’m very disappointed. I understand if she wasn’t ready but please don’t call it a ‘real hair show’ when that texture is not your own.
I heart Tyra, but she has to do better.
Meh. I didn’t have any expectations regarding this episode cause Tyra has always seemed one sandwich short of a picnic to me. I do hope that Chris Rock’s “Good Hair” asks the hard-hitting questions and tackles issues head-on, but if it doesn’t then Bella I see a gap that needs to be filled (hint, hint).
Tyra is a work in progress, and I think we should relate to her as such.
I never interpreted Tyra’s “real” hair to mean natural hair no chemicals. I always assumed it meant she would remove her weave. In all reality would we assume that Tyra (assuming she has a relaxer) would come out no relaxer. I didn’t see the show, and I love the blog, but there seems to be a lot of relaxer hate. Women wear relaxers for a lot of reasons, and its not necessarily because someone “hates” or is ashamed of their natural hair. Maintenance and lifestyle are two bigs ones. It should also be noted that every Black women doesn’t have naturally kinky hair. Some of our hair is kinky, some wavy, some curly. And there’s nothing wrong with any of them. If there was not a representation of all textures on the show, then that is wrong. There should have been. However, I think Tyra’s use of the word “real” hair when we know she wears weaves and wigs was open to interpretation.
Great article Bella! Tyra’s “real hair day” was both a non-event and a contradiction to say the least. I know folks are going to label me – and others that share a similar opinion – as “haters”, but the truth is I have nothing but love for Tyra. My concern with The Tyra Show is that they initiate dialogues that they are seemingly unqualified to lead. It’s as if Tyra wants to go there, but while “there” she doesn’t fully want to embrace her discovery. I liken Tyra to a talented dancer who has lost all passion for his/her craft. For example, last season’s highly anticipated show on natural hair within the black community failed to examine the history that has shaped our [the black community’s] present day attitude towards natural hair. She also half-heartedly supported natural hair with her words; however she has not fully accepted it with her actions (i.e. she has relaxed hair). Yesterday’s show was just another example of Tyra’s non-committal disposition. Afrobella, I agree that it had the potential to be more than the Twitter-fest it amounted to, yet it lacked true dedication to the topic at hand. I am by no means suggesting that Tyra should transition to natural or rock a twa to appease us natural bellas; I am however advocating that she [Tyra and staff] refrain from holding interventions (as often illustrated on The Tyra Show) when Tyra is unwilling to digest the truth that would inevitably lead her to the same conclusion her guests arrive at. With respect to why there were no kinky/curly/coily haired women featured, that would have opened Tyra’s Pandora’s box, which she is clearly not ready to do – at least not publicly. Just as I respect everyone else’s right to wear their hair in whatever fashion they choose, same goes for Tyra. I wish her nothing but the best on this journey of self-discovery called LIFE!
Thanks Afrobella for imploring me to find the silver lining in yesterday’s episode.
I agree with J.Adia. I did not expect much. It could be because I am relaxed…but I just assumed she would be too. If she wasn’t I wouldve been surprised, but not like wow! I am knowledgeable about natural hair personally–but she did say REAL, not natural. I didn’t expect anything more. I didn’t watch the show but based on the blog post I agree she shouldve shown more textures that represent true diversity among black women–but also like J.Adia said, Tyra tries entirely too hard and I really can’t with her most of the time anyway….
I didn’t see the whole show and I was really exicited and wanted to see it. But I end up seeing a snippet of the show and I was really disappointed. My first thought was how did she get her wet hair so straight? I was really slow about what was going on (or just really in denial)
My next thought was…”this damn girl has a perm, boooooooo.” I should’ve known better, she is mainstream and kinky curly hair unfortunately, is not. What’s more upsetting is that the media keeps referring this to “Tyra reveals her natural hair.” We in the natural haired community know what “natural hair means but other races may not. Yes, it’s her real hair but it’s not natural…it’s been chemically altered.
*sigh*
I guess Tyra had to start somewhere
I didn’t expect much, but geez can you say “Lowered Expectations…” I think it was more to pimp the debate that natural hair is garnering and the increasing number of people embracing their natural hair. Tyra blatantly took advanatage of this. I don’t know when the word “real” wasn’t synonymous with “natural”…maybe I’m just bumping to a different beat.
I have no problem with chemically treated hair, only when people make excuses as why its the only state their hair could possibly be in because it’s “unruly” or “unmanageable” otherwise. Just say you like it as it is and keep it moving. Am I disappointed in Tyra, no–just for the fact that I either watch Oprah or Ellen anyway. 4pm is Oprah’s slot anyway.
Nappy, relaxed, straight, curly, permed, kinky, WHAT DOES IT MATTER. I think the point Tyra was trying to make is that not everyone who sports weaves, wigs or any of the like is BALD. So many folks (black and white alike) assume that only women with very short hair or practically NO hair wear weaves or extensions or wigs or whatever. So in that respect, much props to Tyra. As for the natural is better clique—i think natural is what makes you feel good. If I feel like rocking my natural kinky hair, then so I will. And if i feel like having it pressed or relaxed or even tightly curled, then so I will. Get it—it’s my own free will.
I live in Nigeria(in Africa in case you didn’t know) and i think you guys are being way too hard on Tyra. Having your natural hair texture does not make you any better than someone with a relaxer or a weave. We need to worry more about the content of a person’s character and not the hairstyle they choose to have. We all have free will and the right to choose.
I am not sure why anyone would expect Tyra to be deeper than the shallow, superficial person she has always been. She is mainstream media, and should be regarded as such.
If someone wants a natural hair mentor for themselves or their daughters there are plenty online-you are a prime example, Patrice. And also all the young ladies on Youtube who have done their research, had their own journeys and have created fantastic videos on styling options and the proper way to take care of all types of natural hair. I have SERIOUS AFRO ENVY from some of the girls on youtube and other hair care blogs I visit! I am a grown woman, and feel embarassed that i did not know how much moisture my hair needs until recently. There is no way I would expect lightbulb head Tyra (sorry, i just don’t like that phony chick) to teach me how to take care of my hair, even if it was relaxed.
Well….basically what Lee said. I believe that people who are natural probably feel a little more disappointed than those are relaxed (although I’m natural and am not disappointed). I don’t necessarily believe that she reinforced stereotypes by coming out with relaxed hair. She’s DEFINITELY allowed to do with her what she wants, but the whole point was to show her real hair, which is EXACTLY what she did. She doesn’t have to be natural to have REAL hair.
meant to add, I refer ro Tyra as phony not because she straigtens her hair; but because she has a way of not providing any depth to her topics, and she does not present different viewpoints of an issue. Only the easiest/or most controversial.
The ladies on the view dealt with this today. Whoopie was brave enough to ask why Tyra’s hair was not “natural” (although she did not use the word). Most of the ladies indicated they also straighten their hair, and the consensus seemed to be that straight hair was “easier” to manage. Go figure
What I don’t understand is what difference it makes. If she didn’t have a relaxer and her hair actually was “nappy”, she still had been hiding it under these weaves for years. I don’t know why anybody would be so disappointed…it’s Tyra. lol…
I do not understand why so many people are hating on Tyra. No one knows for sure if her hair is relaxed; her natural hair texture might be softer and curlier, not as kinky. I’ve seen many different hair types among black women alone, some have really coarse, thick curls and some have softer, looser waves. I do agree that she should have shown a larger variety of hair types–but I believe what she meant by natural hair was the hair that grows out of her head, point blank.
I didn’t see the show, but when Tyra said we would see her real hair, I didn’t assume she meant her natural hair and I don’t know why others would have. As naturals (I have natural hair) I think we put to much emphasis on what other people do with their hair. Who cares? Your real may not be my real. Your natural may not be my idea of natural…again who cares. It’s just HAIR!
I didn’t see the show but I agree. Sounds like Tyra wanted everyone to see how long her hair was. Of course, if you perm natural hair no matter how short it is, it will give you some length. Boooooooo Tyra! Disappointed. Someone needs to give Tyra the definition of “natural hair”. She needs to try this again and this time without a perm.
again….Tyra is an airhead. To expect any kind of ‘depth’ when it comes to Tyra is a major faux pas. I respect her hustle in entrepreneurship…but other than that, her interview skills have always been lacking, she tries so hard to prove that she’s ‘deep’…and THAT my friend….she is not.
Perhaps we did expect a bit too much from Tyra; maybe to her, real hair = hair I didn’t purchase, not hair I didn’t alter. I also agree that it is unfair to equate real hair with un-chemically treated hair, or to assert that “nappy” is the pinnacle of realness when it comes to hair. Perhaps the media was using natural and real interchangeably but they do not mean the same thing.
That said, I think that a lot of people who are feeling uncomfortable about the ‘relaxer hate’ and claiming that “it’s just hair” are missing the point about what was really disappointing to Bella and some of the other commenters. For a lot of people, it’s not just hair when people assume that your unrelaxed hair makes you thuggish, unkempt, militant or unprofessional. It’s not just hair if you have been told how unruly, unmanageable and unpretty your natural texture (however curly or kinky it may be) is since you were a child. It’s not just hair if you don’t feel you look your best without a fresh touch-up. If it didn’t matter, we’d see lots more nappy-haired models, actresses, newscasters, etc. There is a pervasive message in our society that straight is great, curly is quirky (but sometimes acceptable) and nappy is a tragedy that should be corrected as soon as possible and as often as necessary. As a style icon and nationally-syndicated talk show host, Tyra had an opportunity to include people with natural hair and show that natural and/or nappy hair is beautiful too (even if her hair isn’t “natural”) but she missed it entirely. That’s what is disappointing and unfortunate.
It was implied that Tyra relaxed her hair. Her stylist said something about not wanting to use 2 chemicals on her hair, but she had it colored by someone else and now he has her growing the color out so she wouldn’t be double processing her hair. I don’t have a problem with people who relax their hair; sometimes I miss wearing my signature “Nia Long on the Dark & Lovely box” flipped bob. I just have a problem with people who express their disdain for natural hair (but I can’t stand the look of bad weaves or women with chemically-damaged edges.)
I appreciate Tyra’s enthusiams but like several others said she lacks depth. She continuously scratches the surface with her “social experiments”, and discussions on race and hair issues. She could have done much more. I do appreciate the fact that she wore her real hair. I’m not sure what impact it will have but at least she showed people that you don’t need 20inch weave to beautiful.
I would love to be a researcher or producer for her show. She could be so much better if she dug deeper. She’s going to have another show on black people who don’t like other black people this week. I don’t know why I plan on watching because I know the outcome, I guess her show is like a bad accident I can’t turn away from
Bella’s:
It was what I expected it to be. I definitely didn’t think she would go natural. You must understand that some of “us” are scared to go natural because we don’t know how to get started and the challenges that come with going natural. So I commend you ladies who have gone natural and one day I hope to do the same.
Oh Afrobella, you expressed my sentiments exactly. I like Tyra. She’s a product of our collective African American consciousness. She’s successful and beautiful. She’s also not ready to celebrate the natural texture of our hair as are many many women who are color struck and hair texture struck. Who is she talking to?
I was shocked that she didn’t use the forum to highlight the many beautiful, creative, and elegant styles of our African diaspora, natural and otherwise, that we have free will to choose. This is what you get when you hang on to the advice of drag queens instead of real women in the fashion industry. No offense to drag queens.
I’ll give her another shot at this, to make amends- then I’m out. We need to raise our collective consciousness on this issue. Celebrate our hair, our perfect uniqueness – NOW!
I also want to comment to Ndidi, commenter #34 from Nigeria who thinks we’re being too hard on Tyra. Don’t get us wrong, we are the first to defend Tyra, we love her, but we also hold ourselves to high standards as Afro women in the Western world. We’re not in the motherland, we have to work with a great deal of ignorance, self-hatred and fear in our communities and nation about hair! I do believe our comments come from a place of love. And yes, I do think we all know that Nigeria is in Africa as well. LOL!
I think it is great that Tyra decided to reveal her hair on national TV. However,I was disappointed to her constant reference to the length of her hair. There is a big disconnect between what Tyra says and does.I do not understand why someone, who claims to love her hair so much, would cover it up with weaves and wigs. Her hair, like all hair, is beautiful, so why not wear it everyday?
I can’t help but wonder how many natural bellas out there would look down on me because I have a relaxer? I’ve attempted to go natural and like afrobella said, it takes commitment and courage and then some. I am inspired by women with natural hair and I believe I will do it someday and stay with it.
I guess the disappointment is a little hurtful. I agree Tyra didn’t need to come out with her hair drenched down her back, but why is non-natural hair viewed so negatively. We are all different and some of us are still learning and discovering ourselves.
I ask for sympathy and patience from my natural sisters.
I didn’t see the episode but I watched the clips online as well as the clips from the “Natural vs. not-natural hair” show. And on the previous show she sure as hell let everyone know that her hair was natural and sure as hell scrunched up her face at the relaxed girls while almost berating them about why they felt their natural hair wasn’t good enough or what have you. And from the clip I saw from this season’s premiere she did seem to tip-toe around the word “natural” and barely looked its way. Regarding this issue, I think most women will agree “to each, his own,” but her hypocrisy and self-indulgence is annoying. I mean really – who goes anywhere with soaking wet hair??????? I think for most women with hair of all textures, that is when hair is the straightest and longest, yes? IMO, she was trying to pull something over on us – what happened to all that natural superiority she was all about a few months ago? did I make that up? and why weren’t any very kinky-textured ladies on this show or the previous one?
In general, the biggest problem that I have with Tyra Banks is that she tries oh so hard to act like she is “one of the people.” it’s ok to make millions and be a supermodel! however much she spends on fake hair probably costs more than some people’s houses! lol who cares if “oh I’m not bourgeois, I use vaseline just like you!” give me a break. Ego cyah done.