Solange Knowles, Et Tu?

Hair/Pop Culture

July 23, 2009

61 COMMENTS

I JUST blogged about bald being the “new” old trend yesterday, and gave 5 tips on how to wear the look on AOL Black Voices a day ago…and here comes a new celebrity on the bald is beautiful scene.

“Solange

Enter Solange Knowles, fresh out of the wig crypt and rockin’ a super cropped, all natural do.

You already know how I feel, right?

The comments I’ve been reading online have hardly been positive. They’ve ranged from calling it a desperate cry for attention, to disgustingly, comparing Solange to a cancer patient. That’s not funny, not by any measure.

I say go ‘head Solange. Rock your natural hair with pride. At first, you can expect a whole lotta hateration and negativity coming your way, but continue along this new path with confidence and bravery. You’re inspiring more people than you may realize!

edited at 12:44 p.m. — thanks to my friend Carmen of All About Race for letting me know, disappointingly Solange has already returned to the wig crypt. I’m left scratching my own natural head and wondering — was this a step towards being natural? Did the reaction scare her back to the fake-hair security blanket? Or was Solange not trying to make any kind of statement to begin with?

** edited Sunday afternoon, round 6:15 — thanks to the commenters who added the extra info that Solange responded on Twitter! I move slowly on the weekends…

NYMag.com reported it, but the quote was truncated. Here’s the whole statement verbatim from her Twitter page —

“seriously? lame. listen. if. i. wanted. to. make. a. statement. i. would. have. twitpic’d. photo shoot. ect. i. was. simply. taking. my. son. to. school. stupid. paps. took. pic. ive. had. my. hair. cut. like. this. for. two. weeks. i. was. NOT. inspired. by anyone. but. my. self. i. have. done. this. twice. in. my. life. i. was 16. i was 18. did. not care about your opinion. then. dont. care. now. dont. need. your. attention. or. your. co-sign. i am #3. trending topic. before. IRAN. &. some of you cant even locate it on a map. its sad.

dont. want. a. edge. up. or a perm. because. im not trying. to make this “a style” or a statement. i. just. wanted. to. be. free. from. the. bondage. that. black. women sometimes. put. on. themselves. with. hair. this. phase. of. my. life. i. want to spend . the time. the energy. and the money. on something else. not in the hair salon. im. not. mad. at . all of you. that have made your opinions known. and have sent negative. energy. my way. i expected this of you. you. have. the right to have. an opinion. so. do. i. ONLY reason i responded to this i have is because i was disappointed to see my name more talked about then #iranelection. we. gotta. do. better. people. happy. happy. joy. joy. “im no soul girl quipped with no afro, im just my god given name.”

That last quote comes from one of her songs, God Given Name. So there you have it, straight from Solange herself.

What do you think now?

Filed Under:

Tagged With: afro, short hair, solange, solange bald, TWA

COMMENTS

Niki says:

July 23, 2009, 12:50 pm

I love it! I know we like to rag on folks that are "different for different's sake", but I think she marches to the beat of her own drummer--which is not a bad thing!

Jaja says:

July 23, 2009, 1:04 pm

FABULOUS!!!! I love this look on Solange. Reminds me of when I did my big chop last year. Not only did I shave off my shoulder length hair but I dyed it BRIGHT red! Go on with yourself Solange. You look FIERCE ;-)

Kweenie says:

July 23, 2009, 1:17 pm

It's a very brave thing to do! Welcome to my world! :)

Chai says:

July 23, 2009, 1:23 pm

I did the same chop several years ago and was immediately tagged with: crazy gay depressed craving attention All of which had 0 affect on my new outlook. There is NO feeling like cutting off all your hair for the first, second time. It's a right of liberation not too many women would touch...yet it gives you an unmistakable air of confidence, but also... a great story to tell. Jaja is right...the word is FIERCE!

DH says:

July 23, 2009, 1:29 pm

I hate it when women get crapped on (or worse yet, crap on other women) for NOT wearing hair down to their waists, whether it's their own hair or somebody else's. I think there are enough of us in the world that we can rock what we like and still look fly. All that should matter is whether or not it looks good -- and I think girl looks great.

KianaB says:

July 23, 2009, 1:31 pm

What Chai said! People threw fits, but it feels so good to cut it all off sometimes. Especially in the summer lol. I threw on some huge hoops, and a cute dress and rocked it! I'm doing it again when I get closer to my due date.

b. says:

July 23, 2009, 1:32 pm

I wonder if she's had her hair like this for a while and just decided to forgo the weave for now. This will definitely set her apart from her sister. Go girl! :D I remember having my hair that short...and it was so nice...

MissMikelah says:

July 23, 2009, 1:41 pm

I'm all for doing what you want with your hair so long as it fits you. We all make hair mistakes. I personally think her cut is just a bad cut, not because it's natural, but because it has no shape nor is it flattering to her features. I'm sure this is just the first version of her cut, I wouldn't be surprised if she colors it or does something funky which she is known for.

Robby says:

July 23, 2009, 1:46 pm

Um no. It's not even about supporting her because she wants to go natural, but I think people need to understand that every hair cut is not for every person. It simply is not cute on Solange. Lets not get it twisted she's a pretty girl, but this does not fit her as well as it does other women. Perhaps she should have gone another route if she was truly itching to go natural. Buzzing your hair is NOT the only route. Choosing the right cut color and style for you shows that you are in tune with your own beauty and not just trailing on the latest trends.

Nix says:

July 23, 2009, 1:52 pm

Somehow I don't think it's the hair as much as it is Solange. She hardly ever gets any good press.

Candice says:

July 23, 2009, 1:58 pm

Going short & natural is completely liberating, but one must be ready to embrace all that comes with it at the same time. Maybe it wasn't the right time for Solange to take it there fully, but maybe she will in time.

Elita says:

July 23, 2009, 1:59 pm

I agree with Miss Mikelah and Robby. It doesn't look good because it's a messy job (no line whatsoever!) and the color is a little mousy on her skin tone and is making her complexion look really washed out. She's a beautiful girl, this is just NOT flattering. If she had lightened it and left some length on top I think it could've been really darling, but then she would've been accused of copying Rihanna so I guess she can't really win.

NinaG says:

July 23, 2009, 2:02 pm

I love it! I also think she does keep her hair this short more than we think. There's a pic of her on concreteloop from back in 2006 w/ short hair.

nichole says:

July 23, 2009, 2:03 pm

Anytime I see comments about hair, I think of India Arie's song "I Am Not My Hair." I like it and wish she had given it more time. In this picture I believe what's not flattering with the cut is the sunglasses she has on. But the cut works. I received comments on my hair but it's mine and I will do with it what I want. More importantly, any negative comments I get make me want to rock what I have even more.

DC Neighborhood Style Examiner says:

July 23, 2009, 2:06 pm

OK OK OK now Solo has no hair line? she needs a shape up. It looks like a quick decision thing. Other than that it will grow on me. Im liking it! Do You Boo

hypnotic says:

July 23, 2009, 2:09 pm

I don't understand how a hair style that we are all born with can be unfitting or a bad look? I don't know I had a small fro as a newborn, I don't see the hoopla about this at all. I actually hate edge ups on women. Perhaps she cut it herself and that's why it looks "messy." I don't know what her skin color has to do with her natural hair color, that doesn't even compute for me. As far as the wig, I am assuming she wanted a different look for the red carpet. It's hair people and it's hers.

hiphopmuse says:

July 23, 2009, 2:21 pm

I don't see it as a negative thing that Solange decided to go cropped and natural, but I agree with the consensus that the haircut she chose isn't flattering for her features. But hey, the good thing is that her hair will grow back. I think she would look fly with a soft mini-fro.

dina says:

July 23, 2009, 2:21 pm

She's giving me mucho Amber Rose in this look. I agree with whoever said the style should look good. The audacity to do something liberating is respected but I can only imagine that a woman would want to look desirable, Or maybe not. In her case maybe she gets TOO much male attention.

Whitney says:

July 23, 2009, 2:27 pm

I thought that she looked soooo gorgeous! And free, and happy, but maybe I was reading too much into the pic?! The Daily Mail did a story about her being crazy and comparing her to Britney Spears...ugh. It's here, if anyone cares to be annoyed by it: http://tinyurl.com/l6wths

Fave says:

July 23, 2009, 1:30 pm

I love it. It screams of natural beauty and self-love. Go Solange.

DJStylus says:

July 23, 2009, 1:34 pm

She's not bald. I think it's cute though.

Liberty Hultberg says:

July 23, 2009, 2:50 pm

She looked great with the new 'do. I'm a little sad she's already back to wigs, and also wonder, like you, whether this is a result of social pressure. It's amazing how some people seem to think they own anything visible on another person, which gives them the right to call his/her appearance into question--hair, gender, weight--as if it's their business and is open for critique.

Orchid says:

July 23, 2009, 1:50 pm

I think she looks gorgeous. Is she really going natural? If she is it makes me happy.

creole babe says:

July 23, 2009, 2:55 pm

I live in Houston... and Solo before becoming sorta mainsteam was always out and about (in the clubs)...and this natural thing is not a New thing for her... She shave it all off a few years back and just recently ((once going Hollywood)) did she began to relax and wear the weave...I'm sure if you searched the net..you could find some old pics with her hair cropped. ((Under the weave she was natural,until about 2years ago))Long story short..TTYL

AmandaA says:

July 23, 2009, 3:25 pm

Creole babe is right. Solange has done this before. Check out this pic http://i2.tinypic.com/sbhgeb.jpg

Nichelle says:

July 23, 2009, 3:30 pm

Or was Solange not trying to make any kind of statement to begin with? I have to say, even when it comes to wearing natural hair, sometimes it's just a style or a change of pace - not always a statement.

Kimani says:

July 23, 2009, 3:46 pm

I love it...do you gurl...roc it!

Denise says:

July 23, 2009, 3:58 pm

Thanks Creole Babe and Amanda A for beating me to the punch cuz I was going to say that this was not the first time Solange has rocked it natural. I'm glad she's doing it. We need to see more "entertainers" go natural. I am soooooo sick of this extra hard lean everyone is doing to EXTRA FAKE hair lately. I hope she rocks more often than not....

Cheeky says:

July 23, 2009, 4:10 pm

I think its cute. I also don't care for edge-ups on women. To me, they can make a person look sorta hard. Now, the shades are not for me. But the haircut, I like.

Jenene says:

July 23, 2009, 5:04 pm

It's just not flattering on Solange. And on the heels of Amber Rose, Cassie, Lala, and Rihanna, (even little Angel Iris Murphy got a mohawk) doing baldies or half baldies it just seems a little uninspired. She's not even lined up properly.

Marcy Webb says:

July 23, 2009, 5:31 pm

I don't really like it; I don't think it becomes her. Short hair - whether natural or otherwise - doesn't become everyone. But, it's Solange's hair, and not mine. The fact that Solange has returned to the wig crypt, as you put it, sends a larger message re: just how insecure she is in her own skin, and I don't mean Black skin, but in her own humanity.

Betty Chambers says:

July 23, 2009, 5:08 pm

Looks nice. Although isn't she too young for her hairline to appear so receded? Those lace fronts and wigs could be eating it away. It looks a bit dry, but probably that is the lighting. Would be nice to see more black women artists leave the wigs alone for a while.

Tiabia says:

July 23, 2009, 6:26 pm

She looks gorgeous to me!

HaitianRoots says:

July 23, 2009, 7:40 pm

i too am confused with the short crop then rocking the weave, but hey, that's the freedom we have. do what you do. concreteloop also did a post on this and it seems that she's been short before;during pregnancy. she had a lil' more growth on top and i thought she looked quite cute.

Nneoma says:

July 23, 2009, 7:52 pm

I saw the comments about her new 'do and thought they were uncalled for. I am a bit upset that she could not continue on with the look but rather decided to wig it....

Shell says:

July 23, 2009, 8:16 pm

I do hope Solange takes off the wig and wears her new look proudly. I think she looks cute.

Vonmiwi says:

July 23, 2009, 9:09 pm

I love it and I saw several women at this years Essence Music Festival wearing some of the most beautiful hairstyles sporting what GOD has given us. One day I hope we can get beyond "our" hair and learn that we are more than just a skin color and a hair texture.

Erica says:

July 23, 2009, 11:00 pm

I adore Solange's new look. I cut my hair EXACTLY like that about a month ago and I hope she's feeling as free and fabulous as I am! I got some negativity too, and although I don't usually take criticism too well, the criticism of my hair did not bother me at all! I think I feel so authentically myself with short hair that the negative comments just don't stick. In my view, really short hair reveals a new kind of beauty. It's so empowering! Every woman should have a chance to see herself this way, at least once.

Monie says:

July 23, 2009, 11:50 pm

One thing that bothers me is that when women wear their hair like this its referred to as being bald. I don't get that. Solo isn't bald her hair is just short. I think when people say bald it's sort of a discouraging remark. I mean what woman wants to told she's bald right. Anyway I LOVE solo's hair like this. The remarks on gossip sites were astoundingly hateful. Some Black people really hate themselves.

Lita says:

July 24, 2009, 5:55 am

Am I the only one who remembers that her hair was like this before she relaunched herself. Maybe she'd never grown it.

Sivad M says:

July 24, 2009, 10:48 am

I love this look on her. I admire the fact that she is showing her God given natural beauty. I have been contemplating on doing this for 2 yrs. After seeing this pic, my mind is made up. I just made my appt. Solange, keep being you!!!!

Trina says:

July 24, 2009, 2:29 pm

I like it. Period.

Honeysmoke says:

July 24, 2009, 2:41 pm

i think she's just keeping it versatile. remember, hair is an accessory.

flygyrl72 says:

July 24, 2009, 7:10 pm

Solange responded back on her Twitter page... http://nymag.com/daily/fashion/2009/07/solange_shaved_her_head_to_fre.html?mid=fashion-alert--20090724 But for all those saying that it doesn't "look right" on her, I'd like to ask, as opposed to what? It looks fine to me, & certainly better than all the dead arse bone straight crap that she & her sister usually stick in their heads. I too, Bella, was dismayed to see so many negative comments about this hairdo on a lot of the blogs that reported on this. I don't even think this hair style falls into the same category as a Cassie faux-hawk or Britney going bonkers & shaving her head completely down... It's just a short natural, that's it. What's the big deal? Shows that we still haven't come all that far in terms of being brainwashed into thinking that long and/or straight is the only way your hair can be looked upon as desirable...tsk, tsk...

Marnimom says:

July 24, 2009, 8:20 pm

I cannot believe that we've become so accustomed to fake weaves, wigs and straighteners that we disparage our natural beauty. I find the comments about Solange's short natural to be very disturbing. She is not bald. Her short natural is a refreshing change.

Saran says:

July 25, 2009, 2:56 pm

I absolutely love this look on her. No wig or extensions need.

Patrice P. says:

July 26, 2009, 6:46 pm

From Solange's twitter: "listen. if. i. wanted. to. make. a. statement. i. would. have. twitpic’d. photo shoot. ect. i. was. simply. taking. my. son. to. school. stupid. paps. took. pic. ive. had. my. hair. cut. like. this. for. two. weeks. i. was. NOT. inspired. by anyone. but. my. self. i. have. done. this. twice. in. my. life. i. was 16. i was 18. did. not care about your opinion. then. dont. care. now. dont. need. your. attention. or. your. co-sign. dont. want. a. edge. up. or a perm. because. im not trying. to make this “a style” or a statement. i. just. wanted. to. be. free. from. the. bondage. that. black. women sometimes. put. on. themselves. with. hair. this. phase. of. my. life. i. want to spend . the time. the energy. and the money. on something else. not in the hair salon. im. not. mad. at . all of you. that have made your opinions known. and have sent negative. energy. my way. i expected this of you. you. have. the right to have. an opinion. so. do. i."

cocoadrop420 says:

July 26, 2009, 7:07 pm

I thinks its great what Solange did. Its more about the statement she is making than the actual haircut; we are not defined by our hair. I recently did the big chop myself and I feel more confident about who I am now than I ever have

bella says:

July 26, 2009, 7:11 pm

Thanks Patrice - LOL I was actually about to edit this post to include her Twitter statement. I'm going to do that now...

A_Curly_Iranian says:

July 27, 2009, 12:50 am

I'm Iranian, love Solange with this 'do, and love even more her response to everyone else. Thank you for your support of the Iranian people and giving people some perspective on things! Peace

AzizaW says:

July 27, 2009, 2:08 am

I really admire Solange for her outlook on how she dealing with the attention surounding her 'do. All the scrutiny is not neccesary and even though I'd never thought I'd say this--sometimes hair is just hair. It is to her anyway. And that is totally fine :)

Mskinkydiva says:

July 27, 2009, 12:37 pm

I respect her hair and I think that her hair looks fine. I am natural and I like to change my look with falls sometimes, what is the big deal about her wearing a wig to an event? I do not care for the edge ups on women I think that it looks kind of butchy.

Ms. Rick says:

July 27, 2009, 2:04 pm

I think she looks great! It's a flashback of a young Jada Pinkett-Smith.

Barbara says:

July 28, 2009, 2:59 am

It will grow back. She's probably just going through a phase.

aquababie says:

July 28, 2009, 4:27 pm

i'm back to sporting the bald/almost bald look myself. it's a freedom that most folk won't open themselves to feel. this time around i'm sporting the look in support of my cousin who's kicking the hell out of breast cancer. i told her when she cut hers, i was cutting mine. i could care less about my locs....solidarity baby :)

Digital Tempest says:

July 28, 2009, 10:49 pm

Regardless of whether we think it looks good or not, it's her decision, and I don't think it's fair for people to label her as the "black Britney Spears" just because she buzzed all her hair off. It's a shame that celebrities can't do anything without it being translated into something else by the media--and even the fans. Can't she cut her hair just because it's her without all the b.s.? She's not even "bald" really, but the comments made on other sites about her being bald and whatnot really show how much hair is a big issue in our community.

Maleka says:

August 14, 2009, 10:34 am

I love it! Natural Beauty!

tia says:

August 18, 2009, 12:19 am

for no apparent reason, my totally natural wedge cut hair began to fall out in a horseshoe shape in the crown, and on the sides of my head. Visits to the dermatologist, homeopathic, primary and endocrinologist could find no reason, except illness,(which I didn't have, or stress, which I did have.) I had what I called a mohawk or my combover. My best friend convinced me to take it down to the baby hair that was left in spots. I did, and have received nothing but compliments! Now that it is growing back, I'm not sure I want to let it. I love her new look. It is beautiful and shows her natural beauty, as well. Too bad she didn't hang with it.

janete says:

September 4, 2009, 9:20 pm

linda educada talentuosa capassitada de aprender as coisas melho da vidar esperando a opurtunidade de demostra o sau talanto de conhacimento eu sor linda e tenho minha fomilra para demostra como samos linda eu espero a opurtunidade.

lace front wigs says:

May 21, 2010, 5:06 am

like her!

Danette Zumaya says:

August 2, 2010, 11:12 am

Well, this page looks way better than my yahoo blog. I think I might use Wordpress aswell.Your thoughts on this Regards.

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