My Natural HAIRstory

What A Difference A Decade Makes...

Look at how things have changed. Back in 2014 when I first wore my natural hair on the Today Show, unfortunately, the decision to go natural was seen as a bold move. But for me, it was for convenience. I had spent two days taping with Bear Grylls in the wild, and by the time I landed in New York after a late-night flight from Utah, the idea of getting my hair done in the early morning hours was a no-go. Not to mention there was no one available to style my hair back to the straight pixie I had worn for most of my TV career.

Fast forward to Spruce magazine, which is my first cover with my natural hair. What I love most is that no one even noticed. The story of my journey, even the set of my TV show, became the conversation. I know the struggle to understand and accept the importance of black women and our hair in the so-called mainstream. I was at Curl Fest in New York City this summer on a “Naturally You” Panel (curated by my hairstylist Johnny Wright) where tens of thousands of women with natural hair shared their journeys. I can't express how, in that moment, seeing my natural hair not being the headline was refreshing, and it gave me another sense of freedom.

See some of the images from the Spruce Magazine Cover shoot below and check out the full story HERE.