Teenaged sisters, Halle and Chloe Bailey seem like they have it all: they recently signed with Beyoncé’s label, Parkwood Entertainment, and are proud members of the black-girl squad in Lemonade. But despite their musical talents, beauty and amazing hair, these 16 and 17 year-old ladies have already faced the ugly side of the industry where beauty is not always universal.
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Before they were singing sensations, they were on the acting circuit answering casting calls and reading for roles and were asked to remove their locs by casting agents.
“They wanted to change their hair!” says Courtney, their mother, who’s also had dreadlocks all her life. “It’s who they are! They were like, ‘We love our locks, mommy!’” she told The Cut.
“I’m sure the girls probably didn’t get 10, 15, 20, 30, 40 roles just because of their hair,” says Doug, their father who recalls numerous requests for the sisters to straighten their hair.
Signing with Beyoncé is a happy ending for the rising stars, but their hair journey is an ugly reminder that our hair isn’t always welcomed.
Do you believe you’ve missed out on jobs because of your natural hair?