Curly Hair, Don't Care: 6 Celebrities Who Rock Their Natural Curls!

In the world of Hollywood, where appearance is everything, the pressure to conform to beauty standards can be intense. For decades, women of color with curly hair have been told to straighten or tame their natural texture, often feeling like they had to hide their unique curls to fit in. However, in recent years, there has been a shift towards embracing natural hair, particularly curls. Gone are the days when straight and sleek were the only way to go. Now, curly-haired celebrities are owning their natural texture, inspiring fans around the world to embrace their own curls. So, let's highlight some of our favorite celebrities who embrace their natural curls with pride and prove that curly hair is not just a hairstyle but a statement of individuality and confidence!

1. Beyoncé

There's no denying that Queen Bey can do it all. She sings, dances, acts, and slays with her natural curls! Her hair looks iconic whether it's braided or styled in a free-spirited, effortless look like in "Hold Up". Beyoncé is a fan of keeping things natural, as evident from her appearance in Vogue's August 2018 issue where she wore barely any make-up. According to Neal Farinah, Beyonce's stylist, she wanted to be herself for the shoot, especially now that she's a mother of three and a wife who tours and does interviews. "Every day, for years, [Beyoncé] has had someone picking at her face, pulling on her hair," Farinah said. "She said, 'I want to be free, guys. I don't want all this hair and all this makeup. I just want to be myself'.”

2. Zendaya

Zendaya has shown that curls can represent more than just a hairstyle; they can also be a symbol of confidence. The actress is recognized for embracing her natural curls and often appears in public with minimal styling or maintaining their natural texture. She has showcased her curls in a variety of styles, including extra-long cornrows at the premiere of Spider-Man: No Way Home, voluminous ringlets at the 2014 American Music Awards, and dreadlocks at the 2015 Oscars. With each appearance, Zendaya continues to inspire and celebrate natural hair.

3. Yara Shahidi

Yara Shahidi, best known for her roles in "Black-ish" and its spin-off "Grown-ish", as well as the upcoming Peter Pan and Wendy as Tinker Bell, has become a prominent figure in the natural hair movement. Her flawless, wild curly hair has inspired many to embrace their natural hair. She discussed her transition to no-heat hairstyles in an interview with Mane Addicts, stating, "My curly journey has been fun yet challenging. It definitely did not happen overnight, and I understand the struggle of giving up curling irons and flat combs. As an actress, our hair is often overworked, so it has been rewarding to learn how to care for my curls whenever and wherever." 

4. Lizzo 

Lizzo is a talented musician who promotes body positivity and self-confidence, while also inspiring people to embrace their natural beauty, including their curly hair. Her curly locks are often styled in creative and daring ways that showcase her bold personality. Whether she's sporting a fierce afro or defined ringlets, Lizzo's hair always exudes confidence and individuality. Her unique sense of style encourages others to embrace their own natural hair and celebrate their uniqueness!

5. Amandla Stenberg

Known for her roles as Rue in The Hunger Games and Starr Carter in The Hate U Give, Amandla Stenberg is a celebrity who proudly rocks her naturally curly hair. In addition to her acting talent, Stenberg is also known for openly sharing her journey with her own hair. In an essay she wrote for InStyle, she revealed that, during the filming of The Hunger Games, the stylists didn't really know how to style her natural hair. They openly expressed frustration and made her feel like something was wrong with her hair, leading her to feel self-conscious. However, things changed for Stenberg when she turned 16: "I got my hair cut by someone who knew Black hair and Black curl patterns. That haircut changed the game for me. It brought out my curls in a beautiful way. I learned to appreciate my natural hair texture, and I realized that it was really special if I let it do its thing."

6. Halle Bailey

Halle Bailey, who is set to play Ariel in the upcoming live-action reboot of The Little Mermaid, has embraced her long, natural curls as a modern twist on Ariel's iconic red hair. Pictures from the set show that, even when Ariel transforms into a human and wears her well-known burlap dress, she still keeps her signature hairstyle, proving that you don't have to be a mermaid to rock some curls and make a statement.