Image Source: Getty/Axelle/Bauer-Griffin [1]
Jada Pinkett Smith [2] is known for being an open book. Since first sharing that she has alopecia [3] back in December 2021, the star has been keeping her followers updated on her hair loss — and now regrowth — journey. On 7 Aug., she shared two photos on Instagram; the first slide was of the "past," and the second was "present," as labelled by Pinkett Smith. In image No. 1, her closely shaved head was on display, complete with a red glossy lip. In the second, present-day picture, her hair was considerably longer and dyed blonde at the ends.
"This here hair is act'n like it's try'n a make a come back. Still have some trouble spots but — we'll see✨," she captioned the images. The last major hair update Pinkett Smith gave was on 24 March, 2022. In honour of the United States House of Representatives passing the CROWN Act [4], the actor opened up about her tumultuous hair journey [5] in Hollywood. "I've had some definite hair regrets," Pinkett Smith says. "Especially on covers."
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In the short clip, Pinkett Smith can be seen rocking her now-signature buzz cut [8]. "Being a Black woman in Hollywood, especially in the era that I came up in, having your hair look as European as possible was always the thing," she says.
The actor goes on to say that she had to learn to get the courage to stand up for herself when people would insist on straightening her hair for covers and acting opportunities. This journey is what led her to disregard what people have to say about her buzz cut, especially now that she is embracing her experience with hair loss.
In December 2021, the star shared her first update via Instagram [9] on her experience with alopecia, the autoimmune disorder that is causing her hair loss [10]. "Y'all know I've been struggling with alopecia," Pinkett Smith says at the start of the 40-second video.
In the clip, Pinkett Smith can be seen with no makeup on (skin looking radiant as ever) while she runs her hand over her head. The topic of the video is a faint line on the top of her head that "all of a sudden" appeared one day. "Now this is going to be a little bit more difficult for me to hide, so I thought I'd just share it so ya'll not asking any questions." She then mentions embellishing the spot with rhinestones. "I'm just gonna make me a little crown — that's what Mama's gonna do." In the caption, she added: "Mama's gonna have to take it down to the scalp so nobody thinks she got brain surgery or something😜 Me and this alopecia are going to be friends ... period!😆"
Back in July 2021, Pinkett Smith and her daughter, Willow, got matching buzz cuts [11], which they showed off in a sweet photo on Instagram. "Willow made me do it because it was time to let go BUT ... my 50's are bout to be Divinely lit with this shed," she wrote in the caption.
Pinkett Smith's experience may not seem groundbreaking, but her openness is helping normalise discussion around the once-taboo or "embarrassing" topic of hair loss, especially for women. Watch both of the videos ahead.
Jada Pinkett Smith on Alopecia
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Jada Pinkett Smith on Her Hair Journey in Hollywood
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