14 Black AF TV Show Characters That Are Our Forever Natural Hair Goals
The natural hair movement has been going full speed ahead for the last decade-plus, with so many Black women ditching the creamy crack and opting to embrace their curls and tap into their creative sides with natural protective styles. Slowly but surely, the internet was filled with countless must-have product lists for natural hair and YouTube step-by-step guides on how to pull off the hottest natural hair protective trends. However, even as the outside world made the leap over to natural hair paradise, Hollywood was still behind for many years.
Thankfully, over the last few decades of entertainment, we have seen more and more leading ladies showing us how to embrace and rock natural looks.
Because representation matters, and there's just something about watching a TV show and seeing someone who looks like you proudly showcasing their hair in fros, braids, twists, and other natural and protective styles, let's look at 14 characters from some of our favorite shows who effortlessly rocked their natural coils and other dope protective styles over the years.
Nola Darling in 'She’s Gotta Have It'
Netflix
Each season of the short-lived Netflix original, we watched Nola Darling juggle her career, relationships, and life in general all while rocking the cutest braids, curly styles, and headwraps.
Denise Huxtable in 'The Cosby Show'
NBC
Known as the wild-child of the Huxtable household, Denise was always making bold choices in both fashion and hair. Her long, waist-length locs were the first time I could remember seeing dreadlocks on primetime television, and she wore it so well.
Zoey Johnson in 'Grown-ish'
Freeform
Even before landing this spinoff show Grown-ish, Yara Shahidi's character Zoey Johnson had been showing us a plethora of new ways to style natural hair with side do's, wash-n-go's, and cute accessories on Black-ish.
Vanessa “Van” Keefer in 'Atlanta'
FX
Zazie Beetz's Van is the super sarcastic and straight to the point on-again/off-again girlfriend and baby mama to Donald Glover's Earn who always drops Twitter-worthy quotes when she's on-screen. Aside from her wit, you always see Van either rocking a simple curly fro or jazzing her up her hair into a style almost as memorable as her infamous Drake line.
Moesha Mitchell in 'Moesha'
Matthew Rolson/United Paramount Network
"Mo to the, E to the". Almost two decades later and the theme song for Moesha still rings in our heads. The other thing we can't forget is how Moesha set the standard for rocking braids on primetime television, and each episode she would find a new way to style them.
Anissa Pierce/Thunder in 'Black Lightning'
Black Lightning/CW
Sporting killer outfits and hairdo's, Thunder kicked butt as TV's first Black lesbian superhero in CW's hit show Black Lightning. Portrayed by actress Nafessa Williams, Thunder always made sure her edges were laid before and after fighting crime.
Winifred “Freddie” Brooks in 'A Different World'
A Different World
The free-spirited, energetic and "woke" Freddie portrayed by Cree Summer was a fan favorite on A Different World. And her bouncy, golden coils were a part of her look. We loved when Freddie showed us how to still wear a bang with our natural curls. An icon!
Florida Evans in 'Good Times'
Good Times
When discussing characters who proudly stepped onto the screen in all their natural glory, we can't leave out Esther Rolle's character of Florida Evans in Good Times. Her character's 4C TWA was gracing the screen weekly before natural hair became a trend.
Rainbow Johnson in 'Black-ish'
ABC
The fabulous Tracee Ellis Ross has been serving us big-body curls since her days as Joan Clayton on the incomparable show Girlfriends, and this has not changed since the actress took on the role of anesthesiologist Rainbow Johnson in the ABC series Black-ish.
Issa Dee in 'Insecure'
Insecure/HBO
Issa Rae's stylist has had the hair game on lock since the onset of the show and it was no different during the most recent season of Insecure. We've seen the growth and development of Issa's natural hair from the short fro she sported in Season 1, to the high puffs and protective styles she debuted in Season 4. And with styling by Felicia Leatherwood, it's radiated black girl magic.
Tia Landry and Tamera Campbell in 'Sister, Sister'
Sister, Sister
Everyone's favorite fashionable Black twins from the 90s set the standard when it came to rocking big hair. Often seen accentuating their curls with hats and headbands, Tia and Tamera were hair goals for every thick-haired teen across America.
Beth Pearson in 'This Is Us'
NBC
Played by Susan Kelechi Watson, the matriarch of Randall Pearson's family leads with grace, lots of sass, and some of the best protective styles on TV, while also keeping her on-screen daughters in Black girl magic-worthy natural styles as well.
Maxine Shaw in 'Living Single'
Deborah Feingold/Getty Images
Maxine Shaw was a badass lawyer who brought her signature dreadlock bob to the corporate world with some fierce suits to match. Throughout the series, Living Single actress Erika Alexander played with different styles and lengths of her natural look and we took notes along the way!
Josie McCoy in 'Riverdale'
CW/Riverdale
Lead singer of the teen band Josie and the Pussycats, Josie is known to be seen rocking her natural hair in updos and mini-buns. And she never leaves the house without her iconic cat ears, which just elevates her curls to the next level.
Honorable Mention: Susie Carmichael - Rugrats
Nickelodeon
In the world of animation, Susie was showing young black girls everywhere how to rock their natural pigtails with the colorful ribbons at the end. When the spinoff Rugrats: All Grown Up aired, we got a glimpse of teenaged Susie still showing off her longer, natural tresses. Voiced by another entry on this list, Cree Summer, Susie was proof that representation matters, old and young.
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Featured image by Freeform.
Robin D. Thomas is a brunch loving, Brooklyn born and raised Licensed Social Worker currently working in the Bronx. When she's not writing about all things wellness, entertainment and love, you can find her eating her way through different cities and tending to her plants. Connect with her on IG and Twitter at @_MissRobin or on her Instagram wellness page @thisnoirethat.
Skylar Marshai Talks Hair Reset With SheaMoisture Bond Repair 'Revive & Thrive' Campaign
This article is in partnership with SheaMoisture
Skylar Marshai is known for her extravagant style, and her hair is no exception. But now, she’s giving her hair a break and focusing on hair care with SheaMoisture’s Bond Repair Collection. “I feel like my hair has always been an extension of my storytelling because I know it's so innately linked to my self-expression that I've been thinking a lot about how my love for crafting my hair into these different forms and shapes has honestly never given it a chance to just be,” Skylar explains.
“So for the next few weeks, I will be wearing my natural hair out.” The SheaMoisture Bond Repair Collection is infused with AminoBlend and HydroPlex technology, scientifically proven to make hair 6x stronger with 84% less breakage by repairing and rebuilding broken hair bonds (vs. non-conditioning shampoo). That’s why it's the perfect hair reset for Skylar.
“It's been a long, long time since I've worn my natural curls. I haven’t nurtured it in its natural form so I’m scared of breakage, of it being dry, of it being damaged,” she admits. “I do feel like my hair is in good hands because I will be using the SheaMoisture Bond Repair Collection and it’s known for repairing damaged hair making it smoother, making it stronger like all of these very real concerns I have.”
Thanks to the unique blend of Amino Blend Complex (fortifying amino acids), Amla oil, and fair-trade shea butter used in each product, the hair will become visibly healthier after just one use. That’s because the collection focuses on repairing and reviving dry, damaged hair due to color, protective styles, heat, and more. This 4-step system, which includes Bond Repair Shampoo, Bond Repair Conditioner, Bond Repair Masque, and Bond Repair Leave-in, also enhances weakened hair bonds to reduce future breakage.
Skylar shows us how she uses the collection and it’s giving big, beautiful, healthy hair. “So I think it's gonna be some beauty to allowing my hair to rest,” she says. When it comes to styling, the influencer is “just gonna let Mother Nature do her thing.” Learn more about the SheaMoisture Bond Repair Collection below.
Step One: Bond Repair Shampoo
Rejuvenate your hair with SheaMoisture Bond Repair Shampoo, your go-to solution for luscious locks. Packed with hella hydration power, this shampoo adds moisture by 60% while removing buildup without stripping your strands. This shampoo gently cleanses impurities while significantly enhancing shine, smoothness, and softness.
The Bond Repair Shampoo is the first step in the 4-step Bond Repair system, all of which are infused with the uniquely formulated AminoBlend, and HydroPlex, Shea Moisture’s technology that rebuilds hair strength at its core.
Step Two: Bond Repair Conditioner
Tailored to repair styling damage, this creamy conditioner locks in 12x more moisture than standard non-conditioning shampoos, boosting damaged hair strength by 1.5x with significantly less breakage. The creamy SheaMoisture Bond Repair Conditionerdeeply hydrates, enhances manageability, and leaves your hair looking healthier and shinier.
Step Three: Bond Repair Masque
This Ultra Moisturizing reparative masque is a moisture-rich game-changer for those dealing with the aftermath of hair damage caused by styling. The SheaMoisture Bond Repair Masque delivers 13 times more moisture compared to non-conditioning shampoos, ensuring your hair feels nourished and soft. Designed to repair and rejuvenate, this masque significantly strengthens damaged hair — making it twice as strong while reducing breakage.
Step Four: Bond Repair Leave-In Conditioner
Elevate your curl game with SheaMoisture’s Bond Repair Leave-In Conditioner. Lightweight and hydrating, the Bond Repair Leave-In Conditioner provides 12x more moisture than non-conditioning shampoos and tames frizz with 24-hour humidity control. Designed to define curls and coils, the leave-in conditioner enhances softness and shine allowing you to detangle effortlessly.
Bonding Oil
The SheaMoisture Bonding Oil is a multitasking all-in-one formula that acts as a heat protectant and provides the hair with moisture, strength, shine, damage protection, and intense nourishment. This lightweight oil not only offers 24-hour frizz and humidity control but also fortifies your tresses, making them up to 5 times stronger with significantly less breakage.
Feature image by @skylarmarshai/ Instagram
Ashanti On How Nelly Proposed And Says 'Personal Growth' Is What Makes Relationship Work This Time Around
Ashantistunned fans earlier this year by announcing monumental life changes, including her pregnancy and engagement to Nelly.
The couple initially dated for a decade before splitting in 2013. However, Ashanti and Nelly would spin the block and rekindle their romance in 2023 after reuniting at Verzuz, a webcast battle series. Since then, the "Body on Me '' collaborators' whirlwind romance has captivated those eagerly following their journey due to the love and happiness they displayed on stage and social media.
Ashanti On Her Proposal
During the discussion, the "Baby" vocalist revealed that she was surprised by the rapper's proposal because of the intimate setting and timeline.
“It was just such a beautiful, intimate moment. We were not dressy,” she said. “I definitely had on one of his t-shirts and his boxers. I had absolutely no idea.”
When asked if she expected the engagement to unfold the way it did, Ashanti shared that she felt it would happen.
“I felt like it was going to come soon,” she quipped. “I didn’t know when, and the way that it happened was just so funny. I’m sitting on the bed watching TV with boxers on; you know what I mean, it’s not really sexy.”
The “Happy” songstress also provided details on her response and how she broke the news to her family.
“I cried. I gave him the biggest hug and kiss ever. I FaceTimed everyone I know… Mom and Dad and my sister were actually all in the same city so it worked out really cool. I was overjoyed, and shocked and surprised, and happy. Kind of like all in one,” she said.
Ashanti On Her Dream Wedding
Further into the conversation, Ashanti discussed the couple's future wedding plans. The "Only You" singer disclosed that the only detail currently set is the month she wants the event to take place, as the pair is primarily focused on their baby's arrival.
“We’re both extremely busy obviously with the baby coming, you know, everything else takes a backseat,” she said. “I do know what month I want it to be.”
Ashanti added that she plans to give birth before walking down the aisle with Nelly and hopes to have a Caribbean-themed wedding, which holds a special place in her heart as she has incorporated this element into her life over the years.
“I think it's going to be a combination of fashion glam, Caribbean vibes. I have to have a beach, an ocean, and sunshine and palm trees,” she stated.
Ashanti On The Couple’s Personal Growth
Toward the end of the segment, the "Rock Wit U" crooner explained that their union works this time around because they have both grown personally, having worked on their communication and accountability skills, especially when faced with hardships.
“The growth has been superb on both ends,” she said. “We are both at a place where, like before, sometimes we would argue, walk out, slam the door, and not talk for a few days. Now it’s kind of like, all right, you good, you know, give me a kiss goodbye and It’s over. It's not like holding on and bickering. We find out what the resolution is, we apologize.”
At this time, no further information has been released regarding Ashanti's due date or pending nuptials.
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Feature image by Alexander Tamargo/Getty Images for E11EVEN