Michelle Williams did not quit her role starring role in the Broadway play Once on This Island, she decided to take her doctor's orders and prioritize her health.
After very recent events full of highs and lows, including the debut of OWN's Chad Loves Michelle, a reality show based on her engagement that has since been called off, and an ongoing battle with depression, it is to the relief of many of us that Michelle is taking the time to regroup.
Michelle's strength is to be admired in a time like this because as passionate women, we all know how hard it is to walk away from an opportunity that on paper is everything that you want, for something much healthier that you need. To some, it can feel like defeat, and to many, it could feel like a sign of weakness, but according to Michelle's health professional, what she needs is time and rest. A rep from the Broadway show reported that Michelle has been advised to take a leave of absence from performing as it is the healthiest option for her wellness at this time.
Being that Michelle starred in Aida back in 2003 and as Roxie Hart in Chicago in 2010, this opportunity to perform on Broadway in Once On This Island was not Michelle's first, and likely will not be her last.
Any of us who had a portable CD player in the early 2000s knows that Michelle is a survivor and that she won't give up, that she won't stop, and she will go harder but the true question I have is: When is it going to be more socially acceptable to prioritize our mental health as Black women?
Why is it that we feel the need to push ourselves way past our limits mentally and physically for jobs that will often replace us in a matter of days? Is the 'grind till you die' rhetoric so important to our egos and pockets that we will keep on pushing ourselves past our limits? Honestly, what are we trying to prove?
Peace is priceless.
There is no amount of money or opportunity that is worthy of you giving parts of yourself when you have none left, and given all the success that Michelle has experienced in her life, she seems to know that. She wrote on Instagram in July:
"My family, friends, and fiancé have been AWESOME!... Sitting here reflecting on the past two weeks. I had no plans of what I was going through being public BUT now that it is I have a made an even BIGGER commitment to the mental health awareness area. So many people are suffering, hurting, hopeless, lost and don't see a way out but there is. Depression sucks, but my faith in God and my commitment to doing the work to stay well is my way out!"
As for Michelle, there is no doubt that she will bounce back from this as she has done in the past, and she has my prayers and well wishes.
For the rest of us fighting silent battles daily, I hope you have the courage to prioritize your well-being over everything else going in your life. Even if for a few hours, a few days, if it means moving on to a new job or relationship or living situation: Do it.
The universe needs you to be happy and healthy, and will not be the same without you in it.
Feature image by Gary Gershoff/Getty Images
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Now, when you go to the hair store you are inundated with all kinds of hair textures, colors, and more. That’s why it was so upsetting to read the latest report about synthetic braiding hair.
Delmaine Donson/ Getty Images
A Feb 27 Consumer Reports article revealed that most popular synthetic hair brands that are used for braiding have dangerous chemicals such as carcinogens, lead and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). The report stated that 10 of the brands were tested and all 10 had these chemicals. These brands included Shake-N-Go, Sassy Collection, and Sensationnel.
These chemicals include benzene, which is a carcinogen that has been linked to acute myeloid leukemia and unsafe levels of lead, which can cause kidney damage, brain damage, and cardiovascular problems in adults.
In children, it can cause brain and nervous system damage, learning disabilities, behavioral problems and even developmental delays.
James E. Rogers, PhD, director and head of product safety testing led the testing for synthetic braiding hair. “Our exposure and risk analysis found all nine products could expose a regular user of any of these products to a level of lead that could be concerning over time,” he said.
As shocking as this is, it also brought some clarity around why I’ve had issues with wearing braiding hair as of late.
Not only have I dealt with scalp irritation, I’ve even had breakouts on my back from the hair touching. Since then, I’ve started rinsing the hair with apple cider vinegar, and haven’t had that many issues. However, the report stated that ACV isn’t a “cure-all” and can potentially release harmful chemicals when rinsing the hair.
@javonford16 Replying to @Julianna Rebundle vid: @Javon Ford Beauty #blackhairstyles #braidinghair #blackgirlhairstyles @Consumer Reports
While the report sparked some outrage, chemist Javon Ford has a different view. In a TikTok video, he shared that the report was tested for oral exposure and not dermal exposure.
He showed a screenshot of an email he allegedly sent Consumer Reports questioning their decision to test this way. The email said, “the best model to use, in our view, is the ingestion model for the reasons given in the article.”
“While I understand they went with that model, I don’t agree with it because you’re not intentionally ingesting braids,” Javon said. The chemist also said that the amount of chemicals found in the brands is “conservative” compared to other types of products.
So what does this mean for us braid-wearers? If you still want to wear braids, but have some concerns, you can limit how often you wear them. Another option is wearing non-toxic braiding hair or plant-based hair. The only downside is that it's pricier than synthetic hair.
The Consumer Report also suggested checking for recalls, reading labels carefully, and reporting adverse effects. Hair isn’t regulated by the Food and Drug Administration, so it’s best to do your research when making purchases.
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Feature image by AzmanL/ Getty Images