Afro Curls in Film and TV

More and more series and films feature a person of colour in the lead role wearing their afro curls naturally. We think that's a really beautiful development. The media have a strong influence on what a society sees as beautiful. For far too long, the idea of attractiveness was too one dimensional and narrow.

Thanks in part to social media, we are moving further and further away from a classic beauty ideal and common stereotypes.

This thought struck me while watching the Netflix series „Summertime“. It is set in Italy in summer. The lead actress is a PoC with a beautiful afro. During a pool scene I consciously notice how rarely you see wet afro hair in films.

Since I have afro curls myself, wet curls are of course nothing „unusual“ or new to me. But I honestly can't remember any other film or series in which I've seen wet afro curls.

At first I'm surprised, but when you think about it, it's not that unusual after all. In film and TV you rarely see PoC with a natural afro mane. That shapes what we're used to seeing.

Hollywood actress Kat Graham (known for example from The Vampire Diaries) sums it up well in a YouTube video for Vogue („Kat Graham's Natural Hair Beauty Routine“): for her roles, what she calls „a certain look“ is expected. That's one of the reasons she has mainly worn wigs since she was 9. The corona quarantine made her engage with her natural hair for the first time. During the video Kat is moved to tears and you can feel how emotional this topic is for her. She hopes to one day play a role in which she can wear her hair natural.

We want to see more of this too! From the brave heroine walking through the frame with a radiant afro and fireworks in the background (film „Beasts of the Southern Wild“) to the confident teenager pairing her afro with bold trouser suits (film „Little“).

The growing presence of afro curls in the media can help make sure they are no longer seen as something „unusual“ or „exotic“ that you rarely see. And maybe it will encourage some people to accept their own hair in its natural texture and wear it with pride.

Even though there's still a lot to do (colourism: lead characters with lighter skin and/or less curly hair are often preferred), it's a good trend. We say yes to a world where beauty is seen in many different colours and shapes. And we celebrate curlies of all kinds anyway!

Author: Nadine