Celebrities have always been good at having fun with their hair and sporting some iconic hairstyles that will never be forgotten. Let’s look at the new wave of trendsetters giving us hair content for days.
SHO MADJOZI
Colourful and adventurous, Sho Madjozi is a fan of bold hairstyles guaranteed to make anyone look twice. Though braids have always been around, she’s this generation’s muse, sporting protective hairstyles with a surprising twist.
The ‘Mama Amina’ rapper is always changing things up with neon cornrows, eye-catching beads, and her signature ‘John Cena’ braids. Proud of her Tsonga roots, you’ll often find her adding cowrie shells to her hair, which are symbolic of African culture and heritage, and are usually worn by royalty.
Sho Madjozi has also put her hair-identity into her debut children’s book, Shoma and The Stars, which features a pink-braided, brave young girl who saves her community from trouble. Even toddlers are inspired by her magical mane.
JADEN & WILLOW SMITH
The Smith siblings have been forging a path of their own, ad of walking in the shadows of their parents. Jayden sees ion as a way to smash gender norms, often photographed in gender-fluid outfits with alternative, brightly coloured hairdos.
Willow, on the other hand, shaved off her locks onstage, during her pop-punk performance of ‘Whip My Hair’. This inspired her mother Jada Pinkett-Smith to do the same since she had been struggling with hair loss due to alopecia. Though both radical, this sibling duo definitely knows how to turn heads while being themselves.
BIG ZULU
Rapper and actor, Siyabonga Nene (popularly known as ‘Big Zulu’) is hard to miss – given his roaring and trademark beehive dreadlocks. He is adored by many South Africans for his authentic look, paying homage to his roots and heritage.
Last year, fans across the country went crazy when an image of his lookalike – gone bald went viral. The shock of seeing a maneless Big Zulu was too much for his fervent supporters! For Big Zulu, however, his hair is more than just a ‘trend’. It’s a symbol of his culture and identity.
HARRY STYLES
The Grammy award-winning singer-songwriter has had people swooning since his rookie days in One Direction. But it’s not just his charm and boyishly handsome looks, but Harry’s hair evolution has had fans and fashionistas glued to their screens.
He’s changed from soft brown curls and upswept quiffs to medium-length locks and the gelled-back look. For the ‘As it Was’ artist, it’s all about simplicity: A inspiration for those who are open to experimenting until they find the style that fits them just right.
BOITY THULO
South Africa’s most-followed celebrity, Boity Thulo knows how to wear crown with pride and confide. Now she wants women across Africa to embrace their inner ‘African Queen’ too. She recently launched the ‘Be You by Boity’ wig collection in partnership local hair company Frontrow.
The range comprises three looks: The Boss Ba sleek ‘lob’), The Queen (a long, wavy updo) and The Showstopper (a honey-highlighted wavy look). Her mission is to give black women better access premium range of hair that makes them feel like royalty.
BILLIE EILISH
The goth-girl trend is alive and well thanks to Billie Eilish’s recent interest in darker hair, which seems to be making her ‘Happier Than Ever’. While she’s still showing off her popular shaggy wolf cut and choppy fringe, jet black seems to float her boat these days were though her slime-green dyed roots are definitely the look that got the most stares and criticism.
Either way, Billie is an all-round icon who is celebrated globally for her grunge-inspired aesthetic, distinct timbre and sense of self-awareness.
NICKI MINAJ
As the ‘Queen of Rap’, Nicki Minaj’s eccentric style is eye-popping, to say the least, but as she would say: “Colourful hair, don’t care!” Taking inspiration from music icon Cyndi Lauper, Nicki enjoys being playful when choosing new wigs and natural hairstyles, and it’s no secret that she loves to experiment with colour.
She’s the OG celebrity hair chameleon and will show from Barbie-pink bangs to striped blonde, and then super long, sleek black hair all in one week! Her epic hair moments have informed trends across the globe, making her one of the most influential women in the hip-hop industry.
