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Influencer Nia The Light Dishes On Finding Self After Her Big Chop
Nia the Light.
There couldn't be a more fitting name for a young influencer whose crowning glory once spanned her head like a mega-curly halo and drew the awe and following of more than 86,000 followers on YouTube alone. Even over the phone during our chat, there's a special radiance around Nia "the Light" Pettitt.
She put that radiance to the test recently, cutting the blonde regal 'fro that made her famous on YouTube and Instagram alike. Trust us, her lioness-like mane put Angela Davis, Chaka Khan, and Kelis circa the "I Hate You So Much Right Now" days all to shame. (And just one tutorial detailing how she styled and maintained it attracted more than 899,000 views.) Even beyond the hair, her smile, aura of positivity, and candid vlogs sharing her travels via her #FroGirlAdventures series, offer yet another glimpse into why there's an ambiance surrounding her.
@niathelight/Instagram
Why cut the signature style that has led to notoriety and success---endorsements with L'Oreal and Aerie, features by PopSugar and Glamour South Africa, and co-hosting gigs for women's empowerment and beauty events around the globe?
"I'm a big believer in manifestation," Nia says. "I think since starting that relationship with myself and God, I've just been free to just be who I am."
The avid traveller, vlogger and founder of @HappyFroDay, an IG platform that celebrates natural curls, says she didn't want to be defined by her hair or the need to be liked a million times. Formerly known as FroGirl Ginny, Nia dove headfirst into a whole new, healthier vibe.
"People don't realize that social media can affect your mental health so much. If every day you're waking up and expecting to go on IG and see your favorite girls with the flawless skin and amazing body, or they're traveling all the time, you have to realize that sometimes it's not real. People can create who they want to be and the lifestyle they want to live."
"People don't realize that social media can affect your mental health so much."
Cutting one's hair might seem like just a regular thing to do, but for someone whose curls were a defining aspect of their Web fame, it's major, especially if it's connected to an awakening. In a social media world filled with technologically enhanced photos, staged depictions, ads, and a fierce competition for shares, endorsements, and celebrity, she sought to create a space where she could embrace everything about herself--flaws and all.
"I mentally prepped for the big chop. I spent time at home hibernating before I cut my hair, just to make sure it was something I wanted to do. I didn't tell anyone I was going to do it, which was such a big secret for me to keep," Nia says. "I started talking more about self-love [in my vlogs] and things I'm truly passionate about. I stopped Photoshopping my pictures, which was really good for me because I was so dependant on it. That was really key in being my raw and authentic self. I no longer had my hair to hide behind and other things I was modifying, which is really good."
"That was key in being my raw and authentic self. I no longer had my hair to hide behind…"
@niathelight/Instagram
Nia, 20, sees this part of her journey as one of enlightenment and growth. "I grew up on YouTube and was on since I was 16. Now, I don't engage with social media like I used to before. I'd have all my notifications on and see everything everyone would say. When I post, I leave the app and kind of forget I did, and then I'll go back and respond to comments and DMs. I'm not as attached to it as I used to be, which is really good for me mentally."
She's since shifted focus to self-awareness and service in an effort to expand her understanding of the world and herself. She recently took a trip that led her back to her Zimbabwean roots, strengthening a pride in heritage that has been instilled in her since she was a young girl growing up and living in the UK with her mother. "I recently went to a school in Zimbabwe and hosted a workshop with young girls---educating them about self-love---and it was really an amazing moment for me because I've always wanted give back. And that's something I've always dreamt of doing, building homes and schools in Zimbabwe---that was the like the start of the journey for me," Nia recalls. "It was refreshing because they had no idea who Nia the Light was but valued and appreciated my time and what I was saying. Before, when I'd do events, it would always be about 'Hey, let's take a selfie,' and that whole aspect of things. I saw the impact I'm able to make without my hair and without social media, which was really powerful for me."
"I saw the impact I'm able to make without my hair and without social media, which was really powerful for me."
The momentum hasn't stopped for Nia, and chopping off the massive curls that gained her popularity has opened up more opportunities---not less.
"Since I cut my hair and changed my name, I've been able to be free and create what I want without being limited to one thing. I've gotten some great opportunities including more campaigns with Aerie with my short hair. A girl [once] said to me, 'If you think about it, what you did was so radical because you took something that gave you confidence--- that allowed you to build a career---and you got rid of it.' I never look at it like that. I just knew it was just the right thing for me to do. You don't have to do everything for likes. Remember why you started and tap into the girl who was eager to create what you want."
For more Nia the Light, follow her on Instagram.
*Featured Image Credit: Nia the Light/Instagram
- Black Women Big Chop Hair Growth - xoNecole: Women's Interest, Love, Wellness, Beauty ›
- Questions To Ask Before Getting The Big Chop - xoNecole: Women's Interest, Love, Wellness, Beauty ›
- Nia Pettitt: How A Dramatic Haircut Can Change You | British Vogue ›
- Nia The Light - MiLK Model Management ›
- Niá The Light (@niathelight) | Twitter ›
- Nia The Light - MiLK Model Management ›
- Skimdo x Nia The Light - YouTube ›
- Why Nia the Light's Big Chop is "A Ticket to a Different Career ... ›
- Nia The Light - YouTube ›
- Nià The Light (@niathelight) • Instagram photos and videos ›
This article is sponsored by Hulu.
UnPrisonedhas returned for its highly anticipated second season, delving deeper into the complex dynamics of the Alexander family.
The series premiere comes a year after its debut season garnered rave reviews from fans and critics and earned record-breaking ratings for Hulu's Onyx Collective brand. UnPrisoned's success can be attributed to its raw, relatable themes and comedic appeal.
Inspired by creator Tracy McMillan's life, the show follows Paige (Kerry Washington), a therapist and single mother whose life takes an unexpected turn when her father, Edwin (Delroy Lindo) --who was released from prison-- moves in with her and her teenage son, Finn (Faly Rakotohavana).
Throughout UnPrisoned's first season, viewers witnessed how Edwin's incarceration deeply affected Paige's life and relationships. In the series, Paige unpacks her trauma through interactions with her inner child and her online followers. Meanwhile, Edwin is overcoming specific struggles with his own past that led to his life of crime, including a dysfunctional upbringing and his mother's arrest. As the Alexanders attempt to reconcile, new challenges arise.
This new season promises to further explore their unconventional family dynamic. Here are several compelling reasons why season two of UnPrisoned should be on everyone's watchlist.
The Alexander Family Life Is Still In Shambles
UnPrisoned's second season resumes where the series left off, with Paige grappling with the fallout from her troubled therapy practice and Edwin navigating life independently after moving out. Meanwhile, Finn faces his own challenges. The teenager is battling anxiety and seeking information about his father—a topic Paige avoids discussing.
The Alexander Family Are Attending Therapy To Resolve Their Underlying Issues
Amid the chaos in their lives, the Alexander family decides to mend their bond by confronting their past traumas. They seek professional help and attend therapy sessions with a “family radical healing coach,” played by John Stamos, a new cast member. This collective effort aims to unravel the complexities of their shared history and strengthen their relationships.
The process of unraveling each character's internal conflicts and their potential impact on future relationships may clash with Paige's textbook therapy approach. While Paige is used to being in the therapist's seat in both career and family, this forces her into the unfamiliar role of a patient during therapy sessions. This shift would compel her to look in the mirror and try a radically different approach.
The Alexander Family Learned A Big Lesson During A Therapy Session
In therapy, the Alexanders are tasked with addressing their individual traumas to salvage their remaining relationships. One of the family therapist’s eccentric suggestions was an exercise involving a family wrestling match. During this session, Paige faces tough questions about her refusal to share information about Finn's father.
While it's unclear whether this scene is reality or fantasy, the image of the family duking it out in the ring certainly makes for hilarious yet compelling television.
Paige Tries Dating Again Following Failed Relationships
Amid her life's chaos, Paige decides to step back into the dating field. However, her many attempts have left her with mixed results. The dating apps have turned out to be a fail, and an outing with her ex Mal (Marque Richardson), who is also her father's parole officer, doesn’t go quite as expected after he brings an unexpected guest – his new girlfriend.
The situation takes an awkward turn when Mal's new partner learns why the former couple split, partly due to Paige's self-sabotage.
UnPrisoned Is A Perfect Balance Of Comedy And Drama
As a dramedy, UnPrisoned takes a comedic approach to its heavy subjects. The show takes us on a ride with Paige's dating misadventures and navigating a friendship with her ex.
Other lighthearted moments include Edwin's attempts at CPR based on online videos and, of course, the antics of the Alexander family's unconventional new healing coach.
The second season of UnPrisoned is now available on Hulu.
UnPrisoned | Season 2 Trailer | Hulu
Feature image courtesy
Blair Underwood Initially Turned Down 'Sex And The City' Because 'It Was About How Samantha Was Fascinated By Dating A Black Man’
Actor and heartthrob Blair Underwood is opening up about why he turned down Sex and the City the first time he was offered a role. Many fans of the HBO series may recall Blair's time on the show in which his character was dating Miranda (Cynthia Nixon). However, he was previously offered another role where his character would date Samantha (Kim Cattrall).
During his interview with AV Club, the Set It Off star revealed that he was uncomfortable with the initial offer due to the character's fascination with him being a Black man.
“I actually did say ‘no’ the first time,” he said. “The first time they had offered the role, to be honest with you, it was about how Samantha was fascinated by dating a Black man and wanted to know if, uh, all of the rumors were true about our anatomy! And I said, ‘Listen, I’m honored, thank you, but I just don’t want to play a character based on race, on curiosity about a Black man.'”
But that didn't stop them from reaching out again. This time he was offered to play Dr. Robert Leeds, the love interest to Miranda and he decided to go for it. "So they were nice enough to call about a year later, and I said, 'Well, is it gonna be about race?' And they said, 'No, no, no, we’re not even gonna mention race!' And I think it really did only come up maybe once," he recalled.
"It did five episodes, and I think Samantha mentioned it once, saying something about 'a Black doctor' that Miranda was dating. And that’s really been a consistent thing in my career: not wanting to be boxed as 'the Black guy.'
"I’ve had that conversation with many producers along the way, and they were so great. They said, 'No, he’s just a doctor who Miranda meets in the elevator, and they have a nice little fling.' And it was amazing."
Blair has had a wide-ranging career playing everything from a lawyer on L.A. Law to playing Madame CJ Walker's husband on Self Made: Inspired by the Life of Madame CJ Walker. And during his interview, he revealed another role that he initially turned down, Set It Off. The movie, which is considered a classic in Black culture, stars Queen Latifah, Jada Pinkett Smith, Vivica A. Fox, and Kimberly Elise. Blair's character, Keith, played a banker and love interest to Jada's character, Stony.
He explained why he said no at first and eventually accepted the offer. "I had initially said “no” to that. Because I was playing this historic, iconic African-American historical figure in Jackie Robinson, and the time, y’know, there was Boyz N The Hood, and Menace II Society was out there, and I’d finished playing this noble Negro… [Laughs]," he said.
"And I’m reading the script, and there’s a scene where Jada Pinkett’s character—Jada Pinkett-Smith now—was going to sell her body so she could make some money to send her brother to college. And I remember, honestly, I threw the script across the room. I was, like, “I don’t want to do this. I want to do something uplifting for the Black culture and Black characters, and I don’t know if I want to see this.”
After a conversation with the movie's director F. Gary Gray and the actor's manager encouraging him to finish reading the script, Blair had a change of heart. What he first thought about the movie turned out to be totally different.
"So I finished the script, and I saw that the character they were asking me to play was really the love story in the midst of all of this turmoil of all of these characters, the four ladies: Queen Latifah, Vivica Fox, Kimberly Elise, and Jada," he explained.
"It was so well-written, it was such a great platform for them. And to be able to play the love story and the storyline that gave Jada’s character a leg up and a way out of this world, something to hope for, to wish for, someone to love her… I said, 'You know what? I’d like to be a part of that.'
"And I’m so glad I did, because that film resonates to this day. People all the time come up to me and say that they love that movie. So I’m glad that I did it."