

The next time I hear about a woman brag about not wearing wigs, I'll give her a cookie for her efforts and sashay away in my 28-inch frontal unit like a boss. The first time I saw my sister put on a wig, I wanted one of my own. She was in her mid-twenties when she was diagnosed with Leukemia, and despite her painful recovery process, she always looked f*cking fabulous. Even if she didn't feel that way. I realized then that wigs were a sort of armour for women of color and served as an outlet of creative expression for her in one of the roughest periods in her life.
When my sister put on her wig, she was no longer a woman who was hopeless and cancer-ridden. Having full autonomy to switch up her look despite losing her hair during chemotherapy was a sign of strength and demonstrative of the perseverance that eventually led her into remission. As a multifaceted, three-dimensional woman, I find that wigs and hair pieces offer me range in my personality and at times enable me with the bravery that it takes to kick ass in even the most uncomfortable areas of my life.
Some days, I wake up feeling like Ms. Celie, but soon after, I put on my mane of platinum blonde curls, I transform into Sasha Fierce. Don't get me wrong, I see so much beauty in Color Purple cornrows, but there is a whole wonderland of adventure that weave has to offer, and if you haven't yet, you should take advantage.
Paras Griffin/Getty Images for Sony Pictures Entertainment
Porsha Williams recently opened up to Allure about how a traumatic split from her estranged ex-husband led her discover new facets of her personality. In the interview, she said that she coped with the blow to her self-esteem after her highly publicized divorce from Kordell Stewart by tapping into known previously unknown archetypes of her personality and consequently finding love in her natural self.
Now, the reality star has her own line of unprocessed hair extensions and has a room in her home dedicated to more than 40 wigs of various lengths and colors that all have their own names. A few of the high-maintenance beauties mentioned in her glorious collection include Olivia, the highbrow business woman who doesn't take any bullsh*t, Carrington the Southern housewife with an eye for good houseware, and Pocahontas - yes, like the movie.
She told Allure:
"When my assistant got hired, he didn't think that half of his job would be maintaining my babies."
Wigs and frontal sew-ins are often given a bad name because it's assumed that since I'm using an alternative method of hair styling, there must be something that I don't like about myself. The truth is, protective styles are lit and can ensure that your natural hair stays healthy and without chemical additives.
A woman's hair is the extension of her personality, and wigs give us the opportunity to be whoever tf we wanna be without doubt or explanation. Porscha is a reminder that finding yourself means losing your old identity in more ways than one. Switching up your look can give you confidence that you didn't even know you needed.
For you, that may mean doing a big chop, or even taking a note from our girl and investing in your own personal wig closet.
Read Porsha's full feature over at Allure.
Featured image by Paras Griffin/Getty Images for Sony Pictures Entertainment
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Adrian Marcel On Purpose, Sacrifice, And The 'Signs Of Life'
In this week's episode of xoMAN, host Kiara Walker talked with R&B artist Adrian Marcel, who opened up, full of heart and authenticity, about his personal evolution. He discussed his days transitioning from a young Bay Area singer on the come-up to becoming a grounded husband and father of four.
With honesty and introspection, Marcel reflected on how life, love, and loss have shaped the man he is today.
On ‘Life’s Subtle Signals’
Much of the conversation centered around purpose, sacrifice, and listening to life’s subtle signals. “I think that you really have to pay attention to the signs of life,” Marcel said. “Because as much as we need to make money, we are not necessarily on this Earth for that sole purpose, you know what I mean?” While he acknowledged his ambitions, adding, “that is not me saying at all I’m not trying to ball out,” he emphasized that fulfillment goes deeper.
“We are here to be happy. We are here [to] fulfill a purpose that we are put on here for.”
On Passion vs. Survival
Adrian spoke candidly about the tension between passion and survival, describing how hardship can sometimes point us away from misaligned paths. “If you find it’s constantly hurting you… that’s telling you something. That’s telling you that you’re going outside of your purpose.”
Marcel’s path hasn’t been without detours. A promising athlete in his youth, he recalled, “Early on in my career, I was still doing sports… I was good… I had a scholarship.” An injury changed everything. “My femur broke. Hence why I always say, you know, I’m gonna keep you hip like a femur.” After the injury, he pivoted to explore other careers, including teaching and corporate jobs.
“It just did not get me—even with any success that happened in anything—those times, back then, I was so unhappy. And you know, to a different degree. Like not just like, ‘I really want to be a singer so that’s why I’m unhappy.’ Nah, it was like, it was not fulfilling me in any form or fashion.”
On Connection Between Pursuing Music & Fatherhood
He recalled performing old-school songs at age 12 to impress girls, then his father challenged him: “You can lie to these girls all you want, but you're really just lying to yourself. You ain't growing.” That push led him to the piano—and eventually, to his truth. “Music is my love,” Marcel affirmed. “I wouldn’t be a happy husband if I was here trying to do anything else just to appease her [his wife].”
Want more real talk from xoMAN? Catch the full audio episodes every Tuesday on Spotify and Apple Podcasts, and don’t miss the full video drops every Wednesday on YouTube. Hit follow, subscribe, and stay tapped in.
Featured image by xoNecole/YouTube
Ashley Versher is known for her work in the Tyler Perry's Beauty In Black series and more recently, she starred alongside Taraji P. Henson in the Netflix film Straw. But she is more than just her acting credits and stunning looks (her hair alone is everything). In an xoNecole exclusive, Ashley dishes on her first celebrity crush, how she spends her downtime, and her go-to haircare products because we need the deets.
Get to know Ashley below.
xoNecole: Where are you from?
Ashley Versher: San Francisco - BAY AREAAAAAA!!!!
xoN: What was your first major acting role?
AV: A 49ers Super Bowl commercial - I think I was 3.
Ashley Versher
Johnny Marlow
xoN: Have you ever had an embarrassing or funny audition story? If so, what happened?
AV: Yes! I was doing a self-tape once and I forgot to take off my bonnet. But the tape was so good I sent it in anyway.
xoN: Your hair is gorgeous. What has it been like navigating Hollywood with natural hair?
AV: Thank you so much! Navigating Hollywood with natural hair has definitely been a journey of self-discovery. Early on, I had to make a conscious decision about how I wanted to show up—not just in this industry, but for myself. Once I fully embraced my natural hair and committed to the journey, everything else began to align. It’s been nothing short of empowering.
Navigating Hollywood with natural hair has definitely been a journey of self-discovery. Early on, I had to make a conscious decision about how I wanted to show up—not just in this industry, but for myself.
xoN: What are your favorite go-to hair products?
AV: Ooooooo, right now I’m loving Camille Rose’s Jai Twisting Butter—it’s super moisturizing and gives me a fun, bouncy twist-out! I’ve also recently gotten into oils, and I’m especially loving sweet almond oil.
xoN: We know you as an actress, but what is another special talent you have that most people don't know about?
AV: I trained as a classical violinist for 13/14years.
xoN: Who is your hero?
AV: My mom. She’s incredible - full stop.
Ashley Versher
Johnny Marlow
xoN: How do you like to spend your down time?
AV: Ha! What’s that!? Jk jk, I love to travel, that’s honestly my favorite thing.
xoN: Who was your first celebrity crush?
AV: Prince.
xoN: What is your dream role?
AV: One day I will play a witch with Harry Potter-like powers!
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Feature image by Johnny Marlow