The woman who cuts her hair is about to change her life. I suppose that says a lot about the woman who shaves her head bald.
Black Panther inspired women of color across the world to strip down to their roots and go back to the essentials when it comes to beauty standards. Though this is a trend inspired by the women of Wakanda, film producer Sidra Smith says that she's been rocking a bald head for 15 years. xoNecole had the opportunity to speak to the producer during Thursday's ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood luncheon.
"The thing that I love about 'Black Panther' and all the beautiful bald women is women are seeing that there is power in just being. It's not about our hair. The best thing I did for myself was shave my head. And women are being so much more confident about it now because of 'Black Panther.' I shaved my head 15 years ago, and this is how I'll be for the rest of my life. You'll never see me with hair."
Sidra grew up in Camden, New Jersey alongside her twin sister actress Tasha Smith. She later discovered her affinity for modeling and found herself working in Italy. European photographers criticized her long hair extensions, leaving her puzzled because they had always made her feel so confident.
According to Sidra, on her 31st birthday, she made a decision that changed her life forever:
"I looked in the mirror and didn't recognize myself. So, as a birthday gift, I decided I would reintroduce myself to myself, and that meant shaving my head."
As black women, we have to go to extraordinary lengths to ensure that our hair is 'presentable' to the outside world.
As children, we can all remember the countless hours of trauma we endured as we sat between our mother's legs as she tamed our wild manes back into mild-mannered ponytails and plaits. As adults, we either embrace the choice to go natural, which is considered unprofessional in many workplaces; or we spend hours damaging our hair with high levels of heat, sewing in extensions, or perming it into lifeless submission.
"Since I was probably 12 or 13 years old, I was perming my hair. I was braiding my hair, I was weaving my hair. And then one day, I looked in the mirror with all this weave and stuff and I did not recognize myself."
"I am not my hair" was a phrase coined by India Arie that was symbolic of freedom from conventional beauty norms and signified a rebirth of authenticity; a movement quickly overshadowed by virgin hair extensions and butt injections.
Like most women, I prefer to not leave the house unless my hair is done. My extensions act more like a veil. Underneath my veil is a raw and vulnerable version of myself that is sensitive to the criticisms of society. But, when I put on my wig, I am confident and impervious to the opinions of those around me.
"It just came from me wanting to know who I was and, for years, my hair was covering up my aura, and my true self and my power."
Sidra Smith and her proclamation of power is proof that we all possess the power to remove our veil, and the world so much more beautiful when we do.
Watch the video of our exclusive interview with the bald and beautiful queen below.
Taylor "Pretty" Honore is a spiritually centered and equally provocative rapper from Baton Rouge, Louisiana with a love for people and storytelling. You can probably find me planting herbs in your local community garden, blasting "Back That Thang Up" from my mini speaker. Let's get to know each other: @prettyhonore.
Exclusive: Melanie Fiona On Making High-Vibrational Music & Saying Yes To Partnership
Melanie Fiona is back! After taking a little more than a decade-long hiatus, she has officially made her return to music and blessed us with two singles, “Say Yes” and “I Choose You.” While both singles are very different from each other, they both reflect who she is today and the type of music she wants to make. In our conversation, the mom of two expressed what she learned during her time away.
“It's interesting, even when I said it is like coming back, I don't ever feel like I really left because I was always still performing. I've still been public. It's not like I went into being this recluse person or version of myself, but the thing that I really learned in this process is that I think things take time,” Melanie says in a xoNecole exclusive.
“I think often we're so caught up in it, being on the timing of demand or popularity, or, like, striking while the iron is hot and the thing that I've learned is that everything is on God's time. That's it. Every time I thought I would have been ready, or, like, things were taking too long, I had to reship some things, personally, professionally, in my life. I also gave myself permission to make a living, not just make a living, but make a life for myself.”
Making a life for herself included getting married to Grammy-nominated songwriter Jared Cotter, starting a family, and embracing new landscapes, such as podcasting as a co-host of The Mama’s Den podcast. She also began doing more spiritual work and self-care practices like meditation, sound healing, Reiki, acupuncture, and boundary setting, which allowed her to get in touch with her inner voice.
“I wasn't putting out music, and I wasn't experiencing a number one record, but I was being a number one mom,” she says.
“I was experiencing things that were allowing me to heal and get in touch with myself so that I could make new music from a space of joy and freedom, and excitement again because I definitely feel like I did lose some excitement because of just politics and industry and what it can do to your mental health and even your physical health. So giving myself the space to really just say, ‘Hey, it's okay. Everything's right on time.’”
The joy and excitement are felt in one of two new singles, “I Choose You,” which is more of a lovers rock vibe, a tribute to Melanie’s Caribbean roots. While the Grammy award-winner is known for ballads like “It Kills Me” and “Fool For You,” she is becoming more intentional about the music she makes, calling it high-vibrational music. She says her music is a “reflection of my life,” as it captures every facet, from hanging out with friends to riding around in her car.
“Say Yes” has the classic R&B vibe Melanie is known for. However, both songs are inspired by her relationship. Melanie and Jared got married in December 2020, and the Toronto-bred artist dished on their relationship. Fun fact: he is featured in the “Say Yes” music video.
“When we first started dating, I had come into that relationship post a lot of self-work. I had gotten out of a long-term relationship, I had a year and a half to date and be by myself and do a lot of work on myself alone. And when we met, I remember feeling like this has to be my person because I feel it,” she says.
“And so when we went into that relationship, and we started dating, I was very clear. I was like, I know what I want. I'm very clear on what I need, and I'm not going to withhold my truth about myself in this process because of pride or fear of rejection. I know you love me, but I'm coming with my heart in my hand to let you know that if we're gonna get there, we have to put fear aside and say yes. So that was kind of like my open letter to him, which is why the video is us having a conversation.”
Melanie also shares that saying yes to her partner has empowered her in many ways, including motherhood and showing up for herself. Her new EP, also titled Say Yes, will be available at the top of 2025.
Check out the full interview below.
Let’s make things inbox official! Sign up for the xoNecole newsletter for love, wellness, career, and exclusive content delivered straight to your inbox.
Feature image by Franco Zulueta
Serena Williams Hits Back At Skin-Bleaching Accusations: 'I’m A Dark, Black Woman, And I Love Who I Am'
Serena Williams is clapping back at skin-bleaching accusations. During a makeup tutorial for her beauty brand, Wyn Beauty, the tennis legend took the opportunity to address the "haters."
“And then I put just that neutral color, that is actually my skin color, and no, for you haters out there, I do not bleach my skin,” she said. “There is a thing called sunlight, and in that sunlight, you get different colors.”
The rumors started after the mom of two posted a video of herself and her husband, Alexis Ohanian, at their daughter's school play. In the video, she appeared to look a few shades lighter. During her response, she revealed that she was volunteering at the play and wore stage makeup.
“Yes, I’m calling you out on this because it is ridiculous that everyone’s like, ‘Oh, she bleached her skin,’" she said. "I’m a dark, Black woman, and I love who I am, and I love how I look and that's just not my thing.”
The 23-time Grand Slam champion also said that she doesn't judge anyone who bleaches their skin as she "stays in my lane."
Serena has always had style on and off the court, and even collaborated with Nike with her own collection Serena Williams Design Crew. However, the tennis champ has now pivoted into beauty.
Wyn Beauty was launched in April 2024 with at 10-piece collection of lip, eye, and complexion products. The brand was inspired by Serena's time on the court and the packaging is reminiscent of a tennis ball due to its chartreuse color.
“Throughout my career, I was always searching for makeup that looked good after hours on the court, mixing products myself and creating my own formulas while traveling the world,” she said in a statement. As she continues to make a name for herself in the beauty industry, I'm sure we will see a lot more looks from the tennis star.
Let’s make things inbox official! Sign up for the xoNecole newsletter for love, wellness, career, and exclusive content delivered straight to your inbox.
Feature image by Marc Piasecki/WireImage