In the past two to three years, there has been a rise of African American female celebrities performing a big chop on their hair. A big chop is when a woman, or man, chops or shaves majority of his or her hair leaving them bald in order to properly regrow their natural hair.
This is often done by people whose hair has been damaged or strained, commonly by straightening combs, hair dyes or perms. With the rise of the natural hair movement, many black women and girls or girls with afro textured hair are chopping of permed or straightened hair in order to embrace the growth of their natural kinky hair.
One such case is R&B singer and television personality K. Michelle who chopped all her hair about a year ago. K. Michelle claimed that this was done in order for her to start loving herself and reveal her more vulnerable side.
Actress and singer Keke Palmer, from Akeelah and the Bee and CrazySexyCool: The TLC Story had shaved her hair last year as a statement as well as help her hair grow.
Photo courtesy of Keke Palmer.
Television personality of Braxton Family Values and younger sister to acclaimed R&B singer Toni Braxton, Tamar Braxton recently shaved her straight blonde hair.
She states that she had dyed her hair for her estranged husband Vince but is now wearing her hair for herself now that she’s getting a divorce.
Photo courtesy of Black Hair Information.
Lastly, there is Countess Vaughn actress and singer notable for playing Kim Parker in Moesha and The Parkers who had very damaged edges from using glue on her lace front wigs. They were so damaged that they had become infected. So she shaved it all off to gain healthy and clean hair. This is very inspiring for African American women and girls and may encourage them to perform a big chop to grow healthier hair.