So in a recent interview with Lurve Magazine, Solange Knowles revealed that she is out as a Carol’s Daughter spokesperson, in part because of disagreements with the company’s messaging:
I’m actually no longer a part of Carol’s Daughter, but throughout my entire time working with them, I was constantly fighting for the right message to be heard. The message that, the way we wear our hair is a personal choice, there’s no right or wrong way; one way doesn’t make us more intelligent, or more superficial, and every one makes that choice for very different reasons.
It’s interesting, though, since one of Carol’s Daughter’s other celebrity spokeswomen — Selita Ebanks — does wear her hair straightened and in the past several years the company has distanced itself from its original branding as natural hair only.
Still, Solange was definitely the face of the ‘natural hair arm’ of Carol’s Daughter’s marketing, with her image used to promote the company’s transitioning products and website.
But apparently she was not prepared for the intensity/scrutiny that came along with being a natural hair icon, and didn’t know until recently that a hair typing system even existed. Some of these frustrations were the cause for her recent rant on Twitter:
I made some comments on Twitter recently about an article someone sent me that a young writer wrote about how much energy we are putting into other people’s natural hair. I thought it was really interesting, and in a lot of ways true. That is until I came across the part of the article that mentioned how certain commenters were debating on the texture of my hair in its natural state.
I really, truly was not even aware that there was a natural hair system in place to measure the texture of your hair. At that point I thought to myself, ‘This is really crazy. That these people know more about my hair than the human that even carries it!’ I went to my Twitter and sort of impulsively expressed that. I don’t regret it one bit, but sometimes trying to put how you feel in an one-hundred forty character structure is not really successful. [...] I’m actually really trying to navigate my feelings on the entire hair issue and it’s tough doing that publicly.
Some have suggested that Solange’s frustration is her own fault, since she came out the gate speaking about her big chop on The Oprah Winfrey Show in 2009, and followed up with a Carol’s Daughter endorsement deal. But the singer insists that she didn’t know that her hair would come to define her public image.
On one hand, I can’t ignore the fact that I have done things that have put attention on my hair with going on Oprah and being apart of Carol’s Daughter.
I was asked to go on Oprah on an episode that was dedicated to Black Hair, and to speak about why I cut my hair. I honestly thought, “Number one, it’s Oprah, and who wouldn’t want to go on Oprah and meet her?!?! She’s amazing! But also, I thought if I addressed it then, then maybe I wouldn’t have to on that level again.
I spoke about how I felt like my hair was holding me back in some ways from fully utilizing my life, in terms of the time, energy and money I was spending. I also remember very clearly saying that this was the phase I am in at the time and that if I wanted to wear a weave down to my calves–when and if that time came–I very much so would. I still feel that way now. I realize for some people that this was a big turning point in terms of how they saw me.
Interesting. Ladies, what are your thoughts on all this?
Hmmm… Well if she felt her ideals didn’t mesh with the company’s own, it seems like a good idea for her to step down. She always wore her (own) hair differently in public than she did in the CD ads anyway. And clearly there’s a certain kind of public figure that she doesn’t want to be, and she has the right to say no to that. She can’t control how the public perceives her, of course, but she can decide what image of herself to put out there.
I’m surprised at the criticism of her behavior as “not befitting a spokesperson”. As someone said above, it depends on what was in her contract – it’s not really something for us to get upset about either way.
I really don’t understand all the negativity towards Solange. I noticed this attitude among naturals even before she became a spokesperson for CD. You can’t be mad at a person because they dont fit into your box or act the way you think they should. As for her acting like she’s above the fray when it comes to hair typing, etc…Believe it or not, some women really aren’t obsessed with hair. For many naturals, what used to be an obsession with perms and weaves has been replaced with obsessing on all things natural, which causes many to project onto others. I say live and let live. Loving my hair doesn’t make me an expert, nor does it give me the right to be judge and jury when it comes to how someone else choses to represent their natural hair.
Solange’s mother and sister wear straightened hair and weaves, her friends probably do and I’m sure Solange doesn’t want to offend them. That’s probably why she wanted to push the straight hair and weaves are no big deal thing to Carol’s Daughter. I can understand that.
However, I wish I could say that it’s just hair and be totally on board with Solange. Scientifically, it IS just hair – an outer manifestation of keratin. But culturally it’s not just hair. Some Black women are chosen or not chosen by Black men because of hair. Some Black women with big naturals have their hair patted down by security at airports. Some Black women lose out on jobs because of hair. Some Black women with natural hair endure nasty comments from family, acquaintances, & friends because of hair. Women with loosely waved long hair get afforded minor privilege over Black naturals with kinkier/ curlier textures. Black little girls are made fun of because their hair is not long or straight. Black women are not swimming and exercising because of straight hair even if their health begs for it. Many Black women – despite the popularity of this and other websites, blogs and vlogs – still don’t retain length and then make non-Black multinational corporations rich and themselves broke by buying what they don’t know how to grow.
Solange had an opportunity to speak on any one or number of these issues. OR she simply had the opportunity to wear her hair naturally without apology and to me, she didn’t do so consistently. It was in and out. To me, the natural hair thing for her seemed like she was simply saying, “Look everybody! I’m different (or I’m bored). I’m not Beyonce! See!” I can’t imagine how hard it is to be Beyonce’s sister. However, in this particular instance she backed off of natural hair when it suited her.
In terms of the hair typing system, Oprah’s hairdresser invented the hair typing system! Oprah, the same person whose show she couldn’t wait to go on. If she would stop dismissing the natural Black hair community and do just a little research, she’d know that.
Here in England, the large majority of black women have relaxed hair or weave. I had weave up until the age of 27 and have had a natural fro for the past 9 years. I’m a low maintenance kind of gal and it just suits my ways. I don’t wear make up, I use organic, natural products and so it just makes sense that I would go for natural hair. I’m so tired of white and black people thinking I’m making some kind of statement by having an afro. I had dreadlocks for one year and that was why I got rid of them in the end. They meant nothing to me other than a hairstyle. This is my hair in it’s natural state! Nobody goes up to white girls with straight hair and says “right on” or calls them a sell out if they perm it!! It’s mental.
I thought Chris Rock’s “Good Hair” was a fascinating documentary but, as a man, he has TOTALLY missed the point. Black women who straighten their hair aren’t ashamed of their roots or trying to look like white women. It’s not a race issue, it’s a feminist issue. Women of ALL races are generally dissatisfied with their natural look. All of my white friends die their hair a different colour or straighten it every day. Most women cover their natural beauty with make-up. I could go on a feminist rant about this but that’s for another forum! Or maybe it’s not an issue, maybe women are just chameleons who love to play with their look.
It is just hair, and it *should not* be a big deal. Sadly, we all know that is not a truth that reality embraces today. It is not the same for other races: white people putting color in their hair is not the same as black people putting a perm in their hair, and omg if someone tries to tell me that b.s. again, I will shake them. Even if they (white people) switch it up with coloring or a perm, it is still a natural “look” for them. No black person I know grows naturally straight hair, so quit with that comparison PLEASE. The day that Hillary Clinton rocks a ‘fro while representing the USA overseas, or the day the Pope can wear dreads, or the day that white people could rock Afro-textured hair to their weddings or other formal occasions, and it not be deemed as inappropriate or downright crazy…that will be the day that I am ready to truly believe that the choice for a black girl to perm her hair is comparable to a white girl’s choice to go blond.
At the end of the day, what we all want (or at least what I want) is to see the day when our hair is as normal and as unimportant as everyone else’s….but we are just not there yet. But the best thing we can do is fake it til we make it!
+1, Lu! Well said.
OMG it’s amazin how much flack Solange is getting…I agree with Beth, on 9-22-12 (I think). She has a right 2 be & choose what she wants 2 put on her head any given day jus like anybody else. Right now, she is rockin natural & I commend her 4 that. She deserves to be grouped with women who wear their hair naturaly. True, some may be more talented or loved by many more fans. She may be more talented than other women in this category as well. Many women wont for whatever reasons. I personally went natural because perms didnt agree with my hair plus very expensive 2 maintain if u dont do it yourself…Solange seems like she has a more “hippie-like or free”, for the lack of a better word right now, personality than Beyonce so I feel her hair choice was a perfect choice. Solange does have a following otherwise she wouldnt be featured in anything. Can you say the same? Many can not. Kudos 2 Solange on her endeavors and on whatever she choose 2 wear on her body or her head…
I like everyone’s idea for for Solange’s replacement, but I honestly feel that for a company that peddles meh, so-so products that they are truly not worthy with all of their pandering to straight-haired folks. How does a compay that started out marketing to natural-haired women end up with only one cury-haired spokesperson?
Who cares..Solange can do what she wants to do with her hair!!! It’s hers. Everybody who supported Carol’s daughter from the beginning was not natural..their platform was not just natural hair.. it was natural products. Mary J Blidge was their biggest financial supporter and semi-spokesperson. Holier than Thou natural enthusiast kill me. I’ve been natural all of my life and never heard of a “natural hair” system either. Who made this crap up??? Who told you that it’s ONE HAIR SYSTEM for MY Hair. Leave the girl alone. I love her interviews.
If you understand Physics you understand Its not just hair! WHY WHY WHY do Black people like to say its just hair IT ISNT its so disrespctful..On a Mundane level if it was just hair you wouldnt have been oppressed for those YEEEAAARRRSSS about your hair in its Natural state by both black and white and everyone else inbetween..Did you know Black women your hair is connected to the Universal Structure and the Weather and your AURA, you let people tell you your hair is dead and swallow it!! If your hair was JUST dead explain the Transformational level you feel when you take it all off?? expalin when you treat your hair Lovingly why does it respond back why do some women have to just leave there hair alone for anything Beautiful to happen?? Why do Women always look so Beautiful and Confident and truely full of beans when they dont have the pressure of weaves and Chemicals, women who wear thiere hair Natural under weaves are Happier and confident too…How can it be ok to poisen your scalp with Chemicals and say oh its a choice yet the same people who will put the same chemicals in the Childrens hair oh but thats a Choice.Mental physical Spiritual Hair matters its not just hair. <3 PS and another thing,Why do Black children look more miserable than white children? Ive always wanted to know this..??
+1, Anne! Yes! How about this? If it’s just hair, why are the people saying “it’s just hair” on a natural hair care website aimed at retaining long hair?
Well, obviously, Solange was not a good fit, no need to stay in a bad relationship. Why hire a spokesperson anyway? The products should speak for themselves.
Maybe it’s just me but although I LOVE being natural, some of us (not necessarily in this thread) can truly be Natural Hair Nazis. I straightened my hair a couple weeks ago and was with my boyfriend at a restaurant and some naturals threw me shade…I thought it was funny for sure but I see why Solange and others distance themselves from the natural hair community. We can be HARD on people when at the end of the day it’s just hair. For one person it may have been a life-changing experience but for others it’s not that serious! I like Solange and I certainly understand how she feels. If we put the same focus on solving social issues as we did into figuring out if someone is a 3c/3b in the front and a 4a in the back we could solve all the world’s problems!
I for one am a native New Yorker and was a frequent shopper at Carol’s Daughter when it had one location in Brooklyn down the street from Juniors. I made sure to get a touch-up every 6-8 weeks and used to buy out the store at least 1x/month while tossing my relaxed hair. My point…everyone saying Carol’s Daughter started out marketing to natural-hair women….UHHHHHH, sorry to tell y’all but that is VERY far from the truth. Yes, there were natural hair products but even then they did NOT focus on marketing to natural hair enything. They focused on natural BODY products PERIOD.
Basically, my view on this issue boils down to this..Solange was a spokesperson NOT the owner of Carol’s Daughter or a partner.This hair business is not HER business. If we can look past all of the Loreal and Clairol spokespersons then why does Solange have to be in a box? You don’t see people bugging Eva Mendez, Eva Longoria, or Jennifer Lopez about their hair. Really, black people let’s get our priorities straight.Good for Solange to move on and work on her own pursuits.
It’s business. The sooner we realize that the better off we will be.
Support all black businesses whatever they sell. All we want to do is criticize each other. We can control the entire haircare industry and any other, if we support each other.
i think solange was unaware abt how deep this natural hair care thing goes.And its true, at the time when CD first became popular it was bc it was supposedly all natural cooked up in her kitchen etc. It had nothing to do with the budding natural hair movement.CD evolved to natural hair products bc THATS WHAT BECAME POPULAR and since she had the natural product niche…it was good business sense to start promoting natural hair care but CD doesnt need to box themselves into JUST natural hair bc thats NOT how she started out.Solange can disagree with a marketing message bc is true that saying natural is BETTER is arrogant& creates tension and separation among ppl of color with ethnic hair.Wearing your natural hair is an OPTION.One thats not embraced as readily & CD offers the products to make it easy but if CD is implying its ALL ABOUT being natural and perms r the devil, then solange should move on! I think perms are simply harmful no matter how great that make ur hair LOOK but I was caught up in the “straight is better,kinky is unattractive and it’ll affect my career” kind of mentality…if u want to perm, go ahead! it doesnt make u any less black or make u ashamed. SOME ppl DO hate their hair and those ppl i have issues with put Im not like an animal rights activisit throwing blood on ppl bc they choose to wear fur. Its a personal choice and hopefully wearing it natural or permed is a personal choice that makes YOU feel good and not to please anyone else or to conform to “fit in”. Good for Solange for being honest abt her feelings. Natural today, weave tomorrow..its her choice!
The Knowles sisters are opportunists. Period. They use whom they need and how they need until they get what they need and move on. And they don’t give back to any community much less the black one.
With that being said, Solange as the sudden “spokeswoman” for natural kinda pissed me off from the beginning. I am not a hater, and I will admit that neither she nor Beyonce are my favorite (personal opinion). However, how and WHY would SOLANGE be a spokesperson for natural hair when she herself only JUST became natural. There are so many more beautiful natural ‘famous’ women who are better qualified and have longevity in natural hair care, IMHO.
Plus, I find more encouragement and awesome tips and techniques from wonderful natural ladies like Leila and the other writers of this website, CurlyNikki, rachelcpr, MahoganyCurls, Naptural85, MyNaturalSistas, and so many other naturals with blogs and YouTube channels who share their experiences, knowledge, and routines WITHOUT ENDORSEMENTS, DEALS, OR BIG-TIME CHECKS. Companies like Carols Daughter get MUCH more attention and endorsements from we regular-ole naturals than Jada or Solange. I, myself, am much more encouraged by those ladied with whom I can identify, and who are real and have real stories to share. Who do their hair themselves without the help of a high-cost stylist, and who may not always be able to afford expensive product-lines.
So no, I don’t care whether Solange endorses Carol’s Daughter, or whether she slaps a weave back on just like she used to, just like Beyonce. It is her hair and she should feel free to do with it as she pleases! Just my not-so-valuable two-cents!
You know, when I saw her hair cut all I said was, “Oh she cut her hair, looks nice”. I don’t see why people are making such a big deal ou tof how she or anyone where’s their hair. It boggles my mind. Mary J and Jada pinket have been on CD adds and they aren’t natural all the time, so what’s the problem? I have used carols daughter, but sometimes they have so many different products get product happy adn then I don’t know what to get. The relationship between Solange and Carol’s Daughter has run its course its time for a new chapter and a new face.