Memphis TV anchor reveals natural hair on air

By Tenisha Mercer
www.HairNista.Blogspot.com

Natural hair reveals are nice (Nicki Minaj, Toya, Oprah, Angela Simmons and others) but what about "real" people -- with no stylists on call 24/7 and who actually do their own hair every day?

Well, Memphis-area WMCTV anchor Pam McKelvy recently revealed her natural hair on the air, after wearing wigs every day after she lost her hair to chemo treatments following her 2-year battle with breast cancer. McKelvy made the reveal during a segment about women's hair options.

“I made my choice also because I think about the message I send to young women about confidence and self-acceptance,” she said. “The times are changing, and God’s delivered me with a brand-new spirit and a head full of hair, and here it is.”

Memphis TV anchor Pam McKelvy before her wig

Pam McKelvy with short natural hair

 

McKelvy removed her wig — saying she’s “taking it off for good” – and debuted her curly, natural hair.
“A woman’s relationship with her hair is sacred,” she said. “Her hair is her crown of glory. And for women in TV, it’s intensified. I lost my hair after chemo and I’ve been wearing a wig since this past march.”

For sure, it was a "milestone" moment in McKelvy's career and sent a powerful message of self acceptance. McKelvy's natural hair looks great -- so much better than the wig she wore.

“Today I’m taking it off for good," she said. "This is a milestone, blessed experience for me….I want everybody to know that no matter what you go through, it’s not about what’s on the outside, it’s about what’s on the inside. And I feel that on the inside I am more radiant and beautiful than I’ve ever been.”

Amen!

Actress Lupita Nyong'o attacked by skin cream bleaching maker

By Tenisha Mercer
www.HairNista.Blogspot.com

It's really not a light skin vs. dark skin argument: Saying that actress Lupita Nyong'o is beautiful doesn't take away from anyone else's beauty --- no matter what end of the color spectrum you fall under.

But all the talk about Lupita's beautiful complexion and rich, dark skin tone has apparently drawn the ire of Cameroonian-Nigerian pop star Dencia, maker of the skin whitening cream Whitenicious.

 

Dencia attacked the Academy Award winner on Twitter recently after the 12 Years a Slave told the audience at the Essence Women of Hollywood luncheon that she persuaded a fan not to purchase a Dencia's skin whitening products, and urged her to embrace her Black beauty.

Don't Touch Prince's Hair

By Tenisha Mercer
www.HairNista.Blogspot.com

The purple one doesn't want strangers touching his fro without his permission. That's what Prince -- who rarely makes TV appearances -- said when asked about his pet peeves during a Wednesday night interview on the Arsenio Hall Show.

The Purple Rain star said that he gets angry when folks he doesn't know try to feel his fro.

I don't blame him; I'd be upset, too! Hair is an extension of who you are, so hands off unless you ask first.  Prince has rocked a fro for a minute now -- at least since late 2012, and it's a departure from his usually short, coiffed hairstyles.





Prince performing on the Arsenio Hall Show

Prince debuted the song FUNKNROLL and others while performing on the show with his all-female band, 3RDEYEGIRL,and discussed his 2014 plans.

Atlanta wig maker sues rapper Nicki Minaj for $30 million

By Tenisha Mercer
www.HairNista.Blogspot.com

She's known as much by her raw lyrics as she is by her colorful wigs and eccentric hairstyles. And now an Atlanta 'wig guru' and hair stylist is suing top-selling rapper Nicki Minaj for $30 million, claming she stole the colorful wig designs he created.

The wig that Nicki Minaj is wearing is at the heart of a lawsuit

Terrence Davidson filed suit in district court in Atlanta on Friday.  In his complaint, he alleges that Minaj stole his designs AND cost him a reality show deal. Davidson began working as Minaj's hair stylist in January 2011, and later began making wigs that she wore for appearances.

Those wigs are at the heart of Davidson's lawsuit, because he claims the wigs are now for sale under Minaj's name -- without his permission -- on her site and in other retail outlets.

"I see these wigs online," Davidson, who has also worked with Patty Labelle and rapper Remy Ma, told CNN. He has also worked with others in the industry, including singer Patti LaBelle and rapper Remy Ma. "People are basically duplicating what I created for Nicki Minaj."

 

Fashions at the Oscars

By Tenisha Mercer
www.HairNista.Blogspot.com

We couldn't help but gush over what Lupita wore at the Oscars -- really, it was the only fashion we personally cared about. But now that we've come back to earth, why not look at what everyone else wore?

Kate Hudson in Versace

Sandra Bullock in Alexander McQueen

Charlie Theron in Dior  

Jennifer Lawrence in Dior



 

And for another up-close of Lupita:

Lupita Nyong'o wins Academy Award for 12 Years A Slave

By Tenisha Mercer
www.HairNista.Blogspot.com

She was the unknown actor, who delivered a memorable, blockbuster performance as Patsey the slave in Steve McQueen's 12 Years a Slave. And now actress Lupita Nyong'o, who has wowed everyone on the red carpet with her bold, daring and colorful style, can now add yet another impressive award to her collection -- Academy Award Winner.

Lupita Nyong'o wins Oscar for Best Performance in a Supporting Role
(Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

Just like that, Nyong'o made history Sunday night when she won an Oscar for Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role -- rare for a first-time actor. And for a role that was tough, emotional and heart wrenching -- an ugly part of history that all of us would like to forget, but can't. Our story, told by us.

Lupita's reaction to winning the Oscar, pictured with her brother

What will Lupita Wear at the Academy Awards?

By Tenisha Mercer
www.HairNista.Blogspot.com

Oscar nominee Lupita Nyong'o has killed it on the red carpet -- and now everyone is wondering what the Hollywood startlet will wear to the Oscars on Sunday. The 12 Years a Slave Actress has tried on about 100 dresses.

    A photo collage of the colors that Lupita Nyong'o has worn 

Of course, we hope she'll win. Whatever she wears, I'm sure it will be colorful and stunning. Her pre-Oscar regime? Avocado oil on her skin and hair. And she'll reportedly have two stylists who may try something a little different with her hair? I wonder what?

Nyong'o struggles with skin acceptance

Nyong'o recently revealed that she has struggled with her skin complexion. Amazing now considering that her rich skin tone is the main thing that most people talk about when it comes to her beauty. That, and her amazing acting skills, of course.

She told a crowd at Essence Magazine's 7th Annual Women in Hollywood luncheon that when she was younger, she wished her skin was lighter. 

"I got teased and taunted about my skin," Nyong'o said. "My one prayer to God was that I would wake up lighter skinned. The morning would come and I would be so excited about seeing my new skin that I would refuse to look down at myself until I was in front of the mirror because I wanted to see my face first. Every day I would feel the disappointment of being just as dark as the day before."

Beauty in another face

Until she saw Sudanese super model Alek Wek, Nyong'o finaly began to accept her skin color. 

"She was dark as night and was in all the magazines and on runways," Nyong'o said. "My complexion had always been an obstacle to overcome. I couldn't believe that people were embracing a woman who looked so much like me as beautiful. It was perplexing and I wanted to reject it because I had begun to enjoy the seduction of inadequacy. But a flower couldn't help but bloom inside of me."