Kat Graham says embracing her natural hair was a ‘spiritual journey’: ‘I’ve really learned to accept my curls, my ‘fro and my African roots’
Kat Graham opened up about learning to love her hair in the latest issue of Du Jour magazine.
The Vampire Diaries actress, 31, said accepting her natural tresses has been a ‘spiritual journey’ as she modeled stunning braids in the high fashion photo spread.
‘I’ve really learned to accept my curls, my ‘fro and my African roots,’ Kat said while taking the cover in a Dior look with Rose Des Vents jewels.
Hair love: Kat Graham talked about learning to love her natural hair while covering the latest issue of Du Jour
It took years for Graham to feel comfortable with her own tresses, however.
Growing up Graham’s mother, who is white, didn’t know how to handle her little girl’s textured hair.
Kat even remembers being dropped off alone to a Black-run hair salon by her desperate mother when she was only six.
The beauty shop visits left a lasting impression on the actress, who felt ‘rejected’ in a way.
Love yourself: The Vampire Diaries actress, 31, said accepting her natural tresses has been a ‘spiritual journey’ as she modeled stunning braids in the high fashion photospread
Self acceptance: ‘I’ve really learned to accept my curls, my ‘fro and my African roots,’ Kat said
Dior darling: She slipped into a sexy Dior look while in the bathtub
‘My mom would just drop me off at the salon. Emotionally, it felt like I was being rejected because my parent couldn’t really handle it,’ she explained.
She began to value more ‘manageable’ locks, associating them with success in her personal and professional life.
But now she’s come to embrace her natural beauty.
‘Whether you’re Black or not, we all struggle with self-acceptance,’ she says, ‘and we all have our own individual journeys.’
Childhood: Growing up Graham’s mother, who is white, didn’t know how to handle her little girl’s textured hair and would drop her off at a Black hair salon alone
Tough: Emotionally, it felt like I was being rejected because my parent couldn’t really handle it,’ she explained
Kat said her personal revelations have helped her cope through quarantine, allowing her to admit when things aren’t going to plan.
‘I’ve really stopped hiding everything,’ she explained.
‘We all want to cover up and pretend like we’re okay but I think that the more honest you are about where you’re at, the more beautiful you are.’
Journey: ‘Whether you’re Black or not, we all struggle with self-acceptance,’ she says, ‘and we all have our own individual journeys’
Open book: ‘I’ve really stopped hiding everything,’ she explained. ‘We all want to cover up and pretend like we’re okay but I think that the more honest you are about where you’re at, the more beautiful you are’