As a group, Little Mix are known for their experimental fashion and beauty looks. Jesy Nelson in particular switches up her hair colour more often than I get a decent Tinder match.
But Jesy's latest hairstyle has been met with some fierce criticism online with many calling her out for cultural appropriation.
The singer took to Instagram to share a picture of her new look, but her Instagram comments were quickly flooded with people who took offence to her new dreadlocks.
"It is a real issue, because several black children are getting kicked out of school because of his hairstyle. Yet here it is being praised on a non-black person."
"If a non-black person is wearing dreads get praised. But a black person gets get kicked out of school, work , or even a haircut from their white teacher for wearing them. It isn’t one of the love is going everywhere, but black people."
"All of the people in this comment section are really uneducated about culture. Some black people wear weave because we were told our hair was ratchet, and ghetto. Some wear weave because they want to feel beautiful in their own skin. And when whites wear dreads or braids etc, they don't get made fun of. Thats the difference. Its called culture appropriation."
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"Twists are from black culture and so many black people are oppressed and mistreated for wearing that hair style. It’s cultural appropriation because Jesy isn’t black"
"It's CA because black women have to fight for acceptance with the same styles a young white woman can be admired for. It sends a message that their natural beauty isn’t beautiful at all and that their features are only appealing when they’re adopted by white women."
Jesy's backlash comes not long after Kim Kardashian was also accused of cultural appropriation for calling her latest hairstyle "Bo Derek braids".
But while many were quick to point out the problems with Jesy's hairstyle, many came to her defence.
"I'm not black so I obviously don't understand but all the uproar over certain hairstyles belonging to certain cultures go over my head, isn't this just showing she is influenced & shows she likes the style. Nobody wears a hairstyle to diss another culture"
Jesy has not yet responded to any of the comments.
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Laura is a former writer for Cosmopolitan UK, covering everything beauty and fashion related and specialises in makeup, plus-size fashion and the world of YouTube. Her favourite pastime is reminding everyone of that one time she met Charlie Hunnam and Jason Momoa. Please don't ask to see the pictures...
