Kaz Crossley — or rather, the person running her Instagram account while she's in the Love Island All Stars villa — has opened up about the powerful reason for her super short pixie cut.
For those already familiar with Kaz, who appeared on series four in 2018, and her usually long locks, her hair transformation on the current season came as a surprise. Instead of her lengthy chocolate strands, she stepped into the villa with a cropped blonde look. And now, we know why.
"Everyone's loving Kaz's new hair. But what makes her big chop even more special is the story behind it," a post on her Instagram read. "Back in April, she came across @littleladylocks, a charity providing free wigs to children facing hair loss."
The post went on to say how Kaz's experience with alopecia — the medical term for hair loss, of which there are many kinds and causes — inspired her to get involved. "Having faced alopecia herself, Kaz wanted to use her platform to help," the post continued. "She visited hospitals, ran a marathon and raised over £28,000!"
"She also made the brave decision to shave her own hair, donating it to be turned into a wig for a little girl waiting to feel beautiful again," read the caption, which accompanied a carousel of photos which show Kaz during the hair transformation process.
"Kaz's big chop isn't just a new look, it's a symbol of hope and kindness that's touched lives," the post concluded.
Everyone's clicking on...
Speaking to fellow Islander Ron Hall about her experience, Kaz this week said that although she at first "felt like a boy" with short hair, she's proud of what it represents. "Everything happens for a reason and to me on my journey it's made me who I am and made me do things that I do now," she said during an emotional conversation.
"Even like shaving my hair off it was because I had alopecia. I shaved it off for charity, it's a charity that makes wigs for children going through alopecia and cancer," the 30-year-old continued. "Yeah, now I embrace the short hair."
Kaz, you're an inspiration!
