By: Amanda Anderson-Niles
Natural hair has quickly become somewhat of a movement for women of color over the last few years, as many of us have opted to quit getting relaxers and start falling in love with our God-given textures. And if you ever talk to enough women who have taken the plunge into the natural hair lifestyle, then you probably have heard on numerous occasions how difficult it can be at times to make the lifestyle change, especially since we’re still living in a society that doesn’t always see the beauty in our tresses. Although it’s getting a lot more convenient to rock natural hair considering natural hair products can now be found in some of our favorite stores such as Target, natural hair still causes plenty of debate in the African-American community. While natural hair is quickly becoming the norm for most women of color, it doesn’t mean everyone is on board in the black community. And by the sound of comedian Sheryl Underwood’s most recent comments on natural hair, she’s definitely not a fan.
Sheryl is currently a host on “The Talk,” and just as she does on the stage in her standup routines, from time to time she can say some pretty controversial things. While it’s probably a good look to help ratings for a show that continuously gets overlooked for ABC’s “The View,” her latest comments probably aren’t the kind of publicity she or the show’s executives were hoping for.
The ladies of the show were discussing how odd they thought it was for former supermodel Heidi Klum to save all the bits and pieces she cut off of her sons’ afro hair, and that’s when Sheryl said she thinks it’s strange because afro hair is “nasty.” The comedian says:
“Why would you save afro hair? I mean you can’t weave in afro hair. You don’t never see us at the hair salon saying, ‘Look here, what I need is some curly, nappy beads.’ That just seems nasty.”
When one of her Caucasian co-hosts then said they have done the same with their child, Sheryl then takes it a step further and says:
“Which is probably some beautiful, long, silky stuff. That’s not what an afro is.”
The audience then erupted in laughter, but a lot of people aren’t laughing now. In fact, activists are now calling for the comedian to issue out an apology and the NAACP just released a statement condemning her comments:
“On behalf of the NAACP of Compton Underwood comments were in poor taste .Its difficult enough giving encouragement to African American women who choose to wear their hair naturally , but Underwood comments which were broadcast nationally we’re very painful and hurtful to listen to.”
Interestingly enough, Sheryl wasn’t the only black woman who laughed at her comments on the show. Aisha Tyler laughed as well, appearing to find humor in her words.
Sheryl hasn’t apologized as of yet, but she has been retweeting the little support she is getting on her Twitter timeline. Check out the clip below:
Sheryl, we have been looking at your ugly face for YEARS. You can’t say anything about something looking nasty,
LOL.
Self hate is real. Smh.
I never thought she was funny. She says things for attention and shock value purposes, and I have never been a fan. But considering she’s wearing a cheap and very tacky wig, I can’t even take her views on my natural hair seriously.
Agreed. Comments like these only make me love my hair even more. #shrugs
I agree
When you look like a hog, you don’t need to talk about how anyone else looks. Not even hair. I mean weave can’t save this woman. I know plenty of women rocking natural hair that put her ugly a-s to shame.
I read about this earlier on a natural website and was disgusted. I am currently growing out my relaxer and everyday I fall in love w/ my natural texture. Sheryl Underwood who looks like the bottom of my shoe I might add should be ashamed of her self. Heidi Klum who isn’t black has more of an appreciation of African American hair then Sheryl Underwood. Pathetic! And Aisha ain’t slick because she didn’t even say anything just as guilty. I am totally embarrassed that she even said but on national tv. I knew it was a reason I never liked her I hated her on Comic view. Somebody need to snatch that synthetic wig right off of her head.
**Standing Ovation**
I never liked Sheryl Underwood. I always thought she did the most just so she could be the loud, mouth black woman in everything she does. Her roles are always the same. Just loud and offensive.
Bish your wig only cost $10 and it looks cheap. You should wear your natural hair.
Queen, let’s go ahead and put Sheryl on our ignore list.
Done.
I always got vibes from Sheryl and Aisha that they hated being black. Welp, this confirms it. I won’t be supporting either of these ladies.
This is so sad on so many levels. I hate it when we broadcast our self-hate and insecurities in front of the world like this. Black women ought to be supportive of one another for wearing natural hair. It’s hair and just a choice, but comments like these really bother me.
I cant believe she would say something this stupid on TV. And then she praises the white woman’s hair in the next breath. Ugh!
She’s too ugly to be so judgmental about the next woman’s hair.
Wow. She’s an idiot. She ought to be ashamed but she’s probably not. She’ll just say it was a “joke.” *rolls eyes*
Sheryl says ignorant stuff like this all the time. But that’s why she’s on that fake a-s The View. She burns too many bridges to ever get any projects worth while.
Well I love my natural hair! I don’t care what this self-hating idiot thinks!
And she a president of an NPHC organization at one point and now sits on the Board of Trustees of an HBCU? SMH…
Who asked this ugly woman? It’s always ugly people who talk the most and have something to say about other people. She’s not funny and never has been. When you have to wear a tacky wig to feel good about yourself, then you have really lost in life.
Well if you ever saw how Cheryl looks without a wig, you would see why she said those things.
Lol exactly! It’s always the one’s that can’t rock natural hair that has all the negative comments.
This is why it’s so hard for some women to go natural. So much negativity.
Uncle Ruckus, get your sister!
Who is this ugly woman?
Someone tell this manly looking woman to have a seat.
Sheryl is just trying to get people to watch her struggle talk show. The View it will never be. LOL.
I cannot believe this woman had the nerve to say these vile and disgusting things on a show like hers. She needs to be removed immediately!
Boycott this dumb b-tch.
Jesus take the wheel…
And keep Cheryl’s wig on her head. She looks like Golem’s sister with out one.
WESLEY SNIPES……..GET BACK!!!!!
FTFO!
I rock my natural hair, braids and a sew in. None are nasty. Sheryl needs to keep her mouth closed about hair until she can do any style that is flattering for her. I have yet to see one.
I know Zetas all over the world are cringing. Particularly Zetas who re natural. Cheryl have a plethora of seats.