The gorgeous R&B singer/songwriter, Leela James, is a true diva. She has a new album, My Soul, that was released in May 2010. Her sultry ballads and soulful lyrics have brought her much deserved acclaim around the world, but it's her hair that won her iconic status in the curly world! Leela is one of the most down to earth celebs I've interviewed to date-- she definitely keeps it real!
On her hair story...
I've never had a relaxer. I've pretty much worn my hair braided, pressed & curled, or in natural 'out' styles my entire life. If you were to bump into me on a regular day, I'd probably be in cornrows, box braids, plaits... you know, Poetic Justice-esque.
On her current routine...
I wash, condition, deep condition and style every couple of weeks. I'm not married to any particular line or brand of products- - I just use whatever is on hand. When I go to the salon, they use their products, and when I'm at home, I use whatever is in arm's reach.
I usually wash and condition in the shower, but I've been known to flip my hair over into the kitchen sink too... old school style, LOL! It all depends on my mood.
I deep condition and apply hot oil treatments regularly. I recommend everyone do this, at least once a month.
On achieving her HUGE and Fierce 'Fro...
On wash day, I apply a leave-in conditioner and create 5 or 6 braids or plaits. I braid on damp hair and allow it to air-dry. Once it's fully dry, I take the braids down, comb them, and then tease it out using a pick or a wide tooth comb. Sometimes I'll lightly blow it out with a dryer, but that's really it! In between styling sessions, I dampen the hair, re-braid and repeat.
On achieving her chunkier, more defined styles...
It's almost the same routine. The major difference is that I braid my wet hair (instead of damp), and take them down before they have time to fully dry and set. This creates a tighter curl pattern, but as you tease it out, it loosens up a bit.
When I'm on the road, it's pretty much the same thing. I plait it up, or do nothing and go. I don't really have a true routine. I'm really not fussy with this stuff and I'm very lazy when it comes to my hair.
On straight styles...
My mother presses my hair and she uses old school pomades and/or a light grease. Very simple. It's fun to switch it up from time to time.
On protecting her hair at night...
Most nights I dampen it a bit with water, apply a little leave-in conditioner and re-braid. I sleep in a silk or satin scarf as well. Other nights, I don't do anything!
On adding pieces for length and volume...
I do, occasionally. But a girl can't disclose all of her secrets! Some things need to be left to curiosity. Plus, it ain't none of y'alls business, LOL!
On being natural...
It's easy and you don't really have to worry about hardcore maintenance, like hot curling it every day, or trying to keep it straight.
On helping others embrace their natural hair...
I think it should be 'to each his own'. I really do. Whatever you feel most comfortable doing...do just that. There is no right or wrong way to wear YOUR hair, or do you. If you want to wear your hair weaved up, if you want to wear your hair natural, if you want to cut it off or shave it bald...whatever! Do whatever you want to do, because there are no rules, it's your head. Your hair is not who you are, it's just a part of you. It should be looked at like an accessory, and I feel that sometimes, people make too much out of it. It's just not that deep to me.
I do what I feel comfortable doing and that just happens to be 'natural hair'. For some reason, my hair has become this thing that everybody thinks of as my signature trademark. But no! I'm just lazy, and this works for me. And at the end of the day, if I feel like switching it up and doing something totally different, if I want to wear my hair straight, that's what I'm going to do! It just depends on how I'm feeling, and what I'm able to handle at the time.
On her inspiration for 'My Soul'...
My inspiration is pretty much myself and my personal experiences leading up to the release of this album from the first album. I was involved in 'My Soul' from the beginning to the end, and the journey in transitioning from one label to another, and switching management, really played a factor in how I wanted to go about the whole recording process... the whole album.
Last time I went through a lot, and this go round, it was all me. These are my songs, my thoughts, my lyrics... all of the above! It's coming from my soul.... nobody else's but mine.
The album is in stores, but you can also get it online (Itunes). Hit me up on Facebook and follow me on Twitter! I'm on the road getting ready to do some tour dates over seas as well as some here in the States. So come check me out... and FOCUS ON MY MUSIC, NOT MY HAIR, how 'bout that?!
7/19/2010
Natural Hair Celebrity- Leela James
Posted by
CURLYNIKKI
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Celebrity Natural Hair- Interviews
All Photo Credits- Devin Dehaven
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44 comments:
I love Leela! Thanks for the interview Curly Nikki.
Focus on my music not my hair- well excuse me! I agree with a lot she said. We do make hair into a big deal. It dictated my life until recently, and now I'm too trying to look at it as just an accessory, as opposed to who or what I am.
I wonder how much weave she uses though.
I love her music and her hair, fake or not. thanks for another great interview! pssst... Corrine should be next!
Awesome interview, LOVE HER!
I like Leela but I have to see some scalp before I become a believer...too many "natural" posers.
did she understand she was being interviewed by a site that focuses on natural hair? lol, if not then I'll ignore the attitude I was starting to sense by the end. I love her album cover and chunky braidout in the middle picture. She's definitely great hair inspiration whether or not she wants to be, and real or fake!
Yeah I must state that i didn't care for this interview as much as the others that i've read. I agree with the last poster about the attitude kinda coming through and such, but overall it was a decent interview rating (B).
This interview wasn't very good IMO. The 'tude and general answers to the questions were not doing it for me. Like someone said previously, was she even clued in to the fact that she was interviewing for a natural hair blog??
ITA with Judith. But anonymous 10:42, you can't fault Nikki. IT's her job to bring us the interview, she can't stop or prevent any negativity or attitude. I think Leela has a weave and she's insecure. No matter what though she is very pretty and so is her hair. Thanks CN for yet another awesome interview!
That hair is not hers. Sorry.
She missed the boat entirely. Her answers were bordering on rude. If I was CN I would've walked away! I highly doubt it's her hair, she seemed to be telling us that we need to get a life. If all of that was her hair she would've been more forthcoming. Thanks Nikki for working with what you were given. I wasn't a Leela fan before and I definitely am not now.
ummmmmmm.....ok. Maybe she shouldn't do interviews that focus on hair. she seemed flat out annoyed that she had to talk about her hair. How rude to her fans who expressed excitement when hearing about her being interviewed by Nikki!
That's not her hair, but I still liked reading the interview. She definitely has some 'tude-age going, but everyone isn't as hung up on hair as we are. I still admire her for wearing a kinky weave, no one else is doing it. And I agree, it's not CNs fault.
I agree with most of the above posters. Anonymous 1114, you hit the jackpot! Who the hell even knows who she is BUT US?! We're her fans, and after that interview, she probably lost a few. Thanks Nikki for bring us another celebrity idol. It's interesting to see their different perspectives. In Leela's case, I think she was just self-conscious.
Rain K.- Delaware
Hey! Hi Nikki! I haven't post on here in awhile but I do find myself browsing on here aleast once or twice a day! I love this site so much & I just want to thank CN for all the wonderful work you do,pls keep it up! Well about this interview....it was ok but I must say that Leela wasn't very informative & I found that disappointing! I mean after all, this is a natural hair site & this is what we do, we share our regimens & pride in our natural fab manes!I mean really she couldn't tell us a few products she uses that are @ hand in her home!@Hayden I agree there may be some insecurity on her part because of the mass of weave on her head that she may not feel %100 natural! In those pics that definitely doesn't look like all her hair & just because one may wear natural kinky weave doesn't mean that they're truly a natural!Don't know maybe she adds the weave because her hair may be short or thin. May I pls make some suggesstionson of some TRUE FAB celebs rockin it natural such as...Tracee Ellis Ross(Joan from the show Girlfriends,luv her)Rachel True(Mona from the show Half n Half,luv her), Corrine Bailey Ray,Erykah Badu,Jill Scott,Lauryn Hill & Trisha R. Thomas(author of the book series Nappily Ever After)! These are the few I can name right now that are on my mind, but I know there's more & I'm not sure you did some of these ladies already! Also it might be cool 2 do an interview w/some male celebs like Dwelle(neosoul artist luuvvv him). He has gorgeous natural hair & I would like to get his perspective on women w/natural hair! I think he's a fan for women wearing naturals because in his new vid he has a gorgeous woman in there with beautiful natural hair! Thanks CN & as usual you guys are greatly appreciated!
Unfortunately,some celebs are difficult to interview.We all appericate the time and dedication you put into CN for the readers.Thanks for information, and we look forward to more natural hair celebrity interviews.
I felt the need to post my two cents on the interview :)
I honestly was a bit suprised at how bla (if that's a word lol) the interview was. She was just basically like yea my hair is natural, all of it aint mine though, dont worry about what I use to style my hair ANYWAY go buy my album!
That kind of attitude may work for Essence in fact I read a similar article with her in that magazine and her attitude about her hair was the same. However this is a natural hair blog so of course we expect a little more detail about her HAIR.
I agree with Star about the list of celebs to interview. Definitely cosign on Tracee Ross and Rachel True I think they are natural hair inspirations to us all. I'm DYING to know their routines.
Anyways Nikki still love ya and the blog! You have nothing to do with other peoples responses to questions.
I can't believe this woman, this is a natural hair forum. How can someone be so nonchalant about something if they have a passion for it. So that makes you wonder, Why did she do this interview anyway? Great job Nikki and thank you for all you do. Good luck with the little one.
A beautiful woman on the outside.
The rest....as my other favourite blogger Afrobella says "Beauty is as beauty does".
Not the best PR for Ms James.... Does she really expect ppl to "check out her site" after answers like this? No, there are so much more beautiful (inside and outside) singers/actresses out there, I do not have to bother with a woman who speaks like this. Nikki, thanks for sharing. I hope she wasn`t too rude in personal...
I felt like I HAD to comment as well...
I agree with MissCurly
WHOA... who did she think she was being interviewed by, seriously.
Att-i-TUDE is vivid honey and very unnecessary. Nikki shouldn't be blamed for anyones self-conscious answers but us CN readers expected more.
It truly came off as her just wanting to plug in her album. Get it in where she could fit it in. Whatever...
Maybe she's not natural after all, maybe she is, maybe she has a headful of heat damage under that head full of weave lol. On another note thanks CN for the interview, we just saw her in a different light that's all.
I also hope that up next we get Tracee Ellis Ross, Rachel True, Corrine Bailey Rae, Janelle Monae, Nneka, Amel Larrieux,I wouldn't mind Solange and I wouldn't mind the Coconut Twins either.
I understand Leela 100%. She would rather be noted for her music and not her aesthetics, however, when you're rocking a huge kinky afro, those in the natural world are going to admire and compliment your hair because that is what they see first, before they hear your music. If she feels like TOO much focus is being applied to her looks, she shouldn't have agreed to do the interview for a natural hair blog...I'm sure "curly"nikki, gave it away.
While I do think she wears some weave, so what. I think all too often people can become too defensive about hair and unfortunately with all the positivity I read about when it comes to natural hair, there are too many people who take their hair too seriously. I can understand her saying it's more about my music not my hair.
For instance, I love my hair and finding new ways to take care of it, but I refuse to be a slave to it. With my attitude towards it, I probably come across nonchalant and mainly because it's a part of me NOT who I am. Maybe she thinks the same way.
wow...leela james. i'm really disappointed in your responses. i could care less whether the hair on your head is yours or not, but being this is a natural hair care forum, i think you owed it to its readers and your fans to not only share your haircare routine, but some of the products you use as well.
i won't hold it against you...we all have bad days, but how we handle them really defines our character. you just lost one...
I don't think most people are defensive about their hair. I think when people come to these natural hair sites they are looking to celebrate their own journey, share their experiences, learn new things, and be inspired. I don't believe the notion that people think their hair is "who they are"...they just like to have their hair on point just like some like their outfit or shoes on point. So why don't we hear "i am not my clothes" "i am not my shoes". Whether you choose to "slave" over your hair or not is totally up to you. what you call slaving another would call pampering herself.
**This is from someone who's also easy breezy when it comes to her hair (lol)
Wow! The huge smile that I had at the beginning of this interview was gone by the time I was finished reading it. She came across as fake, rude and disrespectful to Curly Nikki and her fans.
I had a huge smile also. Couldnt wait for this interview. Plug ur hair on Curly Nikki. Plug ur album on the radio station, cause were not trying 2 hear it.
I would take lil Jaden Pinkett Smith over her any day! He's more mature.
I am boycotting Leela - what a horrible interview for a HAIR BLOG.
I agree with everyone. If she thought that we focused too much on hair she shouldn't have done the interview. I really didnt know who she was and now I do. But, I would never check her our on facebook, twitter, etc or down load any of her music. She lost a potential fan. She must not have understood how many people check out this site. I will tell a friend and so on and so on....
Oh yeah I would also like to say her hair is beautiful.
I think she could've talked a little more about her hair, but it's not Nikki's fault the interview wasn't all that great. I saw a couple of comments stating that Leela didn't discuss her routine, but she did; it just seems really low maintainence (wash, condition, deep condition). I think she said she didn't have a true routine. Some people don't do lots of stuff with their hair. Maybe she didn't mention any products because she doesn't have any staples, just uses what's around. But if her hair is mostly or all weave, does it matter what products she uses?
Yes Nikki, she is a true diva..lol
I don't think that is her hair, she tries too hard with the baby hairs to me..I liked her but she turned me off with this interview..I think she was too defensive about her hair for it to be real. If she has been natural her whole life..there HAS TO BE something she uses as a tried and true product that works for her..she did not give us anything and I'm disappointed..I like the hair
She is a poser, plain and simple. It also looks like she had that nose nipped and tucked.
*I know that sounded nasty but, I couldnt help it*
She wasnt very informative, she didnt mention any product names, etc. She doesnt seem like she cares about it, because all she will do is weave it up anyway.
Ok I rarely post but i had to comment on this...that chic was RUDE! Flat out!...um was she not informed that this is a natural hair website? ok we understand your low maintenance and don't really care about your hair but Leela that attitude was just plain nasty. It's almost like she was telling us to f*** off! is it a sin to wanna know her hair regimen ? she probably has 2 inches of broke off hair under that wig or weave or whatever...maybe that's why she seems so angry?? lol
After this i will def not check out her music..she needs to fix her nasty attitude..smmfh
i agree with the notion that she seemed very defensive about her hair. even if its not all hers its still hers cuz she owns it. but i def would have liked to know her regimen or at least something she does that she feels works for her hair. especially sinced she has always been natural, i thought she would have some sort of regimen that she stands behind. oh well. nikki i think you did a wonderful job in booking her! i still like her music i just wont admire her for her hair anymore
Maybe her responses came off harsher than intended print. (???) Maybe she was trying a little tongue-in-cheek or dry humor that didn't translate well. (???) Maybe it would have come off better hearing her actual tone or voice. Maybe she was having a bad day. This is why we have to be careful with print communication in cyber space, which last forever. All the emoticons and smiley faces :-) in the world can't take the edge off certain hard print responses.(Trying real hard to give the sistah the benefit of the doubt.) BUT the checkmate-who-she-think-she-is responses were too funny!! Thanks for the great laugh y'all. Everybody keeping it real FO SHO. LOL Nikki you did your job as usual. Thx for the effort.
Just Googled "Leela James interview" and up popped this interview. What was she thinking? PR is so important... then again let's just keep it real Leela and see where it takes you. Peace!
If you want to see Leela James live, she is performing in NYC on 8/4 at Gramercy Theatre. Tickets are available at http://www.livenation.com/event/000044A6E97F88F0?artistid=976352&majorcatid=10001&minorcatid=202. Hope to see you there!
I didn't find LeeLa's responses offensive in the least bit. I thought she was actually pretty forthcoming. She did admit that she occasionally wears pieces, which I think is a bold move for a celeb to make. She could have denied it, (which she would certainly have been justified in doing b/c it isn't our business) but instead she shed a little bit of the mystique surrounding her image. I think we should be grateful to her for revealing that little snippet, b/c knowing that she does wear pieces on occasion will prevent many of us from succumbing to hair envy or having unrealistic expectations about hair growth. Also, I don't see any problem with her saying that she doesn't really use any specific products. That's actually quite similar to what Esperanza Spalding said about Shampoos, I think.
I'm not necessarily a fan of her music just yet (what I've heard is OK), but I can understand her frustrations with being known as the girl with the big afro. Other natural celebs have also expressed a desire to be seen for more than what grows from their scalps (See India Aire). I'm sure JLo gets tired of people asking her about her butt (although presumably JLo isn't giving interviews to butt-themed magazines, either). It's also possible that LeeLa doesn't really identify as being a "natural" in the way that others do. She may not see herself as being apart of a community (one that may be offended by her lack of enthusiasm for discussion of natural hair). Anyway, I, like Nikki, found LeeLa's responses to be pretty down-to-earth and real. I appreciated her advice about "doing you" becaust that is a value that can get lost in our efforts to build this online natural community. And I think LeeLa's response is understandable when you consider the fact that she has become largely identifiable by a characteristic that she hasn't internalized as being apart of HER identity (think about biracial or multiracial persons who are expected to represent one of their races, to the exclusion of the others... Jessica Alba has been known to get a little irritated at the media's description of her as a "Latina" actress because she is actually of mixed ancestry and grew up in CA where many people have Latino heritage. Alba just sees herself as an all-American girl!). Finally, LeeLa may be somewhat defensive because of negative comments like the ones expressed here (although you are certainly entitled to hold them and to voice them!). I think alot of natural celebs (I think Tracie Thoms alluded to this) become disallusioned with being natural hair heroines because the second they do something "unnatural" they receive alot of backlash. It's alot of pressure that's all I'm saying... So let's try and sympathize with her a little!
Sorry for the long response and for any typos!
This is anon July 20, @ 1:34:
I just reread the interview to make sure that I hadn't missed something... I mean Leela pretty much gave us a play-by-play of her routine... down to the number of plaits she puts in her hair. Some women just don't fuss over products...
I think her attitude stems from trying to hide something. I wanted to enjoy the interview but by the time I finished I was like, "excuuuuuussseeee me!". I said, maybe I'm being too sensitive. Let me read the other comments before I make a rash judgment and see if I'm the only one who felt this way and I wasn't. If it's a weave, then help us out. You know how many girls would love to get one of those while they're transitioning?!? Help a sista out! :) lol It doesn't really matter in the big scheme of things.....just my little observation :) Thanks Nikki. You're the best...siempre!
I think sometimes it's hard to get the context of words when they are written. I've seen her interview in person (on TV of course) and she seemed very down to earth.
her hair is fake...i have the same weave!
I'm don't usually comment on the "On the Couch" posts, I'm just so happy these people agree to the interviews, but I had to let this interview sit and come back today and reread it. My first reaction was like most people her, totally and completely unimpressed. But, on a second read you see that she answered honestly enough I think and she did touch on her regimen. Some people really don't have a favorite product. Also, it could be the fact that she has never been relaxed so her hair is as it has always been and is just not that big a deal. So, I would recommend a second read to all those a little disapointed and see if on second glance your not more satisfied with what she has to say.
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